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Hampstead Heath


Hampstead Heath e-newsletter The Hampstead Heath e-newsletter: turn on the HEATh

Click on this image or on the link below to view the first edition of the Hampstead Heath e-newsletter.

Download the Hampstead Heath e-newsletter (3.24mb)

Hampstead Heath is one of London’s most popular open spaces, situated just six kilometres (four miles) from Trafalgar Square. An island of beautiful countryside, the magic of Hampstead Heath lies not only in its rich mosaic of flora and fauna and extensive recreational facilities, but also in its proximity and accessibility to millions of people.

The City of London  has managed all of Hampstead Heath, apart from the Kenwood area, since 1989. Acquired by its predecessors under various Acts of Parliament between 1871 and 1906, the Heath covers 320 hectares (791 acres) within two London boroughs - Camden, 276 hectares (681 acres), and Barnet, 44 hectares (110 acres). This total includes the 45 hectares (112 acres) at Kenwood which are maintained by English Heritage.

Hampstead Heath Wildlife

For seasonal wildlife and conservation updates on Hampstead Heath go to our Wildlife Heath happenings page.

Hampstead Heath Diary

View the Hampstead Heath Diary (2.82mb) which runs from April 2009 to March 2010 and provides information on all Heath facilities and management. Download the Guide to Events section of the Hampstead Heath Diary (751kb).

The tree-covered Tumulus Hampstead Heath's landscape is varied with woodland, meadows, fragments of heathland  and strings of ponds along its valleys. With its origins in former countryside, long-established features such as hedgerows and ancient trees provide links with the past. The range of wildlife is impressive for an urban site visited by so many people. Kingfishers, reed warblers and all three species of British woodpecker breed. Over 300 species of fungi have been recorded and it is one of the best places in London to see a number of species of bats.


Hampstead Heath is managed from the main staff yards at Parliament Hill (covering East Heath and the area up to Kenwood) and Golders Hill (covering Hampstead Heath Extension, Sandy Heath, the Hill Garden and Pergola and West Heath). The Superintendent and administrative staff are based near the Heath at Highgate. If you are interested in helping to keep Hampstead Heath such a special place for people and wildlife contact the volunteer corps Heath Hands.

Hampstead Heath - have your say!

Summer on the HeathA website www.greenstat.org.uk has been set up to record feedback and provide local residents with the opportunity to comment on how open spaces nationwide are managed and maintained. The City of London will be able to access this information and compare results on Hampstead Heath with other open spaces up and down the country.

Greenstat logo

We would very much welcome your involvement. Please visit www.greenstat.org.uk and click on the London region, where you will then see a list of organisations – please chose ‘City of London’ which is conveniently located at the very top of the page. You will then be asked to select whether you wish to comment on the Service provided by City of London, or to comment on a specific Open Space. If you select option 2 ‘Park or Open Space’ you will be given a list of City of London open spaces to comment on – please select ‘Hampstead Heath’ from this list and you will then be taken through an online survey.


Green Flag AwardHampstead Heath has received the Green Flag Award for over ten consecutive years. The award scheme is managed by a consortium consisting of Environmental Campaigns (ENCAMS), BTCV and GreenSpace and is the national benchmark against which the quality of public open space is measured. It recognises and awards the best green spaces in the country. More information about the award can be found on the Green Flag Award website.


Last modified: 14 January 2010 | Author: David Bentley
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