Flask Walk and Well Walk
Hampstead, London NW3

Flask Walk, which goes into Well Walk, are in the centre of Hampstead. 

In the 18th century fashionable members of society flocked to Hampstead, which was then a separate village, to take the therapeutic spa water.  The source of the spring water, rich in iron salts, was in Well Walk, the site is marked by a disused fountain.

In Flask Walk, named after the Flask pub, the spa water was put in flasks to be sold to the visitors or sent to London.  The Wells Tavern, almost opposite the well, accomodated those people who took part in the illict liaisons for which the spa soon became notorious.  

In later times Well Walk had many famous residents, including the artist John Constable, the poet John Keats and the novelists D.H. Lawrence and J B Priestley. 

Today Flask Walk, has specialist shops and good restaurants.