Welsand's in London

Garden Suburb, Proms and Keats House

On Saturday Jeremy and Sophie had a full daddy daughter day together with a playgroup just for dads and their kids, with a full breakfast and afterwards park time! So I took advantage and enjoyed a walking tour of the Hampstead Garden Suburb. While I have heard of this Suburb and knew it was only a tube ride and short walk away, I didn't know much about it. According to the tour, the Hampstead Garden Suburb will be 100 years old next year, though the neighborhood looks like it has been around for hundreds of years. The community has very low density housing and lots of great green spaces and gardens that are incredible! The concept of the Suburb was a major innovative project and includes some very unique designs and architecture, giving the Suburb a real community feel i.e. windows situated to as to see one's neighbor. Their website has some good photos and more detailed information for anyone interested. It was a gorgeous day and while I was the youngest and only American in the group, I really enjoyed this and talking to all the locals, most of whom lived in this exclusive neighborhood.

After the two-hour walk, the tour ended at St. Jude's where I was able to catch one of the free lunchtime recitals as part of the Prom's. The Proms at St Jude’s is an annual summer music festival featuring a mixture of classical, jazz and gospel. The concerts take place in the stunning venue of St Jude’s Church in Hampstead Garden Suburb, Sir Edwin Lutyens’ Grade 1 listed masterpiece which is renowned for its acoustic and its beautiful Starmer murals. All proceeds benefit charity. It was an interesting event.

More walking and a tube ride later I was back in Hampstead at Keats House Museum. Keats lived in this house from 1818 to 1820, which is a very short period of time, but it is where he wrote some of his most famous poems, including 'Ode to a Nightingale' and where he fell in love with Fanny Brawne. I had a one-on-one tour (it was too nice outside so there were few visitors) which was informative. I literally read every piece of information in the house and feel that I know enough about John Keats for my lifetime. Interesting since I walk by the house all the time, but not a necessity for any other guest unless you love his work and are interested to learn more about him and his two years in Hampstead. One interesting thing I learned is that "consumption" which many people died of during this time period is not alcohol consumption/alcoholism as I thought, but tuberculosis/tb! Good to know!

When arriving back at my flat, I find Sophie sleeping on Jeremy on the couch, grass and dirt stains all over her khaki's--obviously they had some fun!

We finished off the night with a fun, casual outdoor dinner with Sophie's friend Justin and his parents in Belsize Park. It is always fun to have adult conversation while kids play and enjoy themselves in the garden. Thanks again Suzy and Daryl! Cheers!

posted by Chris @ 11:08 PM