Belsize Park
Belsize Park overview – what’s it all about?
Found in between the sophistication of Hampstead and the youthful energy of Camden, Belsize Park is a haven for professional couples, young families and celebrities alike. Many of the buildings, whether Victorian, Queen Anne or Arts and Crafts in heritage, are acknowledged as the finest of their kind, and tree lined streets and wide pavements make walking here a pleasure. A good thing, because Belsize Park is minutes from some of London’s most stunning green spaces, offering a welcome escape from the bustle of the Capital. A short stroll south to the top of Primrose Hill is rewarded with a stunning panorama of the city, not to mention the delights of its village high street, and to the north the open space of Hampstead Heath awaits. But it’s central too, so whether you prefer to freewheel downhill on a bike all the way to Oxford Street or hop on the Tube, you can be in the heart of London in less than 20 minutes. There’s a real community feel here centred around picturesque England’s Lane, which is lined with cafes and independent boutiques.
Architecture and property
The manor of Belsize was first recorded in the 14th century, with major property developments taking place in bursts during the 19th and early 20th centuries to lend parts of the area a pleasing architectural harmony. Listed buildings abound and there are fine examples of Queen Anne architecture in Lyndhurst Gardens, while the rows of imposing mid Victorian stucco fronted houses found on Belsize Grove, Belsize Park Gardens and beyond rival anything Kensington has to offer. There is also a small concentration of sought after Art Deco and Modern movement buildings on Haverstock Hill, Garnett Road and Parkhill Road. Most houses in this area have been converted into spacious two and three bedroom flats.
Going out
There is a fabulous range of neighbourhood restaurants and bars, pubs and bistros offering something for everyone! The Everyman Cinema on Haverstock Hill boasts comfy sofas, and screens a great selection of arthouse films. While Hampstead Theatre, whose mission is to create original theatre without creative restriction, is just a stone’s throw away in nearby Swiss Cottage.
Local amenities
The O2 Centre on Finchley Road houses a multiplex cinema, shops, bars, restaurants, a large Sainsbury’s and a Fitness First. There is also a Waitrose just down the road.
If you prefer to shop locally there’s an excellent selection of shops that really know the community they serve including excellent organic fruit and veg offerings and family run Barrett’s Butchers has over 100 years under their butcher’s belt.
There are three open air swimming pools, as well as tennis courts and an athletics track, at nearby Hampstead Heath, and there’s a Better gym in nearby Swiss Cottage, otherwise known as Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre.
Belsize Park still has its own community library, too. Situated on Antrim Grove, it hosts regular events for kids, as well as talks by academics. Literature lovers should visit Daunt Books, a local treasure that has retained a cosy, old world atmosphere.
Green spaces
Primrose Hill offers arguably the best view of the Capital – in fact the view of St Paul’s Cathedral so remarkable that it’s protected by a statute of law to prevent buildings that could block it. Hampstead Heath is a 790 acre haven for those keen to reconnect with nature in the middle of the metropolis. Enjoy a walk across the park to majestic Kenwood House, or if you’re feeling brave join the regulars who, come rain or shine, can be found taking an early morning dip in the Heath’s ponds.
Transport
Belsize Park Tube station is on the Edgware branch of the Northern Line. Its Zone 2 location means it takes just 15 minutes to get to central London. Overground train services run from Finchley Road & Frognal, West Hampstead, South Hampstead and West Hampstead Thameslink.
The North Circular is a 30 minute drive away, and a number of other major motorways are in close reach, including the M1, M4, M11 and M25, as well as the A41.
Travel is easy from Belsize Park, whether you’re heading north to Brent Cross shopping centre on the C11 or south into the heart of the city on the 46, 168 or 268.
The nearest Boris bikes are a 25 minute walk away on Castlehaven Road, but if you have your own it’s a half hour meander through Regent’s Park to the centre of town, or just 15 minutes via main roads.
To travel further afield, London City Airport is only 45 minutes away by Tube and DLR.
Education
There is a very high concentration of private schools in Belsize Park, although the local comprehensive, Haverstock School Business & Enterprise College, has special status, and University College London has recently opened its own Academy here.
Please see our schools tab for more information on schools in this area.
Fitzjohn’s Primary School
86A Fitzjohn’s Avenue
London
NW3 6NP
Tel: 02074359797
www.fitzjohns.camden.sch.uk
Type: | Community school |
---|---|
Religious Character: | Does not apply |
Age range: | 4 to 11 years |
Gender: | Mixed |
Fleet Primary School
Fleet Road
London
NW3 2QT
Tel: 02074852028
www.fleet.camden.sch.uk
Type: | Community school |
---|---|
Religious Character: | Does not apply |
Age range: | 3 to 11 years |
Gender: | Mixed |
Gospel Oak School
Mansfield Road
London
NW3 2JB
Tel: 02074857435
www.gospeloak.camden.sch.uk
Type: | Community school |
---|---|
Religious Character: | Does not apply |
Age range: | 3 to 11 years |
Gender: | Mixed |
Hampstead Parochial Church of England Primary School
Holly Bush Vale
London
NW3 6TX
Tel: 02074354135
www.hampsteadprim.camden.sch.uk
Type: | Voluntary aided school |
---|---|
Religious Character: | Church of England |
Age range: | 4 to 11 years |
Gender: | Mixed |
Holy Trinity CofE Primary School, NW3
Holy Trinity CofE Primary School, NW3
Trinity Walk
Maresfield Gardens, London
NW3 5SQ
Tel: 02074359089
www.holytrinitynw3.co.uk
Type: | Voluntary aided school |
---|---|
Religious Character: | Church of England |
Age range: | 4 to 11 years |
Gender: | Mixed |
Rosary Roman Catholic Primary School
238 Haverstock Hill
Hampstead, London
NW3 2AE
Tel: 02077946292
www.rosary.camden.sch.uk
Type: | Voluntary aided school |
---|---|
Religious Character: | Roman Catholic |
Age range: | 3 to 11 years |
Gender: | Mixed |
St Paul’s Church of England Primary School
Elsworthy Road
Primrose Hill, London
NW3 3DS
Tel: 02077227381
www.stpauls.camden.sch.uk
Type: | Voluntary aided school |
---|---|
Religious Character: | Church of England |
Age range: | 4 to 11 years |
Gender: | Mixed |
Haverstock School
24 Haverstock Hill
Chalk Farm, London
NW3 2BQ
Tel: 02072670975
www.haverstock.camden.sch.uk
Type: | Community school |
---|---|
Religious Character: | Does not apply |
Age range: | 11 to 18 years |
Gender: | Mixed |
The UCL Academy
Adelaide Road
Camden
NW3 3AQ
Tel: 02074493080
www.uclacademy.co.uk
Type: | Academy sponsor led |
---|---|
Religious Character: | Does not apply |
Age range: | 11 to 18 years |
Gender: | Mixed |
CCfL Key Stage 4 PRU
Agincourt Road
London
NW3 2NY
Tel: 02079748906
ccfl.camden.sch.uk
Type: | Pupil referral unit |
---|---|
Religious Character: | Does not apply |
Age range: | 14 to 16 years |
Gender: | Mixed |
Central School of Speech and Drama
64 Eton Avenue
Swiss Cottage, London
NW3 3HY
Tel: 02077228183
www.cssd.ac.uk
Type: | Higher education institutions |
---|---|
Gender: | Mixed |
Devonshire House Preparatory School
2 Arkwright Road
Hampstead, London
NW3 6AE
Tel: 02074351916
www.devonshirehouseschool.co.uk
Type: | Other independent school |
---|---|
Religious Character: | None |
Age range: | 2 to 13 years |
Gender: | Mixed |
Fine Arts College
Centre Studios
41-43 Englands Lane, London
NW3 4YD
Tel: 02075860312
www.hampsteadfinearts.com
Type: | Other independent school |
---|---|
Religious Character: | None |
Age range: | 13 to 19 years |
Gender: | Mixed |
Gloucester House, The Tavistock Children’s Day Unit
33 Daleham Gardens
London
NW3 5BU
Tel: 02077943353
www.gloucesterhouse.net
Type: | Other independent school |
---|---|
Religious Character: | Roman Catholic |
Age range: | 5 to 14 years |
Gender: | Mixed |
Hampstead Hill School
St Stephens Hall
Pond Street, London
NW3 2PP
Tel: 02074356262
www.hampsteadhillschool.co.uk
Type: | Other independent school |
---|---|
Religious Character: | None |
Age range: | 2 to 8 years |
Gender: | Mixed |
Hereward House School
14 Strathray Gardens
London
NW3 4NY
Tel: 02077944820
Type: | Other independent school |
---|---|
Religious Character: | None |
Age range: | 4 to 13 years |
Gender: | Boys |
Ickburgh School
Kenworthy Road
Hackney, London
E9 5RB
Tel: 02088064638
www.ickburgh.org.uk
Type: | Community special school |
---|---|
Religious Character: | Does not apply |
Age range: | 3 to 19 years |
Gender: | Mixed |
Lyndhurst House Preparatory School
24 Lyndhurst Gardens
Hampstead, London
NW3 5NW
Tel: 02074354936
www.lyndhursthouse.co.uk
Type: | Other independent school |
---|---|
Religious Character: | None |
Age range: | 4 to 13 years |
Gender: | Boys |
Maria Montessori School
26 Lyndhurst Gardens
London
NW3 5NW
Tel: 02074353646
Type: | Other independent school |
---|---|
Religious Character: | None |
Age range: | 3 to 12 years |
Gender: | Mixed |
North Bridge House Pre-Prep School
8 Netherhall Gardens
London
NW3 5RR
Tel: 02072676266
www.northbridgehouse.com
Type: | Other independent school |
---|---|
Religious Character: | None |
Age range: | 5 to 7 years |
Gender: | Mixed |
North Bridge House Senior School
65 Rosslyn Hill
London
NW3 5UD
Tel: 02072676266
Type: | Other independent school |
---|---|
Religious Character: | None |
Age range: | 11 to 16 years |
Gender: | Mixed |
North Bridge Nursery School
33 Fitzjohn’s Avenue
Hampstead, London
NW3 5JY
Tel: 02072676266
www.northbridgehouse.com
Type: | Other independent school |
---|---|
Religious Character: | None |
Age range: | 2 to 5 years |
Gender: | Mixed |
Royal Free Hospital Children’s School
Floor 6 – 6 West B
Pond Street, London
NW3 2QG
Tel: 02074726298
www.royalfree.camden.sch.uk
Type: | Community special school |
---|---|
Religious Character: | Does not apply |
Age range: | 5 to 16 years |
Gender: | Mixed |
Sarum Hall School
15 Eton Avenue
London
NW3 3EL
Tel: 02077942261
https://www.sarumhallschool.co.uk
Type: | Other independent school |
---|---|
Religious Character: | Church of England |
Age range: | 3 to 11 years |
Gender: | Girls |
South Hampstead High School
3 Maresfield Gardens
London
NW3 5SS
Tel: 02074352899
www.shhs.gdst.net
Type: | Other independent school |
---|---|
Religious Character: | None |
Age range: | 4 to 18 years |
Gender: | Girls |
Southbank International School
16 Netherhall Gardens
London
NW3 5TH
Tel: 02074311200
www.southbank.org
Type: | Other independent school |
---|---|
Religious Character: | None |
Age range: | 3 to 11 years |
Gender: | Mixed |
St Anthony’s Preparatory School
90 Fitzjohn’s Avenue
Hampstead, London
NW3 6NP
Tel: 02074353597
Type: | Other independent school |
---|---|
Religious Character: | Catholic |
Age range: | 4 to 13 years |
Gender: | Boys |
St Christopher’s School
32 Belsize Lane
London
NW3 5AE
Tel: 02074351521
Type: | Other independent school |
---|---|
Religious Character: | None |
Age range: | 4 to 11 years |
Gender: | Girls |
St Mary’s School
47 Fitzjohn’s Avenue
Hampstead, London
NW3 6PG
Tel: 02074351868
www.stmh.co.uk
Type: | Other independent school |
---|---|
Religious Character: | None |
Age range: | 2 to 11 years |
Gender: | Mixed |
Swiss Cottage School – Development & Research Centre
80 Avenue Road
London
NW8 6HX
Tel: 02076818080
www.swisscottage.camden.sch.uk
Type: | Community special school |
---|---|
Religious Character: | Does not apply |
Age range: | 2 to 19 years |
Gender: | Mixed |
The Hall School
23 Crossfield Road
Hampstead, London
NW3 4NU
Tel: 02077221700
www.hallschool.co.uk
Type: | Other independent school |
---|---|
Religious Character: | Church of England |
Age range: | 5 to 13 years |
Gender: | Boys |
The Village School
2 Parkhill Road
Belsize Park, London
NW3 2YN
Tel: 02074854673
www.thevillageschool.org.uk
Type: | Other independent school |
---|---|
Religious Character: | None |
Age range: | 3 to 11 years |
Gender: | Girls |
Trevor-Roberts School
55-57 Eton Avenue
London
NW3 3ET
Tel: 02075861444
Type: | Other independent school |
---|---|
Religious Character: | None |
Age range: | 4 to 13 years |
Gender: | Mixed |
University College School
Frognal
Hampstead, London
NW3 6XH
Tel: 02074352215
www.ucs.org.uk
Type: | Other independent school |
---|---|
Religious Character: | None |
Age range: | 4 to 18 years |
Gender: | Mixed |
University College School
213 Haverstock Hill
Belsize Park, London
NW3 4QP
Tel: 02076925860
www.wacartscollege.co.uk
Type: | Free schools alternative provision |
---|---|
Religious Character: | None |
Age range: | 14 to 19 years |
Gender: | Mixed |