Organised sport
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Results of 2008 Duathlon (19kb)
The Heath is a popular open space for organised sport, with at
least 16 different sports taking place. Some have a high reputation
and profile; Hampstead Heath is traditionally regarded as the home
of British cross-country running. With a lack of open space in
surrounding boroughs and large local populations, the Heath has a
crucial role to play in providing sporting opportunities and
promoting good health. Recent developments include a re-laid 400
metre athletics track, a new pétanque pitch and new volleyball
facilities.
There are eight different areas for children's play. The
Parliament Hill playground has undergone an award-winning
refurbishment and seeks to challenge children, encouraging them to
take controlled risks in a safe environment. The Peggy Jay Centre
One O’clock Club provides an extremely popular facility for 5s and
under. The Adventure Playground offers programmed activities for
school groups and children on non-school days.
Many of the Heath's facilities are offered free or at very
reasonable prices.
Download sports charges and
information (54kb)
Angling
Angling on the Heath is allowed between 16 June and 14 March
inclusive at the Vale of Health, Viaduct, Mixed Bathing, Hampstead
No 2, Model Boating and Men's Bathing ponds. You will need a
current Environment Agency rod license to obtain a free annual
fishing permit from the Parliament Hill office near Highgate Road
(or the nearby tennis hut at weekends). City of London staff may
ask to see your permit or rod license and will be checking for
compliance with the Hampstead Heath Fishing Regulations.
Download the Fishing
Regulations (28kb)
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For important information on fishing permits, regulations, swans
and dates for your diary download Fishing Matters:
Fishing Matters (47kb)
Athletics
The Parliament Hill Athletics Track
is categorised by UK Athletics as Class 1 and includes a
recently re-surfaced eight-lane all-weather running track.
Download the Parliament Hill Athletics Track
regulations (45kb)
Cricket regulations
Cricket pitches and net facilities are available at Parliament
Hill and the Heath extension.
Download the cricket regulations
here (42kb)
Croquet
A new croquet lawn has opened in Golders Hill Park, the first
fully public lawn in North London. Also new is the Hampstead Heath
Croquet Club.
Download details of how to play croquet on
Hampstead Heath (42kb)
Orienteering
The Hampstead Heath orienteering course ranges all over the
Heath and can be adapted for different levels of difficulty.
Orienteering maps and information are available from the Hampstead
Heath Athletics Track or can also be downloaded from the
London OK website.
Tennis
Hard courts are available at Parliament Hill and Golders Hill
Park. Grass courts are available at Golders Hill park from April to
September, turf permitting.
Tennis coaching is available for adults and children during the
summer, with qualified LTA coaches. Download PDFs here:
Tennis coaching courses for adults and
children (25kb)
Application form for tennis coaching
courses (67kb)
Guide to tennis skills levels for coaching
courses (37kb)
Running
Find out how to
Start running on Hampstead Heath
(1.2mb)
Short: 2km/1.25 miles in yellow
Medium: 3km/1.9 miles in green
Long: 5km/3.1 miles in red
View the suggested running routes
(145kb)
Swimming
Go to the
swimming page