Hampstead

By Camila Plaza, Ivana Espino

Hampstead is a village that is located in London. It has been home of many important
people for several years. From artists, musicians, writers and singers, to scientists, historians,
athletes and actors. All of them have left their mark hidden somewhere along the streets and
green spaces of Hampstead.

History
Hampstead has it origins as a Saxon Village. Known as Homestead by the first inhabitants,
who used to graze animals and grow crops. It became one of the most exclusive and expensive
places to live in London after the 17th century, when people had run away from The Great Plague
(1665) and The Great Fire (1666).
In the 18th century, someone called Dr Gibbons, discovered that the water springs had
healing features so the town was considered as a spa town. In addition, people began to increase
the buildings and the village started to expand very soon. The first constructions were the
Kenwood House, which was rebuilt years later after being sold, and the Burgh House. Within the
new changes, rich Londoners moved away and by 1801 there was a population of 3,343.
Regarding transport, in 1852 the first railway station was built. In the 19th century,
Hampstead was distinguished as a suburb of London because of the facilities that allowed people
to travel towards their jobs easily and more often. Furthermore, what nowadays is Hampstead
Heath, turned into a playground for residents that have been taking care of it since then. Finally, in
1857 the Metropolitan Board of Works bought it and kept it as a public park. Eventually,
Hampstead became part of London as a county in 1889.

Entertainment
Hampstead Heath is one of the most visited parklands in London. People enjoy going there
as well as doing outdoors activities like walking, running, cycling, swimming, bird-watching and
picnicking. Its variety of wildlife and peaceful essence makes the Heath a quiet place to take some
fresh air or relax. In addition, it offers three open-air swimming ponds: one for men, one for

women and one for both of them. Through the years it has been the place where main recreation
activities take place during the summer: open-air concerts, fun fairs and books and poetry
readings for the public.
Hampstead is also recognized for its museums. For example, Kenwood House, first called
as Caen Wood, it was sold to William Murray in 1754, who decided to remodel it with the help of
Robert Adam, a neo-classicist architect. Years later, it turned into what today is the stately home
of Hampstead. Kenwood House is best known because of the art collection that it preserves.

Climate
Hampstead has 601 mm of precipitation in a year, and its extreme temperature range is
from 38.1C to 16C. Winters are usually damp cold without any changes in the temperature,
sometimes the snow are the main reason for travelling problems for the citizens. On the other
hand, summers are rarely extremely hot, and the standard temperature is 24C.

Webliography

brief

history

of

Hampstead,

retrieved

from

http://www.localhistories.org/hampstead.html

Hampstead Heath, Hampstead Village, retrieved from

http://www.hampsteadvillagelondon.com/hampstead/gardens-and-parks/hampsteadheath/

Hampstead, retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hampstead

London Calling: Hampstead, retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-18552440

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