Andrew from London

About me A born and bred Londoner. I’ve worked London – in tourist offices in Central London telling visitors to the Big Smoke where to go for the local, authentic side of town – I’ve drunk London – I can often be found on an industrial estate where there’s a brewery tap room or in some of London’s best and most secret drinking holes (and reviewed 125 pubs in the Square Mile) and I’ve run Lo...
Oct 3, 2025

Hampstead Heath London

Countryside walks in zone 2

""Hampstead Heath" in London has impressive vistas, cute dogs, the most countryside pubs around & also a decent running/walking spot. What's not to like?"

Feel transported away from the Big Smoke on just a bus or tube ride away to the hilly, green and vast Hampstead Heath. Many a heart has crumbled at the drooling of the dogs here as Man’s best friend in all shapes and sizes is absolutely everywhere.

Yes, Hampstead Heath is an open space, but it is not just for summer. Bring a picnic if you visit in the warmer months, bring your wellies if coming in winter, or bring a kite any season to fly from Parliament Hill if wind is forecast. There are plenty of drinking holes at both the Hampstead and Highgate ends to warm the toes after a bracing walk or for some much-needed and well-deserved liquid refreshment after a summer stroll. Well-deserved it will be as Hampstead Heath and the top of Parliament Hill is 98 metres (322 feet) above sea level.

The views are as equally impressive thanks to the skyline stretching from here to St Paul’s Cathedral being one of the eight protected views of London. City vistas, cute dogs, the most countryside pubs in London and a decent running or walking spot to get those daily steps in: what is not to like about this open space in the city?

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