The concept of London being made up of a series of villages is illustrated no better than in the delightful north London suburb of Hampstead. Georgian in character and adorned with 800 acres of rolling heathland, Hampstead has always been a centre for literary activity and the intelligentsia. Hundreds of small shops, very good restaurants and smashing pubs add yet more allure. The place does become a little too crowded on Saturdays and Sundays, but a walk on the heath should relieve any sense of claustrophobia! Hampstead is the perfect place to spend a day simply strolling around: traversing the heath with its glorious views of London, navigating the little lanes and streets, peeking at the beautiful architecture and sipping pints of ale at historic pubs.

Kenwood House with its outdoor summer concerts and fine collection of art is worth a visit as is the nearby Spaniards Inn. It was in this hostelry that the highwayman Dick Turpin hid his pursuing soldiers.

For those with romantic tendencies, the house where poet John Keats lived is open to the public and includes many of his personal effects. It was under a tree in the garden that Keats wrote Ode to a Nightingale. However, he is by no means the only famous name to be associated with Hampstead: the borough has more blue placques than any other!

Famous residents have included A.A. Milne, Peter O'Toole, George Orwell, Peter Sellers, Cecil Beaton, William Blake, Dirk Bogarde, Richard Burton, John le Carre, Agatha Christie, John Constable, Edward Elgar, Sigmund Freud and even Charles de Gaulle to name a few! Despite its beauty, Hampstead remains relatively untouched by the tourist hoards and therefore a perfect spot for a day out of central London.