About Hampstead
16mm film Black & White Sound 1957 10:17
Summary: A film celebrating the surrounds of Hampstead.
Title number: 139
LSA ID: LSA/185
Description: The film begins in central London with views across the Thames to St Paul's Cathedral with the commentary proposing Hampstead as the solution for those who love both city and country. Hampstead is introduced on the Heath, with views down to the dome St Paul's Cathedral in the distance. At Hampstead Heath Fair, crows of people enjoy the rides and amusements including a big wheel, a merry go round, swings, and a helter skelter. The film then takes a trip about Hampstead's residential areas taking in the Admiral's house and John Galsworthy's house around Admiral's Walk, the modernist 'Fleet House' in the Vale of Health, houses along Keats Grove (including the Keats House museum) and Holly Hill. The film continues past the cafes and Antique shops of Hampstead High Street to the Parish Church of St John-At-Hampstead on Church Row. A look at some of the Georgian and Queen Ann houses on Church Row, precedes a trip along Flask Walk and on to Burgh House and the Chalybeate Well on Well Road. Glimpses of Holly Place include the Roman Catholic Church of St Mary. Next is The Bishops Avenue (aka Millionaire's Row) where the film catches the frontages of grand houses including the Panamanian Consulate. The Kenwood area of the Heath leads on to Kenwood House and Highgate Ponds. Some children take donkey rides on Judges' Walk, while political demagogues orate to passers-by (including speakers for the Camden based 'Socialist Party of Great Britain' (possibly Ralph Miliband) and the 'Hampstead Communist Party' - both are contrasted with a Punch and Judy show). Other children play with model boats on Whitestone Pond. The Heath's wildness is contrasted with the formality of Golders Hill Park. At the junction of North End Road and Spaniard's Road there is talk of the old gallows that once stood there and relief in the form of 'Jack Straw's Castle' public house and the Old Bull and Bush public house. Down the Spaniard's Road is the old 'Spaniards Gate' tollhouse opposite the Spaniard's Inn public house. On Heath Street meanwhile are the stalls of Hampstead Arts Council's annual exhibition of artworks. The film ends with another artist sat in the Heath quietly sketching.
Credits: Commentator: Tommy Tomlinson; Production team: John S. Smith; Production team: Peter Pitt; Production team: Dennis Rogers; Music: De Wolfe
Keywords: Fairs (entertainment); Parks; Houses
In galleries: Green Spaces
Locations: United Kingdom; England; London; Camden; Hampstead
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Comments
We just called it millionaires road.
Thank you for sharing the film.