Description
Hampstead Heath falls within 2 London boroughs, the largest proportion being in LB Camden. It has immense historical content; a Saxon charter referred to the 'great ditch' in the Domesday Survey, and a Royal Charter of 1227 to woods and heath enclosed on all sides by ditches which along with boundary oaks and stones that are still visible today. The Heath has a great variety of habitats including ancient woodland, meadows, wetland, hedgerows, parkland and 26 ponds some of which were built to serve London with its water supply. In 1871 the Metropolitan Board of Works purchased the manorial rights for the public in perpetuity through an Act of Parliament; subsequently further land was added. The City of London has managed all of Hampstead Heath, apart from the Kenwood area, since 1989.
Practical Information
| Site location | East Heath Road/West Heath Road/Spaniards Road/Hampstead Lane/North End Way |
|---|---|
| Postcode | NW3/N6 |
| What3Words | ///chips.brief.solar |
| Type of Site | Public Open Land |
| Borough | Camden |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Facilities | bathing, toilets |
| Events | Numerous events (annually produced Hampstead Heath Diary provides full information) |
| Public Transport | London Overground: Hampstead Heath. Bus: 210, 268, 24, 168. |
| Research Updated | 1 February 2010 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Hampstead Heath falls within 2 London boroughs, the largest proportion being in LB Camden. It boasts immense historical content; a Saxon charter refers to the 'great ditch' in the Domesday survey, and a Royal Charter of 1227 refers to woods and heath enclosed on all sides by ditches which along with boundary oaks and stones that are still visible today. A vast expanse of land 4 miles from the City, the Heath has a unique variety of habitats including ancient woodland, meadows, wetland, hedgerows, parkland and 26 ponds some of which were built to serve London with its water supply. The C19th saw rapid growth in London and Sir Thomas Maryon Wilson, Lord of the Manor of Hampstead, was anxious to exploit his position on the fringes of built-up London and employed Joseph Gwilt to lay out his East Park estate which was to be developed with exclusive villas. The viaduct bridge built c.1845 which still remains was the only part of this scheme ever undertaken and was accordingly known as "Wilson's Folly", Wilson failing to obtain Parliamentary authority for the enclosure of his land. A circular brick Keeper's Hut with conical tiled roof built in 1840s, probably to demarcate the south-western boundary of Sir Thomas Maryon Wilson's estate.
In 1871 the Metropolitan Board of Works purchased the manorial rights for the public in perpetuity. The 1894 Ordnance Survey map identifies the box as a police hut. Public conveniences built c.1889-94, designed by the London County Council Architects' Department and probably erected as part of the LCC municipal improvement campaign for Hampstead Heath which led to fears for the loss of the Heath's wilder charms. Additions to the Heath were the grounds of Kenwood (q.v.) added in 1924; Hill Garden and Pergola (q.v.) in 1959; Hampstead Heath Extension; and Golders Hill Park (q.v.)..Bathing has long been popular on Hampstead Heath and the Highgate Ponds continue to provide men's and ladies' ponds that have been used for nearly 100 years. At one time there were high diving boards and in the 1930s the Highgate Diving Club practiced here, their Aquatic Carnivals attracting thousands of spectators. The Hampstead Mixed Pond, located off East Heath Road, is fed by natural springs via the Viaduct Pond and Vale of Health Pond.
In March 1950, a ski jump competition was held on Hampstead Heath, but despite plans to repeat this event it never recurred. The ski jump, which was nearly full-size and had real snow and skiers, was the creation of the Central Council of Physical Recreation, together with the Ski Club of Great Britain and the Oslo Ski Association. The team of 25 Norwegian skiers brought 45 tons of snow with them, packed in wooden boxes insulated by dry ice. The jump was supported by a 60 ft scaffolding tower, giving skiers a 100ft run-up to the jumping point 12ft above the ground. The event was known as the London ski jumping competition, with a trial contest involving just the Norwegian skiers before the main event, which was a contest between Oxford and Cambridge Universities: the University Challenge Cup. It was witnessed by thousands of people, for most of whom it was the very first time they had seen ski jumping. The Oxford team won, captained by C. Huitfeldt, while the London Challenge Cup open to all competitors was won by Arne Hoel of Oslo. Although an official proclaimed at the time that it had been "such an unqualified success that we are very much hoping it will become one of the country's major sporting features", the ski jump competition was never repeated.
In 1871 the Metropolitan Board of Works purchased the manorial rights for the public in perpetuity. The 1894 Ordnance Survey map identifies the box as a police hut. Public conveniences built c.1889-94, designed by the London County Council Architects' Department and probably erected as part of the LCC municipal improvement campaign for Hampstead Heath which led to fears for the loss of the Heath's wilder charms. Additions to the Heath were the grounds of Kenwood (q.v.) added in 1924; Hill Garden and Pergola (q.v.) in 1959; Hampstead Heath Extension; and Golders Hill Park (q.v.)..Bathing has long been popular on Hampstead Heath and the Highgate Ponds continue to provide men's and ladies' ponds that have been used for nearly 100 years. At one time there were high diving boards and in the 1930s the Highgate Diving Club practiced here, their Aquatic Carnivals attracting thousands of spectators. The Hampstead Mixed Pond, located off East Heath Road, is fed by natural springs via the Viaduct Pond and Vale of Health Pond.
In March 1950, a ski jump competition was held on Hampstead Heath, but despite plans to repeat this event it never recurred. The ski jump, which was nearly full-size and had real snow and skiers, was the creation of the Central Council of Physical Recreation, together with the Ski Club of Great Britain and the Oslo Ski Association. The team of 25 Norwegian skiers brought 45 tons of snow with them, packed in wooden boxes insulated by dry ice. The jump was supported by a 60 ft scaffolding tower, giving skiers a 100ft run-up to the jumping point 12ft above the ground. The event was known as the London ski jumping competition, with a trial contest involving just the Norwegian skiers before the main event, which was a contest between Oxford and Cambridge Universities: the University Challenge Cup. It was witnessed by thousands of people, for most of whom it was the very first time they had seen ski jumping. The Oxford team won, captained by C. Huitfeldt, while the London Challenge Cup open to all competitors was won by Arne Hoel of Oslo. Although an official proclaimed at the time that it had been "such an unqualified success that we are very much hoping it will become one of the country's major sporting features", the ski jump competition was never repeated.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ269864 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | City of London Corporation |
| Site Management | Open Spaces Dept.; Hampstead Heath Management Committee |
| Listed Structures | SAM: Boedicea's Grave (mound). LBII: Keeper's Box and attached wall; Public Conveniences c1889-94; Viaduct Bridge |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | Yes: Common (CL18) |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Camden |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Conservation Area Name | all fringes of Heath are CAs |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes - Metropolitan Importance |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | Yes |
| Special Policy Area | Yes - Area of Special Character: Hampstead & Highgate Ridge |
| Other LA Designation | SSSI (West Meadow) part Ancient Woodland |
Gallery
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
Nearby parks and gardens
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
The site was part of the gardens of Hill House, a villa of 1807, remodelled in 1896 and then rebuilt and enlarged by Sir William Lever, later Viscount Leverhulme, who owned the property from 1904-1925. His gardens were laid out in 3 phases as he acquired more land, in 1906 following his purchase of Hill House, renamed The Hill. A second scheme followed his purchase of Heath Lodge to the north-west in 1911, and a third in the 1920s after Cedar Lawn to the south was acquired. The first two schemes were by Thomas Mawson and included an extensive Pergola and formal gardens. Baron Inverforth acquired The Hill in 1926; it was renamed Inverforth House in 1955 when he left it to Manor House Hospital. The property was divided in 1960 and part of the Pergola and Hill Garden opened to the public in 1963. Inverforth House and gardens were sold to developers in the 1990s for private residences. Inverforth House is fronted on the west and south-west by a broad terrace with steps leading to a formal garden with paved rectangular pond and fountain, surrounded by classical urns and pedestals. The garden is visible from The Hill Garden.
The site was part of the gardens of Hill House, a villa of 1807, remodelled in 1896 and then rebuilt and enlarged by Sir William Lever, later Viscount Leverhulme, who owned the property from 1904-1925. His gardens were laid out in 3 phases as he acquired more land, in 1906 following his purchase of Hill House, renamed The Hill. A second scheme followed his purchase of Heath Lodge to the north-west in 1911, and a third in the 1920s after Cedar Lawn to the south was acquired. The first two schemes were by Thomas Mawson and included an extensive Pergola and formal gardens. Baron Inverforth acquired The Hill in 1926; it was renamed Inverforth House in 1955 when he left it to Manor House Hospital. The property was divided in 1960 and part of the Pergola and Hill Garden opened to the public in 1963. Inverforth House and gardens were sold to developers in the 1990s for private residences. Inverforth House is fronted on the west and south-west by a broad terrace with steps leading to a formal garden with paved rectangular pond and fountain, surrounded by classical urns and pedestals. The garden is visible from The Hill Garden.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
The Hill Garden and Pergola were formerly part of the gardens of Hill House, a villa of 1807 that was remodelled in 1896 and rebuilt and enlarged by Sir William Lever, later Viscount Leverhulme, who was owner from 1904-1925. His gardens were laid out in 3 phases, following his purchase of Hill House, renamed The Hill; a second scheme following purchase of Heath Lodge to the north-west in 1911, and a third after he acquired Cedar Lawn in 1914. The first 2 schemes were by Thomas Mawson and included an extensive Pergola and formal gardens. The Hill was acquired by Baron Inverforth in 1926; it was renamed Inverforth House in 1955 when he left it to Manor House Hospital. The property was divided in 1960, the LCC purchasing the western part and north-west part of the pergola, which opened to the public in 1963 as the Hill Garden. In 1991 the part of the pergola owned by the hospital was added to the public gardens. Inverforth House and gardens remain private. The 800ft-long Pergola was restored in 1995 and formal gardens were laid out on former kitchen gardens.
The Hill Garden and Pergola were formerly part of the gardens of Hill House, a villa of 1807 that was remodelled in 1896 and rebuilt and enlarged by Sir William Lever, later Viscount Leverhulme, who was owner from 1904-1925. His gardens were laid out in 3 phases, following his purchase of Hill House, renamed The Hill; a second scheme following purchase of Heath Lodge to the north-west in 1911, and a third after he acquired Cedar Lawn in 1914. The first 2 schemes were by Thomas Mawson and included an extensive Pergola and formal gardens. The Hill was acquired by Baron Inverforth in 1926; it was renamed Inverforth House in 1955 when he left it to Manor House Hospital. The property was divided in 1960, the LCC purchasing the western part and north-west part of the pergola, which opened to the public in 1963 as the Hill Garden. In 1991 the part of the pergola owned by the hospital was added to the public gardens. Inverforth House and gardens remain private. The 800ft-long Pergola was restored in 1995 and formal gardens were laid out on former kitchen gardens.
Hampstead Square Gardens is a small triangular site within which a private garden has been created. A number of the surrounding houses date from the early C18th, and maps of 1762 show a rectangular grove here called The Square. The open space was used in the early C19th by strolling players and then by the Victoria Tea Gardens. In 1850 Christ Church was built here to serve the growing population of Hampstead, which had became too large for St John-at-Hampstead and the parish was sub-divided.
