Discover London’s villages – the havens of tranquillity tucked away in the heart of the big city.
It’s commonly said that London is as much a series of villages strung together as it is a city. That’s a saying that’s probably truer than most people realise. Many areas of the capital began life as sleepy villages and were then swallowed up by urban sprawl.
Other parts of London, like Dulwich and a special place in Marylebone retain the word village in their name. The definition for us, though, is somewhere that you can go and feel the bustle of the city melt away, a spot for a bit of tranquillity and the feeling of a hamlet in the countryside.
There are a few spots you can go for this. We’ve written all about them in our guide. Read on to discover London’s charming villages.
All the Best Villages in London
Hampstead
Top of our list for London villages is Hampstead. Wander off the main drag in this beautiful part of town and you’ll find yourself in a peaceful sprawl of cottages and sleepy streets. There are some lovely independent stores, restaurants and cafes to explore.
Then of course there’s Hampstead Heath – one of London’s biggest green spaces and one we’ve walked across many a time. Don’t miss out a chance to explore the Pergola Gardens either, oh, or 2 Willow Road, architect Ernö Goldfinger’s modernist masterpiece.
Goldfinger isn’t the only notable name linked to the area. Intellectuals and artists have flocked to Hampstead’s calm environs over the years. In fact, you can still go and visit Sigmund Freud’s house while you’re there.
Highgate
Slightly off to the north east of Hampstead you can find Highgate, another part of London that still retains its village history in spite of having long been swallowed up by the city’s urban sprawl.
You may know of Highgate from its cemetery, one of London’s Magnificent Seven, built during the Victorian era when the city had to find new solutions to overcrowding of both the living and the dead.
We should note that this talk of the dead doesn’t in any way reflect how lovely the cemetery and the surrounding villages are to explore – the neo-gothic fantasy that is Holly Village in particular.
Dulwich Village
Perhaps the most liveable London village is Dulwich. Now a bit of a haven for London’s young professional class fleeing the busy, hip scenes in Peckham and Brixton, the area still hasn’t lost its village charm, in fact it’s entirely part of the attraction.
The area is probably best known for the high-achieving college that shares the same name, but we like Dulwich best for its small streets, charming architecture and selection of good local pubs.
A trip to Dulwich wouldn’t be complete without dropping into the Dulwich Picture Gallery where you can see exhibitions from some of art history’s great masters.
Greenwich
Greenwich has plenty to offer anyone looking for a touch of the quiet life inside the big city. The area has a somewhat distinct feel and in parts you could be fooled into thinking you aren’t actually in London at all.
Any trip to this part of London should begin with a walk along the riverfront – in Greenwich once an important area for shipping and the navy. That history remains in the Old Royal Naval College, a must for some further strolling.
Explore the quiet streets, maybe grab a coffee or some lunch in Greenwich Village and then make your way up to The Royal Observatory for one of the best views of London you can find.
Chiswick
Chiswick was once a sleepy village miles away from London, a refuge for thinkers and artists, including the great William Hogarth himself. Today it’s well and truly part of London, though a leafy suburb with some gorgeous houses and quaint pubs.
Arguably the most delightful part of Chiswick is along the waterfront. Here you’ll find a section of The Thames Path and if you follow it, plenty of those aforementioned pubs. The Bell and Crown is one of the finest, an 18th-century boozer with some very oldschool vibes.
The streets near The Black Lion pub (yes, we do chart our knowledge of London by proximity to the nearest watering hole) are a particularly nice place to walk. The road takes you past a mix of quaint and impressive housing and weaves back and forth from the river – simply divine.
Marylebone Village
You may be surprised to see a neighbourhood of London so close to the centre described as a village. Actually we’re not talking here about Marylebone in general, more like a part of it specifically.
That part is known as Marylebone Village and encompasses a small area of shops and other businesses, but most importantly feels as quiet and tranquil as somewhere out in the countryside.
The ultimate companion to all this tranquillity would have to be a book, specifically one picked up from Daunt Books – one of our favourite independent bookstores in London.
Chesham
If you’re willing to make the mission out to the end of the Metropolitan line you’ll find a charming spot in Chesham. The little red-brick village has some very quaint, English vibes to it, but best of all some peaceful countryside walks nearby.
One of the best of these is the Chess Valley walk. It follows a river through several smaller villages back towards London. You can follow it as long as you like and eventually hop back on the underground a few stops closer to home.
Practical Tips for Exploring the Best London Villages
- As always with London, the thing that might get in the way of you enjoying these places are the other people. If you can, try to visit before midday or on a weekday to get the quietest village vibes.
- The nearest London village to the city centre is Marylebone Village. The other places you may have to travel kind of far to get to.
- People actually live in many of these places, so while it’s fine to snap some pictures or pose in front of that cute house, do remember to be respectful.
