UK Travel Guide

Parks

Hampstead Heath

Hampstead Heath is one of London’s most important and popular open spaces. It covers 791 acres just four miles from the centre of London. The poets and novelists Keats, Coleridge and D H Lawrence made the area a fashionable place in which to live. Despite its proximity to London, parts of the Heath have been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) by English Nature, due to the richness of their flora and fauna. There are 25 ponds on the Heath, which also contains areas of ancient woodland, bog, grassland and other types of habitat. All are enhanced and augmented by a continuous conservation programme. Among the resident wildlife are voles, water rats, weasels, grass snakes and slow worms, while badgers and hares also visit. Birdlife includes kestrels, tawny owls and woodpeckers. The Heath’s recreational offerings are similarly diverse, catering for cricketers, athletes, tennis players, bowlers, horse riders, swimmers, model boaters and cross country runners. Special events throughout the year include jazz concerts, fishing teach-ins, fun fairs and children’s summer entertainments. Details of events can be found in the free annual Hampstead Heath diary, available from the Superintendent’s Office on 020 8348 9908.

Located at: Hampstead, London, NW3

Telephone: 020 7482 7073

Opens: Daily

Cost: Free

Closest Subway Station: N/A (Click to see more atrraction at this station)