Holly Hill, Hampstead

Holly Hill is a street in Hampstead in the London Borough of Camden.^[1] It runs northwards from a junction with Hampstead High Street and Heath Street, Hampstead heading uphill to a grassy triangle named Holly Bush Hill where it meets Windmill Hill and Hampstead Grove by the entrance to Fenton House. It takes its name from a grove of holly bushes which stood on the hill until the 1940s.^[2] In the eighteenth century it was known as Cloth Hill, likely because local laundresses using Hampstead Wells hung their clothes out on the Holly Bushes to dry.^[3] Holly Mount turns eastwards off the street and forms a cul-de-sac, although there are steps linking it to Heath Street below. Holly Mount contains The Holly Bush pub, which was once linked to the nearby assembly rooms.^[4] Notable residents of Holly Hill have included the artists George Romney and Derek Hill, both commemorated with blue plaques. A number of properties are now Grade II listed.^[5][6][7][8] Romney's House at 5 Holly Bush Hill is Grade I listed. Running uphill to the west is Mount Vernon which also features notable historic properties and Holly Walk.