Hampstead Village & Heath Walking Tour
Hampstead Underground station, London
Guided by David or Peter G. or Richard III
Walk Times
| Day | Walk Type | Start Time | End Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Weekly | 10.30 am | 1 pm | Winter Summer | Reserve Online |
| Wednesday | Weekly | 2 pm | 4 pm | Winter Summer | Reserve Online |
N.B. this walk will not take place on the following dates:
25-12-2024
Led by guides who know this area of London inside out (they’re locals), they don’t come much better than our Hampstead walk. Mr London Walks himself, David (who admittedly is rather biased) names this as his favourite London walking tour (just don’t tell the others!)
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE GUIDING
Don’t just take it from us…
What’s to love about Hampstead?
The North London district of Hampstead stands on the Northern Heights looking down on the City of London. The Northern Heights – David’s walk goes there – is the roof of London. It offers spectacular panoramic views across Greater London. As does Parliament Hill. On a clear day you can see all the way to Kent. That’s the big-picture view. Tighten the focus and you’ve got spectacular views of the City of London skyline.
The crown jewel of the Northern Heights is of course Kenwood with its lovely grounds and conservatory and arguably the finest private library in the land and of course its magnificent art gallery. Let alone its splendid cafe. And – embarrassment of riches – it’s free to visit.
But Hampstead’s chief glory is Hampstead Heath. Meadows and fields and ponds and trees – a huge stretch of countryside smack in the middle of a great world city. It’s unique. No other city in the world has anything like it. Those glorious green expanses aren’t just the focal point of Hampstead, they’re the key ingredient. They transform Hampstead from a lovely north London neighbourhood to something extraordinary.
Hampstead is like a country village (hence it being known as Hampstead Village) and yet it’s in the heart of London. Walk down Hampstead High Street and you’ll find the usual suspects, but it’s meandering through the winding walkways that will enable you to discover Hampstead, as you’ll find out on our circular Hampstead walk.
A few facts about London NW3
A mere 15 minutes on the tube from Hampstead tube station and you’re in buzzing Central London.
Hampstead is often referred to as Georgian, but its history goes way further back than that. We’re not talking 17th century either. There’s a recording of 986AD, but there is evidence of Mesolithic hunter-gatherers too.
About our Hampstead Walk
Our London Walks Hampstead Village guides have such a wealth of knowledge about this area (and more). It means that you learn an awful lot in a small space of time. On a self-guided walk, you’d have to get stuck into Hampstead many times over a period of years to discover as much, and it wouldn’t be as much fun.
This arty suburb has attracted creatives for centuries. We’ll point out some houses of the famous (alive and dead) including John Constable, Boy George, H.G Wells, Wilkie Collins, Kenneth Clark, Kingsley Amis, Mr Bean, Ricky Gervais, Gerald DuMaurier and his daughter Daphne DuMaurier, Kenneth Clark, John Le Carre, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, Judi Dench… the list just goes on and on.
John Keats started to write poetry here in The Vale of Health. John Constable painted skylines and his view of St Paul’s Cathedral from here.
You’ll see Fenton House, the oldest grand house in Hampstead, it’s a National Trust property. Then there’s Admiral’s House, built by a retired Navy Lieutenant (not an admiral at all). John Constable lived nearby and featured it in a painting too. P L Travers gained inspiration here that influenced the Mary Poppins story.
As you’d expect, we’ll walk around parts of the heath – West Heath and the main section with wonderful viewing platforms (like the one at Parliament Hill).
You’ll discover Well Walk (off East Heath Road) and Flask Walk, a lively, buzzing little pedestrian-only shopping lane with everything from antiques to sushi to a great pub (The Flask) and a Turkish barbers.
Our circular walk ends at Church Row.
A few other places to visit in Hampstead:
These places need time to explore properly in their own right. We highly recommend you do so.
Kenwood House – an English Heritage property that hosts incredible events and has a rich history to explore
Burgh House – a historic, Queen Anne listed home that incorporates Hampstead Museum
Highgate Ponds – are you brave enough for a dip on the east heath? It’s an exhilarating experience
The Holly Bush pub – a wonderful, traditional 18th century Georgian inn that has everything you want from a pub experience. Find it off Holly Bush Hill.
Hill Garden and pergola – a beautiful west heath Georgian arbour and terrace.
Practical tips for our Hampstead Walk
The Old Hampstead Village & Heath walk takes place at 10:30 am every Sunday morning, year-round. The Sunday morning walk is guided by David*
The Old Hampstead Village & Heath walk also takes place at 2 pm every Wednesday afternoon (except in January and February). The 2 pm Wednesday afternoon Hampstead walk is guided by Richard III or Peter.
The meeting point is just outside the exit of Hampstead underground station. That’s at the bottom of Heath Street and top of Hampstead High Street.
The walk ends in Church Row, Hampstead’s grandest street, just a stone’s throw from Hampstead Tube station.
Hear from our guides:
Hampstead podcasts
Hampstead: an introduction from David.
Another David podcast about Hampstead.
By Orchard Pond – David’s been out on Hampstead Heath listening to nature
Jan’s podcast on Hampstead Heath and Kenwood.
This is why you go on walking tours (well, it’s one reason, a helluva good reason)
Things to Do in Hampstead, A Local’s Guide
Hampstead videos
LONDON WALKS VIDEOS
David’s video number 1
And here’s our 2nd Hampstead film
LONDON WALKS PRIVATE WALKS
If you can’t make one of the regularly scheduled, just-turn-up, Hampstead Village & Heath it can always be booked as a private tour. If you go private you can have the Hampstead Village & Heath walk – or any other London Walk – on a day and at a time that suits your convenience. We’ll tailor it to your requirements. Ring Fiona or Niamh or Peter or Mary on 020 7624 3978 or email us at [email protected] and we’ll set it up and make it happen for you. A private London Walk – they’re good value for an individual or couple and sensational value for a group – makes an ideal group or educational or birthday party or office (team-building) or club outing.
Tal Cohen –
Great walk!!!
K.C. Myers –
A Sunday walk through the Heath with David is like a riveting theatrical production. I am still processing some of David’s stories and enticed to research more – instead, I look forward to my next tour with him! This is no ordinary tour – guaranteed to impress and entertain! Thank you David for a lovely Sunday stroll through the Heath!
Abigail Franklin –
Hampstead is an absolutely gorgeous village within a city, and David could not have been a better guide to showcase its many wonders. A perfect combination of beautiful nature, stunning architecture, great stories, on a perfect day. Would take the tour a second time since it was so good.
Marie-Josée –
It was our third Hampstead Village and Heath walk with David in 20 years… while I did not remember all the stories our guide told us in the past, I remembered the unique atmosphere of this walk. It is still very bucolic, quiet and enjoyable. David is kind, generous and attentive to everyone. He is not only knowledgeable, he is passionate about Hampstead. We highly recommend this walk.
Chris Hall –
What a wonderful tour, David educated us in the most effortless way about the preservation of the Heath. Apparently it was a long and hard fought battle. Interspersed with the gradual unfolding of this tale we were treated to the visual delight that is Hampstead village and stunning views across various London vistas, all delivered with David’s charm, wit and passion for his adopted village. The fascinating facts and observations came thick and fast, whilst the physical pace was gentle. (It is hilly which may deter some, but steps and handrails on the one steeper gradient aided accessibility, my dodgy knee coped just fine). This oasis in the city attracted, and continues to attract, gifted and creative people. Artists, actors, writers and musicians being particularly well represented. The architecture is varied and stunningly beautiful.
Thank goodness those visionaries were successful in preserving the Heath as common land for all Londoners to enjoy. No rewilding needed here! Nature has always found a home this corner of London. That’s how far ahead of their time those campaigners were.
The contrast between the bustling village and peace and tranquillity of the Heath gave the tour an unusual dimension and unique perspective.
Factor in some time to explore Hampstead village post tour and (top tip) have a light breakfast because there are some absolutely delightful places to eat! Can’t recommend this tour highly enough. Don’t dither, book it!
Susan Baron –
I enjoyed this walking tour of Hampstead with Richard III so much several years ago that I brought my daughter back with me in April 2022 to take it again. If I could give more than 5 stars, I would. Richard III is witty, kind, and incredibly knowledgeable. We spent a very fun couple of hours traipsing around the town of Hampstead — learning about John Keats, John Constable, the DuMauriers, and Hampstead architecture — just to name a few of the fascinating topics discussed during this amazing walk. I highly recommend leaving central London to learn about this erstwhile nearby village. You will see more London residents than tourists as the tube stop is at the outermost edge of Zone 2.
Katherine –
My daughter and I went on this walk and thought it was so fabulous we tried to recreate it for the rest of the family… kind of failed because we weren’t nearly as good as our guide… but also succeeded because we had discovered a gem!
I’ve been on 4 London Walks now—all different, each excellent.
This one might have been the “walkiest”—covered lots of ground, got all muddy… great fun!
Kenny –
We took the Hampstead Village & Heath walk with David. Although, I have lived in London for 20 years, he brought me to several areas I had never been too before. David has a tremendous knowledge of the area and a great ability and tell its stories. I have been on many guided walks and this ranks up there with the best. Thank you very much David!
Isabel –
I’ve been on several London Walks now and have thoroughly enjoyed them all. Each shows how varied different areas of London are, and the Hampstead and Heath walk by David introduced me to an area I’ve never visited before. David was most entertaining, with many interesting and sometimes quirky historical facts about the area. I was most interested in the story of how the Heath was saved from development over many years. We could just about make out the central London landmarks he pointed out from viewpoints despite the drizzle. I’m definitely planning to go back on a clearer day. Highly recommended.
Theresa Guppy –
What a perfect way to spend a Sunday morning – strolling around the fascinating streets and paths of Hampstead Village and Heath. You won’t find a more knowledgable and enthusiastic guide than David.