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 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

a combination of Victorian and Georgian architecture. Church Row, Elm Row, Willow Road and Cannon Lane all have the same blend of houses with cobbled streets and pavements running throughout.

The Bishop’s Avenue and Winnington are famously known for their large multi-million pounds mansions that are considered some of the most expensive properties in the world.

Shopping

Hampstead Village is great for window shopping, full of quirky stores, fashionable boutiques and exciting places to eat.

Why head into Central London when you’ve got everything you need on your doorstep? Hampstead High Street is just one of the surrounding streets packed with shops, pubs and restaurants. It has all the best bits of that village feel, but also packed with all the things that make London great.

Hampstead has a good choice of chic boutiques, with French brands such as Zadig & Voltaire, Petit Bateau, Comptoir des Cotonniers, Maje, Claudie Pierlot and Cop-Copine all here. Independent boutiques include long-standing Jane & Dada and Linea. For high street shopping, Oxford Street and Brent Cross Shopping Centre are within 15 minutes by car or public transport.

Getting Around

Underground: Hampstead tube station is a whopping 192 feet below ground level, making it the deepest underground station on the London Underground network. Hampstead (zone 2) is on the Edgware branch of the Northern line, with direct trains to Euston and central London (20 minutes to Oxford Circus). The Overground line runs trains to Richmond and Stratford from Finchley Road and Frognal and Hampstead Heath. Train: London Paddington, London King’s Cross and St Pancras International and Marylebone stations are all within close proximity of Hampstead, offering direct links to the west and north as well as France and Belgium via the Eurotunnel. Buses: Buses 46, 210,268, 603 all run through Hampstead and serve central London. Car: The Finchley Road connects Hampstead to Central London; you can be on Baker Street in 15 minutes.

Restaurants, Pubs, Bars And Cafés

Villa Bianca

This eatery sits on a quiet side street in the heart of Hampstead and has done for over 30 years. It’s a must for pasta lovers, and the ambience is perfect for a special occasion. Expect an excellent wine list and al fresco dining in the summer.

The Freemasons

Tucked down a quiet road just off Hampstead Heath is The Freemasons, a gastropub serving Modern British and Mediterranean dishes in a skylit conservatory dining room.

Gaucho Hampstead

Gaucho Hampstead offers sleek interiors including cowhide fabrics which create a lavish backdrop for delicious Argentine food and wine.

Black Truffle

This independent deli and coffee house has all its food produced in-house and is open seven days a week. Brunch (served between 8am and 3pm) is a particular treat. Eggs in all their guises are a house speciality as are the ciabatta-based sandwiches, while there is an impressive range of juices, milkshakes and smoothies when you want a change from coffee.

Chamomile Café

Another delightful independent café on England’s Lane, this one opened in 2003 and showcases a love of classic cinema by adorning its walls with vintage posters. Proud to support local businesses, it sources meat and poultry from Barretts Butchers opposite and serves Mission.

Knight Frank’s Relocation Service

We understand that moving home is a stressful and time-consuming process at the best of times, without the added challenge of that move being to a new country. Our relocation team are on hand to help you with this new chapter, offering a bespoke service with no cost or obligations and full access to London’s property market, to ensure your experience is as smooth as possible.

Sacha Hawkins, Associate, Relocation Inspired by my parents’ love of property, I started out my real estate career in Cambridge, first working as an estate agent. I jumped at the opportunity to move into the world of corporate relocation and now have over eight years’ experience working in the dynamic and global London market. A vital part of what I do is to listen to my clients’ individual needs, so that when they are matched to their perfect property, they have the best start to their new journey in London. For any of your property needs or advice, please get in touch. I’d love to help you. E: sacha.hawkins@knightfrank.com T: +44 20 3504 7337 www.knightfrank.co.uk