Belsize Park Area Guide
Explore the areas we serve – from parks, entertainment and transport links, to shopping, eating and drinking.
Living in Belsize Park
Belsize Park is an area in North London in the Borough of Camden between Hampstead and Camden Town. It lies just South of Hampstead and North of Primrose Hill and St John’s Wood and is considered a prestigious area. Belsize Park attracts many young professionals and families and has become a popular neighbourhood for celebrities. Belsize Park has also become a popular residential neighbourhood because of its great transport links to central London and proximity to the wide open spaces of Primrose Hill Fields and Regent’s Park. Hampstead Heath is also nearby.
Our Camden Branch
67 Parkway, London, NW1 7PP
What is it like to live in Holloway?
What is it like to live in Holloway?
In Belsize Park, you can also find examples of stunning Victorian villas and terraced townhouses. There are also many buildings featuring architecture from the Arts and Crafts period. There are a number of other reasons why people are attracted to Belsize Park. The houses on the area’s quiet, wide, tree-lined streets tend to be much wider than those in neighbouring Camden and Primrose Hill and are able to offer better proportioned, more generous sized accommodation. The excellent range of shops, restaurants and gastro pubs to be found on Haverstock Hill and around Belsize Village is another reason for buyers and tenants to move into the area. Excellent transport links to central London mean that it is popular with many professionals who work in the City.
4 Interesting facts about Belsize Park
1.
The name ‘Belsize’ actually comes from the 14th century and is French, meaning ‘well situated’.
2.
There is a large air raid shelter from World War II under Belsize Park Underground station.
3.
A sign in Belsize Park station says there are 219 steps. However, there are only 189.
4.
Famous residents, past and present, of Belsize Park include Hugh Laurie, Noel Gallagher, Martin Freeman, David Mitchel, and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Properties in Belsize Park
Properties in Belsize Park
Many of the properties in Belsize Park date from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Most of the large Victorian and Georgian villas have been converted into large flats, the most popular of which are those with 2 or 3 bedrooms.
There are also stunning examples of Art Deco buildings and properties, featuring Queen Anne architecture. On Belsize Grove and Belsize Park Gardens, you will also find large, Victorian stucco fronted properties.
The close proximity to the centre of London ensures a short commute for those working in The City, making it very popular with professionals who want to rent or buy.
Public transport
Public transport
One of the main reasons young couples and professional families want to live in Belsize Park is because of the great public transport links. The area is serviced by its own tube station. Belsize Park Tube is on the Edgware branch of the Northern Line with a commute to the City taking just 15 minutes.
There are also plenty of bus services that provide transport to central London and other neighbourhoods in outer London.
If you prefer a ‘greener’ form of transport, it will take a 25-minute cycle ride through Regent’s Park to reach the centre of London.
Green spaces
Green spaces
Curiously, there is no ‘park’ in Belsize Park; however, residents of Belsize Park live very close to some of the best green spaces in London. Hampstead Heath is a large 360-hectare park featuring woodlands, ponds and sporting activities. Nearby is Primrose Hill which offers some of the most stunning views over London.
Locals in Belsize Park are also very close to Regent’s Park. Here you can enjoy peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Regent’s Park is also home to London Zoo.
What’s to do in Belsize Park?
What’s to do in Belsize Park?
There is a fantastic range of restaurants in Belsize Park to suit the tastes and budget of everyone. Here you can find dining establishments offering a wide range of international cuisine, and even Michelin-star restaurants.
The O2 Centre on Finchley Road is a popular destination for cinema-goers and there is also a wide selection of shops, bars, and restaurants all under one roof. If you are interested in cultural events, then the Hampstead Theatre is a popular venue for live shows and the open air theatre at Regent’s Park is a great place to visit in the Summer months.
Schools in Belsize Park
Schools in Belsize Park
Apart from having a large number of privately-run schools, there are many state schools offering good quality primary and secondary education.
The primary schools in Belsize Park are Fitzjohn’s Primary Schools, Fleet Primary School, Gospel Oak Primary School. These have all been rated as good by Ofsted. There are also a number of Church of England and Roman Catholic schools.
Secondary education for 11 to 18-year olds is at the Haverstock School and the UCL Academy. The UCL Academy is one of the newest secondary schools in London.
Local amenities in Belsize Park
Local amenities in Belsize Park
There is an excellent choice of high street shops and supermarkets along with some superb independent retailers such as butchers, grocers, delicatessens and coffee shops. There is also a farmers’ market at nearby Swiss Cottage every week.