Hampstead

Hampstead is the closest London gets to a storybook village: Georgian lanes, proper old pubs, and the wild 800-acre Heath with its famous swimming ponds and the free art-filled Kenwood House. It's wealthy and unhurried rather than buzzy — come for a long walk, a swim, and a pub lunch, not nightlife.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

What's the view from Parliament Hill?

The classic protected panorama of the whole London skyline, St Paul's to the Shard, from a grassy kite-flying hilltop. It's free, it's a 10-minute climb from Hampstead Heath Overground, and it's best at sunset or crisp winter mornings. Bring a coffee and take your time.

Is Hampstead expensive?

It's one of London's wealthiest postcodes and café and restaurant prices reflect that. But the best of it — the Heath, Parliament Hill, Kenwood House — is completely free, and a pond swim is under a fiver. Bring a picnic and it's one of the cheapest great days in London.

What's the difference between Hampstead village and the Heath?

The village is the pretty, boutique-lined bit around the tube station; the Heath is the huge park stretching east and north of it. Do both: wander Flask Walk and Church Row first, then walk onto the Heath toward Kenwood or Parliament Hill. Allow at least three hours for the combination.

Which pubs should I go to in Hampstead?

The Holly Bush (tucked in the back lanes, all dark wood and firelight), the Spaniards Inn (a 1585 coaching inn on the Heath's edge with a big garden), and the Flask are the classics. Sunday roasts book out — reserve ahead or go for a weekday lunch.

Is Kenwood House free?

Yes — the English Heritage-run house on the Heath's northern edge is free to enter, and it holds a genuinely great picture collection including a Rembrandt self-portrait and a Vermeer. The grounds and café make a natural end point for a Heath walk. Check current opening days on the English Heritage site before a special trip.

How do I get to Hampstead?

Hampstead station on the Northern line's Edgware branch puts you right in the village — fair warning, it's the deepest station on the network, so take the lift, not the 300-plus stairs. For the Parliament Hill side of the Heath, Hampstead Heath Overground station is more direct.

How big is Hampstead Heath?

Around 800 acres of genuinely wild-feeling woods, meadows, and ponds — it's easy to lose the city entirely for an hour, and honestly easy to lose your bearings too. Ancient woodland, swimming ponds, and Kenwood are the highlights. Wear real shoes; it gets properly muddy after rain.

Can I swim in the Hampstead Heath ponds?

Yes — the Men's, Kenwood Ladies', and Mixed ponds plus Parliament Hill Lido are run by the City of London, with single adult swims around £4-5. The Ladies' and Men's ponds are open year-round; in summer, popular sessions use a mix of pre-booked and walk-up tickets, so book online for busy weekends. It's cold, muddy-bottomed, lifeguarded, and glorious.

Nearby in Ask London

• Hampstead Heath & the Swimming PondsPark1.17 km · 15 min walk
• Golders Hill ParkPark1.46 km · 18 min walk
• Spiritual BarBar2.46 km · 31 min walk
• CamdenNeighborhood2.72 km · 34 min walk
• Regent's Park & Primrose HillPark3.11 km · 39 min walk