Hampstead Heath

Hampstead Heath (locally known as “The Heath”) is a park in the north of London, covering 791 acres (3.2 km2). It has 25 main ponds and areas of ancient woodland, bog, hedgerows and grassland. Parts of the park have been designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest by English Nature.

Part of the land was originally the common lands of the Manor of Hampstead, while much of the rest was the parkland and farmland of Kenwood House.

It is owned by the Corporation of London, which also maintains most of the park. The Kenwood area, 112 acres (0.5 km), is maintained by English Heritage. Most of the park, 681 acres (2.8 km), lies in the London Borough of Camden. The remaining 110 acres (0.4 km) is the Hampstead Heath Extension lying in the London Borough of Barnet.

Hampstead Heath was featured on the television programme Seven Natural Wonders as one of the wonders of the London area, with a focus on Parliament Hill. The episode was presented by Bill Oddie, who lives nearby and watches birds there, regularly.