Enquiries: info@belsize.org.uk
Enquiries: info@belsize.org.uk
Belsize Park is a north west London suburb in the Borough of Camden, London NW3. It is between Hampstead, Gospel Oak, Primrose Hill and Swiss Cottage. The name comes from the Belsize Estate, although modern Belsize also covers the northern half of the Chalcot estate.
The area is mainly residential and includes an abundance of distinctive architecture, particularly from the Victorian period, in wide tree lined roads softened by trees and greenery. Most of the residents live in flats, either converted or purpose built. Whilst the majority of properties are privately owned, there are about one thousand units of social housing in the wider Belsize area.
Most of Belsize is within the Belsize Conservation Area (CA), the Parkhill and Upper Park CA and parts of the Fitzjohns-Netherhall CA and Eton CA. More about the Conservation Area, what it does and what it means to development.
The area is covered primarily by the Belsize Ward along with parts of Haverstock, Gospel Oak, Hampstead Town and Frognal and Fitzjohns wards. There are three local shopping areas: Belsize Village (with a ‘streatery’), the wide pavements of Haverstock Hill and England’s Lane. These include independent shops, supermarkets, as well as restaurants, cafes and bars.
There are many independent schools, both primary and secondary, in, or close to, Belsize. However, there is no state secondary school in the BelSoc area, although the UCL Academy is on the borders. For historical reasons there has been no secular state primary school in Belsize Ward. A secular state free school, Abacus Belsize Free School, opened in temporary premises in Belsize in 2013 but is currently in Camley Street, near King’s Cross, looking for local premises.
There are several entertainment and arts venues in and around the area.
Find out more about the history of the local area and its transformation from farmland and country estates to a leafy London suburb.
Take a scenic walk through the Belsize Conservation Area, linking Primrose Hill and Parliament Hill. This guide from Camden Council includes a map and information about the area's architectural heritage.
From traditional London Planes to rarer species, learn about the notable trees across local streets. You can also find out how to help care for them and preserve the area's greenery.
Click/tap maps for a high resolution version.
© Collins Bartholomew Ltd 2008. Reproduced by permission of HarperCollins. Publishers bartholomewmaps.com.
