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Primrose Hill
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Neighborhood: Primrose Hill
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Parliament Hill
3 reviews
Neighborhood: Kentish Town
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Forks
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Regents Park
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Neighborhood: Regents Park
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Spaniards Inn
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Neighborhood: Hampstead
- Nearest Transit:
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Hampstead (Northern)
- Good for Children:
- Yes
22 reviews for Hampstead Heath
All Reviews
Hampstead Heath
25/7/2010
Judging by every other review here, my opinion fits squarely in the mainstream.
Wow. Gorgeous! This park is massive, with landscaping that seems more natural than manicured. I really felt like I was in the English countryside, rather than in the middle of one of the biggest cities in the tworld. Spending an afternoon here on a grassy knoll, playing with my baby nephew was astonishingly peaceful and relaxing.
Tons of people around, and everybody was friendly and respectful of personal space. A lot of people were out in the open indulging in various personal vices, but from what I gather that's considerably more acceptable in the UK rather than the US.
I didn't even scratch the surface of exploring this park, but the next time i'm visiting my family I will certainly make it a point to discover more.
Hampstead Heath
16/7/2010
1 Check-in Here
This is THE most GORGEOUS park in the city. So wide, green, open, peaceful.
We went to the heath and had a massive picnic that lasted throughout the whole summers day. We parked ourselves under a massive tree to give us a little shade from the warm sun. Our eats were delicious, the weather was perfect, and the surroundings were just simply stunning. We just laid under the tree all day long while listening to the birds (and a few playing children). Whenever I visit the Heath I never find it to be crowded either, which helps keep it so lovely and just a wonderful place to relax.
Go to the heath with a picnic, a bottle of white, and a good book. You'll have the perfect day. This park makes me proud to be a resident of Hampstead. Yep, I said it.
Listed in: Hampstead
Hampstead Heath
2/6/2010
OK, why did I wait so long to go here?
This is absolutely beautiful and I got totally lost wandering around but I found Parliament Hill and it was absolutely amazingly beautiful.
Trees and birds and bunnies and ponds and loads of space to sit around and read or people-watch or just sun yourself. It's easy to forget you're in London!
It's really just beautiful, that's the only word I have for it.
Hampstead Heath
16/7/2010
Can't beat Hampstead Heath. When I recently became temporarily retired, I planned a 'perfect London day' for my first day off. It definitely included an entire afternoon on the top of the hill at Hampstead Heath reading comic books on the elephant blanket. I'm not sure there is anywhere else you can go in London for such a combination of views and scenery. It's awesome to emerge from the trees, walk up the hill, then look out over all of London. I insist that anyone who visits me in London gets out there at least once.
Hampstead Heath
27/4/2010
Green, green grass like - woah that's grassy and green and all that jazz.
I have spent the last 2 weekends on the heath and rightly so with this fabulous weather we're having. If you want a good view of London or if you have the desire to fly a kite, head up to Parliament Hill. If you just want to sit and sun yourself, the entrance near to Gail's and Hampstead underground is good. For walking - everywhere. Bring your dog, they'll love it.
Word or warning, don't arrange to meet someone "on hampstead heath" you'll never find each other as phone reception around is a bit dodge and it massive.
Listed in: Happy Places in London, People Watching Perfection, London's Sunshine Spots, Hampstead Guide
Hampstead Heath
28/4/2010
Hampstead Heath, i always have fond memories of. For a number of years i have attended the Kenwood Festival and enjoyed the atmosphere, getting sloshed with wine and enjoying good food, ooh yes and the fireworks - great.
I also have fond memories of my kids dressed up as superman and entertaining all the other visitors.
Hampstead Heath
30/3/2010
Agree with Thomas A - thank god for GPS! This is one helluva park - and perhaps the most beautiful parks in London.
Lovely for a picnic with the family or friends, particularly by the ponds (if you can find them!). Make sure you get some refreshments from M&S in Hampstead village before you enter the park - you won't want to leave once you're in there!
Hampstead Heath
3/2/2010
I thought Primrose hill was the most beautiful park in London but, after being in Hampstead Heath I will have to review that....
I was there last weekend and the place looked beautiful: it was a cold morning so the lakes were frozen, all the birds standing on it... amazing.
I will come back in summer time and then i will have to make a choice: PH or HH?
Hampstead Heath
14/9/2009
Breathe in, breathe out.
Places like Hampstead Heath make you realize that Walt Whitman was spot on when he said "Either define the moment or the moment will define you."
I accept Time absolutely.
It alone is without flaw,
It alone rounds and completes all,
That mystic baffling wonder.
Love, that is all the earth to lovers -- love, that mocks time and space,
Love, that is day and night -- love, that is sun and moon and stars,
Love, that is crimson, sumptuous, sick with perfume,
No other words but words of love, no other thought but love.
Listed in: London's Best Date Spots, Escape from London, Where to Sweat in London ..., Kid Friendly
Hampstead Heath
27/6/2010
i ADORE this park. it puts nyc's central park and brooklyn's prospect park to shame! might just be my favorite city park ever (sorry, chicago). giant, gorgeous shade trees had me itching to toss off my shoes so as to better climb them. and the "hidden" hill garden and pergolas are lovely beyond belief. i wanted to just stay here in this corner of the world for forever and a day.
Listed in: london
Hampstead Heath
29/6/2009
Ahhhh Hamstead Heath.. how beautiful thou are!
A perfect spot.... just by Parliment Hill, views of the whole of London, sun shining, picnic ....
I love this place !
Hampstead Heath
16/10/2009
Thank goodness for blackberry GPS. If I ever visit the West side of Hampstead, I get hopelessly lost and end up walking in circles. This park is so big though, that they really do have something for everyone. If you want trees with your nature, go to the West bit and walk around the forest trails and check out the mini zoo. There's also Kenwood House and their gardens on the West side, so try to run through there and check out some of the vines and flowers before making your way to the East side of Hampstead to go to Parliament hill and get an amazing view of the city, one that certainly rivals Primrose hill. There's a lot of grassy rolling hills in the middle so you can stake one out and feel like you're out in the countryside, they don't get too busy either so it's a great place to escape from tourists.
The East side of the park is also home to the swimming ponds (one for women only, men only, and one mixed), tennis courts, bocce ball area, and a lot more people watching. You know this is where George Michael got arrested for... yeah, that still goes on in some spots and if you know what kinds of people to keep an eye out for it actually makes for a hilarious drinking game "cottager, drink!" "we already saw that one, drink two!!".
If it wasn't so expansive, I'd probably only give it 4 stars but the variety of the heath makes it at least 3 parks in one.
Listed in: Feeling Touristy?, Park Life
Hampstead Heath
After getting lost in Highgate I stumbled across what looked like a stunning park. My shocking geography skills meant I had no idea that I had come across the north eastern tip of Hampstead Heath. Not only this but I found tennis courts galore, bowls, pétanque pitches and a whole calender of theatre going on every month.
The people sunning themselves on this particular day had that easy relaxed vibe of affluent young professionals. There wasn't a crazy in sight. I fell in love with Highgate so wanted to study the heath a little closer, in the hope of finding another gem of a village. I noticed Golders Green. A few people in the know have told me that Golders Green has some great little spots. I will journey through the park to run the course over this little nook of my beloved north.
I never knew the heath linked so many of north London's best neighbourhoods. The natural mass of green outdoor righteousness known as Hampstead Heath has got so much cooler.
Listed in: My Neighborhood Favourites, My 5* Hotspots, NW3, Why I love London, Where to go when the weather's…
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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17/1/2009
Struggling with where to go on New Years Eve, I really wanted to see some fireworks but didn't fancy… Read more »
Hampstead Heath
24/3/2010
This park was apparently the inspiration for Narnia. Where else can you ponder life and get completely and utterly lost. The trees are such characters. Best of all are the bathing ponds. Swimming surrounded by birds, rustling wind, and silence. Once I came across a nest of baby birds in a ring-buoy. Also the view from parliament hill is exquisite. Lots of lovely dogs too. My favorite entrance is the one off Swain's Lane.
Hampstead Heath
22/11/2008
On a hot summer day when you feel like you need some fresh air and scenery from the boiling central London, Hampstead Heath is always like a quick holiday trip.
Huge green spaces with grass to roll in, lakes for swimming and despite it is a popular location there is always enough quiet spots for everyone. After being there several times I still get frustratingly often lost and there is many areas that I haven't seen, or found.
I also love Hampstead, it is like a small town scattered around a hill with great panoramic views over London. The northern location is a bit of an effort but you can easily spend the entire day there and do a refreshing pub tour in the area after the healthy day outside.
Hampstead Heath
25/2/2009
On the Heath lets go and play
especially on a wintry day
when snow just covers trees and ground
and children come and ring around
up and down the slopes they slide
My bro and me in times gone by
skipped the light fantastic, at least we try
and up the hill, we and our coz
sang of the merry wizard of oz
and so it was
Yeah, Hampstead Heath is a wonderful fairyland filled with trees and plants and flowers where you can wander for hours and find all sorts of magical happenings. The bird life and the insect life carry on their daily routines and you have to walk silently. There are byways you think are unexplored because there the timelessness can be felt.
The Heath has been around for what seems ever and there is a wonderful series called Duncton Wood by William Horwood who wrote about the sacred Burrows of Uffington and insiders know that it is based on Hampstead Heath.
I grew up in Coventry and we used to go to Devil's Dungeon in the woods of Sherwood that run through middle England from Nottingham all the way down through the mid-lands We used to walk in these woods, pick bluebells and, in the winter, sleigh down the steep sides of the Dungeon and up the other.
Make sure you visit the Heath and if you have the ears to hear and the eyes to see, you will know the magic.
A
Hampstead Heath
23/12/2008
Being on Hampstead Heath is about as far away as you can get from the busy urban sprawl of London, both physically and mentally as it clings onto north London's fast disappearing bohemia. I really don't think I could survive the city without it.
I come in all seasons to take advantage of the woodland, meadows and ponds. The space is so much more than a park as it retains an untampered, rustic naturalism about it. It the weather's nice you can take a dip in the ponds (one male, one female only, one mixed) and lounge about as if you were in a Monet; there's no chlorine and lanes here, you are surrounded by nature and it's just such a lovely experience that you can't imagine would be available in London. I've seen some people swimming all year through and it's a tribute that for many this area has become a ritually holistic haven.
Another couple of key spots not to miss are: Parliament hill, offering the most fabulous panoramic view of our great capital that will really take your breath away. It's really quite humbling. People bang on about Primrose Hill for the perfect romantic setting, but this hill is by far my favourite. Kenwood House, which has a range of all-year events happening including classical music concerts on Summer evenings, and I definitely recommend you take a look at the glamorous library designed by Robert Adams inside. Last but not least the playground! There's nothing like a good swing from time-to-time, so if you've forgotten how much fun it is then no one will bat an eyelid if you want a go here.
Hampstead is such a gorgeous village that you'd be mad not to stop off in one of the country style pubs, cafes or artisan delis on your way home, because believe me, you will have worked up a deserving appetite after spending the day here.
Hampstead Heath
13/6/2009
People, I give you The Heath....
While i am curled up on my sofa, yelping, I can still feel the sun on my face from an day out on the Heath. Today was a perfect Heath Day - although I would argue that every day is a perfect Heath Day.
My fav spots are (in no particular order):
The Ladies Pond: Victorian bathing experience (no men allowed - but there is a mens' pond about 6 min away). The ladies' pond is beautiful and surrounded by big old trees. It's very calm and serene. 2 meadows to lie and sunbath and showers and shared changing room. There are not a lot of places in London where suddenly a flock of dugs land infron tof you while you practise your back strokes - I love it.
Then there is Kenwood House - ok, they recently changed their ice cream supplier and there is no mango sorbet ice anymore but it is still a great place to have coffees and lunches. Its self service with lovely outside space (they do a mean sausage and mash here at lunch time). My friend Nina is completely addicted to their nutty florentine kind of bisquits. Personally I love the poppyseed tuna sandwiches (massive) and the yummy lemonades and coffees. If you do not fancy eating there, pack it up and sit on the grass overlooking Kenwood lake and feeling very regal
Parliament Hill for great views and kite flying - and for running up the hill in the name of fitness and beauty, feeling very sportive and superior after reaching the top. Pretent to enjoy the views to hide the fact that you struggling for air...
Spontaneous picknicks can be easily arranged. Depending on your cash flow (or the choice of your friends) I recommend the Tesco on Swain's Lane or Forks/Corks also on Swain's Lain. Today we spoiled ourselves with a dry, fruity French rose from Corks and a variety of goats cheeses , olives and fresh bread from forks. (If you ask nicely they give you plasic cups and plastic knives).
Beware of curious and ever hungry labradors and cocker spaniels when settling down on the Heath - and there is always the challenge of low flying frisbees or ill thrown balls.
If you feel a little more continental, think Boules. You can rent the Boules/Pétanque place from the tennis booth people - its a great way to fill an afternoon. I once forced about 30 people to wear striped shirts and barets in exchange of countless bottles of Beaujolais and brie and we bouled the whole afternoon. Tes bien!
For nightly delights check out the Heath information as they offer bat walks.
I could go on for ages, mud puddles for adventurous dog owners, secret benches behind gloriously booming azaleas for lovers, woodland paths for runners and great pubs like the Holybush in Hamstead or the Bull&Last between Kentish Town and Highgate to finsh a day on the Heath.
I count my blessings and my freckles that I live only 10 min away - next time you have you inner city blues, come out to play on the Heath!
Hampstead Heath
15/1/2009
Some of the best views of London. I have only been able to go during the winter months, which seem to be the times I am either living or visiting England. However, the rolling hills, gorgeous crisp air, trees and opportunities for busting out the picnic basket make it a must see regardless of the time of year. I am desperate to take a swim in open air swimming pools as well.
Listed in: Graduate Student Nerd Tour
Hampstead Heath
23/11/2008
3 photos
Hampstead Heath is a little slice of Heaven in the heart of London. With trees, grass and lakes which I have found a the ingredients of a park/heath. My friends and I love a Sunday picnic, buying some gourmet ingredients from the surrounding shops and parking our hangover selves down for a spot of cards or magazine reading. Beautiful.
Hampstead Heath
22/11/2008
I was inspired to write a review for HH after seeing Leon's... It is truly one of my favourite spots in the "city".
Unfortunately, I don't get up there too often as it is quite a trek (or feels so) from the depths of west/central London but what a welcome respite. The forest feels fantastical (like an ancient wood), and the view from the heath's peak on a quiet day is almost spiritual. It also makes me want a dog - or a kite.
Best of all, you can finish your walk with a pint at the Holly Bush.
Hampstead Heath
30/12/2008
Hampstead Heath has got to be one of my favourite London parks. At 790 acres it is London's largest ancient parkland, with ponds, woodland, a lido, running tracks and playgrounds among it's many attractions.
In the summer the ponds are open for swimming and are split into male, female and mixed sections. The rolling hills make you forget for a while that you're in London, I'm so used to the flatness of city parks, this makes a welcoming change. Most people need an escape from urban life and this is definitely one of the best places to go for that.
With a beautiful view across London, this is also a good spot to watch firework displays on bonfire night!
