Hampstead Heath and Parliament Hill
London, United Kingdom; Suggested start: Parliament Hill Fields entrance, Highgate Road, London
Hampstead Heath offers a different idea of London from the carefully composed spaces around its major monuments. Open grass, woodland and changes in level give the landscape a more informal character, with the city appearing at intervals beyond it. Parliament Hill provides the defining view, but the approach through the Heath is part of the pleasure. Use the hill as an orientation point, then allow time to follow a route through the wider green space. The experience is less about reaching a single destination than noticing how quickly the city’s density gives way to room, weather and changing vegetation. It is particularly valuable in a short guide because it shows an aspect of London that central sightseeing can easily miss. The City of London manages the Heath and publishes maps, activity information and accessibility guidance. Choose a route suited to the weather and your mobility, and treat swimming facilities as separate activities with their own rules and arrangements. A walk does not need to include a swim to be worthwhile. The Heath’s ranking reflects its combination of landscape, everyday recreation and a memorable perspective on the capital.