Things you didn't know about... Hampstead

Millionaires' row
Hampstead village has more millionaires within its boundaries than any other part of Britain. A school packed lunch (with low-salt crisps, of course) will cost you £5.50 here (2008).

Hampstead property prices go through the roof
Hampstead boasts some of the most expensive houses in the country. In January 2008, a house in Hampstead was sold for £35million, making it the most expensive new-build property ever sold in Britain. The front door alone cost £50,000!

Hampstead, headquarters of English literature?
Hampstead today has a reputation as a bookish area, but its literary roots go way back. Agatha Christie, Michael Foot, John Keats, Kingsley Amis, William Blake, John Betjeman, Charles Dickens, Daphne du Maurier, TS Eliot and William Wordsworth are just some of the many famous writers to have resided in Hampstead.

A poor decision
Up until the 1950s, much of Hampstead was owned by the Church Commissioners. In 1951, the Commissioners acted on advice that they should sell their Hampstead property portfolio, amid fears that property prices were set to fall. So they did, but prices didn't. This unfortunate turn of events has been described as the worst decision ever, until Decca turned down the Beatles.

Hampstead's local iron brew
Hampstead dates back to the Domesday Book. In the 1700s, it was a spa by the name of Hampstead Wells, and people went there to drink chalybeate waters (that means "containing iron" to you and me).

No licence to build
Hampstead resident Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond, objected so strongly to the architect Erno Goldfinger's construction of a modernist house in Hampstead that he named his arch-villain after him... or so, at least, the story goes.

Deep connection
Hampstead Tube station is the deepest on the Underground system—the platforms on the Northern Line are a profound 192 feet below ground level.

Stand and deliver
Highwayman Dick Turpin's father was landlord of the Spaniard's Inn on the edge of Hampstead Heath. Dick once took refuge there, according to legend.

Long arm of the heath
The ponds, woods and meadows of Hampstead Heath have their own police force. It is called the Heath Constabulary and it can enforce by-laws.