

Gayton Road, London
London has a North-South divide. It's called the Thames. It's also called no tube after minding and extortionate cab fares. It's also your outrageously loud laugh when somebody invites you for a house party on the other side and declares that the only couch in the flat has been reserved three weeks ago.
I think by now you might have gathered I'm a north Londoner. Anything south of The Strand is here be dragons. And, apparently up until recently everything north of Kentish Town... I'm reluctantly admitting that of the last 10 years spent north of the river, I've only been to Hampstead once. And even then I stumbled into it by accident. I grant you, it's an overlooked place, but it shouldn't be! Here is why, and also why I am coming back:

Willow Road, London


The Well Walk Pottery, 49 Willow Road, London
Coat: Outline | Top: Cos | Jeans: Zara | Shoes: Zara | Bracelet: Shaun Leane | Bracelet: Monica Vinader




5 reasons to love Hampstead
01
It's an amazing mix of local, quirky, beautiful, authentic, candy-coloured shops and cafes. Like the pottery studio featured in the image above.
02
It's quiet and beautiful, like Covent Garden, minus getting mowed down by tourists and bus-loads of out-of-owners coming to see a show.
03
Every corner is an instagram photo opp.
04
Potted flowers. Everywhere. It's like getting your very own little slice of Paris right on your doorstep.
05
The view. Hampstead is on a bit of a hill. And if you find the right bit, you get to see all of London spread out across the horizon, all to yourself.
