Belsize Community Library – credit: Belsize Community Library
You can find out more about Belsize from the books listed below
The Harlots of Haverstock Hill is 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 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. (Available from Daunts Books, Haverstock Hill)
Belsize 2000: a Living Suburb – 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
Streets of Belsize – published by the Camden History Society 2009.
This is a survey of the streets, buildings and former residents of Belsize.
Available from www.camdenhistorysociety.org
Belsize Remembered – memories of Belsize Park. Compiled by Ranee Barr and David Percy, edited by F Peter Woodfood and with a forward by Sir Derek Jacobi. Published by Aulis, London and available from Daunts on Haverstock Hill (020 7794 4006) and South End Green (020 7794 8206). Also www.belsizestory.com/products and www.belsizevillage.co.uk
Hampstead and Belsize Park Then and Now 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. Can be ordered from Daunts Books Haverstock Hill & South End Green
How Hampstead Heath was saved – a story of people power by Helen Marcus, published by Camden History Society, jointly with the Heath & Hampstead Society. (Available from Daunt Books, Haverstock Hill)
Hampstead, Building a Borough 1650-1964 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.
Out of print but available at Camden libraries.
Hampstead – Chalcots British History Online www.british-history.ac.uk and
Hampstead – Belsize British History Online www.british-history.ac.uk
These bring together material from libraries, archives, museums and academics to provide detailed historic information.
There are also two fascinating feature length DVDs about Belsize:
The Belsize Story Parts 1 and 2, 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. They are available from Daunts Books, Haverstock Hill, or here.
And a very interesting and well illustrated talk about Camden’s Hidden Railway Heritage
This has been produced by the Camden Railway Heritage Trust (CRHT) at the request of Camden’s Local Studios and Archives department. Download it here
To find out more about the CRHT, see here