The neat hedges, quaint street signs, and harmonious arts and craft houses have the nostalgic look of a pre-war newsreel or luxury biscuit tin.
In fact Hampstead Garden Suburb was meticulously planned out between 1907 and 1938 as an ideal neighbourhood, with churches, sports facilities, an education institution – but no pubs.
Its founder, the bossy but inspirational Dame Henrietta Barnett was a Christian social reformer, married to a vicar, who banned the sale of alcohol within her new suburb’s boundaries.
She did however set up the trust that bought 243 acres of land to create a model settlement where people of all classes could live side by side in “right conditions of beauty and space”.
Having worked among the East End slums with husband Samuel, Dame Henrietta believed that improving the physical environment, and keeping the poor away from the temptations of gin, could change their lives.
Thus her ideal suburb had tea rooms, croquet, cricket, and allotments but nowhere for a quiet pint.
Taking inspiration from the Garden City movement to create new communities that combined the benefits of town and country, she downscaled her idea to a Garden Suburb.
The chocolate box look so loved by today’s residents and estate agents is thanks to architects Raymond Unwin and Barry Parker, who drew up the masterplan, and Edwin Lutyens, who designed key buildings like the churches.
It included hedges not fences, squares and closes, red tiled roofs, and a variety of house designs, often with elaborate chimneys.
Today the look of the Conservation area is policed by Barnet Council and the Hampstead Garden Suburb Trust – using design guidelines to keep its original character.
Woe betide the new arrival who unthinkingly allows their hedge to become unruly (3.6metres for the front 6m out back), puts up a shed, or changes the colour of their wall without permission.
But the truth is there’s aren’t many incomers because Suburb residents absolutely love the place and don’t want it to change.
Active church congregations, a horticultural society – whose joint honorary Presidents are Jonathan Ross and wife Jane Goldman – and a world class annual arts festival run by volunteers to raise money for charity – are evidence of its community spirit.
A recent bid by the Northway Tennis Club to introduce new fangled Padel courts was roundly slapped down for causing too much noise.
And if there are no cafes or shops in the middle, you can cut along to Temple Fortune where there’s plenty of choice and a great M&S.
The suburb has long drawn celebrities to its well kept streets.
Past and present residents include Dame Elizabeth Taylor who lived there as a child, Jonathan Ross, Richard and Judy Madeley, Rachel Weisz, Harry Styles, Jerry Springer, Sir Robert Winston, Peter Mandelson, Sir Harold Wilson, and Tony Hancock.
Oh and the witch Hermione Granger, who was spotted walking from her home in Heathgate towards St Jude’s church in Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows.
