Question of the week: Can you recommend a picnic location? "Where better to enjoy a picnic than on Hampstead Heath – with nearly 800 acres of rolling health land, woodland and meadows, and spectacular views across London too! A 20-minute tube ride north on the Edgware branch of the Northern Line takes you to Hampstead Underground Station, in the heart of Hampstead.
Hampstead is a beautifully preserved 17th-century village with many famous houses (e.g. Keats House, The Freud Museum, and Fenton House) as well as traditional pubs (e.g. The Holly Bush and The Flask). The Village has now become an exclusive residential area of London with a high street lined with fashionable shops and boutiques.
On a hot summer’s day, though, the Heath is the main attraction. Turn left out of the tube station and head down Hampstead High Street. Take the first alley on the left-hand side (Flask Walk) and continue walking straight until you reach the Heath at the end of Well Walk. Within 5 minutes you will be enjoying the open fields of the Heath for picnicking, kite flying, and throwing a ball.
For the more adventurous, on the far side of the Heath are the famous ponds, open 365 days a year for those hardy enough to swim outdoors.
For culture vultures, there is also Kenwood House, a magnificent Palladian Villa set in its own parkland and containing a wonderful collection of Old Master paintings. No wonder that Londoners flock to the Heath when the sun comes out!"
- Prof O'Boyle
* Photo by M.J.S., used under Creative Commons, with thanks.
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