Pubs in Hampstead

Up on the hill in north London, Hampstead has long been a genteel retreat from the city. The heath stretches out to the east, all wild grass and woodland paths, while the village itself is a tangle of narrow lanes lined with Georgian townhouses and old coaching inns. It's a place that attracts walkers finishing a ramble, locals settling in for a Sunday roast, and evening crowds who've made the climb from the Tube station for something quieter than the West End.

The dozen or so pubs here lean heavily towards the gastro side of things. The Holly Bush is a proper old coaching house with a fireplace and small rooms that fill up quickly, while The Flask offers craft ales and cocktails with a more modern feel. The Roebuck has a beer garden with heating for when the weather turns. Most are the sort of places where you book a table rather than just turning up.