A free panoramic view
The effort of making the short but steep ascent of the 78-metre hill north of Regent’s Park is rewarded by one of the finest views of London. Primrose Hill is also the name of one of the capital’s most attractive residential districts with its own village atmosphere. Together, Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill, an area of almost 200 hectares, were a hunting ground for Henry VIII in the 16th century, and now form one of the eight Royal Parks, ancient possessions of the Crown that are now open to all.
The great advantage of Primrose Hill is its closeness to the centre of London. Parliament Hill at the edge of Hampstead Heath is higher but further north, so many details are less clear. The conspicuous features of the skyline from Primrose Hill are the high-rises of the City, The Shard on the south bank of the Thames, further west, the London Eye and the British Telecom tower. At the foot of the hill, the aviaries and animal compounds of London Zoo can be seen. In snowy winters, Primrose Hill is the best slope close to inner London for sledging.
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Address North of Prince Albert Road, NW1 | Public Transport Camden Town or Chalk Farm (Northern Line) | Tip The Primrose Bakery is renowned for colourful cupcakes and home-made biscuits. They are a favourite at posh birthday parties (69 Gloucester Avenue, Mon–Sat 8.30am–6pm, Sun 9.30am–6pm; also 42 Tavistock St. in Covent Garden, and 282a Kensington High Street).
It is hardly surprising that the district bordering the hill to the north-east is a sought-after place to live. Those who walk the streets here with sharp eyes have a good chance of seeing faces known from the media. Past and current residents of Primrose Hill include politicians such as Boris Johnson and Ed Miliband, writers such as Martin Amis and Alan Bennett, celebrities such as Jamie Oliver and Kate Moss, and lots of actors – Daniel Craig, Simon Callow, Jude Law and Helena Bonham-Carter. Imposing Victorian houses stand between Regent’s Park Road and Gloucester Avenue, where high-class cafés and pubs that serve good food are to be found. Alternatively, buy ingredients for a sumptuous picnic, lay out a rug on the grass on a balmy summer evening, and enjoy the view of London beneath the setting sun.
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