Cross the Finchley Road and you’re in fashionable Hampstead, complete with bijou boutiques and cosmopolitan cafés and bars. Admittedly, you’d have to be a determined walker to stride all the way to Hampstead Heath, but a few minutes in the car and “the lungs of London” stretch ahead of you. Covering 790 acres, with no less than 25 ponds (three of which you can swim in), the Heath is both a stunning haven at the height of summer and a magical wonderland in the depths of winter. Climb Parliament Hill for

some of the best views of the city; bask in the magnificence of Kenwood House or wander around the gardens at Lauderdale House; take a tour of Highgate Cemetery or explore “Boadicea’s Grave”, near the top of one of the meadows.



To the south you’ll find Primrose Hill, where you can rub shoulders with movie stars and millionaires within a fabulous village atmosphere, and the glamorous St John’s Wood, where more delights await. Lord’s Cricket Ground, London Zoo and Regent’s Park all beckon, before you hit the city centre proper.



From Air, it’s just over 2.5 miles’ drive to the North Circular, from where the M1 can be accessed easily from Junction 1. However, for those wishing to minimise their carbon footprint and adopt a more eco-friendly way of travelling, the area is exceptionally well-served by public transport. The Jubilee and Metropolitan Underground lines are both easily accessible, with stations at West Hampstead and Finchley Road, while the overland Thameslink and Silverlink metro network have stations at West Hampstead, Finchley Road and Frognal. There are also frequent bus services along the Finchley Road itself, including 13, 82, 113 and 268, while the N13 will bring you home after a late night on the town.