Hampstead Heath
An untamed 800-acre heath in north London — swimming ponds, woodland walks and Parliament Hill's postcard skyline view, all free.
The call
Worth it if you are watching the budget and you only have one day.
Why
- 01
It feels like proper countryside ten minutes from a Tube stop: wild-swimming ponds, lazy meadows, and a view from Parliament Hill that locals fiercely love.
Our read - 02
The honest catch: it's deliberately rough and unmanicured, easy to get lost in, and a fair way from the tourist trail.
Our read
Is it a fit?
Go if
You are watching the budget
Hampstead Heath earns the spend, even on a tight budget.
You only have one day
Short trip or not, keep Hampstead Heath.
You are traveling with kids
With kids, Hampstead Heath is an easy yes.
You are traveling as a couple
As a couple, Hampstead Heath is an easy yes.
Think twice if
You are planning for two
Hampstead Heath offers some romance, but not enough to make it the reason to go.
Plan it well
- Cost
- Free (ponds ~£4)
- Timing
- Dry days for the views and walking; the ponds are best in warmer months.
- Booking
- Free entry; the swimming ponds charge a small fee on the day.
- Allow
- 2–3 hrs
- Accessibility
- Some surfaced paths near the entrances, but much of the heath is rough and hilly.
- Getting there
- Hampstead Tube or Hampstead Heath / Gospel Oak Overground.