Culture Hub
West Hampstead Life Recommends
Old Hampstead Rediscovered 5: Changing Scenes
Exhibition of local views painted by 18th-, 19th- and 20th- century artists, curated by the Heath & Hampstead Society, presented along with modern photographs. More details NJ
Slow West @ Everyman Hampstead, Vue, Odeon, from Fri 26th
Well-reviewed Western starring Michael Fassbender, a modern twist on the Westerns of old. More details NJ
18 ways you know West Hampstead is in your blood
Living in West Hampstead brings its unique challenges, opportunities and emotions. One minute you’re all This place is awesome and the next it’s more Why aren’t there any useful shops? There are the ups and downs of West End Lane. You might bag the last table for brunch at the Wet Fish Café. via GIPHY […]
Susie Steiner’s West Hampstead guide
I’m a seriously local person. I don’t like to leave my manor. When I leave Whamp, I feel like I need a decompression chamber to prevent the bends. I’m a homey, hanging with my FG-massive. I’ll stop being embarrassing now. My favourite place to eat: The Wet Fish, for posh nosh. We’ve tried the new […]
George Rose: Death in the Caribbean
Actor George Rose travelled an unusual path from Bicester to Broadway. He lived in West Hampstead for the best part of a decade while he learned his craft from great actors and directors such as Tyrone Guthrie, Laurence Olivier, Peter Brook and John Gielgud. And after a very successful career on the stage, he died […]
The artist and the punks of West Hampstead
In April 1977, Tony Drayton moved to London from Cumbernauld, a new town in Scotland between Glasgow and Edinburgh. From 1976 to 1979, Tony was the editor of the early punk zine, Ripped and Torn. He lived in London, Paris, and Amsterdam and had a very varied career, including fire eating. In the summer of […]
An Insight with: Roma Agrawal
This month we spoke to Roma Agrawal, engineer and debut author (and West Hampstead resident). Roma spent six years working on the construction of the Shard. During that time she was asked to give presentations about the Shard, first to other engineers, to outside groups such as the Womens Institute, and then to schools. She […]
It was 56 years ago today, Decca said the Beatles couldn’t play
On a very cold New Year’s Day in 1962 the Beatles arrived in West Hampstead for their audition at Decca Studios. The Beatles’ manager, Brian Epstein had several record shops in Liverpool and had a meeting with the marketing people at Decca. They told Dick Rowe – Decca’s A&R (Artists and Repertoire) manager – about […]
Hallelujah! Local carol singer raises £100,000 over 40 years
One of the best things about Christmas is the carol singing. It get’s you into the spirit of Christmas and those singing are raising money for good causes, a reminder of the true spirit of Christmas. Every Christmas since 1977, West Hampstead resident Tessa Henderson has been organising her friends to go carol singing. They […]
From Kilburn to Mount Rushmore: The story of Gutzon Borglum
It’s Thanksgiving in America, so what better time to dig into the link between Kilburn and the man behind one of the most iconic landmarks in the US. American artist and sculptor Gutzon Borglum lived and worked at Harlestone Villa in Mortimer Road, Kilburn from about 1897 to 1902. The property was later renumbered as […]
Good Ship Comedy sets sail for new home in Camden
Sad times on Monday night in Kilburn as the Good Ship hosted its final Monday-night comedy gig. The Good Ship closes this weekend after changes to its licence has made it unprofitable and forced owner John McCooke to sell. Monday night comedy was a core part of the formative years of the West Hampstead community […]