Hampstead Heath has over 30 ponds. The larger ones were created in the 17th and 18th centuries as reservoirs for London’s water supplies. Three of the ponds are for swimming, one for men, one for ladies and a mixed sexes pond. The men’s pond is the biggest and from the jetty diving is possible. Across the pond at one end is a dam and this separates the swimmers from the model boating lake. There are changing rooms hidden amongst the trees. Fishing here is also popular.
Other sports catered for on Hampstead Heath include athletics, volleyball and tennis.
On the heath throughout the year there are fun fairs, jazz concerts and children’s summer entertainment.
From the highest point of Parliament Hill can be seen Canary Wharf, NatWest Tower and St. Paul’s Cathedral. It is on Parliament Hill that the young and old alike fly their kites.
On Hampstead Heath is Kenwood House, it was built in the early 18th century. In 1754 it was brought by Lord Mansfield, (it was Lord Mansfield who said that any claves that arrived in England would automatically be set free). He employed Robert Adams to remodel the house and a great library was added as the right wing and an orangerie as the left wing, he also added a third storey.
Hidden behind the house is the old Coach House which is now a coffee house and restaurant.
There are no signposts on the heath so a map may be useful. A rough guide around the heath is that to the south is the Lido, an open air swimming pool, north of this near Highgate are the two single sex swimming ponds and to the west of these is the mixed bathing pond.
The west of the heath is well known as a night-time cruising area for gay me. There have been assault incidents reported around this part of the heath.
Hampstead is an area of North London. The village of Hampstead has more millionaires living there than anywhere else in Britain and some of the most expensive properties in London.
A lot of the luxury housing that was built between 1870-1880 still remains today.
Although in London, Hampstead has managed to keep its village atmosphere and the High Street is still an important place to those who live there.
Hampstead has been home to many famous people including Agatha Christie, William Blake, John Constable, Charles Dickens, John Keats and H G Wells to name but a few. Some of those currently or having recently resided in Hampstead are Russell Crowe, Hugh Grant, Jamie Oliver, Sting, Elizabeth Taylor and Kate Winslet.
The Royal Free Hospital is it is a large teaching hospital situated in Hampstead on Pond Street. It is noted for its work in liver transplanting, dialysis and haematology. It was the first UK hospital to employ a HIV consultant.
Traditional pubs are part of Hampstead such as the Holly Bush which was gas lit until a short time ago, The Old Bull and Bush but Jack Straw’s Castle, a very well known pub on the edge of the heath is now a block of flats.
There are lots of restaurants in Hampstead including English, Thai, French, Japanese and Argentinian.
Property to rent is available with prices around £120-£180pw for a studio apartment, £175-£300pw for a l bed flat and £300-£340pw for a 2 bed flat.
Shops in the area include YD.UK, Designs Direct, Tzar, Sweaty Betty, Ronit Zilkha, Linea and Unicini.
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