Hampstead is one of the highest points in London and, from the 17th century onwards, became a welcome escape from the overcrowding, pollution and diseases of central London. Its springs soon gave it a reputation as a spa, and over the centuries Hampstead attracted wealthy residents, writers, artists and musicians. Despite being so close to central London, it has retained a remarkably strong village atmosphere. On this first Hampstead walk, we make our way uphill from Hampstead Tube Station towards Wyldes Farm, discovering some of the area's fascinating history along the way. We begin with **Oriel Place**, where an unusual apartment block was originally built as housing for the poor, before continuing to **Church Row**, one of Hampstead's best-preserved Georgian streets. We then visit **St John-at-Hampstead**, a beautiful church surrounded by an atmospheric old cemetery. Among those buried here are the celebrated painter **John Constable** and his family, as well as **John Harrison**, the 18th-century clockmaker whose marine chronometer solved the problem of determining longitude at sea. The churchyard also has a literary connection: it is said to have inspired the fictional tomb of Lucy in Bram Stoker's *Dracula*. Continuing through Hampstead's picturesque streets, we discover the **Church of St Mary**, established for the local French Catholic community, a curious **police watch tower**, the former home of **Robert Louis Stevenson**, and a former hospital. We also pass the beautiful **Holly Bush**, one of Hampstead's most atmospheric pubs, which has attracted its share of famous visitors. The route takes us past the former home of **George du Maurier**, the writer and cartoonist, and **Admiral's House**, whose unusual roof is designed to resemble the deck of a ship. The house was associated with a naval lieutenant and later with **Sir George Gilbert Scott**, the architect of St Pancras Station. We continue past **Hampstead Observatory** and **Whitestone Pond**, bef

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