I love Hampstead, so it’s no surprise that I decided to set my novel Hampstead Fever there. These are just a few images to give you a taste of Hampstead life if you’re not already familiar with it.

Hampstead Underground Station, first opened in 1907, has the deepest lift shaft of all the London stations.  Here’s the view up Heath Street, towards the, er, heath (photos of Kenwood and Hampstead Heath will have to wait).

And down Pilgrim’s Lane.

These friends are just enjoying breakfast on a Sunday morning.

Though some tables outside can be quite exclusive.

Some street furniture (this Victorian postbox is no longer in use).

A couple of locals.

Constable and his family once lived here too.  He’s buried in St John’s churchyard, NW3.

It’s not all blue plaques around here. Flower seller Maggie Richardson has this memorial to her name.

Hampstead is nothing if not trendy. Queues often build up outside the Hampstead Butcher & Providore.

This is the flower shop in iconic Flask Walk.

And the barber shop.

There’s a new restaurant in Church Row, where Le Cellier du Midi used to be.

The Freud Museum – where both Sigmund and his daughter Anna once worked – is down a leafy street.

Much of this scene will change with the new cycle superhighway. If CS11 is implemented, as looks likely, cars and lorries will be diverted away from the main arterial road and into Hampstead village, choking side-streets and polluting the area. Locals are as concerned about safety for cyclists as anyone else, but believe a better solution could be found.  

If you want to know more, click here.