The cold snap shows signs of easing at last. The temperature today is supposed to rise to a heady 4°C. When we went out mid-morning, though, it was still barely above freezing.

Aboard the 214

We first caught a number 214 bus to start us on our way.

Kentish Town

The 214 brought us to Kentish Town where we changed to a 46.

Hampstead

The 46 carried us up to the hill to Hampstead. (The hill is the reason from Hampstead’s exclusiveness: the horse buses could not manage the stiff slope, meaning that the working classes stayed down below in Camden Town, Somers Town and Kentish Town. By the time motor buses and the London Underground made it to Hampstead, the rich had made it their own.)

Ole & Steen

Before proceeding further, we paid a visit to Ole & Steen for refreshments.

Coffee and croissants

Here we enjoyed coffee and croisants.

Flask Walk

We strolled along the famous passage called Flask Walk on one of whose corners is the equally famous pub, The Flask.

Still snow about

Despite the supposed temperature rise, there was still snow about and one needed to take care not to slip.

Lost his nose

A tiny snowman was looking rather unhappy, not least because he’d already lost his carrot nose.

Christmas wreath

On several front doors, Christmas wreaths had appreared.

Wells and Campden Baths

We passed by the Grade II listed Wells and Campden Baths (1888), now converted to residential use.

Burgh House

We had intended to visit the always interesting Burgh House but, unfortunately, it turned out that…

Burgh House – closed

…Burgh House was closed (the unattended parcel on the doorstep is a clue!).

New End Square

We walked up New End Square.

The Old White Bear

We passed the Old White Bear pub and…

Old Fire Station?

…what looked as if it might have been an old fire station.

Heath Street

Continuing upwards, we reached Heath Street. We turned down-slope to return to Hampstead. (Heath Street was originally the name of what is now called Hampstead Underground Station.)

Heath Street Baptist Church

We passed the Heath Street Baptist Church and…

The Old Horse and Groom

…what was once a famous pub, the Horse and Groom, that has now, sadly perhaps, been diverted to other purposes.

Hampstead Underground Station

We came to the Underground Station on its corner. This is London’s deepest station in the sense of the distance from the surface to the train platforms. This is not because the line is lower here than anywhere else but because the station is high up on the hill and you have to descend through it to reach the trains.

The Community Centre

We went into the Community Centre where a small market was taking place.

Vegetable soup

We stayed in the community centre for lunch. The snack bar provided us with vegetable soup and bread.

Hampstead High Street

We walked down Hampstead High Street, …

The Police Station

…passing the police station. Hampstead is fortunate to still has its police station as many such have been closed in recent times.

Royal Free Hospital

We turned down Pond Street, passing the Royal Free Hospital.

Drinking Fountain, South End Green-

At the bottom of the hill, we came to South End Green with its Grade II listed drinking fountain.

Starbuck’s

Before starting for home, we went into the local branch of Starbuck’s for another round of croissants and coffee. (Well, we had had a relatively meagre lunch!)

Waiting for the bus

After our coffee break, we went to the bus stop to start our journey home. By now, it was feeling a little less cold (the weather forecast was for 4°C at this point) so I hope the cold snap is finally moving away, back to the Arctic where it belongs.

Aboard the 46

A number 46 bus arrived and we went aboard. We changed buses at Kentish Town and reached our little dwelling where we made tea and settled down for a pleasant evening at home.