Hampstead Village Walking Tour
Hampstead Underground station, London
Guided by David or Peter G. or Richard III
Adult: £20 · Students & Seniors: £15 · Children: £5
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 |
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 spaces 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 and unlike other parts of London.
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 alleyways that will enable you to truly 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.
How long does it take to walk around Hampstead Heath? It takes around 2 hours to walk the 6.9 km circular lap of Hampstead Heath. Coincidentally, our Hampstead walk also takes 2 hours.
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 residents (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. You’ll find more famous names in the beautiful churchyard on Church Row too.
John Keats started to write poetry here in The Vale of Heath. 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. Plus a smattering of more hidden gems too.
Our circular walking route 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
Keats House – the Regency Villa that he called home is where Keats Grove meets Downshire Hill, turn left and follow the road to Rosslyn Hill.
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 2pm Wednesday afternoon walking tour of Hampstead is guided by Richard III or Peter.
The meeting point is just outside the exit of Hampstead underground station (on the Edgware branch of the Northern line, between Golders Green and Belsize Park stations). That’s at the bottom of Heath Street and top of Hampstead High Street. (NOT HAMPSTEAD HEATH STATION)
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 the London walking tour 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.
Silvana Hare –
A most pleasant and informative walk with Richard. Highly recommend it!
Brenda –
Thank you for a lovely walk around Hampstead Richard. A very informative guide who showed us many interesting places
niall –
Thoroughly enjoyed our walk and the information provided relative to the area/ time period.
Would highly recommend Richard the III.
Margaret Ryan –
Without question, the London Walk around Hampstead Village and Heath was a perfect way to spend the afternoon. Our guide, Richard 111 (as he is known), was so informative with a sprinkling of humour. Totally recommend.
Deb –
The Hampstead walk yesterday was a lovely way to learn about a part of London that I had not yet visited. Hampstead is imbued with history and culture, both past and recent. David, our guide, taught us about much of it while we strolled through a neighborhood with stunning architecture, and filled with life. David was a spectacular guide. I believe he lives in Hampstead and gives the walk weekly. He literally wrote the chapter on Hampstead, and he knows many of the locals, including the delightful pups. We had three stops with locals (four if you count Lola, the dog) who very generously and happily shared their stories and experiences with us because they knew David. This is an easy to reach part of London via the Underground and the walk in the village and in nature (the heath) was worth every minute.
Sharon Clay –
Went on David’s Hampstead walk yesterday with a friend. I have done lots of London walks as they have always been great but have to say, as good as all the guides are, David has been the best I have ever had. He knows his stuff, is a fantastic narrator, has a good sense of humour, is enthusiastic and loves Hampstead and his passion comes through. He went over and above during the tour. I thoroughly recommend.
Jim Ferentino –
David is an absolutely exemplary guide. During his walking tour he enthusiastically conveys his knowledge, enthusiasm, and love for Hampstead. David is an absolute wealth of information about the area. His knowledge of the people and history of Hampstead is immense. He strongly transmits his enthusiasm and love of the Hampstead area to all those on his tour. I would highly, highly recommend anybody with an interest in this part of London to take David’s walking tour. I am absolutely delighted to have experienced it on Sunday, April 27, 2025.
Rosemary Walker –
The Hampstead walk yesterday was hugely enjoyable thanks to David’s knowledge and perfect weather for those views across London. I enjoyed the relaxed pace and diving into the less well known parts of old Hampstead and the Heath. It was great to look at the fine houses and hear who had been residents there over the years. I lived in the area for a long time but there were little back roads I hadn’t been down before and many anecdotes that I found fascinating. It was interesting too to go down into the Vale of Health and to walk down secret paths in the cool of the woods. All in all, it was a lovely few hours with fellow walkers and with David who is high entertaining and made the walk a memorable one.
Amelia Clark –
David gave us an amazing theatrical experience with his depth of knowledge through almost 50 years living and working in the area. We even had a special moment with a local telling us about famous people who live in the area (because David is so well known for his tours in the local community). Would recommend to anyone wanting to get to know this beautiful place more
Chloe Aust –
I did the walk with Peter this afternoon, it was very interesting and we saw so much of Hampstead village. It was a lovely area to explore and Peter was so knowledgable about the area. I have had a lovely afternoon and recommend this tour to anyone who wants to have a really nice few hours walking round facinating part of London