A ramble thru Hampstead

Track work closures made our journey more complicated
but at least I saw the revamped Tottenham Court
Road station with the saved murals 

This house was inspiration for story in Mary Poppins

Our group on the heath

Conkers for autumn

Barber shop

Our destination for today is Hampstead a pretty village in the north of London. Well, that plan may be foiled, as part of the northern line is closed, no trains are going to Charing Cross and its drizzling, But the ever intrepid explorers we are we get google’s help, take a bus to Lewisham and then skirt around and into the city on the DLR. Two more tube changes and we make it to our destination with 5 minutes to spare. 

Along with a bunch of other middle-aged people (did I just say that?) we set off with our guide to explore around the village. Hampstead has been a magnet for the literary, artistic and thespian for years and is a very wealthy area nowadays. We head up lanes, down dales and along secret paths, Halfway through I am dying for a cup of tea and a sit-down, but Jane comes to the rescue with a Penguin that materialises from the depths of her handbag. 

There is too much to share from this delightful village, some of the highlights included houses where famous people lived or stayed like:

• Actors, Elizabeth Taylor, Judy Dench, Emma Thompson, Rex Harrison, Peter O'Toole, Alan Bates, Dudley Moore and Rowan Atkinson.
• Writers, DH Lawrence and HG Wells houses.
• Painters including Constable and the naughty George Romney

the list goes on and on.

Plus where Mr Bean walks his dog :)

We are just 4 miles from the centre of London, but it feels like 100 miles. I can see why so many people escape to live amongst all the greenery. But we have saved the best for last a side trip to the Hampstead Village Church, and we find the grave of John Harrison one of my favourite inventors (marine chronometer fame).