I’ve always overlooked Belsize Park, London. When I lived in Hampstead I saw Belsize as the runner-up that could never quite match its northern neighbor’s beauty. After I moved away I didn’t feel a need to go between Primrose Hill and South End Green. But lately I’ve been tempted to take a second look. So today I’m here to find a few things to do in Belsize Park. And—spoiler alert—I find far more than a few.
Belsize Park
Emerging from the tube at Belsize Park station, I find myself enveloped in snow flurries. It’s a cold start to my mission, but I’m determined to persevere. I’m right in the middle of the high street, surrounded by shops and restaurants on all sides.
As I begin my exploration, I’m delighted to find that favorites like Daunt Books and the Everyman Cinema are still going strong, and happy to discover new-since-my-last-visit additions like Franco Manca. I’m already glad I came.
Side Streets
But if I’ve learned anything since moving to London over a decade ago, it’s that the really exciting bits are always on the side streets. Off I go along Ornan Road, where pretty doors greet me as I make my way down to Belsize Lane.
Once there I’m reminded why Belsize Park is so underrated. A cluster of pretty shops and restaurants huddles around a square filled with benches. As soon as I see it I get nostalgic for all the dinners I ate with my neighbors here.
Behind the street, Belsize Park gets better. Belsize Court Gardens and Princess Mews are as lovely as any side streets I’ve seen in Notting Hill.
In fact, just the name Princess Mews makes my inner 5-year-old want to put on a Cinderella dress and dance across the cobblestones.
Down the hill I fall back in love with Primrose Gardens. The crescent ticks my whole photographic list.
The combination of red phone boxes, beautiful houses, and strategic color blocking makes me a very happy travel blogger.
And just when I think it can’t get better, I find myself on England’s Lane. Lined with shops and cafes, it offers plenty of things to do in Belsize Park.
Not only could I linger over a coffee at Ginger & White, but also take in the houses along neighboring Chalcot Gardens and Elizabeth Mews.
Belsize Park High Street
Back out on the high street, I follow Haverstock Hill down towards Primrose Hill and Camden. As I go, I get sidetracked in an attractive area that seems to have re-branded itself Steeles Village.
The Sir Richard Steele pub was always packed when I lived in Hampstead, but despite its welcoming exterior I’m more interested in exploring Steele’s Mews around the corner.
Its arched entrance reminds me of its Kensington counterparts, and I love it as soon as I see the colorful walls and doors.
Heading south again, I detour onto Prince of Wales Road to find a few final things to do in Belsize Park. Well, one anyway.
I’m intrigued by the Zabludowicz Collection, a contemporary art exhibition space and cafe in a former chapel. Sadly it’s closed when I arrive, but that doesn’t stop me from peering through the gates to take a look.
And it looks like it’s worth returning for. Which is pretty much how I feel about all of Belsize Park.
Belsize Park, London
I hop on the tube at Chalk Farm wondering how I let this London neighborhood fly under my radar for so long. But now that I’ve rediscovered it, I’m going to find a lot more excuses to come back.
Have you been here? What are your favorite things to do in Belsize Park?
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16 Comments on Lady’s Guide to Belsize Park, London
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Yeah, Belsize looks like a lovely place, you’ll have to go back and tell us how the Zabludowicz Collection is. I like how ornate the red bricks are around the door of that house; you don’t often see red bricks like that.
great post! 🙂
Yeah, the bricks are lovely!
it looks like a lovely part of London:)
Yeah!
I will go and check out the mews, Great post – thanks 🙂
You’re welcome!
I don’t know why but I always assume that a place called a ‘park’ will be a ‘park’! but each time, you draw my attention that there is so much more to explore and in London they are lots of little villages making one big place.
Thanks for the post!
You’re welcome! I agree that the name is a bit confusing. I hope you get a chance to explore the neighborhood sometime!
This post brought back some lovely memories… My first visit to London I stayed in flat via Air BNB in Belisize Park (I am from
Chicago). I wandered the streets in Belsize down to Primrose Hill where I admired the colorful houses on Chlacot Crescent. From my flat in Belsize I would walk up Haverstock Hill to Hampstead to explore… Belisize Park turned out to be a perfect location to stay for a tourist like myself, a real taste of London life away from the crowds nearer to the city center. The following visit to London I stayed in Kensington, and while lovely there, I actually preferred the lower-key feel and pace of Belsize Park!
That’s great! It’s such a good place to be based for getting a local experience in London. I’m glad you were able to stay there.
I haven’t been yet, but I will definitely go in April-time, as I have a strong suspicion that the annual Dutch King’s Day celebrations will be held at the Sir Richard Steele pub. It’s a shame that we can’t have it on Trafalgar Square anymore, but this pub which now has a Dutch owner, will definitely do. And everyone, Dutch or non-Dutch, is welcome of course!
Nice! I didn’t realize it was Dutch-owned. That’s great!
On one of my many trips to London, I stayed at a hotel along Haverstock Hill a little bit north of the tube station. It was such a perfect place to stay. Your street scenes look very familiar to me.
That’s great! What a perfect place to stay for a local London experience.
I stumbled across this post and your site as I’m researching our upcoming move to London with a 6 month old baby. I’ve lived in London before but that was before kids! Trying to pick an area to live in is a bit daunting when coordinating price/atmosphere/proximity to tube. Is Belsize Park a safe area for young families? It looks to be a good commute to Soho and maybe what we are looking for, but will have to go check it out once we land (still in US awaiting VISA’s at the moment).
I don’t have children, so I can’t comment on how it would be to live there as a family. I hope you get your visas soon!