Hampstead Heath is different from the Royal Parks. It is wilder, older, and less manicured — 790 acres of ancient woodland, meadows, marsh and heath that have remained largely unchanged for centuries. It feels genuinely like countryside in the middle of London, which is exactly what it is.
Parliament Hill
Parliament Hill, at the southern edge of the Heath, rises 98 metres and offers the finest panoramic view of the London skyline from any public hill within the city. On clear days you can see as far as the North Downs in Surrey. It is one of the few places in London where you can fly a kite without embarrassing anyone.
The Ponds
The Heath has three outdoor swimming ponds — one for men, one for women, one mixed — that are open year-round. Wild swimming in London is legal here, subject to Lifeguard control. The ponds are fed by the River Fleet, one of London’s lost rivers. The water is cold, brown, and, according to regular swimmers, absolutely transformative.
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