Hampstead circular walk
Follow this circular walk through the streets of Hampstead from Fenton House to 2 Willow Road. Discover the diverse architecture of its homes before ascending to the heights of one of London's most loved open spaces.
Near to
Fenton House and GardenStart point
Hampstead Underground Station, Hampstead High St, London NW3 1QATrail information
Steep incline
Holly Hill has a steep incline and can become dangerous in both wet and icy weather conditions.
Total stages: 13
Total stages: 13
Start point
Hampstead Underground Station, Hampstead High St, London NW3 1QA
Stage 1
From Hampstead tube station exit via Hampstead High St. Immediately turn right to face the four-way junction and walk towards it, turning right at the corner, joining Heath Street. Cross the road at the pedestrian crossing ahead of you. Turn left when you reach the other side. Ahead of you, on the right, you will see the entrance to Holly Hill. Turn right in to Holly Hill, walking up the steep incline of the hill in a north-westerly direction.
Stage 2
Continue up the hill, following the path to the right entering Holly Bush Hill. As Holly Bush Hill becomes Hampstead Grove, you should be able to see the ornate black and golden gilded gates of Fenton House emerging on your left.
Stage 3
Continue along Hampstead Grove for another 85yd (77m), when you will see another set of ornate gates on your left-hand side. This is the visitor entrance to Fenton House and Garden.
Stage 4
Head northwards along Hampstead Grove for 160yd (147m). Ahead of you is Hampstead Observatory. Take a right-hand turn on to Upper Terrace and cross the road. Shortly after entering Upper Terrace the small entrance to Whitestone Garden will appear on your left. Exit onto Heath Street, turning left and continuing north. Go across Heath Street and turn left, then proceed north towards the roundabout at North End Way, following the road to the right as this becomes B519/Spaniards Road.
Stage 5
After 86yd (76m) you will see the entrance to Hampstead Heath on the right. Take the entrance and continue down the wide path. On your right views of London will emerge. At the first fork in the road take the right-hand path.
Stage 6
Continue on the path over the bridge across the Viaduct Pond and after 166yd (152m), if you look to your right, you will see Lime Avenue. Continue straight ahead in an easterly direction following the path, as it bends round to the right.
Stage 7
Cross the bridge intersecting the Mixed Bathing and No. 2 Ponds. At the end of the bridge, turn left and continue for another 185yd (170m) as Hampstead No.1 Pond emerges on your left. Continue on the path until you exit the Heath on South End Road.
Stage 8
Continue on the path until you exit the Heath on South End Road. Cross South End Road, and proceed in a southerly direction for 113yd (104m) before turning right on to Keats Grove.
Stage 9
After 121yd (111m), on your left-hand side you will see Keats House and Library. Keep walking along Keats Grove and continue as the road joins Downshire Hill.
Stage 10
At the junction of Keats Grove and Downshire Hill turn right and head in a north-easterly direction for 240yd (220m), before turning left into Willow Road.
Stage 11
After 76yd (70m) Erno Goldfinger's modernist home 2 Willow Road will appear on the left. This remarkable building was home to Erno, Ursula and their children in the 1940s.
Stage 12
Continue along Willow Road for 437yd (400m). Ahead of you will be Burgh House, a Grade I-listed, Queen Anne building which houses the Hampstead Museum. Turn left here onto Flask Walk.
Stage 13
Continue along Flask Walk as the street narrows, before emerging back on to Hampstead High Street. Turn right and in 50yd (46m) you will have returned to Hampstead tube station.
End point
Hampstead Underground Station, Hampstead High St, London NW3 1QA
Trail map
Trail map route for Hampstead circular walk from Fenton House to 2 Willow Road | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
More near here
Fenton House and Garden
Handsome 17th-century house with unusual collections and picturesque walled gardens
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