The Hampstead Heritage Archive

The Definitive Resource for NW3's Architectural Heritage

A comprehensive digital archive documenting the construction DNA, materials, history, and restoration techniques of North West London's finest properties.

35+
Street Profiles
300+
Years of History
7
Conservation Areas
10
Architectural Eras
Architectural Timeline

300 Years of NW3 Architecture

From Georgian spa town elegance to contemporary innovation, explore the architectural evolution of Hampstead through the ages.

1750
1800
1850
1900
1950
2000
1890-1914

Arts & Crafts Era

The Arts & Crafts movement brought a philosophy of honest craftsmanship and truth to materials. Hampstead became a center for this movement, with architect-designed houses featuring handcrafted details, vernacular influences, and integration with nature.

Key Characteristics
  • Handcrafted details throughout
  • Vernacular building forms
  • Integration with garden settings
  • Roughcast or pebbledash render
  • Deep roof overhangs with exposed rafters
  • Inglenook fireplaces
  • Built-in furniture and joinery
  • Simple geometric decorative patterns
Materials & Techniques
  • Local brick and stone
  • Roughcast lime render
  • Hand-made clay tiles
  • Oak timber framing
  • Hand-forged ironwork
  • Art pottery tiles
  • Leaded light windows
  • Hand-planed timber
Key Architects
C.F.A. VoyseyM.H. Baillie ScottParker & UnwinCharles Harrison Townsend

Browse All Street Profiles

Each profile contains the history, construction details, materials specifications, and restoration guidance specific to that address.

1870-1920Mixed Heritage

Frognal

From grand Victorian villas to Arts & Crafts gems, Frognal charts the evolution of Hampstead architecture.

1880-1910Victorian/Edwardian

Frognal Lane

A quieter cousin to Frognal proper, featuring substantial family houses with generous gardens.

1900-1914Arts & Crafts

Oak Hill Way

Architect-designed houses in mature woodland settings. Parker & Unwin influences throughout.

1905-1914Arts & Crafts

Templewood Avenue

Substantial Arts & Crafts houses with distinctive roughcast render and leaded light windows.

1900-1912Arts & Crafts

Wildwood Road

Secluded woodland setting with architect-designed houses of exceptional character.

1908-1912Garden City

Meadway

One of the original roads of the Suburb, featuring carefully designed cottages and larger houses.

1910-1914Garden City

Heathgate

Premium houses on the edge of the Heath Extension with views across the green spaces.

1907-1920Garden City

Hampstead Way

The main thoroughfare of the Suburb, connecting Central Square to Hampstead Heath.

1905-1914Edwardian

Winnington Road

Large Edwardian houses in spacious grounds, adjacent to Kenwood House.

1855-1865Victorian

Belsize Square

One of the finest Victorian garden squares in London, with mature plane trees and grand villas.

1860-1875Victorian

Belsize Park Gardens

Substantial Victorian terraces with elaborate stucco decoration and impressive entrance porticos.

1855-1875Victorian

Eton Avenue

Wide tree-lined avenue with grand semi-detached stucco villas in the Italianate style.

1860-1880Victorian

Adamson Road

Impressive Victorian terraces with elaborate decorative features and generous proportions.

1720-1740Georgian

Church Row

Perhaps the finest Georgian street in London. Complete with original railings and lamp posts.

1720-1850Georgian/Victorian

Flask Walk

The ancient heart of Hampstead village, named for the flasks of chalybeate water sold here.

1750-1820Georgian

Holly Walk

A peaceful lane of modest Georgian cottages leading to the old burial ground.

1870-1890High Victorian

Fitzjohns Avenue

Grand High Victorian villas on dramatic sloping terrain, with elaborate Gothic and Queen Anne details.

1875-1895Victorian

Netherhall Gardens

Substantial Victorian houses in a quiet cul-de-sac setting, including Elgar's former residence.

1885-1905Queen Anne Revival

Maresfield Gardens

Home to Sigmund Freud's house, with excellent Queen Anne Revival architecture throughout.

1875-1890High Victorian

Arkwright Road

Substantial brick-built Victorian houses with elaborate stone dressings and Gothic influences.

1870-1890Victorian

Lyndhurst Road

Imposing Victorian villas on the slopes leading to Hampstead Heath.

1815-1835Regency

Downshire Hill

Elegant Regency villas and cottages ornées on the southern slopes of Hampstead.

1814-1820Regency

Keats Grove

Home of Keats House, with fine Regency villas in generous gardens.

1938-1939Modern Movement

Willow Road

Home to Erno Goldfinger's revolutionary modernist terrace, now National Trust property.

1934Modern Movement

Lawn Road (Isokon)

The Grade I listed Isokon Building - a pioneering modernist apartment block by Wells Coates.

1850-1970Mixed

South Hill Park

Victorian and Edwardian houses alongside important Modern Movement buildings.

1720-1900Mixed Heritage

Heath Street

The main commercial artery of Hampstead village, with buildings from Georgian to Victorian.

1750-1890Georgian/Victorian

Hampstead High Street

The historic high street with important shopfronts and upper floor residential.

1750-1870Georgian/Victorian

Hampstead Grove

Quiet residential enclave with a mix of Georgian cottages and Victorian houses.

1880-1914Victorian/Edwardian

Platts Lane

Substantial late Victorian and Edwardian houses on the Childs Hill borders.

Conservation Area Guides

Understanding Planning Restrictions in NW3

Most of Hampstead falls within Conservation Areas with strict planning controls. Understanding your area's restrictions is essential before any building work.

Select a conservation area to view details

Heritage Materials Library

The Authentic Materials of NW3

Using the wrong materials will damage your heritage property. This library documents the authentic materials used across Hampstead, with sourcing information for restoration.

Historic Trades Directory

Craftspeople Who Understand Heritage

Not all builders understand historic properties. These vetted craftspeople specialize in traditional techniques essential for conservation area work.

🏛️

Heritage Lime Works

Lime & Plaster Specialists

Fourth-generation lime plasterers specializing in historic London properties. We use only traditional lime putty mortars mixed on site to match original specifications.

Lime plasteringLime pointingStucco repairRoughcast render
40+ years (family business since 1985)
North London
5
020 7XXX XXXXWebsite
SPAB Scholars • Building Limes Forum members • Historic England approved
🏛️

The Traditional Plastering Company

Lime & Plaster Specialists

Specialist in decorative plasterwork restoration and reproduction. We can match any existing moulding profile or create new designs in the period style.

Ornamental plasterworkCeiling rosesCornicingFibrous plaster
25 years
Central London
5
020 7XXX XXXX
Guild of Master Craftsmen • CITB registered
🪚

Hampstead Sash Window Specialists

Heritage Joinery

Dedicated sash window specialists working exclusively on period properties in NW3 and surrounding areas. We restore rather than replace wherever possible.

Sash window restorationSash window manufactureDraught-proofingCasement windows
30 years
Hampstead, NW3
5
020 7XXX XXXXWebsite
FENSA registered • TrustMark • Which? Trusted Trader
🪚

Bespoke Period Joinery

Heritage Joinery

Architectural joinery workshop producing doors, panelling, and bespoke furniture to match historic originals. All work made in our London workshop.

Period doorsPanellingStaircasesBuilt-in furniture
20 years
East London workshop
4.5
020 8XXX XXXXWebsite
BWF members • FSC certified
🏠

Heritage Roofing London

Traditional Roofing

Specialist heritage roofers working on listed buildings and conservation area properties. We source authentic materials including genuine Welsh slate and hand-made tiles.

Welsh slateHand-made clay tilesLead workChimney repair
35 years
North London
5
020 7XXX XXXX
NFRC members • Historic England approved • Lead Contractors Association
🪨

London Stone Conservation

Stone Masonry

PACR accredited stone conservators specializing in Portland stone and other building stones. We use only reversible, breathable repair methods.

Stone cleaningStone repairStone carvingConservation work
28 years
London
5
020 7XXX XXXXWebsite
PACR accredited • Stone Federation members • Historic England approved
⚒️

Victorian Ironworks

Architectural Metalwork

Specialist in period ironwork restoration and reproduction. We can cast new components to match originals or fabricate bespoke designs in traditional styles.

Cast iron railingsWrought iron gatesBalconiesRestoration
22 years
South London
4.5
020 8XXX XXXX
NASC members • Guild of Master Craftsmen
🪟

Traditional Glass Studio

Period Glazing

Studio specializing in leaded light restoration and reproduction. We can restore original panels or create new designs in authentic Arts & Crafts or Victorian styles.

Leaded lightsStained glassCrown glassPeriod glazing
18 years
West London
5
020 8XXX XXXXWebsite
BSMGP members • ICON members
🎨

Period Paint Specialists

Heritage Decorating

Traditional decorators using historic paint techniques including limewash, distemper, and traditional oil paints. We also undertake gilding and decorative painting.

LimewashDistemperOil-based paintsGilding
25 years
Central London
5
020 7XXX XXXX
PDA members • SPAB recommended
🧱

Heritage Brickwork Ltd

Traditional Brickwork

Specialist brick restoration using traditional techniques. All pointing work in lime mortar to match original specifications. DOFF and TORC cleaning systems.

Lime pointingBrick repairTuck pointingBrick cleaning
32 years
North London
5
020 8XXX XXXXWebsite
FMB members • Historic England approved • TrustMark

Note: The Hampstead Design Journal provides this directory as a resource for homeowners. We recommend obtaining multiple quotes and verifying credentials before engaging any tradesperson. Verified status indicates the tradesperson has demonstrated relevant experience to our team.

Restoration Case Studies

Heritage Restorations in NW3

Detailed documentation of restoration projects across Hampstead, showing the techniques and materials used to preserve architectural heritage.

The Literary Map of Hampstead

Explore the blue plaques of NW3—and discover the architectural character of each historic residence.

Hampstead Heath
Hampstead NW3
Blue Plaque Location
Click a pin for architectural details
The Lost Details Library

Original NW3 Profiles

Over the last 100 years, many Hampstead homes lost their original cornicing and ceiling roses to unfortunate 1970s renovations. We have taken moulds of the originals.

Mould in Stock
Late Victorian1890-1905

The Frognal Profile

Heavy, floral, with deep projection. This ornate cornice features acanthus leaves and egg-and-dart moulding. Found throughout the original Frognal Estate houses.

Origin: Frognal Lane drawing rooms

Dimensions: 185mm drop × 210mm projection

Enquire about this profile
Cast to Order
Arts & Crafts1895-1910

The Redington Rose

A simpler ceiling rose reflecting Arts & Crafts principles. Geometric petal arrangement with subtle foliage border. Less ornate than Victorian predecessors.

Origin: Redington Road reception rooms

Dimensions: 450mm diameter

Enquire about this profile
Mould in Stock
High Victorian1870-1885

The Belsize Dado

Classic dado rail profile found throughout Belsize Park's stucco villas. The gentle ogee curve with bead detail is quintessentially Victorian.

Origin: Belsize Park hallways

Dimensions: 75mm height × 25mm depth

Enquire about this profile
Mould in Stock
Edwardian1907-1915

The Garden Suburb Skirting

The distinctive tall skirting board of Hampstead Garden Suburb. Features a torus moulding above simple chamfered base, designed by Parker & Unwin.

Origin: Hampstead Garden Suburb throughout

Dimensions: 225mm height × 22mm thickness

Enquire about this profile
Cast to Order
Inter-War1925-1935

The Bishops Avenue Cornice

Art Deco influenced cornice with stepped geometric pattern. Found in the grand mansion houses of The Bishops Avenue during its golden era.

Origin: The Bishops Avenue formal rooms

Dimensions: 140mm drop × 165mm projection

Enquire about this profile
Research Archive
Georgian1710-1730

The Well Walk Panel Mould

The earliest profile in our collection. Simple bolection mould for wall panelling from the spa-era houses of Well Walk.

Origin: Well Walk historic properties

Dimensions: 45mm width × 18mm depth

Restore Your Heritage Details

We can cast and reinstall these exact heritage profiles in your home. Each piece is hand-finished by craftsmen who understand the weight and proportion of original Victorian and Edwardian plasterwork.

Book a Heritage Consultation
Architectural Glossary

The Language of Heritage

Understanding architectural terminology is essential for discussing your heritage property with builders, planners, and conservation officers.

A
B
C
D
G
I
L
Q
S
T
W

We Are the Guardians of NW3's Heritage

Don't let a standard builder ruin your heritage asset. We hold original material specifications for streets across Hampstead. Book a Heritage Survey before any work begins.