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Hampstead is an upscale area in the London Borough of Camden. It has more millionaires within its boundaries than any other area in the United Kingdom.
Introduction to Hampstead
Hampstead became a popular place to live in the mid-19th century. Many of the luxurious homes found there were built in the 1870s and 1880s. It’s also attracted several writers, actors, composers, artists, architects, and intellectuals over the years.
I briefly explored Hampstead on a Sunday afternoon with my friend Carol who lives nearby in Highgate. We started in Camden Town and worked our way up to Hampstead.
Belsize Park
After enjoying Primrose Hill, we walked through Belsize Park, which is considered by many to be a neighborhood in Hampstead. We started down England’s Lane, then passed Primrose Gardens, which was originally named Stanley Gardens. It was once used by the Hampstead Cricket Club, founded in 1865. The homes around the oval garden were built in the 1880s. We then continued up Haverstock Hill to Hampstead.
St. Stephen’s Church
Once in the heart of Hampstead, the first attraction we walked past was St. Stephen’s Church on Rosslyn Hill. This deconsecrated church once held up to 1,200 worshippers. It was built between 1869 and 1870 by architect Samuel Sanders Teulon. In the 1960s, there were concerns about its structural integrity. As maintenance costs rose and attendance declined, it closed to worship I’m 1977. The St. Stephen’s Trust restored it between 2002 and 2009, and it’s now available for hire for private events. It’s open to the public on certain days.
Lyndhurst Road Congregational Church
Across the street is the former Lyndhurst Road Congregational Church. It was built in 1884 by architect Alfred Waterhouse and had a capacity of 1,500 people. Since 1991, it’s been the home of AIR Studios, a recording studio founded by Beatles producer Sir George Martin in 1965.
Hampstead High Street
Next, we walked up Rosslyn Hill to Hampstead High Street while Carol pointed out a few important places from her past. We stopped into a few shops and had a crepe and coffee before continuing.
Heath Street
Carol led me down Perrin’s Court to Heath Street, where we admired some of the beautiful buildings and popped into some more shops.
We then walked up Heath Street where Carols showed me her old flat. It’s a lively area that I’d like to spend more time exploring in the future.
Mansfield Place
From there, Carol led me down to Mansfield Place, a lovely pathway surrounded by gardens belonging to historic homes. She told me stories about friends who had lived there and the summer parties they used to throw.
Burgh House and Hampstead Museum
Next, we walked down Streatley Place and passed the Burgh House and Hampstead Museum. This historic house was built in 1704 and one of the first large houses built in Hampstead. From 1937 to 1946, it sat empty before serving as a community center for 30 years. It was converted into a museum that opened on September 8, 1979. The museum contains exhibits about the history of Hampstead. It’s open Wednesday through Friday and Sunday and admission is free (as of August 2024).
Well Walk
We continued down Well Walk, and Carol pointed out what she believed to be a house where Jeremy Irons once lived. We also passed The Wells Tavern, a popular bar and restaurant. Further down are several Victorian buildings.
John Constable’s House
Also on Well Walk is a blue plaque for John Constable (1776-1837). The painter lived in a house on the street.
Gainsborough Gardens
Just off Well Walk is Gainsborough Gardens, which is a tranquil garden surrounded by Victorian homes. The garden and small community was founded in the late 19th century on the site of the former Hampstead Wells spa.
In 1698, the six acres of land for the spa was donated to the “poor of Hampstead”. It contained chalybeate waters, which contained lots of iron, and the spa became a fashionable place for Londoners. It declined in popularity and was demolished in 1882. The lawn covers what used to be an ornamental pond.
Boy George’s House
Before walking through Hampstead Heath, Carol pointed out the house of Boy George, the 80s pop icon and lead singer of the Culture Club.
