12 North End Way, Hampstead, London NW3 7ES
Jack Straw’s Castle
Unusual place
Place photograph
3.7
Wildland
Under 1 hour
Time
Check
Cost
["Atmospheric"
Feel
Why it's Wildland
3.7At the summit of Hampstead, a famous old inn was bomb-damaged in the Second World War, rebuilt in 1964 by architect Raymond Erith, and ultimately converted from a pub into apartments and a gym.
Jack Straw’s Castle is a small but evocative landmark on the edge of Hampstead Heath: a place where London’s high-ground walks, literary associations and wartime rebuilding meet. The story is stronger than the visitor offer, as the building is now privately used.
["Atmospheric" · "Quirky"]
Find your way
Open map12 North End Way, Hampstead, London NW3 7ES
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
This is a brief exterior-history stop, best understood as part of a wider walk around Hampstead Heath rather than a destination with indoor visitor access.
Things to do
Look at the rebuilt exterior
View the building from the street and note the wooden-fronted design, false battlements and two turrets described in the historical account. The building is not presented as an open visitor attraction.
10–20 minutes
Trace the inn’s changing story
Compare the historical account of the pre-war coaching inn, its bomb damage in 1941, and the replacement building that opened in 1964. The site is now apartments and a gym.
15–30 minutes
Continue on a Hampstead Heath walk
Use Jack Straw’s Castle as a historical starting point for a wider Heath walk. Published route accounts describe walking across the Heath and onward towards Kenwood House; confirm route details and access before going.
2–4 hours
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Under 1 hour
A quick look at the old Hampstead landmark
- 01
View Jack Straw’s Castle from the street; do not assume the building is open to visitors.
- 02
Notice the distinctive rebuilt exterior and consider its change from inn to private-use building.
- 03
Read the supplied historical account for the wartime damage and 1964 rebuilding story.
Half day · Half day
Make a half day of Hampstead Heath
- 01
Begin with an exterior look at Jack Straw’s Castle.
- 02
Continue on a walk across Hampstead Heath, using a published route description and checking its current conditions before setting out.
- 03
Choose a Heath or Kenwood House section that suits your time and mobility; verify current access and opening information independently.
Verified history
Jack Straw’s Castle was a well-known Hampstead inn and coaching stop, later associated with walks by Charles Dickens. It was damaged by bombing in 1941. The inn was demolished and rebuilt to a design by Raymond Erith, reopening in 1964; the building is now apartments and a gym. The historical account describes the name’s link to Jack Straw, associated with the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381, as uncertain: it finds no firm evidence connecting him to Hampstead.
Folklore & legend
Local tradition connects the inn’s name with Jack Straw, a supposed leader of the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381, and sometimes places him or his followers on Hampstead Heath. The supplied historical account says there is no firm evidence for a connection between Jack Straw and this site; treat the association as legend, not established local history.
Hidden details
A trace of the old stables — The historical account points out that the large doors on the rebuilt building occupy roughly the position of the old inn’s livery-and-bait stables, despite the 1964 building having no need for stabling.
The building’s disputed design — The 1964 replacement was designed by Raymond Erith in a style described as Georgian-Gothic. Its false battlements and turrets prompted strong objections during the design debate, according to the supplied walking-history source.
When to go
· Daylight, to view the exterior.
The attraction is a street-facing historic building rather than a seasonal nature site. The supplied sources do not identify a particular best month.
For a wider Hampstead Heath walk, check the forecast and route conditions before setting out.
Worth pairing with
Hampstead Heath
The castle is described as being on the edge of the Heath. A wider walk can turn this short exterior stop into a longer outing; verify route, facilities and access details before travelling.
Kenwood House and grounds
A published Hampstead Heath walk describes continuing to Kenwood House and its grounds. Check current opening, access and visitor information before including it in your plans.
What to look for
From the street, look for the building’s wooden-fronted design, false battlements and turrets, attributed to architect Raymond Erith. The historical account also identifies a large doorway in roughly the position of the old inn’s livery-and-bait stables.
The story
Literature; War & battle
Best time to go
Year-round for the exterior and its history; pair it with a Hampstead Heath walk in suitable weather.
Visit in daylight to examine the exterior from the street. For a longer outing, combine the stop with a Hampstead Heath walk; check current conditions and access before setting out.
How long to spend
Under 1 hour
Perfect for
["History lovers" · "Walkers" · "Photographers"]
Before you go
Address
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The building is now apartments and a gym, not a public house. Its exterior can be viewed from the street; access inside is not established. Check before visiting. Access arrangements are unconfirmed. Check before visiting; do not enter private land or restricted structures.
Check before visiting
Parking
Check before visiting; parking information is not available in the supplied sources.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Check before visiting.
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Food & drink
Check before visiting. The former pub is no longer operating as a public house.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Check before visiting.
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Accessibility
A source listing reports a wheelchair-accessible entrance, but public access to the building is not established. Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Cost
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Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Jack Straw’s Castle
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
