Stepping off the tube, I took note of the storefronts and architecture; I saw the red brick buildings and old antique shops in Flask Walk as well as the historic pubs. The neighborhood seems so far from central London, and after exploring the side streets and hidden stairs, Hampstead felt like a small town of its own.
There were multiple period estates and museums I wanted to visit, but I picked Burgh House so I have others to come back to.
I really enjoyed going into Burgh House. The 18th-century building itself is stunning and I visited on a sunny day so I got to enjoy the surrounding garden. The house has been well-preserved and now holds different exhibitions throughout the year. I got to see paintings from women artists throughout Hampstead’s history as well as the Migration Stories exhibition. I found the contrast of modern art hung in a 300-year-old Georgian home to be quite interesting.
My favorite part of Hampstead was Hampstead Heath. It was quite different from other London parks I’ve been to. It feels like it was given permission to be a forest and after walking for a while I began to think I was actually in the wilderness. There were dozens of dogs off-lead, sporting matching coats with their owners, and trotting through the mud.
I was advised to visit Hill Garden and I’m so glad I did. The sun shone down on the terrace, and it was a nice place to sit and gather my thoughts after having walked around for a couple of hours. I’ve been reading Wuthering Heights in preparation for the new movie that’s coming out in a few days, and I couldn’t help but feel like Hill Garden came straight out of a Brontë novel.
My final stop on my visit was Louis Patisserie. The inside was a cross between a patisserie and a café, with cakes and pastries on display. The staff were incredibly hospitable, offering me multiple samples of their cheesecake. Most of the people coming in seemed to be locals; one customer even mentioned he has been coming since 1975, and the shop has been open since 1963.
After my visit to Hampstead, I understand why it’s one of the most talked about neighbourhoods in London. The nearby park, historic sites and array of cafes and restaurants definitely give me a lot to explore and keep coming back to.
