Beautiful North London neighbourhoods

In this section I highlight the best things to do in North London, from a canalside walk in Angel to historic houses in Hampstead and a beautiful cemetery in Highgate.

Angel, Islington

Islington is an attractive part of North London not too far from central London. The borough includes several neighbourhoods, but one of the best areas to visit is Angel. You get here by taking the Northern line to Angel station. Things to do in Angel include:

Canalside walk - you can get to the Regents Canal from Angel, and walk along the canal towards East London. After passing through Haggerston, you’ll reach Victoria Park and beyond that is the Limehouse Basin where the canal ends.

Camden Passage - not to be confused with the Camden Town area of London, Camden Passage is a traffic-free street in Angel which includes independent shops and cafes. There is a vintage market here on Saturdays.

Beautiful residential streets - Duncan Terrace, which runs alongside some pretty gardens, has cherry blossom trees in spring and is a nice way of getting to Camden Passage or the Regents Canal. Other pretty streets include Lonsdale Square with its unusual Tudor revival houses, and Canonbury Square with its Georgian houses. Cloudesley Road is also pretty.

Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art - a hidden gem of a gallery featuring Futurist and figurative Italian art in a lovely Georgian townhouse. The outside cafe is a tranquil spot for some Italian coffee and cake. There is an entry fee, so it’s worth checking the website to see what’s on.

Union Chapel - a great place to see some live music in the city, this working church often hosts evening concerts.

Restaurants on Theberton Street - this buzzy street is a typical example of the lively atmosphere you get in this part of London. From the Sacre Couer French bistro to the Mem and Laz Mediterranean brasserie, these restaurants are often busy, and in summer have tables outside for al fresco dining.

Hampstead

Hampstead is a gorgeous leafy neighbourhood, with a unique village-like feel. It’s famous for its artistic and literary associations, as well as the expansive Hampstead Heath which is one of London’s best parkland areas. Things to do in Hampstead include:

Hampstead Heath - a huge and ancient heath which has many attractive areas for walking or relaxing. From meadows to ponds, woodland areas, and the historic Kenwood House, there is enough to do here for a few hours.

Keats House - once home to the Romantic poet John Keats, this house is now a little museum dedicated to telling the story of Keats’ life. You can visit independently, or take one of the volunteer-led tours. Keats wrote many of his poems here, including Ode to a Nightingale.

Fenton House - now looked after by the National Trust, this 17th century house has a lovely walled garden, and a great collection of artwork and historic keyboard instruments.

Admiral’s house - this unusual building was often painted by John Constable, who lived nearby. Built in 1700, it was once owned by a naval captain who added the raised deck on the rood, as well as portholes, giving the house a unique naval feel. It’s said that the house inspired the P.L Travers Mary Poppins books, and it was used for filming in the 1964 Mary Poppins film. It’s a private residence so you can only view from the exterior.

Beautiful residential streets - there are many attractive streets in the area, including Flask Walk, New End Square, Church Row, Back Lane, and Well Walk.

Highgate

Highgate is an attractive residential area with some lovely shops, cafes and restaurants. One of the city’s most expensive suburban areas, it’s a desirable place to live, with beautiful woods and parks. It’s probably most well-known for its atmospheric Victorian cemetery. You can get to Highgate by taking the Northern line to Highgate tube. Things to do in Highgate include:

Highgate cemetery - it’s well worth paying the admission fee to visit this expansive cemetery, which was one of 7 cemeteries built in outer London in the 19th century to cope with overcrowding in the cemeteries in the centre. With its Gothic-style tombs, Egyptian archway, and fine Mausoleum, Highgate soon became a fashionable place to be buried, and many notable people lie here, including Karl Marx. Don’t miss the view from the terrace at the top of the cemetery. Check the website for information about the excellent guided tours.

Highgate Wood - this ancient woodland has lots of old trees that are home to many different species of birds. It’s a very peaceful spot for a walk, and there is a cafe and children’s playground.

Waterlow Park and Lauderdale House - this public park was once private land owned by Sydney Waterlow who gave it to the council in 1889. It includes a kitchen garden and orchard, and two ponds. There is also a cafe and children’s playground. The lovely Lauderdale House sits within the park - a Tudor building that has been renovated over the years, and is now a thriving arts hub, with exhibitions and concerts.

Holly Village - the Victorian Gothic Holly Village was designed and built for Baroness Burdett Coutts, an extremely wealthy woman from the family who owned the Coutts bank. A private estate which is home to a small number of houses and cottages, you can’t go inside - but you can see this extravagant entrance on Swain’s Lane.

Beautiful streets - highlights include Southwood Lane, Highgate Avenue, Pond Square and the Grove (where many famous people live/have lived). For something more modern, check out the 1930s Highpoint apartment block on North Hill - a really impressive Modernist building.