In focus – Hampstead
The history of Hampstead can be traced back over a thousand years.
It was originally a village lying well outside the walls of London. Today it retains a traditional feel, combining quaint winding streets and period architecture with contemporary style.
 
Green space
Hampstead Heath is one of London"s best-known and best-loved public open spaces, comprising several acres of woodland and ponds. It’s perfect for jogging, kite-flying and long walks.
Golders Hill Park at Golders Green is also close by.
 
And Parliament Hill is a haven of tranquillity offering stunning views of the City of London.
Hampstead and Belsize Park tube stations are both on the Northern Line, offering a direct route into central London. Hampstead station is the deepest in the London Underground.
Hampstead also has a mainline railway station – Hampstead Heath – from where Silverlink trains run west to Richmond and east to Stratford.
There are also good road links, with Finchley Road leading to the North Circular and the entrance of the M1 motorway.
The number 82 bus runs regularly towards Victoria.
Hampstead boasts plentiful designer boutiques, including Nicole Farhi, Agnes B and Ronit Zilkha, as well as many other high-end clothes and shoe shops. You will also find a variety of chic homeware retailers, interesting delis and speciality food shops.
 
The 02 Centre on Finchley Road offers a range of more mainstream shops.
 
Hampstead benefits from its own theatre – the New End. It was built in 1890 as a mortuary for the local hospital and converted into a theatre in 1974. It quickly formed a reputation for presenting new, cutting edge writing, including musicals and comedies, as well as classic revivals.
Nearby Kenwood, a beautiful manor house run by English Heritage, has been holding summer concerts in its grounds for 55 years. Sadly the concerts won’t be happening this year due to financial constraints. However the house is still worth a visit for its stunning art collection and 112 acres of woodland and lakes featuring sculptures by Henry More and Barbara Hepworth.
The 02 Centre includes an 8-screen multiplex cinema and an impressive aquarium that’s free to visit.
Hampstead has a good range of restaurants on offer, and one of the UK’s oldest patisseries, perfect for a lazy weekend breakfast.
In focus – Mayfair
Mayfair takes its name from the 15-day spring fair that used to be held there each May. Spanning the area between Oxford Street, Regent Street, Piccadilly and Park Lane, this is the very heart of London.
Mayfair’s elegant Georgian squares and thoroughfares and beautiful parks make it a very desirable place to live. It also offers some of the London"s chicest shops, hotels and restaurants.
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In focus – Kensington
Where in London can you find an area with a garden and a high street carrying its name? Kensington of course!
At the time of her death Diana Princess of Wales was living in Kensington Palace. The Diana Memorial Fountain in Kensington Garden, adjacent to the palace grounds, now celebrates her memory. There are regular guided walks and special events. For details visit www.kensington-chelsea.com/hints.htm.
Kensington Garden is separated from Hyde Park by the Serpentine, an oxbow lake artificially created when Queen Victoria ordered the damming of the River Westbourne. The swimming leg of the triathlon will take place here in the 2012 Olympics.
The Serpentine Gallery [link to http://www.serpentinegallery.org/whatson.html] shows modern and contemporary art and offers frequent talks and events.
Kensington High Street has been called “Oxford Street without the crowds”.
A branch of the US organic and natural food chain, Whole Foods Market, will soon be opening up here, in the site previously occupied by Barkers. With a retail floor area of 80,000 square feet, this is a must for health-conscious shoppers! The chain commits to giving a minimum of 5% of its profits to charity, and each store runs regular 5% days, when 5% of that day’s net sales are donated to a good cause, often a local one.
Further along the high street lies the famous Benham locksmiths, where some of us have had the good fortune to get copies of keys no other locksmiths will copy. Nearby is the Commonwealth Institute, identified by the many flags of the member nations flying in front.
At the Western end of the High Street you’ll find a large Tesco, housed in a glass building. Open 24 hours, it offers everything from cornflakes to sat nav systems, and includes a coffee shop.
From here the A4 leads you to the M4 and the M25, for links to Heathrow airport and the West Country.
London Events August 2008
Notting Hill Carnival 2008 24th to 25th August 2008 (The last bank holiday weekend)
Don’t miss this legendary festival. The Carnival sets London ablaze with colour and Caribbean spirit as extravagantly costumed dancers, calypso and soca musicians, giant sound systems and steel bands are joined by over a million revellers of all ages. Held since 1966, and originally a local affair for west London"s homesick Caribbean community, this has evolved into Europe"s biggest street party. For further details on the Carnival and other events in the Notting Hill area, visit www.mynottinghill.co.uk
Teddy Bears’ Picnic, 22nd August 2008, V & A Museum of Childhood
This is great for the kids – and adults too!
Meet Rupert Bear at the Museum of Childhood"s Teddy Bears" Picnic where you can enjoy balloon animals and magic, follow the Teddy Bear trail and make a teddy bear mask. Bring your own teddy, dress him up and enter him in the Best Dressed Bear contest (at 3.30pm). For the picnic you can bring your own or buy food once you get there and enjoy lunch outside in the museum"s grounds, For further details, follow the link to the Teddy Bears" Picnic
Chinese New Year Celebration 2009
Free events:
At The National Maritime Museum there will be a spectacular day of performances and workshops for children, showcasing the best of Chinese arts and culture. This is a great chance for children to get involved. There will be plenty of excitement for all with storytelling, performances, activities and workshops. Saturday 7th February 2009 11.30am - 4pm Free Admission
The Museum in Docklands will run similar events for children including workshops, crafts, games and performances. Children of all ages are sure to be entertained Sunday 8th February 11.30am – 5pm
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