Hampstead Heath | Hacker News Reader

Hampstead Heath

hampsteadheath.net

77 pointssusam31 comments

One of the best things about living in London. If you visit, take a walk there and then end up in one of the many brilliant pubs nearby - The Holly Bush, Wells, Spainard’s Inn, Magdala, Garden Gate, or sit in Keats’ house’s garden.

Also probably of interest to the HN crowd: in years past I set up a philosophy meetup on the heath that is still going strong (thanks Sam!) - https://www.meetup.com/london-philosophy-walks/events/290653...

Perhaps before starting a walk buy a crêpe at La Crêperie de Hampstead, if the queue isn't so bad. The crêpes make excellent walking companions.

Check out Roger Ebert's walk.

One of my favourite stories is of the guy who dug a place to live in HH.

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2020/mar/05/invisible-city-...

I did not grow up in the UK, and am now in my late 40s, but I was already familiar with Hampstead Heath as a 10 year old, through https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hampstead_(video_game)

I would love a modern remake of this.

> Players of Hampstead begin the game in a filthy council flat wearing only their underwear, but must rise from these humble beginnings to woo “Pippa, a beautiful model” and win a high-paid job in the City with which they can buy cars and a house on Hampstead Heath.

https://www.independent.co.uk/games/hampstead-the-social-cli...

It's a wonderful place. I was recently visiting London (where I grew up), and in not the best mental health, and I pulled over the car by the Heath and went exploring. It did wonders for my soul.

Used to live a 15 minute walk away with my (now) wife and we would spend every Saturday walking through different routes ending up at The Stag (great pub). Such a wonderful place, really felt like the countryside yet in the city… fond memories.

A park you can get (a little) lost in is a wonderful thing

In answer to the question "Do you know the location of the Sequoia (Redwood) tree?" there are two - see details and photos at http://www.redwoodworld.co.uk/picturepages/hampstead.htm .

Worth exploring hampsteadheath.net for other places of interest to try to find on Hampstead Heath, e.g. https://www.hampsteadheath.net/landmarks and https://www.hampsteadheath.net/ghost .

And plenty of other places not listed there, e.g. the old orchard, the hollow tree, 4 of London's 13 protected views[0], 2 old ice houses, the old duelling ground, etc.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protected_view

A hidden gem inside it is the Hill Garden / Pergola.

"The Pergola is a popular spot for photo shoots and weddings - you can find information about using the venue for those purposes here"

There goes the hidden gem!

I never thought of it as hidden gem, maybe it still is.

And... officially it is..

"The Pergola is one of the hidden delights of Hampstead Heath."

https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/ha...

It still kinda is, a lot of people that know about the park don't know about the Pergola since it's not in the biggest part that has the popular view of London.

Every Easter my kids school would have "Easter egg" hunt on the Heath. The "eggs" were chocolates hidden in the bushes and children would compete on who found the most.

Parliament Hill has great views of the city - probably the most elevated viewpoint in North London. Went there yesterday - gets super quiet after 10pm unlike Primrose.

I was there earlier. It's always great, even when busy (which Parliament Hill very much was this afternoon).

George Smiley knew it well.

"bloody Hampstead" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vYAyq5l2Bs&t=2661s

Hampstead Heath, one of the premier cruising destinations in London. Where else you you go for a stroll and see a pair of naked buttocks sticking out of a bush?

In Europe, according to many

A gay colleague of mine many years ago used to regale us with his comical cruising misadventures on the heath.

Golders Hill Park next door is nice too, and has a fun little (free) zoo.

I had my first date on the Heath back as a 14 year old:)

Not sure what relevance this has to tech.

For those not in the know, this is the favorite living/gathering place of London's Champagne socialists.

ha ha!

And the late George Michael…

I'd say Hampstead Heath is more old-money; Primrose Hill perhaps?

> For those not in the know, this is the favorite living/gathering place of London's Champagne socialists.

Are you a real socialist as opposed to champagne socialist? Could you explain the different?

Reply on news.ycombinator.com