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Hemingway Close, LONDON, NW5 4AW

The pub on the corner of Mansfield Road and Oak Village is named for the oak tree under which parishioners gathered to hear an annual gospel reading, before the area began to be developed in the mid-C19. Presumably there was an earlier pub - this one looks mid-C20. Many old oaks were called Gospel Oaks, from the gospels that were preached from beneath their shade or shelter: a continuation of a pre-Christian practice that can be traced back to the earliest times. Gospel oaks also acted as boundary markers with clergy giving biblical readings as part of the traditional annual ceremony of the Beating of the Bounds.

Gospel Oak Station during the morning rush, just a stone’s throw from the southern edge of Parliament Hill leading to Hampstead Heath.

Located on the corner of Oak Village and Mansfield Road, this pub closed in October 2012. It was due to be refurbished by North Architects following closure. The shutters have been removed now but it appears to still be to-let in March 2013.

Located close to Gospel Oak railway station.

The bridge dates from 1860 when the Hampstead Junction Railway opened their line to what is now Gospel Oak station, but was formerly Kentish Town station. The station is immediately to the right of the bridge. In 2010 the bridge must be 150 years old whereas the hoarding on the left shows an advertisement that will inevitably disappear very shortly. Incidentally the ad itself is a little bizarre, showing as it does a somewhat sheepish Lewis Hamilton, fulfilling his contractual obligation to advertise Santander's products, hands in the pockets of his racing overalls, standing rather uncomfortably in a field of grass epitomising the English countryside, yet advertising a no fees for cash withdrawals overseas promotion. Quite, quite odd, but maybe that is the advertiser's idea. Who knows!