Hampstead Village London: things to do, shops & restaurants
Hampstead Village London
Hampstead is one of my favourite neighbourhoods in London. After living in London for almost six years, I still return regularly and Hampstead Village is one of those places I never get tired of. Think leafy streets, old pubs, independent shops, beautiful houses and Hampstead Heath just around the corner.
In this guide I share my favourite things to do in Hampstead, from walking across Hampstead Heath and shopping around Hampstead High Street to the best pubs, restaurants and coffee shops in Hampstead Village.
Fancy a weekend London? Explore Hotels London
What to do in Hampstead London
Hampstead is one of the best neighbourhoods in London for combining village atmosphere with green space. Start in Hampstead Village, explore Hampstead High Street and the small streets around Flask Walk, then walk towards Hampstead Heath for views over London from Parliament Hill.
My favourite things to do in Hampstead:
Explore Hampstead Village and Hampstead High Street
Walk across Hampstead Heath
See the London skyline from Parliament Hill
Visit Hampstead Pergola & Hill Gardens
Discover Kenwood House
Go shopping around Hampstead High Street and Flask Walk
Have lunch or a Sunday roast in a traditional Hampstead pub
Stop for coffee at one of Hampstead Village's cafés
Explore Primrose Hill
Explore Marylebone
Hampstead Village
Hampstead Village is the historic heart of Hampstead in North London. Around Hampstead Underground station, Hampstead High Street, Heath Street and Flask Walk you'll find independent shops, cafés, restaurants and some of London's most atmospheric old pubs.
Despite being only a short Tube ride from central London, Hampstead still feels surprisingly village-like. Small lanes, beautiful houses and the proximity of Hampstead Heath make it a lovely neighbourhood to explore on foot. I would allow at least half a day, but you can easily spend an entire day combining the village with Hampstead Heath.
Hampstead High Street shops
Hampstead is one of my favourite London neighbourhoods for shopping away from the big shopping streets in central London. Hampstead High Street starts almost immediately outside Hampstead Underground station, but don't limit yourself to the High Street: explore Heath Street, Flask Walk and the smaller surrounding streets too.
Independent shops & boutiques in Hampstead
For fashion, you'll find shops including Sessùn, Essentiel Antwerp, Free People and Russell & Bromley around Hampstead High Street.
If you prefer second-hand and pre-loved fashion, have a look at Nearly New Fashion and Exclusivo Second Hand. I particularly like Hampstead for combining regular boutiques with some surprisingly good charity shops.
Charity shops in Hampstead
Hampstead is one of my favourite areas in London for charity shopping. These are the charity shops I would look out for:
Mary's Living & Giving for Save the Children
Hampstead Heath Boutique by Shelter
Cancer Research UK
Oxfam Hampstead
Octavia Foundation
Mary's Living & Giving is my personal favourite because it feels more like a small boutique than a traditional charity shop.
Flask Walk
Don't miss Flask Walk while exploring Hampstead Village. This small pedestrian street just off Hampstead High Street is one of the prettiest corners of the neighbourhood, with independent businesses, cafés and colourful shopfronts.
Combine Flask Walk with Hampstead High Street and Heath Street rather than treating Hampstead as one single shopping street.
Hampstead Heath
Hampstead Heath is one of the reasons I love this part of London so much. The huge green space feels a world away from central London, yet from Parliament Hill you can look straight back towards the London skyline.
You can easily spend several hours walking across the Heath. Combine the park with Parliament Hill, the swimming ponds, Kenwood House and Hampstead Pergola & Hill Gardens.
Parliament Hill
Walk up Parliament Hill for one of the best panoramic views of London. From the top you can see landmarks including The Shard and other buildings across the London skyline.
It's a great place to stop during a walk or bring something for a picnic when the weather is good.
Hampstead Heath Bathing Ponds
One of Hampstead Heath's most distinctive features is its swimming ponds. There are separate Men's, Ladies' and Mixed ponds and they have developed an almost cult-like following among London swimmers.
Swimming on Hampstead Heath is one of those experiences that makes this part of London feel completely different from the city centre.
Hampstead Pergola & Hill Gardens
Hampstead Pergola & Hill Gardens is one of my favourite hidden corners of Hampstead. The raised pergola, gardens and climbing plants create a wonderfully atmospheric place for a walk.
It is a little further from Hampstead Underground station, but I think it's worth adding to your route if you have enough time.
Kenwood House
On the northern side of Hampstead Heath you'll find Kenwood House, an elegant historic house surrounded by parkland.
Inside is an important art collection including works by Rembrandt and Vermeer, while the grounds make Kenwood House easy to combine with a longer walk across Hampstead Heath.
The Best Pubs in Hampstead
A visit to Hampstead isn't complete without stopping at one of its old English pubs. Some feel like proper countryside pubs despite being in London, which is another reason the neighbourhood has such a distinctive atmosphere.
The Bull & Last Pub
The recently renovated Bull & Last pub is the perfect spot for a pint or candle-lit dinner. The menu is superb, and the British roast super popular. They have the perfect picnic to carry over to Hampstead Heath for a lazy afternoon. This much loved local inn also has hotel facilities with 7 beautiful rooms.
The Holly Bush Pub
The historic Holly Bush Pub is known for its cosy atmosphere, traditional decor, and a selection of real ales. It has been a favourite spot for locals and visitors alike for many years.
The Flask Pub
The Flask offers a traditional pub setting with a focus on quality food and drinks. It's a popular choice for those seeking a relaxed environment with a bit of history.
The Spaniards Inn Pub
With a history dating back to the 16th century, The Spaniards Inn Pub is famous for its literary connections and picturesque setting on Hampstead Heath. It's a charming spot to enjoy a drink or a meal.
The Wells Tavern Pub
The Wells Tavern pub combines a traditional feel with a modern touch. It features a spacious garden area with picnic tables, making it a great place to enjoy the outdoors during sunny days. Part of the Well Walk Hampstead London.
The Best Restaurants in Hampstead
Hampstead has plenty of restaurants hidden between its pubs, cafés and residential streets. These are three of my favourites depending on what you feel like eating.
For sharing plates: 28 Church Row
For pizza: L'Antica Pizzeria
For Japanese: Jin Kichi
28 Church Row
Restaurant 28 Church Row is a Spanish and Italian cuisine restaurant in Hampstead. Small plates designed for sharing with an eclectic wine list.
L'Antica Pizzeria
L’Antica Pizzeria is an Italian restaurant in Hampstead praised for its traditional wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas. Located near Hampstead Heath.
Jin Kichi
Restaurant Jin Kichi is a family-run Japanese restaurant in Hampstead specialising in authentic Japanese cuisine with sushi, yakitori and robata grill dishes. With a minimalist layout it is highly recommended.
The Best Cafes & Coffee Shops in Hampstead
Hampstead is also excellent for coffee, breakfast and cake. There are lots of cafés, so rather than trying to visit them all, these are some of the places I would put at the top of my list.
La Crêperie du Hampstead
La Crêperie du Hampstead is where you can enjoy a taste of Parisian street food at this world-famous crêperie. A takeaway stall that has become a landmark in North London.
Euphorium Bakery
Euphorium Bakery is a bakery and cafe in Hampstead that offers a variety of freshly baked bread, pastries, and cakes. They also serve breakfast and lunch items.
Hagen Espresso Bar Hampstead
Hagen Espresso Bar Hampstead is a premium Danish speciality coffee and cinnamon buns in London. Hygge vibes at its best.
Heath Street Bakehouse
Heath Street Bakehouse is a charming artisan café and bakery in Hampstead that handcrafts its sourdough loaves and dishes daily using organic, responsibly sourced ingredients.
Gail's
Gail's Hampstead is a popular artisan bakery known for its freshly baked bread, pastries, and cakes. Located in the heart of Hampstead Village, it offers a wide selection of high-quality baked goods in a charming and inviting setting.
Kape Barako
Kape Barako (The Red Phone Box) – Start your day and get a coffee at the Red Phone Box on Hampstead High Street. This tiny independent coffee shop is open from 8:00am-2:30 pm every day except Sundays. It’s a pretty unique thing to do in Hampstead. Location is 25 Hampstead High Street.
Louis Patisserie
Louis Patisserie is a quaint, wood-panelled Hungarian bakery & cafe with banquette seating offering a wide range of coffee, pastries, cakes, and baked goods. It's a great place for a leisurely breakfast or a sweet treat.
Mani's
Mani's in Hampstead is a relaxed cafe with pavement tables, serving omelettes, sandwiches, salads and coffees. A family run restaurant providing authentic, home made and fresh Mediterranean food.
The Nook
The Nook is a small, independent drinks & bites bar, located on a cosy little corner of Hampstead Heath. The Nook serves speciality coffee, signature milkshakes, hot chocolate and ice cream.
Ronis Bagel Bakery and Cafe
Ronis Bagel Bakery and Cafe first opened in West Hampstead and now has spots in Hampstead, Belsize Park, Highgate, and Muswell Hill. Real Bagel connoisseurs, with a delicious bakery & deli which specialises in authentic Bagels and Jewish Baked goods with an artisan style.
More coffee shops in Hampstead
There are plenty more coffee shops and cafés to try around Hampstead Village and Hampstead Heath. The Buttery Café at Burgh House is a lovely spot for coffee or lunch in a historic setting, while Ginger & White is a neighbourhood favourite for speciality coffee, breakfast and cakes. Close to Hampstead Heath, WatchHouse Coffee is a good choice for modern speciality coffee before or after a walk on the Heath.
More things to do in Hampstead
Once you've explored Hampstead Village and Hampstead Heath, there are several museums and historic houses worth adding if you have more time.
Everyman Cinema Hampstead
Catch a film in this stylish and intimate cinema. It's a great place to enjoy the latest releases in a cosy setting. There are several Everyman cinema’s in London.
John Keats House
This is the house where the famous poet John Keats lived from 1818 to 1820. You can explore the beautifully restored Regency-era house, visit the gardens, and learn about Keats' life and work.
Freud Museum
Located in the former home of Sigmund Freud, the Freud museum houses a collection of his personal belongings and a library of psychoanalytic literature. It's a fascinating insight into the life and work of the pioneering psychoanalyst.
Fenton House and Garden
This National Trust property is a beautifully preserved 17th-century merchant's house with a charming walled garden. It offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of the upper classes in the past.
Burgh House
A historic Queen Anne-style residence dating back to 1704. The Burgh House museum showcases exhibitions related to local history, arts, and crafts, and offering a charming tea room for visitors to enjoy.
2 Willow Road
2 Willow Road is a modernist house designed by renowned architect Ernö Goldfinger and completed in 1939. Managed by the National Trust, it houses an impressive collection of 20th-century art and design, providing a glimpse into mid-20th century modernist living.
How to get to Hampstead Village London?
The most convenient way to get to Hampstead Village is by taking the London Underground Northern Line tube to Hampstead Station. This station is located right in the heart of Hampstead Village. If you take the Overground make sure to get out at Hampstead Heath.
Books about Hampstead
If you want to get into the Hampstead mood before your visit, there are several books connected to the neighbourhood and Hampstead Heath.
Pondlife: A Swimmer's Journal – Al Álvarez
Pondlife follows Álvarez's experiences swimming in the ponds on Hampstead Heath and captures the particular culture that surrounds outdoor swimming here.
The Heath: My Year on Hampstead Heath – Hunter Davies
A portrait of Hampstead Heath told through its nature, history, people and the author's own experiences of the area.
NW – Zadie Smith
Zadie Smith's NW is set in northwest London and explores life in this part of the city.
Movies set around Hampstead
Hampstead
The film Hampstead follows an American widow who meets a man living on Hampstead Heath and becomes involved in his fight to protect his home.
FAQs About Hampstead
Is Hampstead worth visiting?
Yes. Hampstead is worth visiting if you want to experience a quieter, greener side of London. You can combine the village's independent shops, cafés and historic pubs with a walk across Hampstead Heath and views over London from Parliament Hill.
What is Hampstead famous for?
Hampstead is best known for Hampstead Heath, its historic village atmosphere, beautiful houses and long association with writers and artists. Today it is also known for its independent shops, traditional pubs and affluent residential streets.
What are the best things to do in Hampstead?
Some of the best things to do in Hampstead are exploring Hampstead Village, shopping around Hampstead High Street and Flask Walk, walking across Hampstead Heath, seeing the view from Parliament Hill, visiting Kenwood House and stopping at one of Hampstead's historic pubs.
What is the difference between Hampstead and Hampstead Heath?
Hampstead is the wider neighbourhood in North London, while Hampstead Village is its historic centre around Hampstead High Street and Hampstead Underground station. Hampstead Heath is the large green open space next to the neighbourhood.
Is Hampstead good for shopping?
Yes. Hampstead is particularly good for independent and premium fashion shops, second-hand fashion and charity shops. Start around Hampstead High Street before exploring Heath Street, Flask Walk and the smaller surrounding streets.
How do you get to Hampstead from central London?
The easiest way to reach Hampstead Village is to take the Northern line to Hampstead Underground station. For Hampstead Heath itself, you can also take the London Overground to Hampstead Heath station.
Explore more of London
If you like Hampstead's village atmosphere, explore Primrose Hill, the London neighbourhood where I used to live. For another elegant London neighbourhood with independent shops, restaurants and cafés, read my Marylebone guide.
You can also find all my favourite neighbourhoods, hotels and London tips in my London City Guide.
😍