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.
Irina Tolstova –
What an imazing walk on Sunday with David! He is a great story teller indeed! He knows not just every hidden corner of Hampstead village but also showed its best views and angles. Despite I know Hampstead really well I was happy I joined the tour as learnt lots of interesting facts, moving and sentimental stories and opened so many new paths, details of the architecture, history and famous names, of course! One of the best ways to spend your Sunday morning is to explore this beuatiful area with knowledgebale and passionate guide! Thank you, David! I truly enjoyed the walk.
Steve Lesley –
What a great way to spend a Sunday Morning! The tour uncovered parts and the History of Hampstead that the majority of people would never seek out. Thank you David
Chris Fisher –
It makes the world of difference when your guide isn’t working from a script but is speaking from extensive personal knowledge rooted in a deep and genuine interest. We went on the Hampstead walk with David on Boxing Day and despite the low misty cloud we thoroughly enjoyed the warm and enthusiastic way he shared his obvious love of the neighbourhood. Unfortunately because of the low cloud we couldn’t see any of the views which are a key feature of this walk. That’s the only excuse we need to go back and do it again in the summer. If you’re thinking of going on a London Walk don’t hold back. We’ve done several now and can recommend them highly.
D. Beckham –
“a wonderful tour, easily one of the best we’ve had in London”
Rebecca –
I turned out to be the only person on this Walks tour (10/31/21), and David still gave me a fantastic tour and truly made my time in Hampstead one to remember. I would not have been able to learn as much and see as varied of walkways on my own had David not guided me through this wonderful walk. Taking this Walks tour, I learned and saw so much more thanks to David’s eyes than I could have on my own. I had planned on doing this tour and then going back to central London, but after this walk with David I decided to take my time and spent another hour discovering Hampstead on my own. I cannot wait to go back and discover even more of the village on my next trip to London.
Alice Kathryn Chen –
Spent a delightful morning walking with David of London Walks learning all about Hampstead and Hampstead Heath. Why? 1) Because once upon a time in high school, the only book I really enjoyed in my AP English was Return of the Native, and I decided it was very important that one day I experience a heath in person – couldn’t make it to Ogden Heath this time around (sorry Thomas Hardy) so Hampstead will have to suffice and 2) because as David so eloquently said “Hampstead is a place for those with particularly developed visual capacities” which I interpret as “It’s a place for people who like pretty and wild things” which is def me. Of all the neighborhoods I’ve visited in London, I’d def want to live in Hampstead among the artists, actors and brambles. If you are ever in London and you love to walk, look and learn with a charming human who clearly LOVES and knows all the nooks and crannies of his neighbourhood check out @londonwalksofficial and make sure you spend some time with David. He’s a very jaunty dresser, as well which gets him extra points in my book!
Lynn Farley-Rose, author of 31 Treats and a Marriage –
“Last Sunday morning I had an enchanting walk around Hampstead in the company of a group of strangers and an erudite guide. I’ve enjoyed a number of these over the years and so it was that one cold January afternoon in Little Venice I learned about the history of the Regent’s Canal and enjoyed peering nosily through houseboat windows. On another walk I explored the quirks of upmarket Notting Hill, and a walk around Chelsea revealed intricate treasures from the Arts and Crafts movement. But Hampstead is definitely my favourite walk so far, with its panoramic views over London and streets so steep they have handrails.”
Sarena –
“A huge ‘thank you’ to David for our Hampstead walk this morning [19 February 2017]. I’ve lived in Hampstead for the past 25 years and you still managed to teach me things about my ‘hood! I thoroughly enjoyed, seeing Hampstead through your eyes, your aesthetic, as well as your formidable knowledge from geology to history. Your love of the place shone through. We had a totally wonderful morning. It was a pleasure meeting you and I’ll be back for more walks with visitors… so until the next time, it’s bye for now. Best wishes and thanks again Sarena”
C. Travell – Toronto Canada –
We went on the Hampstead Village & Heath walk with David and thoroughly enjoyed it. David is extremely knowledgeable and his obvious love for what he does shines through. He pointed out things we never would have seen on our own, and took us to places we never would have found. Would certainly recommend David’s walk.