Lady’s Beautiful Guide to Hampstead Heath

Today I want to bring you A Lady in London’s guide to Hampstead Heath. One of the things I love about living in the UK capital is the abundance of parks and gardens here. The Heath is my favorite of them all, and you can read on to find out why. There’s a map, too.

Hampstead Heath

Up in the north of the city, Hampstead Heath is one of London’s biggest parks. This ancient heathland spans 790 acres (320 hectares) between Hampstead in the west and Highgate in the east.

It’s one of the highest places in London, which means there are great views from places like Parliament Hill.

The Heath is also home to famous landmarks. Kenwood House is a former stately home that’s now an English Heritage site in London. It’s a great place to tour or have tea in the outdoor garden.

You might recognize the outside as being a London filming location for the movie Notting Hill, too. It’s where Julia Roberts’ character was filming a movie based on a Henry James novel.

There are also plenty of sports fields in the south of the Heath, wooded areas in the north, and grassy areas in between, making it easy to find whatever kind of outdoor space suits your tastes.

How to Get to Hampstead Heath

It’s straightforward to get to Hampstead Heath, too. The closest tube stations are Hampstead, Belsize Park, and Tufnell Park, all of which are on the Northern Line (just make sure to get on the correct branch, as it splits north of Camden Town).

If you want to go to the Hampstead Heath Extension in the north, Golders Green is a good station to use as well.

The Heath is also on the Overground. Stations like Hampstead Heath and Gospel Oak are even closer to the park than the tube stations.

There are also local buses like the 24, 46, and 168 that serve the Heath from central London and other parts of the city.

Best Time to Go to Hampstead Heath

As far as when to go to Hampstead Heath, there’s no bad time of year to visit. I love the Heath in summer when the sun is out, the ponds are full of swimmers, and the atmosphere is buzzing.

I also enjoy it in the fall when the leaves change and the foliage is at its peak. I wrote an entire blog post about Hampstead Heath in autumn once because it’s so beautiful.

And winter in Hampstead Heath isn’t bad, either. It’s quieter and there’s a magical quality to it when the mist sets in over the grass. I like walking in the park on winter afternoons when the sun is at its highest point.

Spring is lovely, too. The baby waterfowl are adorable, and the spring flowers and leaves make the Heath feel like it’s coming back to life after a long hibernation.

Parliament Hill

Now about those views. The most famous place in Hampstead Heath is Parliament Hill. This spot is worth the walk, as it has some of the best views of London.

Everything from the skyscrapers in the City of London to the London Eye and The Shard can be seen from the top. It’s a popular place to picnic and admire the views.

The closest station to Parliament Hill is the Hampstead Heath Overground station in South End Green. If you just want to go to admire the views, it’s the easiest place to start from.

Hampstead Heath Walks

If you want a longer walk or hike, there are plenty of great Hampstead Heath walks you can take.

I’ve written a self-guided London walk in Hampstead that will take you to the Heath to explore. This Hampstead Heath walk is ideal if you want to discover both the park and the village around it (and you should).

You can also do a Hampstead Heath circular walk or a walk that will take you to places like Kenwood House, the bathing ponds, and other landmarks. I’ve even published a guide to Hampstead Heath walks, complete with routes and maps, if you want to take a look.

The nice thing about the Heath is that there are wide paths and narrow trails alike, so you can stay on the beaten circuit or get off it as much as you want to.

Hampstead Heath Ponds

If you prefer swimming to walking, you’re also in luck. This place is famous for the Hampstead Heath ponds, which are popular places for Londoners to cool off on hot summer days.

If you’re brave enough to swim without seeing the bottom, you can head to the Men’s Bathing Pond, Ladies’ Bathing Pond, or Mixed Bathing Pond in Hampstead Heath for a dip.

Swimming in the ponds is one of the most quintessential things to do in London in summer, and a great local experience.

Picnics in the Park

Another classic activity in the warmer months is to have a picnic in the Heath. In addition to Parliament Hill, there are plenty of places to picnic with a view in the park.

From the area around the Model Boating Pond to the lawns in front of Kenwood House, I’ve had countless picnics in the Heath in the summertime.

It’s easy to pick up picnic supplies at the delis on and around Hampstead High Street or South End Green, too. They’ll get you well provisioned for a feast in the park.

Further Afield

One of the best things about Hampstead Heath is how big it is. But even with its immense size, there are more parks, gardens, and pubs around it that are worth a special trip.

Hampstead Heath Pergola

One of them is the Hill Garden and Pergola. This secret garden in Hampstead is adjacent to the Heath and is known for its stunning raised pergola walkway, reflecting pond, and beautiful flower beds.

Golders Hill Park

Another is Golders Hill Park. It adjoins the Heath in the west and has everything from a croquet lawn to a zoo.

The gardens and flowers here are some of the most beautiful in London in spring, too. I love walking here and photographing the spring tulips and crocuses when they come out.

Hampstead Heath Extension

Another area of the Heath that often gets overlooked is the extension. It’s a great place to walk if you want a quieter atmosphere, especially in the summer months when the main areas get crowded.

You can even walk up through Hampstead Garden Suburb from the extension. It’s a beautiful residential area in north London.

The Pubs

If all the walking has made you thirsty, there are plenty of great pubs around the Heath, many of which have beer gardens.

The Garden Gate pub in South End Green is a favorite of mine and is conveniently located near the Hampstead Heath Overground station.

The Spaniards Inn near Kenwood House is steeped in history and is a great place for a drink or meal after a long walk. It’s said to be haunted, so make sure to look out for the ghost if you go.

And if you’re heading back to Hampstead tube station, The Wells Tavern is a great place to stop for a pint along the way. It has lots of outdoor tables for the warmer months.

Hampstead Heath Map

Hampstead Heath and Beyond

I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to the Heath and that it’s given you an idea of why it’s my favorite park in London. If you get a chance to explore, make sure to leave yourself a few hours at a minimum. If you have all day, even better.

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