There are plenty of published walks around Hampstead including those listed below. The Town Trail by Christopher Wade (available for 1 from Burgh House) is very good with map and illustrations. This 3 mile circular walk from Hampstead tube station is probably a combination of several of them. Hampstead is noted for its 'ups and downs' but apart from the small section between Judge's Walk & Whitestone Pond (which you can avoid) it is all pavement walking. Burgh House (pictured) which you pass twice is a good refreshment stop (see text).

From Hampstead tube station (Northern line)
London’s deepest station with 300steps! The tile work is typical of stations designed by Leslie Green (1907)

Exit onto Hampstead High Street and take Heath Street opposite
Notice to the right the building with the clocktower which is a former fire station. In Holly Bush Vale is the Everyman Cinema Club. Tescos occupy former dairy buildings.

Left along Oriel Place and right at the High Street
Bird in Hand Yard opposite was used as stabling by the London Omnibus Company

Right into Perrins Court. Halfway down go right then left through Oriel Court. Cross Heath Street into Church Row
Elegant 18^th century houses with attractive iron work
ST JOHN’S CHURCH and churchyard are worth visiting and guides are available to purchase inside

Go right up Holly Walk
Cemetery extension, RC Church, site of Watch House

At the top go right into Mount Vernon
Plaque to R L Stevenson on former girl’s school building

Bear left down the slope and cross Holly Hill into Holly Mount
Holly Bush PH, No 17 former Baptist Chapel & printing press of ‘Ham & High’, London views

Return and go up Holly Bush Hill
To the right is Romney House (with a plaque to the painter) and on the left is the former T B hospital (now flats). The road passes FENTON HOUSE (N T) and the former home of George Du Maurier

Left into Admiral’s Walk
Admiral’s House (Gilbert Scott plaque) & Grove Lodge (Galsworthy plaque)

Bear right up Windmill Hill to Judges Walk and go right. Bear left across the Heath and cross to Whitestone Walk
The flagpole marks the site of an Armada Beacon

Cross to Whitestone Pond
View of Jack Straws Castle (former pub) rebuilt after wartime bombing. An old milestone gives the pond its name.

Cross back towards a mound
This is a covered reservoir of 1856 on top of which is an observatory

Continue along Hampstead Grove and go left through Mount Square. Cross Heath Street (with care!) into Hampstead Square
Friends Meeting House. Further along is the former home of hymn writer Newman Hall with homes for the poor provided by his widow

Go to the right into Elm Row and down the steps continuing ahead into New End
Opposite is a former hospital, now converted into flats, which was originally the workhouse.

Left along New End
On the left the former mortuary building of 1890 has been converted into a theatre.

Continue to the right of the White Bear PH into New End Square
BURGH HOUSE - historic house (open Wed-Sun 12-5) with local history displays, exhibitions shop & cafe (open Wed-Sun 11-5:30)

Left along Well Walk
Plaques to Marie Stopes & Constable, Wells Tavern, Drinking fountain on the site of mineral springs

Go through Gainsborough Gardens (Note this is private road and NOT a public right of way)
Left along Heath Side and right along East Heath Road past a car park & fairground site
Go to the right of the island ahead (South End Road) then right along East Heath Road. Right into Keats Grove
KEATS HOUSE and St John’s Church at the end

Turn right into Downshire Hill. Past the Freemason’s Arms PH turn left into Willow Road
Numbers 1-3 were designed by Erno Goldfinger. He lived in number 2 which is now owned and opened by the National Trust. At the top of the road on the right a wall marks the location of former barracks. BURGH HOUSE (second chance!)

Left along Flask Walk
Former Baths & Wash House (now flats), cottage with crooked chimneys, Flask Tavern where spa water was bottled for sale in London

Right along Hampstead High Street back to station

london-footprints.co.uk 2007

Reference sources
Hampstead Town Trail by Christopher Wade
Walking London by Andrew Duncan
Village London by Andrew Duncan
London Villages by John Wittich

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