790 acres of ancient parkland in North London — woodland, meadows, swimming ponds, and Parliament Hill with the protected London skyline view. Feels wilder than the royal parks. A place where Londoners swim outdoors year-round, fly kites, and walk in all weather.
Location
Hampstead, London
Map
Insider Intel
Parliament Hill for the skyline view (similar vantage to Primrose Hill but larger scale). The swimming ponds if you are brave — men's, women's, and mixed ponds open year-round. Kenwood House on the northern edge has a Rembrandt and free entry. The heath is large enough that you can walk for two hours and still find new paths.
Summer weekends for the full London park experience — packed but lively. Early morning any day for the swimmers and dog walkers. Autumn for the woodland colour. Winter swimming in the ponds is a London rite of passage if you can handle cold water.
Protected since the 1870s after public campaigns prevented development. The swimming ponds are spring-fed and unheated — the Hampstead Heath swimming community is devoted and year-round. Parliament Hill is the southern highpoint with the protected view. Kenwood House at the northern edge was a Guinness family estate. The heath is huge — bring a map or embrace getting slightly lost. One of London's great common spaces.