Hampstead Heath

What makes it special

Hampstead Heath is closer to woodland with trails than a garden with paths. Its high point is Parliament Hill, 98 metres above sea level. From the summit you can pick out St Paul's Cathedral, the Shard, the Gherkin and the Palace of Westminster.

The Highgate Ponds were first dug in the 17th century as reservoirs for London's drinking water. Three of the Heath's ponds are now kept for swimming: the Kenwood Ladies' Pond, the Highgate Men's Pond and the Hampstead Mixed Pond.

Kenwood House, on Hampstead Lane, hangs Rembrandt's Self-Portrait with Two Circles, one of his last works, and The Guitar Player, one of only 37 known paintings by Vermeer. Gainsborough, Turner and Constable are in the collection too.

Visiting

Climbing Parliament Hill from the southern entrance gives you the view over London first. After the view, walk on past the Highgate Ponds and continue up the hill until Kenwood House comes into view.

Kenwood House opens daily from 10am to 4pm, with last entry at 3.30pm, and you walk in without booking. Time the walk so you reach the door before last entry.

Swimming runs by session, either at the Parliament Hill Lido, an unheated 60 metre open-air pool, or at the bathing ponds. From late May to early September, bookable sessions go on sale online at 8pm each day for up to seven days ahead, and drop-in sessions are paid on arrival. The rest of the year, every session is a drop-in.

Through the winter the Lido, the Ladies' Pond and the Men's Pond stay open. The ponds are deep and the water is opaque, so swim there only if you are at ease out of your depth. Evening sessions at the Lido are lane swimming for adults (18+) only.

Tips

Wear shoes you do not mind getting dirty, because the Heath paths can get very muddy. There are no lockers at the bathing ponds, so leave valuables you do not need at home. The Kenwood Ladies' Pond has lifeguards, changing areas, showers and toilets.

If you swim in the colder months, go in slowly and keep your time in the water short.