Haverstock
Encyclopedia
Haverstock is an area and electoral ward in the London Borough of Camden
. It is centred around Haverstock Hill
and Chalk Farm
, with Gospel Oak
to the north; Kentish Town
to the east; Camden Town
to the south, and Swiss Cottage
to the west.
The area to the west of the hill, with the NW3 Belsize Park
/Hampstead
post code, is very wealthy, while the Queen's Crescent
NW5 area to the east of the hill is home to Queen's Crescent Market
. There is a high density of council housing, with Talacre Gardens the only real open space, although Primrose Hill
and Hampstead Heath
are both close by. The area still remains a desirable compromise to fashionable areas such as Camden Town and expensive inner-suburbs like Belsize Park and Hampstead. The area is ethnically and socially diverse, and the marketplace and surrounding area is well known for its African, Jamaican, South American and Eastern European culture, and this is well reflected in the ethnic food stalls and clothes shops in the area.
There has been settlement in the area for hundreds of years, with Haverstock Hill being one of the main roads out of London to Hampstead
and the north of England
. The area was initially served by its own railway station
, but most residents now use Chalk Farm
and Kentish Town West
.
s, bars
and cultural venues operate out of Haverstock including Marine Ices, which was one of London's first Italian restaurants
; the Barfly
, which launched many artists of the Britpop
era; and the Roundhouse
.
Queen's Crescent Street Market
has served the area around Gospel Oak
for over 100 years and now frequently hosts farmers' markets and guest traders from across the UK. The marketplace and surrounding area is well known for its African, Jamaican, South American and Eastern European culture, and this is well reflected to the ethnic food stalls and clothes shops in the area.
Haverstock School includes cabinet ministers David Miliband
and Ed Miliband
, and former MP
Oona King
, amongst its alumni.
MP
Frank Dobson
. The area had previously been a staunch Labour seat but has in recent years become a tight marginal race between Labour and the Liberal Democrats
.
The local Councillors are Rahel Bokth, Jill Fraser
and Matt Sanders (all Liberal Democrat).
London Borough of Camden
In 1801, the civil parishes that form the modern borough were already developed and had a total population of 96,795. This continued to rise swiftly throughout the 19th century, as the district became built up; reaching 270,197 in the middle of the century...
. It is centred around Haverstock Hill
Haverstock Hill railway station
Haverstock Hill railway station was opened by the Midland Railway in 1868 when it built its extension to St Pancras station. It lay between Belsize Tunnels and Lismore Circus, and served Haverstock Hill, Belsize Park and Gospel Oak, London....
and Chalk Farm
Chalk Farm
Chalk Farm is an area of north London, England. It lies directly to the north of Camden Town and its underground station is the closest tube station to the nearby, upmarket neighbourhood of Primrose Hill....
, with Gospel Oak
Gospel Oak
Gospel Oak is an inner urban area of north London in the London Borough of Camden below Hampstead Heath. It is bordered by the more affluent areas of Belsize Park to the west, Kentish Town to the south, Eastern Hampstead to the North and Dartmouth Park and Tufnell Park to the east...
to the north; Kentish Town
Kentish Town
Kentish Town is an area of north west London, England in the London Borough of Camden.-History:The most widely accepted explanation of the name of Kentish Town is that it derived from 'Ken-ditch' meaning the 'bed of a waterway'...
to the east; Camden Town
Camden Town
-Economy:In recent years, entertainment-related businesses and a Holiday Inn have moved into the area. A number of retail and food chain outlets have replaced independent shops driven out by high rents and redevelopment. Restaurants have thrived, with the variety of culinary traditions found in...
to the south, and Swiss Cottage
Swiss Cottage
Swiss Cottage is a district of the London Borough of Camden in London, England. Thedistrict is located north-west of Charing Cross. It is centred on the junction of Avenue Road and Finchley Road and is the location of Swiss Cottage tube station.-Etymology:...
to the west.
The area to the west of the hill, with the NW3 Belsize Park
Belsize Park
Belsize Park is an area of north-west London, England, in the London Borough of Camden.It is located north-west of Charing Cross and situated on the Northern Line. It borders Hampstead to the north and west, Kentish Town and Gospel Oak to the east, Camden Town to the south east and Primrose Hill...
/Hampstead
Hampstead
Hampstead is an area of London, England, north-west of Charing Cross. Part of the London Borough of Camden in Inner London, it is known for its intellectual, liberal, artistic, musical and literary associations and for Hampstead Heath, a large, hilly expanse of parkland...
post code, is very wealthy, while the Queen's Crescent
Gospel Oak
Gospel Oak is an inner urban area of north London in the London Borough of Camden below Hampstead Heath. It is bordered by the more affluent areas of Belsize Park to the west, Kentish Town to the south, Eastern Hampstead to the North and Dartmouth Park and Tufnell Park to the east...
NW5 area to the east of the hill is home to Queen's Crescent Market
Queen's Crescent Market
Queen's Crescent Market is one of London's oldest street markets, and is still held every Thursday and Saturday on Queen's Crescent in Gospel Oak, Camden. The market sells food, discounted clothing and a wide variety of household products....
. There is a high density of council housing, with Talacre Gardens the only real open space, although Primrose Hill
Primrose Hill
Primrose Hill is a hill of located on the north side of Regent's Park in London, England, and also the name for the surrounding district. The hill has a clear view of central London to the south-east, as well as Belsize Park and Hampstead to the north...
and Hampstead Heath
Hampstead Heath
Hampstead Heath is a large, ancient London park, covering . This grassy public space sits astride a sandy ridge, one of the highest points in London, running from Hampstead to Highgate, which rests on a band of London clay...
are both close by. The area still remains a desirable compromise to fashionable areas such as Camden Town and expensive inner-suburbs like Belsize Park and Hampstead. The area is ethnically and socially diverse, and the marketplace and surrounding area is well known for its African, Jamaican, South American and Eastern European culture, and this is well reflected in the ethnic food stalls and clothes shops in the area.
There has been settlement in the area for hundreds of years, with Haverstock Hill being one of the main roads out of London to Hampstead
Hampstead
Hampstead is an area of London, England, north-west of Charing Cross. Part of the London Borough of Camden in Inner London, it is known for its intellectual, liberal, artistic, musical and literary associations and for Hampstead Heath, a large, hilly expanse of parkland...
and the north of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The area was initially served by its own railway station
Haverstock Hill railway station
Haverstock Hill railway station was opened by the Midland Railway in 1868 when it built its extension to St Pancras station. It lay between Belsize Tunnels and Lismore Circus, and served Haverstock Hill, Belsize Park and Gospel Oak, London....
, but most residents now use Chalk Farm
Chalk Farm
Chalk Farm is an area of north London, England. It lies directly to the north of Camden Town and its underground station is the closest tube station to the nearby, upmarket neighbourhood of Primrose Hill....
and Kentish Town West
Kentish Town West railway station
Kentish Town West railway station, on the North London Line, is in Prince of Wales Road in the London Borough of Camden. It is in Travelcard Zone 2. The station and all trains serving it are operated by London Overground. It opened on 1 April 1867 as "Kentish Town", was renamed "Kentish Town West"...
.
Culture
Many restaurantRestaurant
A restaurant is an establishment which prepares and serves food and drink to customers in return for money. Meals are generally served and eaten on premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services...
s, bars
Bar (establishment)
A bar is a business establishment that serves alcoholic drinks — beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails — for consumption on the premises.Bars provide stools or chairs that are placed at tables or counters for their patrons. Some bars have entertainment on a stage, such as a live band, comedians, go-go...
and cultural venues operate out of Haverstock including Marine Ices, which was one of London's first Italian restaurants
Italian cuisine
Italian cuisine has developed through centuries of social and political changes, with roots as far back as the 4th century BCE. Italian cuisine in itself takes heavy influences, including Etruscan, ancient Greek, ancient Roman, Byzantine, Jewish and Arab cuisines...
; the Barfly
Barfly (club)
Barfly is a chain of live music venues nightclubs in the UK operating as part of the MAMA Group. It has venues in Brighton, London & York. They regularly feature live music. Their club nights tend to feature rock, alternative and independent music...
, which launched many artists of the Britpop
Britpop
Britpop is a subgenre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom. Britpop emerged from the British independent music scene of the early 1990s and was characterised by bands influenced by British guitar pop music of the 1960s and 1970s...
era; and the Roundhouse
The Roundhouse
The Roundhouse is a Grade II* listed former railway engine shed in Chalk Farm, London, England, which has been converted into a performing arts and concert venue. It was originally built in 1847 as a roundhouse , a circular building containing a railway turntable, but was only used for railway...
.
Queen's Crescent Street Market
Queen's Crescent Market
Queen's Crescent Market is one of London's oldest street markets, and is still held every Thursday and Saturday on Queen's Crescent in Gospel Oak, Camden. The market sells food, discounted clothing and a wide variety of household products....
has served the area around Gospel Oak
Gospel Oak
Gospel Oak is an inner urban area of north London in the London Borough of Camden below Hampstead Heath. It is bordered by the more affluent areas of Belsize Park to the west, Kentish Town to the south, Eastern Hampstead to the North and Dartmouth Park and Tufnell Park to the east...
for over 100 years and now frequently hosts farmers' markets and guest traders from across the UK. The marketplace and surrounding area is well known for its African, Jamaican, South American and Eastern European culture, and this is well reflected to the ethnic food stalls and clothes shops in the area.
Famous residents
- Richard BensonRichard BensonRichard M.A. Benson is an American photographer.He teaches at the Yale University and was dean of the Yale School of Art, from 1996 to 2006.-Awards:* 1978 Guggenheim Fellow* National Endowment for the Arts fellow...
, authorAuthorAn author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
and journalistJournalistA journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A... - Lindsay DuncanLindsay DuncanLindsay Vere Duncan, CBE is a Scottish stage, television and film actress. On stage she won two Olivier Awards and a Tony Award for her performance in Les Liaisons dangereuses and Private Lives , and she starred in several plays by Harold Pinter. Her most famous roles on television include:...
, actress - Baroness Helena Kennedy, barristerBarristerA barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
and broadcasterPresenterA presenter, or host , is a person or organization responsible for running an event. A museum or university, for example, may be the presenter or host of an exhibit. Likewise, a master of ceremonies is a person that hosts or presents a show... - Denis LawsonDenis LawsonDenis Stamper Lawson is a Scottish actor and director. He is known for his roles as John Jarndyce in the BBC's adaptation of Bleak House and as Gordon Urquhart in the film Local Hero, but is best known for playing the part of Wedge Antilles in the original Star Wars trilogy.-Early life:Lawson was...
, actor - Dame Ann LeslieAnn LeslieDame Ann Elizabeth Mary Leslie DBE is a British journalist who writes for the Daily Mail.-Education:...
, Daily MailDaily MailThe Daily Mail is a British daily middle-market tabloid newspaper owned by the Daily Mail and General Trust. First published in 1896 by Lord Northcliffe, it is the United Kingdom's second biggest-selling daily newspaper after The Sun. Its sister paper The Mail on Sunday was launched in 1982...
journalist and writer - Hilton McRaeHilton McRaeHilton McRae is a Scottish actor in the fields of theatre, television and film.-Career:McRae was part of the radical theatre group 7:84 before graduating from Edinburgh University, and by 1977 he had joined the Royal Shakespeare Company. His most mainstream American film was his role as Green...
, actor - Billie PiperBillie PiperBillie Paul Piper is an English singer and actress.She began her career in the late 1990s as a pop singer and then switched to acting. She started in acting and dancing and was talent spotted at the Sylvia Young stage school by Smash Hits magazine who wanted a "face" for their magazine...
, actress and singer - Leonard WhitingLeonard WhitingLeonard Whiting is a British actor who starred as Romeo in the 1968 Zeffirelli film version of Romeo and Juliet opposite Olivia Hussey's Juliet, a role which earned him the Golden Globe Award for New Star Of The Year - Actor....
, actor
Haverstock School includes cabinet ministers David Miliband
David Miliband
David Wright Miliband is a British Labour Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament for South Shields since 2001, and was the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs from 2007 to 2010. He is the elder son of the late Marxist theorist Ralph Miliband...
and Ed Miliband
Ed Miliband
Edward Samuel Miliband is a British Labour Party politician, currently the Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition...
, and former MP
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
Oona King
Oona King
Oona Tamsyn King, Baroness King of Bow is a Baroness and Member of the House of Lords, and former Chief Diversity Officer of Channel 4. She previously had served as a Labour Party Member of Parliament for Bethnal Green and Bow from 1997 until 2005, when she was defeated by Respect candidate George...
, amongst its alumni.
Politics
Haverstock is represented by three Councillors on the London Borough of Camden, and forms part of the Holborn and St. Pancras constituency held by LabourLabour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
MP
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
Frank Dobson
Frank Dobson
Frank Gordon Dobson, is a British Labour Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Holborn and St. Pancras since 1979...
. The area had previously been a staunch Labour seat but has in recent years become a tight marginal race between Labour and the Liberal Democrats
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats are a social liberal political party in the United Kingdom which supports constitutional and electoral reform, progressive taxation, wealth taxation, human rights laws, cultural liberalism, banking reform and civil liberties .The party was formed in 1988 by a merger of the...
.
The local Councillors are Rahel Bokth, Jill Fraser
Jill Fraser (UK politician)
Jill Fraser is a British politician and tenants activist in London. She was the first ever Liberal Democrat Mayor of the London Borough of Camden, holding the position between 2006 and 2007, and has also represented Haverstock ward on the council since taking the seat from Labour in a by-election...
and Matt Sanders (all Liberal Democrat).