London's villages

Before the 19th century and the expansion of the railways London was contained within the City, Westminster and Southwark. The communities that were outside these areas were villages. As transport extended, the villages became a part of the conurbation. Here are a few of the villages that are still discernible within the greater conurbation.

Hampstead map by artist Jonathan Addis

Hampstead

When you arrive at Hampstead on the underground you are 64 metres below the ground level in the deepest station in London, and on reaching the surface you know you are in a different atmosphere.
For many years, Hampstead has been a haven for arts of all descriptions. John Constable who did many paintings of the heath is buried in the churchyard of St. John's, as is John Harrison, the self-taught clockmaker who is attributed with defining 'Longitude' by means of his chronometer.