Humans of Mallorca love London. A two-hour plane ride and frequency of flights make this an accessible city. Many local kids start their love affair on school trips from this island to that UK, island. They arrive from the vibe of a million-resident population of Mallorca to a space occupied by nearly 9 million peoplein London.

Tourist and shopping London is usually the starting point. Some arrive to attend concerts and enjoy the clubbing scene. They all start somewhere and begin to define London as the little bit of the city they first arrived in. Frequent visits allow them to expand their London knowledge but there is a big London world out there waiting to be explored.

Humans of Mallorca often head to the capitol for an intensive English course. Their families and employers know the importance of fluency in English to the young who will make their careers in Mallorca. Language schools exist all over the UK but the ones in the heart of the capital are considered the most desirable because of the location. These young people get to know London in a very different way. They get on the underground, use public transport and live in houses and apartments in the streets of London, in one of the many Boroughs. They soon begin to understand that London is a series of ‘Barrios’ with their own life and energy. The call out there for them all is ‘are you a North, South, East or West Londoner?

I am a North Londoner who relocated years ago to Mallorca. I frequently return to touch base with my roots and my North London connections. I am able to do this for all the reasons anyone who lives in Mallorca can. In three hours, I can change my focus for a few days. Communication allows me to be as up to date with local issues as I want to be. I return to visit family, friends and keep up to date with the constantly evolving cultural scene.

I grew up near Parliament Hill Fields, in what wa considered, as the ‘cheap end’ of Hampstead. I went to school in Highbury and London was my playground. The postal districts of NW5, NW3, NW1 and N6 was my ‘Barrio.

This is the starting point for this series of articles. To really understand and enjoy London, the adventure begins on the doorstep. History, stories, evolution and an appreciation of all that exists in London in 2025, has to be broken down into bite size chunks.

I will take you on the walks and the gossip of North London. We will visit Camden Lock and Hampstead High Street. We will go the Zoo and wander the streets of Regents Park near the American Embassy. We will explore the markets of Queens Crescent and the trendiness of Swains Lane. We will explore the bathing ponds of Hampstead Heath and glory in the beauty of Kenwood House. We will bump into the famous and the infamous. Many live here, in the North London world.

Come with me as l introduce you to my North London world which has captivated minds and hearts over generations. Find out why a North Londoner rarely becomes a West, East or South Londoner.

I look forward to sharing my North London world with you.