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:
11-12-2024 18-12-2024 25-12-2024 01-01-2025 08-01-2025 15-01-2025 22-01-2025 29-01-2025 05-02-2025 12-02-2025 19-02-2025 26-02-2025
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.
Suanne Bassett –
Brilliant. . . I so enjoyed David’s tour and I am delighted that he shared his neighborhood with us. Hampstead is magical, charming and a special treat for anyone who wants to see another side of London. . .slower paced, artsy, and chock full of floral alleyways and tasty cafes. The Hampstead Heath alongside this village is gorgeous and wild…offering meandering walks and stunning views. I highly recommend taking the time for David’s tour. He is a delight. You won’t regret it.
Chris –
We got to experience an unknown to us part of London with the knowledgeable and entertaining Richard the Third. I had no idea such a peaceful, green oasis existed so close to the city center. No wonder everyone wants to live here! It seems that everyone in the worlds of art, music, and literature, as well as modern actors and musicians have walked these green streets. And our guide was able to tell us about all of them.
Alick –
What a magnificent Walk! It may well be my favourite London Walk. Superb scenery, great stories and even though I missed seeing Ricky Gervais passing behind the group, I did see Alan Davies geting into his car.
Jo Topfer –
What a wonderful day and what a fabulous walk!!! David’s walk around Hamstead Heath last Sunday was a masterpiece in storytelling. For over 3 hours I was spell-bound by his wonderful combination of history both social and cultural, myths and scandals, heroes and heroines, and even a bit of celebrity spotting! Moreover, his extensive knowledge of the area was imparted in a manner and style that ensured everyone heard him. Highly recommended!!!!!
Mary Lawless –
Our group of 21 enjoyed a wonderful walk around Hampstead Village and part of the Heath on a sunny day with our guide, David. A fascinating and beautiful part of London with so much interesting history. Many thanks David. My only suggestion is that a microphone would be helpful as some people at the back of our rather large group struggled to hear everything.
Nicholas Bowman –
What a remarkably enjoyable time we had walking around Hampstead with the very engaging David as our leader. Hampstead is a very beautiful place to spend some time, and it has a fascinating history populated by residents both famous and quirky. David took us gently round stopping regularly to reveal one interesting and delightful fact after another. This is an experience I would recommend to everyone…Hampstead was brought to life – who knew President DeGaulle went to church there, who knew Londoners should be grateful to a little northern industrialist for preserving the Heath, and who could resist the house from Mary Poppins? Fabulous stuff
Vince & Jayne Sharp –
An absorbing 2+ hours telling Hampstead’s story. Content ranges from the origins of humanity, the Thames and London; the topography which makes the Heath so unique; and the early struggles to contain urban sprawl and protect cherished open space for future generations. Along the way, the history of Hampstead’s architectural delights and a roll call of its famous residents – some titans of the arts and sciences, past and present – are revealed. Thanks David.
Kerry Warr –
We did the Hampstead walk with our guide David. It was a real treat. His knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject were great. The pace of the tour was perfect and we learnt so much. I would highly recommend this tour as o anyone. We saw and learnt so much more of Hampstead than we knew before a real pleasure.
Daniyal Shoaib –
I had the pleasure of taking this walk with David on Sunday, August 11, 2024. It was a lovely sunny day which perfectly matched the disposition of our guide and the attendees. David’s knowledge of Hampstead is extraordinary and his enthusiasm is infectious. Granted, it’s hard not to be charmed by the history, architecture and character of the place but this is all amazingly brought to life in the 2+ hours spent walking with and listening to David. Nothing is rushed as the point is to soak it all in and marvel at the fact that what we’re seeing and experiencing is only a short way from the bustle of central London. Of course it is a walk so do bring along comfortable shoes, a hat and/or sunscreen and any other appropriate gear for the season and day’s weather in which you’ll be walking. As an added bonus, David followed up with an email including attachments of a write-up on the walk as well as photos of hidden vistas not accessible to the public…you’ll have to take the walk to learn more! For anyone who may read this review, please do yourself, family and friends a favour and book the Hampstead walk with David…you will not regret it, rather it will be something you remember with great fondness for many years to come.
Yuval –
David McDowall, with his fascinating storytelling talent and vast historical and literary knowledge, poetically narrates four miraculous events that saved Hampstead village from disastrous urban development that would have destroyed its unique beauty, historical homes, and character. Fast forward 100 years, an excellent walking tour guide, inspired by his readings of David’s writings about Hampstead Village and Heath, and by watching historical YouTube archival videos, added another miracle to his storytelling about Hampstead Village.
“For many years around the year 2000, there was an American named David McDowall who fell in love with English literature and Hampstead Village and the Heath, and moved to this area. He captivated thousands with his magical guided walking tours. His tours were so exceptional that he could have charged high prices as a private guide, but his love for the place led him to offer them for a very small amount so that many people could enjoy them. Fortunately, a few of these people organized and prevented an initiative in 2059 that sought to demolish old homes and replace them with new constructions. They used David’s writings and archival videos about Hampstead Village and Heath to miraculously convince the then London mayor, who was so impressed, to veto the initiative. Local residents added a plaque, now hanging in Kenwood House, to document and honor David for his contribution to the conservation and saving the village.”
Yuval, August 2024