Sunday 22 March 2026
- Hampstead Women's Club
- 3 days ago
- 9 min read
Good morning!
Spring Equinox is here—nature’s way of saying, “Right then, let’s turn the lights back on!” With day and night sharing the spotlight, London starts stretching into those lovely longer evenings, and Hampstead feels ready to shake off winter for good. It’s the perfect excuse for a wander on the Heath, a sunny(ish) coffee catch-up, and a bit of optimistic wardrobe planning. Here’s to fresh starts, lighter days, and plenty of reasons to get out, about, and together.
This week we are walking through the royal village of St James, learning how to meditate, going to the movies, visiting Tate Britain, going to a musical, as well as playing tennis and pickleball. There is something fun for everyone. And if you feel we could be doing more, the club is always looking for more volunteers to help organise activities and events!
Have a great week,
Joyce
Any queries please email: ameeta.fiwal@gmail.com
Upcoming Events
Wellness - Introduction to Meditation on 24 March at 10am spaces left
Chicks 'n Flicks - Midwinter Break at the Everyman Theater in Belsize Park at 12:30pm
Arts & Antiques - Tate Britain on 26 March at 11:40am 1 spot left!
Walkie-Talkies - Soho to Covent Garden on 30 March at 10:30am
Sip & Social - at The Alchemist Victoria on 13 April at 7:30pm
Speaker Series - at Camden Garden Centre on 15 April at 11:30am
Wellness - Hypopressives Taster Class on 16 April at 7pm
Nordic Walking - The Spaniards Inn on 24 April at 10:30am
Click the button below for more details about What's On our activity calendar and to sign up. If the sign up is full, there is often a wait list to which you can be added. Life is unpredictable and spots may open up nearer the time. If you signed up but cannot make it, please inform the activity leader as soon as possible so we can give your spot to someone who may be waiting.
Arts & Antiques
Guided Tour at the Tate Britain
Millbank
26 March at 11:40am
Learn about the art in Tate Britain with a guided tour around part of the gallery. This tour lasts for 45 minutes and is packed with fascinating insights, informations and stories.
Sign up online. 1 Spot Left!
Book Club
All Fours by Miranda July
20 April at 7:30pm
members house in Edgware
Taken from Goodreads: A semi famous artist announces her plan to drive cross-country, from LA to New York. Twenty minutes after leaving her husband and child at home, she spontaneously exits the freeway, beds down in a nondescript motel, and immerses herself in a temporary reinvention that turns out to be the start of an entirely different journey.
Sign up opens on 5 April at 7am.
Reading Ahead:
May – The Master by Colm Toibin
June - Caledonian Road by Andrew O'Hagan
Book Share
Please join us for coffee and cake, and bring along a few of your favourite books to lend or swap. Each member is invited to bring up to three or four books they’ve enjoyed, and we’ll chat about our choices over a drink and a snack before swapping them with one another.
Check our calendar for upcoming activities.
Chicks 'n' Flicks
Midwinter Break
The Everyman, Belsize Park
25 March at 12:30
Let's meet in the cinema foyer at 12:15pm.
Oscar nominees Lesley Manville and Ciarán Hinds anchor this adaptation of Bernard MacLaverty’s novel of the same name, which follows retirees Stella and Gerry on a trip to Amsterdam at a crunch point in their marriage. Their city break has the potential to become something much more life-changing as the pair reflect on the past, their problems in the present, and consider their future together. Established theatre director Polly Findlay makes an impressive directorial debut with this carefully weighted drama that muses on the enduring power of love.
Community Outreach
Henderson Court
10 April from 1:15pm - 3:00pm
Henderson Court is a daytime activity centre for the elderly run by Age UK Camden.
Please join us for an afternoon of cake and conversation with some of Hampstead older residents.
Craft & Chat
Join us for craft and chat (and wine and cake!). People wishing to learn to knit or crochet welcome and materials will be provided for you to learn with. Check our calendar for upcoming events
Evenings Out
Check our calendar for upcoming events
Games Night
Join us for a fun evening filled with friendly competition as we play an array of board games. Don’t miss our next gathering—let’s keep the games rolling! No prior experience or expertise required - we play games that are easy to learn!
Check our calendar for upcoming events.
Highlights of London
Trouping of the Colours: The Colonel's Review
6 June at 10:30am
Sign up is full.
Ladies Day at Royal Ascot
18 June at 12:30pm
Sign up is full.
Link Up
England's Lane Cafe
Belsize Park
29 April 10:30am - 12:00pm
A casual and informal way for current and new members to get together, chat and socialise. Join us for some coffee, tea, pastries or breakfast and good company. Each member pays for their own drinks and food.
Sign up online.
London Bites (formerly Pub Lunch)
London Bites meets up approx once a month to explore new and local restaurants. Check our calendar for upcoming events.
Musicals
Kinky Boots
London Coliseum
26 March at 7:30pm
Sign up is full.
Pickleball
Royal Free Rec Club
Fleet Rd, London NW3 2QG
Wednesdays 1:00 - 2:30pm
Pickleball is a fast-growing, low-impact paddle sport combining elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. Played on a small court with a low net, 2-4 players use solid paddles to hit a hollow, perforated plastic ball. It is accessible to all ages and skill levels, emphasising strategy, quick reflexes, and social interaction.
New term starts 15 April (12 coaching sessions - £192). We have 2 spots open.
JOIN THE WAITLIST - We regularly have spaces available if anyone would like to sub in or just give the sport a try.
Sip & Social
The Alchemist
Victoria
13 April at 7:30 pm
Sip & Social is a great and relaxed way of meeting new friends and reconnecting with old ones. Feel free to order drinks and food (at your own cost) or just come for a chat and a catch up. If you are new to the club it is a great way of finding out what we have on offer and what we do as well as meeting some of the older members who are a wealth of advice and knowledge.
This month's Sip and Social will be held at the Alchemist in Victoria. It is just near the Victoria tube station. It has an excellent cocktail bar that also serves food and non-alcoholic cocktails, wine, soft drinks, beer and cider.
Sign up online.
Speaker Series
Secrets to Having a Green Thumb
by Debra Craighead
The Camden Garden Centre
15 April at 11:30am
We generally meet at a member's house in NW3. The speaker will give a talk for half an hour followed by half an hour of discussion. We will then go to Must Wine Bar where management have given us discounts on food and wine.
This speaker's series will be held at the earlier time of 11:30 am and we will be meeting at the Camden Garden Centre where Debra will discuss the National Garden Scheme and the secrets to having a green thumb. The talk will be followed by coffee (at your own expense) in the garden centre cafe. Please note we will not be going to Must Wine Bar.
Sign up online.
Tennis
Globe Lawn Tennis Club
190A Haverstock Hill, NW3 2AL
Come join us at the Globe Tennis Club in Belsize Park for weekly tennis lessons. Coach led lessons combine warm ups, drills, cardio games and match play adjusted to meet the needs of each group. Whether you are new to tennis, a bit rusty or a regular player it's a great way to combine exercise with meeting fellow members!
Tues, Wed or Thurs from 10:00 am to 11:30 am
Globe Lawn Tennis Club (190A Haverstock Hill, NW3 2AL)
Cost per term: £275 (11 sessions)
Intermediate – Tuesdays
Beginner – Wednesdays
Mixed – Thursdays
Theatre
Grace Pervades
Theater Royal Haymarket
6 May at 7:30pm
Sign up is full.
Walkie Talkies
Walkie Talkies is an interest group that meets up every Monday morning for walks and chats over coffee. The walks take place across London and we visit parks and interesting areas of London. If you would like to join the WhatsApp Walkie Talkies group, please contact Maria via email below.
23 March - St James's Walk
Meeting point: 10:30am at the Constance Fund Fountain of Diana
Sign up online.
30 March - Soho to Covent Garden
Meeting Point : 09:30am (please note early start time) outside Argyll Street exit of Oxford Circus Tube Station
Sign up is open.
6 April - Primrose Hill and canal side walk to Coal Drops Yard
Meeting Point: 10:30am outside Swiss Cottage Tube Station beside Hampstead Theatre
Sign up opens 29th March
13 April - Legal London
Meeting Point: 10:30am outside Holborn Tube Station
Sign up opens 5th April
20 April - Woolwich via riverboat through the Thames Barrier
Meeting Point: 10:30am at Embankment Pier (Thames Clipper / UberBoat station) to catch the 10:39 service to Woolwich (Royal Arsenal)
Sign up opens 12th April
27 April - The azaleas of the Isabella Plantation
Meeting Point: 10:30am outside Richmond Station
Sign up opens 19th April
Wellness
Wellness meets up monthly for an event focused on nurturing our mind, body and spirit. Led by Dr. Summya, GP & wellness leader, this group is all about making health fun, friendly, and achievable.
Introduction to Meditation
24 March at 10:00am
In these challenging and hectic times, we gather near the spring equinox to learn the art of meditation and discover practical techniques for finding inner peace, cultivating balance, and creating moments of calm amidst the chaos of daily life.
No previous experience is needed—you will learn foundational meditation techniques, breathing exercises, and mindfulness practices to help manage stress and restore balance. All are welcome, and beginners are especially encouraged!
Sign up online to register and for further instructions.
Nordic Walking by WALX Total Body Walking
24 April at 10:45 - 11:45
The Spaniards Inn
WALX Total Body Walking is a complete exercise with poles with a focus on posture, core engagement and aerobic fitness, all without the impact of running. Very much NOT a bootcamp, WALX classes incorporate strength, balance and bone health exercises outdoors for physical, psychological and social wellbeing. This is an exercise class with a fair amount of talking and a lot of laughter!
WALX Hampstead – your exercise club at the pub – is based at the 400-year-old Spaniards Inn, with free car parking available for clients. From here, the class will head out into the woods for an hour’s introduction to Total Body Walking. Martin will provide the poles, so you just need to be dressed for the weather and the terrain – walking shoes, boots or outdoor trainers are best. All fitness levels are very welcome.
Tickets are £12pp. Sign up online.
Men's Auxiliary of HWC
The Men's Auxiliary of HWC meets on one Thursday a month at a pub in Hampstead. To participate, have your partner text Patrick on 07827 604148 to join the WhatsApp group.
APPI Physio & Pilates
HWC is proud to partner with APPI Physio & Pilates!
All HWC members enjoy 15% off all services for the duration of their time at appi (excluding special offers and memberships).
MUST Wine Bar
MUST Wine Bar sponsors our speaker series. They passionately believe wine is to be enjoyed, explored and experienced by everyone and with more than 70 wines by the glass from over 20 countries and 18 fine wines, they truly are a wine lover or enthusiasts dream...all in a totally relaxed, cozy and welcoming wine bar environment.
FIWAL
FIWAL’s aim is to broaden friendship, understanding and communication amongst international women in London. Over the years, we have achieved this through FIWAL’s own events as well as the wonderful events organised by our members where all FIWAL Members have the opportunity to connect, share and celebrate. Besides the social value of these events, funds are often raised to assist with charitable causes relating to their homeland or their local communities here in the UK.
Click here to view their latest newsletter.
2025-26 Executive Board
President - Manisha Walia
Executive Vice President - Michele Higgins-Glazer
Vice President of Communications - Joyce Moeller
Vice President of Membership - Susan Kennedy-Scott
Vice President of Programs - Claudine Goldingham
Secretary - Bridget O’Donovan
Treasurer - Maureen Clark-Darby
Website Manager - Jane Talbot
Standing Committee Chairs/Co-Chairs
Arts & Antiques - Afsaneh Yasreby, Minoo Tuffield
Community Outreach - Caroline Smith, Sian Jones
Evenings Out - Marilyn Kendall, Louisa Martin, Pauline Seow-Hellinikakis
Highlights of London - Cathy Herbrand
Hospitality - Michele Higgins-Glazer
Link-Up - Pauline Seow-Hellinikakis
Theatre - Madeleine Hodgkin
Courtesy Reminder
If you are not able to attend an event for which you've signed up, whether it's a free or paid activity, please contact the leader to let her know. Many of our activities have waiting lists, so no-shows and last-minute cancellations can prevent another member from participating. Thank you!