The best things to do in Hampstead and north London in 2026 are walking Hampstead Heath, the view from Parliament Hill, the free art collection at Kenwood House, Highgate Cemetery, the Freud Museum, and the views and events at Alexandra Palace.
North London is London at its most villagey. Hampstead's lanes lead to the Heath, one of the wildest open spaces in the city, with ponds for swimming and views across the skyline. Highgate's Victorian cemetery and Hampstead's historic houses make it a perfect day of walking. The Northern line serves Hampstead, Belsize Park and Highgate; the Overground stops at Hampstead Heath.
Wild woods, meadows and swimming ponds across about 800 acres.
Hampstead Heath is a vast, wild expanse of woods, meadows and ponds that feels far from the city. You can swim in the bathing ponds, walk to Kenwood House, or climb Parliament Hill.
It is free and open all year.
Good to know: Start from Hampstead village and walk east to Parliament Hill.
Hampstead Heath, London NW3 1TH
One of London's protected views, across the skyline to St Paul's.
Parliament Hill, on the south-east side of Hampstead Heath, gives a protected view across London to St Paul's, the Shard and the City towers.
It is a favourite spot for sunsets and kite flying.
Good to know: Go at sunset on a clear evening.
Parliament Hill, Hampstead Heath, London NW5 1QR
A free stately home with Rembrandt and Vermeer, on the edge of the Heath.
Kenwood House is an elegant neoclassical villa on the northern edge of Hampstead Heath, with a free art collection including Rembrandt's self-portrait and Vermeer's The Guitar Player.
Its café and grounds are perfect for a break on a Heath walk.
Good to know: Walk up from Hampstead and finish with lunch at the Kenwood café.
Hampstead Lane, London NW3 7JR
A romantic Victorian cemetery with Karl Marx's tomb and Egyptian Avenue.
Highgate Cemetery's overgrown Victorian tombs, catacombs and Egyptian Avenue make it one of London's most atmospheric places. The East Cemetery has Karl Marx's tomb and the graves of many writers and musicians.
The West Cemetery is seen on guided tours.
Good to know: Book a guided tour of the West Cemetery in advance.
Swain's Lane, London N6 6PJ
Sigmund Freud's last home, with his famous couch.
Sigmund Freud fled Nazi Vienna in 1938 and spent his last year in this house, where his study, library and psychoanalytic couch are preserved.
It is a short walk from Finchley Road station.
Good to know: Combine it with a walk to Hampstead village.
20 Maresfield Gardens, London NW3 5SX
A Queen Anne house with Hampstead's local museum and a café.
Burgh House, built in 1704 in the heart of Hampstead village, holds the Hampstead Museum, art exhibitions and a garden café.
It is a calm stop between the village and the Heath.
Good to know: Have tea in the garden café.
New End Square, London NW3 1LT
Ernő Goldfinger's modernist home, preserved by the National Trust.
2 Willow Road is the home architect Ernő Goldfinger designed for his family in the 1930s, preserved with its furniture and art collection by the National Trust.
It is a must for fans of modernist architecture and design.
Good to know: Check opening days; it is open seasonally and partly by tour.
2 Willow Road, London NW3 1TH
A 17th-century merchant's house with early keyboard instruments and a walled garden.
Fenton House is a late 17th-century house in Hampstead village with collections of early keyboard instruments and porcelain, and a walled garden with an orchard and views over London.
It is run by the National Trust.
Good to know: Visit in spring for the orchard blossom.
Hampstead Grove, London NW3 6SP
The 'People's Palace', with skyline views, an ice rink and big events.
Alexandra Palace sits on a hill in north London with sweeping views of the city. It has an ice rink, a restored Victorian theatre, a park and a busy programme of concerts and events, usually including fireworks in early November.
Its terrace is one of the best free viewpoints in London.
Good to know: Check the events calendar for gigs and its November fireworks.
Alexandra Palace Way, London N22 7AY
Yes. Kenwood House, run by English Heritage on the edge of Hampstead Heath, is free to enter, with paintings by Rembrandt, Vermeer and Gainsborough.
Yes. The Men's, Ladies' and Mixed Bathing Ponds are open for swimming, with booking and charges at busy times. Parliament Hill Lido is an unheated outdoor pool nearby.
Yes. The East Cemetery, with Karl Marx's tomb, can be visited with a ticket, and guided tours of the atmospheric West Cemetery reveal its catacombs and Egyptian Avenue.
Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath and Alexandra Palace both have sweeping views of the London skyline. See our viewpoints guide.
Walking from Hampstead village across the Heath to Kenwood and Parliament Hill takes a couple of hours with stops.