Hampstead
From open-encyclopedia.com - the free encyclopedia.
- See Hampstead (disambiguation) for other places named Hampstead.
Hampstead is a suburb of London about five miles northwest of the city centre. It constitutes the north-western part of the London Borough of Camden. Hampstead's origins can be traced back to the 17th century, when springs with alleged medicinal qualities were discovered.
Hampstead has long been known as a residence of artists, writers and intellectuals (now city folk hoping to bask in reflected kudos). Its famous inhabitants have included John Keats, Sigmund Freud, John Constable, George Orwell, Edward Elgar and Peter Cook. Its Member of Parliament (as of 2002) is the communist actress Glenda Jackson.
Hampstead has very few good restaurants but a lot of good/famous pubs, such as the Holly Bush (was gas lit until recently), and the Old White Bear. In the north of Hampstead is London's largest ancient parkland, Hampstead Heath, which includes the well-known and legally-protected view of the London skyline from Parliament Hill.
Local activities include pub crawling, skinny dipping in the Heath pond, and period harpsichord recitals at Fenton house.
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