| Hampstead Heath | |
|---|---|
 Hampstead Heath extension towards Barnet | |
  Location within central London | |
| Type | Public park |
| Location | London, England |
| Coordinates | 51°33′37″N 0°9′39″W / 51.56028°N 0.16083°W |
| Area | 790 acres (320 ha) |
| Operated by | City of London Corporation |
| Status | Open year round |
| Website | City of London: Hampstead Heath |
Hampstead Heath is an ancient heath in London, spanning 320 hectares (790 acres).[1] This grassy public space sits astride a sandy ridge, one of the highest points in London, running from Hampstead to Highgate, which rests on a band of London Clay.[2] The heath is rambling and hilly, embracing ponds, recent and ancient woodlands, a lido, playgrounds, and a training track, and it adjoins the former stately home of Kenwood House and its estate. The south-east part of the heath is Parliament Hill, from which the view over London is protected by law.
Running along its eastern perimeter is a chain of ponds – including three open-air public swimming pools – which were originally reservoirs for drinking water from the River Fleet. The heath is a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation,[3] and part of Kenwood is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Lakeside concerts are held there in summer. The heath is managed by the City of London Corporation, and lies mostly within the London Borough of Camden with the adjoining Hampstead Heath Extension and Golders Hill Park in the London Borough of Barnet.
- ^ David Bentley (12 February 2010). "City of London Hampstead Heath". City of London. Archived from the original on 13 May 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2010.
- ^ "Hampstead: Hampstead Heath – British History Online". british-history.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 8 October 2014. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
- ^ "Hampstead Heath". Greenspace Information for Greater London. 2006. Archived from the original on 24 December 2012. Retrieved 9 September 2012.