Hampstead is a lovely, green and welcoming district in north central London and it offers a wealth of open spaces, historical attractions as well as some of the best pubs in the area, a great café scene and a superb selection of restaurants. It is a very desirable place to live and residents enjoy the art scene, the excellent shopping and the vast green spaces of Hampstead Heath. Some of the famous former residents of this neighbourhood include John Keats, William Blake, Ian Fleming and Alfred Tennyson and these days many modern musicians, actors, writers and other celebrities make their home here within this highly desirable neighbourhood.
On a beautiful summer day, exploring Hampstead is an absolute delight. Here are a few of the fun things that you can discover:
Swimming in Hampstead Heath Ponds
Since 1860 the three wooded ponds in Hampstead Heath have been a popular place to take a refreshing dip on a hot summer’s day. There are three ponds, the Highgate Men’s Pond, the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond and the Hampstead Mixed Pond. Only swimmers over eight years of age are allowed and those under the age of 15 must be supervised by an adult. The Ladies’ and Men’s Ponds are the only open water life-guarded swimming facilities that are open to the public every day of the year – but plunging into the chilly waters is much more pleasant in the summer months!
Walking in Hampstead Heath
With a total of 320 hectares, this is the largest green space in London and it offers plenty of space for walkers and hikers to explore. Hampstead Heath is unlike the highly manicured parks of central London, it is a little more rugged as it is a remnant of the great Middlesex Wood. Author C.S. Lewis lived near the wild woodland of Hampstead Heath and it is said that local the ponds and glades inspired the scenery of Narnia. Hike up to the top of Parliament Hill and admire the view over the city of London.
Visiting Kenwood House
This beautiful Regency house is a delightful place to explore, with woodlands and gardens that are a wonderful example of 18th century landscaping. The house itself is a fine example of the work of Robert Adam, who designed much of the interior between 1764 and 1773. At the house there are works on display of art by masters such as Turner, Reynolds, Rembrandt and Vermeer as well as a famous sculpture in the gardens by Henry Moore. In the summer months there is a regular program of outdoor opera that takes place here.
Enjoying One of Hampstead’s Pubs
Another great activity to enjoy on a sunny summer day in Hampstead is to have a drink on an outdoor terrace of one of Hampstead’s excellent pubs. There are several pubs in the neighbourhood that open up their patios and offer drinks and food out in the sunshine. The Engineer is a cosy and welcoming pub with a lovely outdoor beer garden that gets very busy in the summer. The Pembroke Castle also has a very popular beer garden where you can sip a pint in the sunshine on a beautiful day.
Discovering the Home of Keats
The Romantic Poet Keats lived in a home here in Hampstead from 1818 to 1820 before leaving for Rome in the hopes of curing his tuberculosis (although he died of the disease the next year). The interior of this beautiful historic home has been restored to its original decoration, making it a fascinating historic attraction in Hampstead for literature and archecture buffs. The garden is a lovely spot to relax in and it is where the poet composed “Ode to a Nightingale.”
These are just a few of the fun things that you can do in Hampstead, London in the summertime. In the warm months this neighbourhood of London comes to life with plenty of fun things to see and do. If you live in this area or know it well, please feel free to let us know in the comments below about other activities that you enjoy in Hampstead.