As we say goodbye to what was a long, cold winter, and smile at the sight of crocuses emerging from the ground, there’s a certain place in north London which is the perfect spot to lose yourself on a long, rambling walk.
Yes, it’s Hampstead Heath, a stone’s throw from La Gaffe Hotel and known to many who live in the British capital as ‘the green lung of London’.
Stretching over 800 acres, it’s filled with ancient woodlands, wildflower meadows, huge towering trees, and ponds filled with wildlife. And springtime on Hampstead Heath is a particularly magical experience because everywhere you turn, there’s beauty. Pink and white cherry blossoms fill the green spaces, daffodils are springing up in golden clusters and the gentle hum of bees is in the air. This is a place to wander aimlessly, picnic under an ancient oak, or simply find a quiet bench to take in the view and appreciate everything you see around you.
So what should you look out for, if you’re wandering on the Heath in the springtime?
1. Kenwood House: A Step Back in Time
No visit to Hampstead Heath is complete without a visit to Kenwood House. Situated on the northern edge of the Heath, this beautiful 18th-century neoclassical villa is filled with beautiful treasures. not to mention sweeping lawns, ornate gardens, and peaceful woods behind the building.
Kenwood House itself, once the residence of Lord Mansfield and later remodeled by famed architect Robert Adam, houses a remarkable art collection. Inside, you can marvel at masterpieces by Vermeer, Rembrandt, Gainsborough, and Turner, all free to view. Outside, the exterior is a sight to behold - and the view through the window - a serene lake, framed by blooming rhododendrons and azaleas - is utterly charming.
The winding paths around Kenwood all lead to hidden clearings and shaded nooks, making the perfect place for a quiet afternoon walk. And next door to the house is a lovely cafe, where you can stop for tea and cake, or even an ice cream!
2. Parliament Hill: City Views to Die For
One of Hampstead Heath’s most celebrated features is Parliament Hill, an iconic spot famous for offering one of the best natural panoramas of the London skyline. In spring, the walk to Parliament Hill is a particularly lovely journey - with the hawthorn trees blooming - and on a clear day, the view stretches from the glittering skyscrapers of the City to the London Eye and beyond.
Locals and visitors love to gather here at sunrise and sunset, sometimes with cameras, often with coffee or a book, to take in the sight. Parliament Hill is also a fine spot for early morning joggers, families with strollers and dog walkers and, despite its popularity, it retains a welcoming feel.
3. The Bathing Ponds: Open-Air Swimming at its Finest
For those willing to brave the often bracing waters, the Hampstead Heath bathing ponds offer a quintessentially British experience. Spring marks the beginning of the outdoor swimming season (although many hardy swimmers brave the freezing waters year-round!)
There are three ponds: the Men’s Pond, the Ladies’ Pond, and the Mixed Pond, each with its own devoted community of regulars and its own distinct atmosphere. Surrounded by weeping willows, alder trees, and lush undergrowth, the ponds are the perfect escape from city life. The water is fresh, fed by natural springs, and the exhilaration you’ll feel after an early morning swim, as mist rises off the water and birds chirp in the surrounding woods is something you won’t forget in a hurry.
The ponds’ changing facilities are basic, but the authenticity of the experience is what it’s all about. And In springtime, as the ponds warm slightly and the sun glints off their surfaces, they become even more appealing. A post-swim sunbathe on the grassy banks is the perfect way to dry off and soak in the beauty of the Heath.
4. The Hill Garden and Pergola - Romantic Beauty at Every Turn
Located on the West Heat, and originally part of the estate of Lord Leverhulm (a wealthy Edwardian businessman) this crumbling yet glorious pergola weaves through landscaped gardens.
In spring, wisteria, roses, and clematis wind their way over the classical columns, and the scent of flowers fills the air.
It's one of Hampstead Heath's most romantic spots and a very popular place for wedding photography!
5. The Vale of Health - Crooked Cottages and British Pubs
This tiny ‘village’ close to South End Green is an enclave nestled within the Heath. Here you can find crooked cottages, narrow lanes, and a pond where the trees’ reflection has Instagrammers from all over the world flocking. There are some fine pubs nearby - including the Freemasons Arms and the Magdala - and the Vale feels a world away from London, though it's mere minutes from bustling Hampstead Village.
6. Viaduct Bridge and Viaduct Pond - Victorian Beauty
This Grade II listed structure is a marvellous relic of a Victorian landscaping project, built between 1844 and 1847. The grand stone bridge arches over a small, peaceful pond that's home to moorhens, ducks and even the occasional kingfisher. In spring, the pond is rimmed with yellow irises and tall grasses, creating a living watercolor scene.
All around are endless lesser-trodden paths: sunken trails surrounded by gnarled hawthorns, tiny clearings with fallen logs perfect for a rest - keep a look out and you’ll often be rewarded with sudden glimpses of foxes, rabbits, and countless bird species. The truth is, you could wander through Hampstead Heath for years and still stumble across something new every time.
Yes, this is a place that few visit and don’t fall in love with. For families flying kites on Parliament Hill, artists sketching the blossoms near Kenwood House, swimmers bracing themselves as they plunge into the e ponds, or solitary walkers losing themselves among the bluebells and wood anemones, everyone should walk around this ‘green lung’ at least once. And if you visit it in spring, you’ll soon remember that even in a city as busy as London, untamed and beautiful nature is not hard to find.
If you’re coming to the British capital and need a place to stay, then why consider our comfortable guest accommodation at La Gaffe? Set in leafy Hampstead, arguably one of the capital’s most beautiful areas, we’re family-owned and family-run and really go the extra mile to make you feel at home.
We’re just three minutes walk from Hampstead tube (on the Northern line) and then it’s a fifteen minute tube ride into the city centre, so you get both the charming ‘village’ feel of our neighbourhood and the opportunity to enjoy some ‘bright lights, big city’ atmosphere too.
Feel free to contact us by email or phone or by clicking here to book a room directly. We look forward to welcoming you.