Hampstead is one of London's more desirable locations to live and is said to be one of the most expensive residential areas in the world but it wasn't always like that. Hampstead's Vale of Heath was known as Hatchett's Bottom, a certainly less marketable name, a rose by any other name 'n all that... Hachett's Bottom was a bog, where nothing could be cultivated. It was home to factories, fairgrounds and laundry outlets.
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Hampstead's water was believed to have natural bleaching properties and with the area being so close to London it is believed King Henry VIII had his shirts washed there. It became a popular spa town that rivaled Bath, Royal Leamington Spa and Cheltenham in the first 2 decades of the C18th. There are still traces of Hampstead's laundry days such as the names of the streets such as Cloth Hill.
Hampstead Heath is the source of the lost river Fleet, the most northern point at an altitude of 113m above sea level. Explore The Lost River Fleet on Hampstead Heath
Hampstead Heath is the source of the lost river Fleet, the most northern point at an altitude of 113m above sea level. Explore The Lost River Fleet on Hampstead Heath
What does Hampstead mean?
Hamp = home, Stead = farm
Hampstead is Plaque Central
With Hampstead having attracted the rich and famous over the last two centuries it is no doubt surprising there are plenty of historical plaques which show a glimmer of its glamorous inhabitants. The Hampstead Plaque Fund has a wealth of information for any inquisitive mind. The fund is administered by The Heath & Hampstead Society and was set up by Society member Ralph Wade.
Daphne du Maurier
Daphne du Maurier lived in Hampstead
Daphne du Maurier was born in 1907 and was the grand-daughter of the artist and writer George du Maurier, daughter of Gerald, the most famous Actor Manager of his day who lived in Cannon Hall, Hampstead from 1916 till his death. Read my Gerald du Maurier and Cannon Hall post.
Daphne du Maurier began writing short stories in 1928. Her first novel, 'The Loving Spirit' was published in 1931, three years before her grandfather's death and received rave reviews. Her most famous three novels, 'Jamaica Inn', 'Frenchman's Creek' and Rebecca'. She also had a home in Cornwall where for the past 16 years holds an annual Village Festival at Fowey Hall.
You Might Like:
Hampstead Village, London - a snapshot
Historical Hampstead - Cannon Hall & Parish Lock-up
Du Maurier Festival Society, 8th - 18th May 2013, Cornwall (external link)
Daphne du Maurier began writing short stories in 1928. Her first novel, 'The Loving Spirit' was published in 1931, three years before her grandfather's death and received rave reviews. Her most famous three novels, 'Jamaica Inn', 'Frenchman's Creek' and Rebecca'. She also had a home in Cornwall where for the past 16 years holds an annual Village Festival at Fowey Hall.
You Might Like:
Hampstead Village, London - a snapshot
Historical Hampstead - Cannon Hall & Parish Lock-up
Du Maurier Festival Society, 8th - 18th May 2013, Cornwall (external link)
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