We might be prejudiced, because we own La Gaffe’s restaurant and hotel in Hamostead, and have been in this neighbourhood for more than 60 years, but we think our neighbourhood is one of the most beautiful parts of London (if not the most beautiful).  With its charming village-like atmosphere, narrow, cobbled streets and beautiful architecture it’s hard not to be charmed.  And that’s before you’ve even set foot on the Heath!

Affectionately named the “Green Lungs of London”, Hampstead Heath is simply glorious at any time of the year - with canopies of trees, meadows, ponds and the beautiful Kenwood House, it’s the perfect place to take a long walk and ‘get lost’ in nature.  It’s also the perfect place to hold a Community Day, which happened last Sunday, and to support it Lorenzo, our general manager, took his family along.

Parliament Hill

Hampstead Community Fun Day

As a huge leisure space for the general public, the Heath is a great place to hold outdoor events. 

This summer’s ‘Hampstead Community Day’ took place at the Parliament, situated in the south-eastern part of the Heath.  It actually got its name during the English Civil War, when Cromwell and his forces camped there. 

It also has another Parliamentary connection - in 1605, the Gunpowder plotters (whose aim it was to blow up England’s legislative chamber) came here to get a good view of the House of Commons going up in flames. Of course, this plan was thwarted at the Eleventh Hour, when Guy Fawkes (the ringleader) was arrested in the cellars under Parliament.

Having Fun in the Sun

The event was pretty successful by any standards, this year, thanks in no small part due to the beautiful weather. There were plenty of free activities and musical offerings at the bandstand, including face painting, nature walks, a concert, dancing and stalls that sold food and drink.

Plenty of families bought picnic blankets and sat out, enjoying the fine weather, and live music - which is all anyone can really ask for, on a sunny June day, on the Heath! Hats off to Heath Hands, who organised the event and did such a good job in bringing people in north London together.

Events this Summer in Hampstead

The Community Day was just one of many events (many of them free) that are being held around Hampstead (and Golders Green) this summer.  Just this month, there’s a ‘Wildflower and nature pollen connector walk’ planned, on June 18th between 10.30 am and 1.30 pm.  Just turn up at the Parliament Hill Bandstand and you’re good to go - at no cost.

If you’re a fan of band music, there are also two concerts on June 19th, one at Golders Hill Park and the other at the Parliament Hill Bandstand - running from 3-5pm, at no charge, it’s a great opportunity to just sit out, soak up the sun (the mercury will be sizzling this weekend, apparently) and enjoy some old and new tunes.

On June 22nd, in Highgate, which is another old London ‘village’ and just round the corner from our neighbourhood, is a ‘Forest Bathing workshop’ from 2-4pm and on June 25th an insect hunt entitled ‘Go Wild about Hampstead’.  

There are quite a few other things going on too - including a nature walk, a kite display and the ‘Give it a Go’ event at the end of the month.  For more details, take a look at the Heath Hands website.

Come and Stay in Hampstead

So you see, there’s really no better place to be this summer than in north London - whether you want to bask in the sun, take a nature walk or just find out more about the capital’s history. 

And, of course, feel free to pop in on us for dinner, seven days a week, or - if you’re coming from out of town - book guest accommodation with us.  We’re just 3 minutes walk from Hampstead tube, and from there it’s a 15 minute tube ride into central London.  So you really do have the best of both worlds.

We can’t wait to see you…