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Sport and recreation


Organised sport

Hampstead Heath runner, Credit: Glynn Robert Hampstead 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, Hampstead 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, a new croquet lawn and new volleyball facilities.

Download a list of charges for using sports facilities on the Heath (71kb) as of 1 April 2012
Download the Sports Pages of the 2012/13 Hampstead Heath Diary (568kb)
Download the entire 2012/13 Hampstead Heath Diary (5.5mb) for details of all events, facilities and management.

The Wellbeing Festival

The Wellbeing Festival is our campaign to encourage, engage and inspire communities to use open spaces for positive recreation to enhance health and well being.  We would like to encourage you to use your local open space for walking, cycling, riding or any activity that means you enjoy the fresh air and outdoor environment in your area.

English National Cross Country Championships 2009 English National Cross Country Championships 2012

The first great national sporting event of the Olympic year took place at Parliament Hill on Saturday 25 February, as cross country running returned to its spiritual home. With perfect weather and a record number of participants - by some margin - this was a truly great day. All the results are available on the English Cross Country Association website.

Fishing

Fishing is allowed at the Men’s Pond, the Model Boating Pond, the Hampstead No 2 Pond, the Mixed Pond, the Viaduct Pond and the Vale of Health Pond. Fishing is not permitted on Hampstead Heath between 15 March and 15 June, inclusive. Anglers on Hampstead Heath must have a current Environment Agency licence and a Hampstead Heath fishing permit; call 020 7332 3773.

Download the Hampstead Heath Angling Leaflet (2.45mb)
Visit the Environment Agency website

The Hampstead Heath Anglers Society promotes responsible angling on the Heath. Phone 07941 462 279 or visit http://hhasoc.wordpress.com for details.

You must keep your area tidy and protect wildlife by disposing of old line and tackle in the bin. 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)

Athletics

Athletics Track 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. To book the Athletics Track telephone 020 7332 3773.

Download the Parliament Hill Athletics Track regulations (45kb)

Cricket regulations

Cricket pitches and net facilities are available at Parliament Hill and the Heath Extension. To book all cricket pitches and nets telephone 020 7332 3773, except for the Heath Extension practice nets when you should telephone 020 8201 8182.

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)
Visit the website of the Hampstead Heath Croquet Club

Football and Rugby

Football pitches (Parliament Hill and the Heath Extension) and rugby pitches (the Heath Extension) are available from September to March. To book pitches telephone 020 7332 3773.

Orienteering

The Hampstead Heath orienteering course ranges all over the Heath and can be adapted for different levels of difficulty. There is also a course at Golders Hill Park which is especially suitable for young people. Orienteering maps and information can 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 at Parliament Hill, with qualified LTA coaches.

Please see below the 2012 schedules and application form for tennis coaching courses.
Guide to tennis skills levels (34kb)
Children's tennis course schedule 2012 (35kb)
Adult's tennis course schedule 2012 (35kb)
Application form for tennis coaching 2012 (44kb)

Each course will consist of five lessons held on the same day over five consecutive weeks. Telephone 020 7332 3773 or email hampstead.heath@cityoflondon.gov.uk
for details.


A man running 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)

Parkrun is a free,  informal, timed 5km run held each Saturday at 9am on Hampstead Heath for runners of all abilities.

Swimming 

Go to the Hampstead Heath swimming page

For children

There are eight different areas for children's play on Hampstead Heath. 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.

Download the For Children Pages of the 2012/13 Hampstead Heath Diary (428kb)

Download the 2012/13 Hampstead Heath Diary (5.5mb) for details of all events, facilities and management.


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