Hampstead Heath: the high loop
Parliament Hill, the ponds, Kenwood, and the view that ruins all other views. Walked and written by the editor. https://walkwalk.org/london/walks/hampstead-heath-loop

1. South End Green
Start with a coffee from Ginger & White. The walk's a proper hill; a caffeine runway helps.

2. Parliament Hill summit
Twenty minutes up and the whole city is laid out for you. Bring binoculars if you're serious; bring a friend if you're not.

3. Highgate Men's Pond
You don't have to swim. Just walk along the wooden fence; the trees feel ancient and the swimmers are reliably cheerful.

4. Kenwood House
Free entry, Rembrandt in the drawing room, tea on the terrace. A heath walk that skips Kenwood is a lesser heath walk.

5. The Pergola & Hill Garden
An overgrown Edwardian folly on the Heath's western edge. Somehow almost always empty. Go even if you have to double back.

6. Hampstead Heath station
You'll come down through the Vale of Health, past the fair ground if it's running. The Overground takes you back in one stop.

Hampstead Heath: the high loop