Hampstead

Hampstead is sometimes considered to be the area covered by the NW3 London postcode, but the true heart of Hampstead is Hampstead Village. The Village was a small spa town just outside London in the 18th and 19th centuries. In those days it had a slightly disreputable reputation! It was also a haunt of artists – John Constable lived and painted there for many years and his family vault can be found in Hampstead churchyard. Today the Village is still popular with artists and has several galleries.

Hampstead Village today is popular with  both residents and visitors. There are many restaurants, cafes and shops. There are many buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries and the whole area is photogenic – see my upcoming Hampstead gallery on this site. It can be quite busy on weekends and, with care, a rewarding location for street photography, particularly in the summer when outdoor cafes are busy.

Nearby is Hampstead Heath, an 800-acre green open space managed by the Corporation of the City of London for the benefit of the people of London. It is popular with walkers and  still hosts traditional fairs on bank holiday weekends. Some high viewpoints, particularly the well-known Parliament Hill, provide panoramic views of London. For the photographer there are opportunities for landscape and wildlife photography – and all close enough to the village to visit a restaurant or pub afterwards.