Hampstead, as idyllic as it gets
Hampstead is six kilometers from the center and is home to one of the most adored parks by Londoners: Hampstead Heath , a small forest just a stone's throw from central London. But perhaps it is not only the most desired neighborhood by Londoners today, but in earlier times, celebrities such as Lord Byron, Dickens, Audrey Hepburn and, more recently, as Russell Crowe or George Michael, they also set their eyes on this area.
The facades of Hampstead, an urban spectacle
The idyllic postcard with its houses with garden and charming streets make you think you're in a small English town. This is one of its main claims, which has also made this area one of the masks to live.
Here you will find, for example, Witanhurst: the second largest house in London after Buckingham Palace, with 25 rooms and worth €325 million . On average, in this neighbourhood, a two-bedroom flat costs more than €800,000 , and a five-bedroom house with a garden exceeds three million pounds.
Observing the facades, one of the pleasures of Hampstead
In fact, looking at these houses, even from the outside, with its windows, its colorful doors and its facades that give off their own character, is one of the attractions of the neighborhood. The houses also surround a jewel that we have already talked about: Hampstead Heath.
This is one of the parks largest and oldest in the city, and will make you feel like you are in the middle of a forest . You can go several times and always discover something new.
Hampstead Heath
Have 18 ponds ; three of them are natural pools to which many Londoners go almost daily, despite sometimes low temperatures. One of the ponds is for exclusive use of men, another for women and another mixed.
Its environment of flora and fauna will help you switch off and relax after a stressful day at the office or, if you're visiting London, it can be a different plan to enjoy. They are open Everyday of the year, and there is never a lack of bathers who do not hesitate to take a dip in winter.
Highgate Mens Bathing Pond
One of the most famous places in this park is Parliament Hill, one of the highest points from where you can enjoy one of the the best views of the city, with the City on the horizon, spotting Shard, Gherkin and Walkie-Talkie , as well as St. Paul's Cathedral and the Palace of Westminster.
Overlooking Hampstead Heath, **Kenwood House** may be your next stop. This mansion houses a large collection of works of art and antiques, including a Rembrandt self portrait and was the setting for some scenes in the movie Notting Hill .
Kenwood House
When you get tired of nature, which we assure you will be difficult, go to Hampstead High Street, where will you find the most exclusive brands and also antique and second-hand shops where you can get hold of relics that keep many stories. One of its best secrets is that here is one of the best second-hand stores in Oxfam. These types of establishments are very common in the UK, and are usually at the forefront solidarity organizations, who dedicate all the proceeds from the sale to a good cause.
In particular, in this store, the neighbors usually donate luxury brand clothing. one can find a dolce gabbana jacket at 60 euros, or an Armani dress for 90. So, if you drop by the neighborhood, it never hurts come in and see what they have.
Hampstead, as idyllic as it gets
To end our visit to Hampstead, we cannot leave without taking a pint in one of its most charming pubs, such as ** The Holly Bush , The Garden Gate ** or ** The Roebuck ,** where you can live the true english pub experience with good beers and local food.
The Holly Bush, one of the most iconic pubs in the area