PROPERTY
PROPERTY Welcome to Hampstead With its eponymous park sprawling over 800 acres, yet conveniently close to the city centre, Hampstead has long been one of London’s most popular residential areas. Retaining a distinctly unique atmosphere that feels both separate and yet an integral part of London, Hampstead is elegant, bookish, leafy, villagelike, packed with history, literary connections, cobbled streets and independent stores and eateries, yet remains modern, vibrant and entirely relevant. Hampstead (commonly known as Hampstead Village) extends to Hampstead Garden Suburbs in the north and shares its borders with St. Johns Wood to the south and neighbouring Highgate to the east. It is part of the London Borough of Camden, and historically known for its intelligentsia of academics, high-brow artists, architects, and musical and literary associations. In fact, there are at least 60 English Heritage blue plaques in Hampstead, making it the most of any London suburb. The area preserves much of its unique village character through its architecture, with Hampstead High Street alone housing no less than 18 Grade II listed buildings. Hampstead is well known for a number of things, including the former home of the great Romantic poet John Keats, which is open to the public, as well as the beautiful regency home of Kenwood House located within Hampstead Heath, which is also open to the public, and for free. Kenwood House is noted for its gorgeous 18th century-style landscaped gardens. You can WWW.THEAMERICANHOUR.COM
find the work of artists such as Rembrandt and Vermeer hanging on the walls, with the gardens used for opera performances throughout the summer. Hampstead Village has a colourful tapestry of residents, notably intellectuals, thespians, artists, architects and the wealthy. Moreover, the village of Hampstead has more millionaires within its boundaries than any other area of the United Kingdom. As such, it has always been a popular area for the great and the good that are looking for a slice of serenity amongst London’s hubbub, and yet still have access to chic boutiques and the vast fields of Hampstead Heath where they can frequently be found jogging or dog-walking. As previously mentioned, Hampstead Heath is also well known for its beautiful expansive parkland. There are around 800 acres of meadows, woods, and gardens to explore, and on a sunny day you can take a dip in the Hampstead Heath pond (separated into men’s, women’s and mixed). You can also visit the zoo in nearby Regent’s Park, spot birds and other wildlife in their natural environments, or join the fitness buffs making use of the open running space. Head to Parliament Hill for a romantic sunset, where you can view the beautiful and legally protected views of the London skyline. Hampstead is popular with families, particularly because of its excellent education scene. The selection of private primary and preparatory schools in Hampstead is larger than
anywhere else in London, with six all-through private schools. In the state sector, all of Hampstead’s primary schools are judged to be “good” or better by the government’s education watchdog Ofsted.
Houses In Hampstead
The hilltop village of Hampstead has a wide array of properties to offer, including grand Georgian houses, large Victorian terraced houses, detached 1920s and 1930s homes, and smaller cottages. Take a stroll down the slopes of Back Lane and the surrounding paths of the village and you will find lovely terraced houses with
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