Jewish Neighbourhoods

Focus on North London

Many examples of Jewish cultural life are found in the north London boroughs of Camden and Barnet. The areas around Camden, Hampstead and Swiss Cottage have traditionally been the base for Jewish artists and writers. In Camden, the elegant Jewish Museum features the oldest English Hanukkah lamp in Britain, a medieval tax receipt, and Jewish bronze coins dating from 103 to 76 BC.

Moving north to Hampstead, the Freud Museum is based in Sigmund Freud’s last residence prior to his death in September 1939. Here, you can see his famous analysis couch and over 3,000 ancient figurines, all of which are now displayed in the museum. For a contemporary take on Jewish art head to the nearby Ben Uri gallery which showcases contemporary Israeli and Jewish works.

Heading further north, Golders Green is the focus of modern London Jewish life, with Golders Green Road boasting a stretch of lively cafes, restaurants, bookshops, kosher food stores and shops selling religious artefacts. Here you can find the famous Blooms restaurant (whose original premises was in the East End) serving up traditional fare such as chicken soup and fried fish. Also check out Steimatzky, one of many bookshops in the street specialising in books on Jewish history, current affairs, religion and culture.

Here, on a Friday morning you can spot people rushing to buy food and get ready for Shabbat. Once Shabbat arrives, on Friday night, the usually frantic road becomes noticeably calmer, as people stroll down the street in their best clothes on their way to synagogue or to visit friends.

Well worth a visit is Camden's The Jewish Museum – currently undergoing major refurbishment. It is due to reopen in 2009.