Description: Begin by walking from the Tube station along Heath Street and make a right onto Church Row. This street has been home to many famous names over the years. At Number 17, the author H.G. Wells made his home here in 1909. The seven bedroom house would be the home of most people’s dreams, but he moved out after only three years. The reason he gave was that he hated seeing funeral processions pass on their way to St John’s Church at the end of the road. Later, that same house would become the residence of Peter Cook who entertained the Beatles and the Rolling Stones amongst others. Number 26 became the home of Lord Alfred Douglas. He was the lover of none other than Oscar Wilde, though he didn’t move in until 1907, long after their controversial affair had ended and after Wilde’s death.

Description: At the end of the road, you’ll see the church of St John. There are a couple of interesting graves here that are worth seeking out. To the left of the church, as you face it, you’ll see the grave of John Harrison. In the 18th century, he designed a clock which could withstand the movement of ships at sea. It was this accurate measurement of time which enabled mariners to precisely determine their longitude, something that had proved not only elusive but dangerous in the past. Towards the back of the graveyard, another John lies in peace. His surname was Constable and he remains one of Britain’s most admired artists, painting rural scenes from the Essex/Suffolk border. His father owned Flatford Mill, the subject of one of his most famous works, but he preferred the city and resided here in Hampstead.

Description: Make a right opposite the church and walk up Holly Walk. When you have passed the Catholic church, turn right into Mount Vernon. At Number 7, you’ll see a blue plaque recording that Robert Louis Stevenson lived here for a time. He wrote Treasure Island here. He was very complimentary about Hampstead, writing that it was, “The most delightful place for air and scenery in London." If you turn into Holly Mount, you’ll see what he meant as there’s a panoramic view here overlooking central London. It’s easy to spot landmarks like the Shard, the UK’s tallest building. At the top of the street, you’ll find the Holly Bush pub. It was frequented by the likes of John Constable, who gave art lectures here, as well as gas-lit debates about the use of electricity hosted by Michael Faraday. At the beginning of the 20th century the inn had something of a reputation as “a dirty heaving centre of drunkenness”, but it’s long since cleaned up its act.

Description: Make your way back down the hill to Heath Street and make a left into Back Lane and left again at The Flask pub to walk along Flask Walk. At the end, make a left onto Willow Road. At Number 2, Hungarian architect Ernő Goldfinger made a spectacular enemy of none other than Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond. His designs, which include the now listed Trellick Tower, weren’t popular with everyone and Fleming felt strongly that the modernist structure that the architect built at Willow Road was completely out of keeping with the area. The novelist got revenge by naming a Bond villain after him – Auric Goldfinger. Ernő flew into a rage when he found out and threatened to sue. Fleming said he was happy to alter his character’s name to Goldprick instead, though as fans of series will know, that never happened.

Description: Make a right into Downshire Hill and then left into Keats Grove. Although Keats never owned the property, he resided at Number 10 for a while, lodging with a friend called Charles Brown. While there, the poet was inspired to write his most famous work, “Ode to a Nightingale,” while sitting under a plum tree in the garden. It was also here that he met and fell in love with Fanny Brawne. Although they were to be engaged, Keats suffered from ill health soon after and moved to Rome. She would never see him again, as he died of tuberculosis a couple of years later. The house is now a museum.

Description: Retrace your steps back to Downshire Hill and continue down it, crossing Rosslyn Hill onto Thurlow Road before making a left into Eldon Road. At the end of the road, make a right onto Lyndhurst Road. Our final famous name is a legend. Richard Burton, star of the silver screen and husband of Elizabeth Taylor, lived at Number 6 with his first wife Sybil Williams. In 1957, as his fame and fortune grew, they relocated to Switzerland for tax reasons. They divorced in 1963, leaving Burton free to marry Taylor the year after. To return to our starting point, make a right at the end of the road and continue walking until you reach Heath Street.