London Guide: My Primrose Hill London Guide gives you an overview of this picturesque part of London NW1, which is close to Camden, Chalk Farm, St John’s Wood, Belsize Park and Hampstead. It is famous for the view of London from Primrose Hill, which is right next to Regents Park and London Zoo, with Regents Canal passing through. This leafy village enclave is home to celebrities and many pretty people carrying little dogs in designer handbags. If you want to escape the buzz of Camden, this is a great place to browse independent fashion boutiques and interior shops. Or you can stop off at one of the many restaurants, pubs or coffee houses. I hope you find my Primrose Hill London Guide useful.
Hill Top View Across London
Primrose Hill London Guide Attractions
Primrose Hill: This is a brilliant place to view London. It’s a bit of a steep climb because that hill is some 63 metres above sea level. It is a protected London viewpoint; the trees are purposely trimmed, so the branches do not obscure the view. From the top, you can see many of the famous London landmarks, including the BT Tower. You will usually see a bunch of people sitting at the summit, taking selfies and photographs. Look out for the York stone surround, which has a quote from William Blake – “I have conversed with the spiritual sun. I saw him on Primrose Hill.” You will find the hill on the north side of Regent’s Park.
Hill Top View Across London
Regent’s Park: Next to the hill, you will find Regent’s Park, just cross over Prince Albert Road, and you are there. This amazing park was designed by John Nash. It is spread across 395 acres which include Queen Mary’s Gardens, William Andrew Nesfield’s Avenue Gardens, fountains, statues, sports fields, an open-air theatre and London Zoo. You’ll find plenty of cafes dotted around if you fancy a bite to eat.
Regent’s Park
Regent’s Canal: If you wander around the streets in the vicinity, you are likely to cross bridges over Regent’s Canal. Make sure you peek over the brick sides where you’ll find spot some lovely canal boats. Regent’s Canal is part of the London Grand Union Canal which dates back to 1812 and was completed in 1820. It is about eight and a half miles long and takes you all the way from Little Venice to the Limehouse Basin. You pass by some interesting places, which include; Lisson Grove, Regent’s Park, London Zoo, Primrose Hill, Camden, Granary Square at King’s Cross, Haggerston and Victoria Park.
Regent’s Canal
Cecil Sharp House: While you are in the area, look at this folk art centre, which is home to the English Folk Dance and Song Society. Here you can learn to play the fiddle, dance in clogs or try Morris Dancing. Set in a Grade II listed building which has been named after the folk music and dance collector Cecil Sharp, you will also find the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library.
Cecil Sharp House
Pastel Painted Houses: Take time to wander around the streets in the area where you will see plenty of pastel-painted Stucco Victorian houses.
Pastel Painted Houses
Blue Plaques: Look out for the blue plaques which are placed on the front of buildings to celebrate that a person of significance once lived at the property. You will find a few in the area, which includes; Artist William Roberts (14 St Mark’s Crescent), Historian AJP Taylor (13 St Mark’s Crescent), Poet Arthur Clough (11 St Mark’s Crescent), Poet Sylvia Plath (3 Chalcot Square), poet William Butler Yeats (23 Fitzroy Road), Photographer Roger Fenton (2 Albert Terrace). There are more that you can research at The English Heritage website. This gives you a sense of how Primrose Hill attracted the academic and literary crowd long before music, film and TV celebrities moved there.
Primrose Hill London Guide Shops
Homes and Interiors Shops: The majority of homes and interior shops are located on Regent’s Park Road. These include Graham & Green Shop, with a mix of fabulous furniture, home accessories and decorative objects. Gallery 196 is situated on the ground floor of a Victorian house and stocks cushions from India and rugs from Morocco along with floaty clothing and embroidered bags.
Richard Dare is a fantastic cookware store stocking everything a budding chef could possibly wish for. The bathroom specialist CP Hart also has a store located along this strip where you can view luxury baths, basins and showers. There is another CP Hart Shop on Gloucester Avenue, where you will also find Ruth Kaye Design for bespoke stationery. On Chalcot Road, there is a cute shop called Sew Much Fun, which is ideal for sewing enthusiasts.
Shops on Gloucester Avenue
Fashion and Jewellery Shops: On Regent’s Park Road, you can browse Mary’s Living and Giving, the designer charity shop. For women’s clothing, head to Pamela Shiffer or Anna; for lingerie and swimwear, try Keturah Brown; for footwear, go to Spice Shoes. The Press boutique is well worth a visit on Erskine Road. Along Gloucester Avenue, you’ll find jewellery store Sweet Pea selling bespoke and handmade fine jewellery for brides and special occasions. On Chalcot Road is Zoe and Morgan, another jewellery store.
Press Fashion Boutique
Kid’s Shops: On Regent’s Park Road, children are catered for with cute girls’ clothing at I Love Gorgeous. Pop into Elias and Grace or Farah Kids for boys’ and girls’ clothing. For toys, try Cachao, which sells a vast selection and has a café next door.
Elias and Grace Children’s Clothing Shop
Hair and Beauty Salons: On Regent’s Park Road, the Cowshed Spa offers facials, pedicures, manicures and body therapies. They also serve food and drinks, which you can eat out front on the terrace. Space NK also has a store where you can buy premium beauty products. Privato Hair and Beauty and the Gary Ingham salons are located on this street. On Princess Road, you’ll find NuYu London for aesthetic treatments like wrinkle reduction and hair cutting and colouring services. Hacketts Hair and Beauty is close by.
Cowshed Spa
Primrose Hill London Guide Restaurants and Pubs
Greenberry Cafe
Restaurants/Cafes/Eateries: On Regent’s Park Road is the Greenberry Café serving breakfast, brunch lunch and dinner, covering a range of cuisines. For Greek food, try Lemonia; if you want sushi, head to Oka, and for fancy modern European, Odette’s. You can get a fry-up or sandwiches at Le Tea Cosy. Alternatively, you can pick up some deli delights and eat them on the hill, in which case, try Anthony Delicatessen or Shepherd Foods. Italian eateries include Negozio Classica with a rustic Tuscan menu, while Pesantissimo serves pasta and pizza. For modern Italian, try La Collina on Princess Road.
Michael Nadra Restaurant and Martini Bar
If you are craving some sweet treats and cute cupcakes, pop into the Primrose Bakery on Gloucester Avenue. On this street, you will find the Melrose and Morgan deli and café. The Michael Nadra Restaurant and Martini Bar, serving modern European dishes, is a great spot for lunch right next to Regent’s Canal. Try gourmet vegan and vegetarian dishes at Manna on Erskine Road. For steak sandwiches, pasta dishes and cooked breakfasts, The Primrose Eatery, located on Primrose Hill Road, is a good all-rounder for families.
Pubs: If you want a pint, a glass of wine or some decent grub, you’ll find plenty of pubs dotted around, many of which have gardens or seating outside the front. The Queen’s Pub on Regent’s Park Road will serve burgers, and ale battered cod with their triple-cooked chips. On Gloucester Avenue, The Pembroke serves tapas, small plates, burgers, burritos, stone-baked pizzas, typical pub food and Sunday roasts. The Lansdowne, also on Gloucester Avenue, offers British and Mediterranean food plus pizzas. The Engineer is located by Regent’s Canal and dishes up posh burgers, fish and chips plus Sunday roasts. The Princess of Wales on Chalcot Road is a Regency-style gastropub serving a variety of dishes and Sunday roasts.
The Engineer Pub
Coffee Shops: On Regent’s Park Road, you will find Chloe’s Espresso for almond lattes opposite Tann Rokka. Close by is The Little One Coffee Shop, which is by the side of the Cowshed Spa. You can order coffee at all the other eateries I mentioned and the pubs.
Chloe’s Espresso
Primrose Hill London Guide Information
The easiest way to reach Primrose Hill is by exiting at Chalk Farm station, Adelaide Road and over the bridge (Bridge Approach). Or you can walk from Camden and head towards Chalk Farm past the Roundhouse, up Regent’s Park Road, and over the bridge. Once over the bridge, you can go straight ahead to see the shops and eateries along Regent’s Park Road, and at the end, you will find the hill. Or you can turn left down Gloucester Avenue, where you can cross over Regent’s Canal and then head back via Regent’s Park Road to the hill.
Bridge Approach
Here are some links to interesting information about the area should you wish to discover more.
Wikipedia Information and Area History
Regent’s Park
London Zoo
Regent’s Canal
English Heritage Blue Plaques
Cecil Sharp House
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London.
