Golders Hill Park
With a children’s zoo, butterfly house, deer park, ponds with swans and walled gardens, this park adjoins Hampstead Heath. In summer, its Italian cafe serves home-made ice cream, while live music is another treat. A golf driving range and putting green add to the attractions.
Known for its large Jewish community, Golders Green also boasts Turkish, Korean and Italian communities, among others. Remember that most Jewish shops close for Shabbat from lunchtime on Friday to Sunday morning.
Tube: Golders Green
Any comments - or a suggestion for a London secret? Please e-mail me.
Golders Green
Jerusalem The Golden
You have to love this shop for its name alone. Specialising in everything to do with Israel and Judaism, it offers jewellery and books, as well as music and toys. Frankly, most of it is baffling to the rest of us but it’s a fascinating glimpse into another world.
148 Golders Green Road NW11
Tel: +44 (0)845 652 4653
www.jerusalemthegolden.com
Shree Swaminarayan Temple
Originally a Presbyterian Church, this became a Hindu temple in 1982 that attracts worshippers from all over London, with its Diwali Festival of Lights a special highlight for locals. The temple has a 50-member pipe band in full Highland regalia.
847 Finchley Road NW11
Tel: +44 (0)20 8458 5356
www.swaminarayangadi.com
St Albans Church
Designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott (famous for the red phone kiosk), this was built in 1933 and boasts a soaring interior and solid oak doors in its striking design. An outside pulpit catered to the crowds of worshippers. South Africa’s Desmond Tutu was a curate here in the 1960s.
West Heath Drive NW11
Tel: +44 (0)020 8455 1873
www.gg-pc.co.uk
Solly’s
If you’ve never tried Kosher food, this gigantic North London landmark may well be the place to start. A friendly welcome, with good Middle-Eastern food and classics such as massive salt-beef sandwiches. The staff are often stretched but people watching is a real treat.
146 Golders Green Road NW11
Tel: +44 (0)20 8455 2121
Blooms
‘When is the last time you had chopped liver, gefilte fish, sweet noodle kugel, potato latkes, egg and onion, haimishe barley and all the other wonderful foods your parents and grandparents ate for centuries?’ asks the Blooms advertising spiel. A very good question.
130 Golders Green Road NW11
Tel: +44 (0)20 8455 1338
Anna Pavlova’s House
Ivy House, now the Jewish Cultural Centre, was the home of famed ballerina Anna Pavlova from 1912 to her death in 1931. The large pond in the garden is where she studied swans to bring realism to her most famous role 'The Dying Swan'.
94-96 North End Road NW11
Tel: +44 (0)20 8457 5000
Bus 210 from Golders Green
www.ljcc.org.uk
Golders Green Crematorium
Musicians, philosophers, actors and many others co-exist peacefully in Golders Green Crematorium. Its lovely grounds - with many artistic memorials - are home to the ashes of everyone from Marc Bolan to Sigmund Freud, while the poignant children’s graveyard will move you.
