Hampstead Heath

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 / 51.56028; -0.16083
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.