Living in Belsize Park

Did you know?

• Belsize manor was left to Westminster Abbey by Sir Roger le Brabazon in the 14th century. Daniel Tidey was responsible for much of the development of Belsize between 1850 and 1870 from which point it became known as Belsize Park.
• Eton College owned much of Primrose Hill and part of this history can be seen in the street names to this day.
• Belsize Park was also the home of Karl Marx a famous German philosopher who previously inhabited Maitland Park Road NW3.
• The tube station of Belsize Park is one of only eight to possess a deep level air raid shelter built in the Second World War.
• There are three key focal points in the Village; Englands Lane, Haverstock Hill and Belsize Village that were created in the 30 years following on from the Second World War.

Architecture & Properties in Belsize Park

The majority of properties in Belsize Park were built in the 19th early 20th century to include grand Victorian villas and white stucco houses. A patchwork of modern 1930's Art Deco architecture as well as Arts and Crafts houses make up some pockets of NW3.

Belsize Park is well represented by the number of blue plaques in the area to include actor actors, musicians, artists, thinkers, reformers and philanthropists.

Thanks to its prime position bookended by trendy Primrose Hill and Hampstead Village leafy Belsize Park is a forever fashionable pocket of London attracting families, professionals, intellectuals and celebrities.

Who lives there?

• Gwyneth Paltrow, actress
• Chris Martin, musician
• Kate Moss, model
• Fiona Bruce, television presenter
• Zeinab Badawi, television presenter
• Helena Bonham Carter, actress
• Kate Hudson, actress

• Tim Burton, filmmaker
• Tom Hiddleston, actor
• Sean Bean, actor
• Jude Law, actor
• Liam Gallagher, singer
• Matthew Bellamy, musician
• Dominic Howard, musician

Where to eat

Belsize Park is a lively area with Haverstock Hill, Englands Lane and Belsize Lane offering a variety of restaurants, pubs and cafes. XO which is on Belsize Lane is a restaurant that is part of the successful Ricker restaurants chain.

There are several delicatessens such as Black Truffle and Belsize Deli that offer a variety of artisan foods as well as a weekly farmer's market on Eton Avenue.

Where to drink

Coffee

There is a fantastic café culture which includes Ginger and White located on Englands Lane which is an independent coffee shop that serves teas, coffees as well as sandwiches, breakfast and lunch. Chamomile is a friendly café with great breakfasts and lunches also situated on Englands Lane.

Wine, Beers & Cocktails

The Washington on Englands Lane is a classic Victorian pub and a local favourite due to the squidgy sofas, cask ale selection, and weekly Quiz night. It offers quality ‘pub grub’ in a lively atmosphere with a traditional crowd.

Transport

Underground: Belsize Park is served by Belsize Park Station and Chalk Farm Station caters for the residents of Primrose Hill, which are both on the Northern Line. You also have Swiss Cottage Station which is on the Jubilee line. All the stations fall under Zone 2 of the London Underground

Overland: As well as having a choice of tube lines, we also have the Overground Station in Hampstead Heath, offering an alternative method of transport.

Buses: Travel is easy from Belsize Park with bus services including the C11, 24, 46, 168, 268, while the N5 provides a 24-hour service to Trafalgar Square in one direction and Edgware Road in the other.

Car: 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.

Culture

There is an Every Man Cinema located on Haverstock Hill where you can watch films whilst reclining on a sofa having a meal or a glass of wine. There is also the Hampstead Theatre at Swiss Cottage as well as The O2 Centre on the Finchley Road which has a further cinema, shops, bars, restaurants, a large Sainsbury’s and a Fitness First.

Parks & Green Spaces

10 minutes from Belsize Park and in Primrose Hill you have two of the best green spaces in London which are Hampstead Heath and Primrose Hill. Hampstead Heath is 790 acres with ponds that the public can swim in. Primrose Hill offers incredible views over London and is even protected by a statute of law to prevent buildings that could block it. As you can imagine on a sunny day, both green spaces are packed with not only locals, but with visitors from other areas that have come for a day out as well as tourists.

Shopping

Dedicated foodies will appreciate the area’s vast array of delicatessens, including the Black Truffle deli and coffeehouse, which has a popular selection of wines and homemade juices in addition to its artisan food collection. A farmer’s market is also held every Wednesday on Eton Avenue in nearby Swiss Cottage, where visitors can observe the artistry of Celtic baking, bag freshly-caught Channel Fish and peruse the finest local and organic produce.

Steeles Village, named after the Sir Richard Steele pub on Haverstock Hill, is a fantastic place for shopping, with a number of cafés lining the streets offering a welcome break in between the exploration of the area’s fashionable boutiques.

Alternatively, the West End’s famous shopping destination, Oxford Street - is only a 10 minute Tube ride away from Belsize Park.

Schools & Education

• Rosary RC Roman Catholic Primary School, 238 Haverstock Hill NW3 2AE
• St Christopher’s School Independent Primary School, 32 Belsize Lane, NW3 5AE
• Sarum Hall –Independent Prep school 15 Eton Avenue NW3 3EL
• Hampstead Hill School Independent Pre prep and Nursery, St Stephens Hall, Pond Street NW3 2PP
• Royal School Hampstead 65 Rosslyn Hill, NW3 5UD
• Fine Arts College Centre Studios London NW3 4YD
• Haverstock Secondary State School, 24 Haverstock Hill NW3 2BQ
• The Hall – Junior School, 69 Belsize Park. Senior/middle 23 Crossfield Road NW3 4NU
• South Hampstead High School, Maresfield Gardens NW3 5SS
• Lycee Kentish Town 87 Holmes Road, Camden Town, London NW5 3AX

Local authority

Belsize Park is represented by Camden Council.

Council tax rates in Belsize Park

The council tax rate in Belsize Park is set by Camden Council. The rate of council tax varies and is dependent on the following valuation bands.