Primrose Hill, London: a guide

Just a short walk from Camden Town along the Regent’s Canal, you’ll find the gorgeous neighbourhood of Primrose Hill. Primrose Hill is arguably my favourite part of London. Thanks to its candy coloured townhouses and sprawling views across the Big Smoke, it’s often somewhere I visit for a little peace and quiet from the hustle and bustle of London while picking out the properties I’d love to have a look inside. If you haven’t yet visited Primrose Hill, it’s somewhere you should definitely add to your list. In this guide, I share all you need to know about visiting Primrose Hill, its history, and its key attractions.

Where is Primrose Hill?

Primrose Hill is a well-known hill in London, England, located to the north of Regent’s Park. It offers an amazing view of the city skyline and is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. In fact, it’s probably my favourite view over the city. The nearest tube stations to Primrose Hill are Chalk Farm and Swiss Cottage, both a short walk away. It’s a lovely area to visit, especially for its panoramic views of London and its close proximity to Regent’s Park.

How to get to Primrose Hill

To get to Primrose Hill, you can use public transport, drive, or walk, depending on where you’re coming from:

Public Transport:

• Tube/Underground: The closest tube stations to Primrose Hill are Chalk Farm and Swiss Cottage on the Northern Line. From either station, it’s about a 10-15 minute walk to the hill.
• Bus: Several bus routes serve Primrose Hill, including the 274, C11, and 31. Check Transport for London (TfL) for the best routes from your location.
• Train: The nearest train station is Kentish Town, which is around a 20 minute walk away.

car:

There’s a car park on King Henry’s Road, which is just half a mile from Primrose Hill, and another on Regent’s Park Road, which is a little closer and just a quarter of a mile from Primrose Hill.

Walking:

• From Camden Town: It’s a lovely walk from Camden Town to Primrose Hill, taking around 20-25 minutes along the Regent Canal.
• Regent’s Park: If you’re near Regent’s Park, it’s a pleasant stroll from there to Primrose Hill, taking around 15-20 minutes.

What is Primrose Hill known for?

Primrose Hill is an iconic destination and a sought-after area for a number of reasons:

• Scenic views – Primrose Hills’ primary claim to fame is its beautiful panoramic views of the London skyline. The hill’s elevation provides a picturesque vantage point, attracting visitors who seek breathtaking vistas of the city.
• Perfect for walks – Primrose Hill is a popular recreational spot, with plenty of greenery and open space for picnics, leisurely walks, and outdoor activities. Locals and tourists often visit Primrose Hill for its relaxing atmosphere and beautiful surroundings.
• Trendy neighbourhood – surrounding the hill is an upscale and chic residential area – it’s a desirable place to live among the rich and famous. It’s known for its affluent and celebrity residents, stylish boutiques, and elegant pubs, which all add to the charm of the location.
• Historical significance – Primrose Hill was once used as a hunting ground by English monarchs. It isn’t entirely known why it was given its name – either because of the number of primroses that once grew on the hill, or because of Archibald Primrose, who was famous for expanding the London Underground.

Things to do in Primrose Hill

Primrose Hill is relatively small, but there are plenty of things to do in the area:

• Take a picnic to Primrose Hill Park. One of the things I love most about Primrose Hill is that it feels like a suburban retreat from the hustle and bustle of London. I’d suggest picking up some treats and a bottle of fizz from the nearby delis or a supermarket, and bringing them with a picnic blanket to the hill for food with a view. You’ll find a lot of people with the same idea on sunny days, so there’s a great atmosphere.
• Visit Primrose Hill Market. It takes place every Saturday from 10am to 3pm at the bottom of Primrose Hill at St Paul’s School grounds. You can park for free here, and shop for trinkets and goodies to take home.
• Head to the nearby attractions. You’ll find Camden Market, ZSL London Zoo, and Regent’s Park all within a short walk of Primrose Hill. I’d also recommend walking along Regent’s Canal to nearby Camden Town for its vibrant markets, eclectic atmosphere, and live music venues.
• Explore the neighbourhood. One of my favourite things to do is checking out the beautiful homes of the area. There are so many beautiful buildings in Primrose Hill, and the area is renowned for its gorgeous pastel coloured townhouses. Walk around Chalcot Square, and spot blue plaques. You can also check out the charming local cafes and independent boutiques around Regent’s Park Road.

The best pubs in Primrose Hill

In true British style, you have to visit a pub while visiting this part of London, and there are some really lovely watering holes here. I recently visited with my parents, and we stopped off for some cold drinks after a walk up the hill. Here’s my pick of the best pubs in Primrose Hill, each with its own charm and offering:

• The Princess of Wales – one of my favourite pubs in Primrose Hill, The Princess of Wales is cosy with really friendly staff. There’s a fireplace for the winter months, and a wide range of beers and wines. The food is really good if you fancy some pub grub, especially their Sunday roast.
• The Engineer – this pub has a big beer garden which makes it perfect for the summer months. There’s a good range of craft beers and ales if you’re a fan, and it has a really relaxed and welcoming vibe.
• The Queen’s – this Primrose Hill pub is a beautiful Victorian-style pub, complete with wooden interiors. It has a really friendly and relaxed atmosphere, and is great for enjoying a glass of wine and whiling away an afternoon. There are hearty pub classics on the menu too.

The best restaurants in Primrose Hill

Considering Primrose Hill is only a small area in north London, it has a great variety of restaurants and dining options. Here are a few spots that I’d recommend visiting:

• Lemonia – this Primrose Hill restaurant is a favourite with celebrities and locals alike. It’s well known for its incredible Greek cuisine and has been family run for over 40 years. It has a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Don’t miss the incredible moussaka – it’s truly to die for.
• Greenberry Cafe – this is a favourite for breakfast, brunch, and lunch, with a diverse menu of healthy and indulgent options. Most ingredients are locally sourced too. They do a great eggs benedict, and their pancakes are delicious too.
• La Collina – La Collina is a great Italian restaurant offering authentic and tasty dishes. It offers a sophisticated yet relaxed dining experience, using high quality ingredients in every dish. I highly recommend their pasta dishes – the lobster tagliatelle is really tasty in particular.

Primrose Hill FAQs

Which famous people live in Primrose Hill?

Primrose Hill has no shortage of famous residents. Icons who once lived in the area include famous writers Sylvia Plath, Ted Hughes, and Dylan Thomas – you’ll find blue plaques in their memory. Boris Johnson, Kate Moss, Jamie Oliver, Daniel Craig, Davinia Taylor, Ewan McGregor, and Gavin Rossdale have all lived in the area too. When I was last in the area, I saw Andrew Marr heading home near Chalcot Square. Primrose Hill became so famous for its residents in the 1990s thanks to celebrities like Jude Law and Sadie Frost that they coined the term ‘the Primrose Hill set’. Lots of visitors head to the area just to spot celebrities. Here are some of the houses that are marked with English Heritage blue plaques to make their famous residents:

• Friedrich Engels (122 Regent’s Park Road)
• William Butler Yeats (23 Fitzroy Road)
• Sir Hugh Clough (11 St. Mark’s Crescent)
• A. J. P. Taylor (13 St. Mark’s Crescent)
• William Roberts (14 St. Mark’s Crescent)
• Roger Fenton (2 Albert Terrace)
• Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes (3 Chalcot Square and 23 Fitzroy Road – with the latter being where Plath ultimately committed suicide)
• Dylan Thomas (54 Delancey Street)

What is at the top of Primrose Hill?

When you climb the top of Primrose Hill, you can enjoy a panoramic view across the London skyline from 63 metres high. You’ll be able to see monuments like the London Eye, The Shard, and the BT Tower. The trees on the hill are deliberately cut short so that visitors can enjoy an unobscured view. At the summit, there is a York stone inscribed with a quote from William Blake (‘I have conversed with the spiritual sun. I saw him on Primrose Hill‘), as well as the famous Shakespeare Tree, which is an oak tree planted in 1864 to commemorate 300 years since Shakespeare’s birth.

Is Primrose Hill a nice area of London?

Primrose Hill is widely regarded as one of the most charming areas of London. It’s famous for its beautiful Victorian and Georgian houses, picturesque, pastel coloured streets, and its iconic hilltop park with panoramic views across London’s skyline. It boasts plenty of green space to retreat from the busy city, and has a vibrant high street with independent boutiques, pubs, and restaurants for a close-knit community feel. It’s also a relatively peaceful and safe area within London, making it a much sought-after residential area.

When should I go to Primrose Hill?

You’ll have a different experience in Primrose Hill depending on when you visit. My personal favourite is the summer, when you can picnic on the hill and enjoy the incredible views over London.

• Spring – in April and May, you’ll find the flowers on the hill in their full bloom. The park boasts lush greenery, and it looks so beautiful at this time of the year, perfect for a walk or a picnic.
• Summer – June to August is the most popular time of year to visit, and the longer daylight hours mean you can enjoy the views well into the evening. There’s a good atmosphere, with plenty of locals and tourists enjoying the park and soaking up the sun.
• Autumn – in September and October, you’ll find the foliage at its very best. Enjoying the changing colours of the leaves, and take a walk through the autumnal scenery.
• Winter – although the coldest time of year, winter is still beautiful in Primrose Hill. The park is usually quieter, but you can get magical views from the top, especially on crisp, clear days when you can see the city lights twinkling in the distance.

Is Primrose Hill expensive?

Primrose Hill is considered an extremely affluent and desirable area of London. With a reputation like this often comes higher property prices compared to some other parts of the city. There are beautiful Victorian and Georgian properties, gorgeous views across the city – all in a desirable location. As a result, this means the rental and property market is often very high and competitive. You might also find the cafes, restaurants, and shops are slightly higher than in other areas of London. This said, I’d argue the quality of life, community vibe, and green spaces like Primrose Hill Park help to justify the high costs for those who can afford it.

Tips for visiting Primrose Hill

I absolutely love visiting Primrose Hill, and spend a lot of time there during the summer months when you can picnic with a view. Here are some of my top tips for visiting the area:

• Visit Primrose Hill during the weekdays if you can to avoid the crowds at the weekends
• Tie in a visit with a walk along the canal towards Camden Town (and stop for some food at Camden Market!
• Bring a jacket if you’re planning to stay for the day – it can get cool in the evenings, even during the summer.
• Try and visit during the spring when the flowers are in full bloom. It’s beautiful.
• Look out for celebrities – there are plenty of famous residents in Primrose Hill. I usually spot one or two whenever I visit.
• Bring a picnic blanket with you. There are benches, but they can often be full, especially if you visit during the summer months.
• Stay for sunset if you’re able to, as the views across the City are amazing.
• It’s a great place to spot fireworks across London if you’re visiting on Bonfire Night (November 5) or on New Year’s Eve. Just make sure to dress for the cold.

I hope you found my guide to Primrose Hill useful! Where are your favourite spots to visit? Are there any other neighbourhoods you’d recommend exploring in London? Let me know in the comments below.