Enquiries: info@belsize.org.uk
Enquiries: info@belsize.org.uk
You can find out more about Belsize from the books below:
An account of the remarkable life of “Moll” King, an 18th century madam or brothel-keeper, who became a wealthy landowner with several properties on Haverstock Hill.
This rollicking account of her life includes new information and facts regarding what happened to Moll King’s Belsize houses – especially her villa. “Moll” King and her Belsize Houses by David S Percy, has a foreword by Dan Cruickshank. It was also featured
on BBC2. Published 2020.
Hear Dame Janet Suzman reading an extract here. (from The Belsize Village website)
Available from Daunts Books, Haverstock Hill (£10.99) or or sent direct from the author for £12.49 incl.postage
This is the most detailed reference work on Hampstead (and Belsize Park of course!) artists to date. It contains potted biographical information on thousands of entries and is the result of nearly 20 years of research.
Available from Daunt Books (Haverstock Hill) , also Waterstones, Amazon UK etc RRP £65
Published by the Camden History Society 2009. This is a survey of the streets, buildings and former residents of Belsize with ten walks guiding you through the historic suburb.
Available from www.camdenhistorysociety.org
Compiled by Ranee Barr and David Percy, edited by F. Peter Woodfood and with a foreword by Sir Derek Jacobi. Published by Aulis, London.Life in Belsize Park, London, as remembered by residents. BELSIZE Remembered is a collection of memories of life past and present in Belsize Park – engaging, at times moving personal accounts that together show how the area evolved from the 1930s to the present. They depict many different aspects of life in a part of London that in the 20th century underwent radical changes. From the story of the world’s oldest Holocaust survivor to memories of artists and musicians as well as once favourite shops, pubs and places of entertainment, these reminiscences capture the flavour of what old hands and relative newcomers relish about where they live.
Available from Daunts, Haverstock Hill and Daunts, South End Road. Also at www.belsizestory.com and www.belsizevillage.co.uk.
Edited by Adrian Shire, published by the Belsize Conservation Area Advisory Committee 2000.
A series of authoritative essays that cover the history, architecture and some of the most significant residents of Belsize.
Currently out of print but available at Camden libraries and can be bought online second-hand.
By Marianne Colloms and Dick Weindling. Published by the History Press 2014.
A comparison of original images of the area with modern photographs, highlighting just what has changed – and what has stayed the same.
Currently out of print but can be found online second-hand.
By Helen Marcus. Published by Camden History Society, jointly with the Heath & Hampstead Society.
The campaign to save Hampstead Heath in 19th century was at the heart of what became the new conservation movement.
Extensive new research has uncovered layers of fresh information about this fascinating story and rediscovers the remarkable people who played their part in the battle to save London’s commons. The book examines the political and social upheavals, the cultural developments that led to a new understanding of the value of open space, and the rise of Town Planning.
Available from Daunts, Haverstock Hill
By F.M.L.Thompson. Published London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1974.
This book was commissioned by Hampstead Borough Council before it was incorporated into the Borough of Camden. It provides a very authoritative account of how the urban environment of Hampstead, including Belsize, was created.
Currently out of print but available at Camden libraries. and online second-hand.
These superb DVDs, made by BelSoc member David Percy and narrated by Fiona Bruce, provide street by street information on the history, architecture and people of the area.
Available from Daunts, Haverstock Hill and www.belsizestory.com
By Peter Darley Publ'd. 2024 , Grosvenor House
With the opening of the London and Birmingham Railway in 1837, the first inter-city railroad to London, the capital was connected to the industrial heartlands of England, with the railway supporting the fast growing metropolis in the rapid movement of goods. A passenger terminus was established at Euston, served initially by the Winding Vaults, steam-powered rope traction from Camden. Robert Stephenson's role was central to the building of the Chalk Farm Railway Lands (CFRL) and to their surviving infrastructure and he is celebrated in this account. The goods terminus was located at Camden Town on the Regent's Canal, which provided an essential connection with the London Docks and hence to trade with the rest of the world. Camden Station was a pioneer in promoting goods interchange between rail, road and canal networks. Geographically CFRL comprise a central body with a head and a tail. The tail is the incline from Camden to Euston; the head the cutting from the Regent's Park Road Bridge to the Primrose Hill Tunnel. The body is an area bounded by Chalk Farm Road, Regent's Park Road, Gloucester Avenue and the Regent's Canal. This area housed the goods yard, locomotive sheds, warehouses, stables and other infrastructure, as well as associated rolling stock, attracting industry and commerce to the area. Find out more about the CRHT.