London Pubs Group

Campaign for Real Ale

Campaign for Real Ale

Walks and Wells: Evening Crawl of Hampstead

London Pubs Group's evening pub crawl of Hampstead

Wednesday 21st August 2013

Murder, robbery and a spa in between(!), that's what the LPGs pub crawl of Hampstead has in store. Read the pub crawl programme and check out each of the pub pages for more history and details of the pubs' architectural features.

A text version of the crawl notes is here: Crawl Notes - Hampstead

1. White Horse

Exterior of The White Horse, Hampstead Arrive: 7pm
Address: 154 Fleet Road, NW3 2QX

Re-built in the early 20th century, this public house has a very unique enamelled sectioned ceiling.

Real ales: Fullers London Pride, Sharps Doom Bar and Shepherd Neame Spitfire are usually served here.

Read more on the White Horse, Hampstead

NOW RENAMED BELL OF HAMPSTEAD

Directions to next pub: On leaving the pub, cross over the zebra crossing and walk straight on to the Garden Gate pub (good 'brewers' Tudor' exterior) then on past Hampstead Heath station to the junction with South Hill Park. Turn right into South Hill Park and cross over the road to...

2. Magdala

Exterior of The Magdala, Hampstead Arrive: 7.45pm
Address: 2a South Hill Park, NW3 2SB

This mid-Victorian pub with Art Deco pub features is the site of a famous murder in the 1950s.

Real ales: Greene King IPA and Sharps Doom Bar are usually on sale here.

Read more on the Magdala, Hampstead

Directions to the next pub: Turn right out of the pub and walk to the junction with South End Road. Turn right into South End Road and walk up South End Road to where it is joined on the left-hand side by a narrower road. This narrower road is the continuation of South End Road. Cross over the wide road to the narrow continuation of South End Road and walk along it to where it becomes Willow Road. Continue along Willow Road (noting number 2, designed by the famous architect, Erno Goldfinger, on the way) to the junction with Flask Walk. Turn left into Flask Walk and walk up Flask Walk to...

3. Flask

Exterior of The Flask, Hampstead Arrive: 8.30pm Flask
Address: 14 Flask Walk, NW3 1HG

Hampstead was once a spa, which the pub's name refers to. It is also home to chromolitographs of Belgian artist Jan Van Beers the younger.

Real ales: Sambrooks Wandle, and Youngs Bitter, London Gold and Special are usually served here.

Read more on the Flask, Hampstead

Directions to the next pub: Turn left out of the pub and continue down Flask Walk to Hampstead High Street. Turn right and walk up Hampstead High Street to the junction with Heath Street. Walk to the pedestrian crossing, cross over Heath Street and walk up Heath Street to the junction with Holly Mount. Walk up the steps of Holly Mount to the top, turn the corner and walk to...

4. Holly Bush

Exterior of The Holly Bush, Hampstead Arrive: 9pm
Address: 22 Holly Mount, NW3 6SG

In addition to having a charming exterior, the Holly Bush boasts impressive original features inside.

Real ales: Butcombe Bitter, and Fullers London Pride, Seafarers and Wild River are usually available.

Read more on the Holly Bush, Hampstead

Directions to the next pub: On leaving the pub, turn left and walk to a different flight of steps. Walk down the steps to Heath Street, cross over Heath Street at the pedestrian crossing, turn left and continue up Heath Street to the junction with New End. Turn right into New End and cross over New End to...

5. Duke of Hamilton

Exterior of The Duke of Hamilton, Hampstead Arrive: 9.30pm
Address: 23-25 New End, NW3 1JD

This pub is a popular community pub that was thankfully saved by CAMRA from being converted to residential housing and is proudly featured on the crawl for this reason.

Real ales: Up to five real ales from national and micro-breweries are usually served here.

Read more on the Duke of Hamilton, Hampstead

Directions to the next pub: Retrace your steps to Heath Street, cross over Heath Street, turn right and walk up Heath Street to the pond and then to...

*Jack Straw's Castle

Exterior of Jack Straw Sadly, this huge pub, designed by renowned architect, Raymond Erith is no longer open but well worth stopping by to take in its unique exterior.

Read more on Jack Straw's Castle, Hampstead

Directions to the next pub: Cross over the road to Spaniards Road and walk down Spaniards Road to the rather hidden bus stop (called Jack Straw's Castle). Catch a 210 bus to the stop called Spaniards Inn. Alight from the bus and continue down Spaniards Road (being careful where the pavement ends) to...

6. Spaniards Inn

Exterior of The Spaniards Inn, Hampstead Arrive: 10.15pm
Address: Spaniards Road, NW3 7JJ

This historic tollgate inn would have been well known by highwayman Dick Turpin who was regularly in the area.

Real ales: A selection of up to four real ales is usually served here.

Read more on the Spaniards Inn, Hampstead

Public transport will be required at times. All welcome.