Planning a picnic on Hampstead Heath? Here are the best spots, the practical details, what to bring, and the local knowledge that makes the difference.
The Perfect Picnic on Hampstead Heath: Where to Sit, What to Bring, When to Go
A picnic on Hampstead Heath is one of the most reliable good afternoons London offers, provided you know where to sit. The Heath's 790 acres contain everything from exposed grassland (windy, no shade, spectacular views) to sheltered woodland clearings (quiet, cool, dappled light) to the lakeside at Kenwood (impressive, popular, occasionally busy). The difference between a good and a great picnic is almost entirely a matter of location choice.
Key Takeaways
- The best spots for families: the Parliament Hill slope (views, open space for children to run, near the café)
- The best spots for couples: the Vale of Health pond edge, the Kenwood lakeside in the morning
- The best spots for shade: the central woodland clearings between Parliament Hill and Kenwood
- BBQs are not permitted on the Heath
- Dogs are welcome throughout; they must be on leads in certain areas (the ponds, the running track)
- The Saturday Hampstead farmers' market is the best source of picnic supplies
The Best Picnic Locations
Parliament Hill Slope
The south-facing slope of Parliament Hill, below the summit, is the quintessential Hampstead Heath picnic spot. The ground rises gently, giving every blanket a built-in angle that makes it easy to sit and look at the London skyline. The summit view from the top is 10 minutes' walk; the Parliament Hill café is 5 minutes downhill. On summer weekends, the slope has the atmosphere of a continuous outdoor party, hundreds of picnics, frisbees, children, dogs, the whole democratic range of London.
Best for: Families, warm sunny days, anyone who wants to feel surrounded by people in the best possible way.
Access: Enter from the Parliament Hill athletics track entrance, Gospel Oak (NW5).
The Vale of Health Pond
The path that circles the Vale of Health pond has several good sitting spots with views of the water and the surrounding vegetation. It is significantly quieter than the Parliament Hill slope, few visitors find the Vale of Health without being sent there, and the atmosphere is more contemplative.
Best for: Couples, quiet afternoons, weekdays.
Access: From the East Heath Road car park, follow the northern path and descend left into the Vale of Health hollow.
Kenwood Lakeside
The area around the Kenwood boating lake, below the house, is one of the finest picnic locations in London on a clear day. The lake, the house on the hill above, the formal gardens behind, and the open south-facing slope in front combine to make a setting that is as close to rural as Zone 2 offers.
Best for: Mornings before the main crowds arrive (the Kenwood concerts in summer fill this space from midday onwards on event days).
Access: Through the main Kenwood entrance on Hampstead Lane, NW3.
The Central Woodland Clearings
In the beech and oak woodland between Parliament Hill and Kenwood, several clearings in the tree cover provide shade in summer. These require some exploration, they are not marked, but a 20-minute walk into the woodland on any of the north-south paths will reveal several good options.
Best for: Hot summer days when shade is the priority, wildlife watchers, anyone who wants genuine quiet.
Where to Buy Picnic Supplies
Hampstead High Street Saturday farmers' market: The best source of quality picnic food in the area. Seasonal produce, artisan bread, cheese, charcuterie, prepared foods. Runs weekly from approximately 10am-2pm near the tube station.
Gail's Bakery (Flask Walk): Good bread, pastries, sandwiches. Reliable for a quick assembly.
Hampstead Deli (High Street area): Specialist cheeses, cured meats, olives, the kind of deli that makes picnic preparation enjoyable.
Waitrose (Finchley Road, 15 minutes' walk from the Heath boundary): For comprehensive shopping, this is the nearest supermarket.
Kenwood Brew House: The Kenwood café offers food to take away for eating on the grounds. Cake, sandwiches, salads.
What to Bring
Essential: - Blanket or ground sheet (the grass is often damp even on sunny days) - Sunscreen (the open slopes offer no shade protection in summer) - A windproof layer (the Heath's elevation means wind that doesn't exist in the streets below) - Rubbish bag (bins are limited on the Heath; take your waste home) - Water (more than you think, particularly with children or dogs)
Useful: - Cushions (sitting on a blanket for three hours is uncomfortable without them) - A small cool bag with ice (the walk from the car park or tube can be 20+ minutes in sun) - A book or music (the atmosphere encourages staying longer than planned) - Cash (the Parliament Hill café and Kenwood Brew House both accept card, but smaller vendors may not)
Not needed: - A barbecue or disposable grill (prohibited on the Heath) - An elaborate setup (the Heath's character rewards simplicity over equipment)
Rules and Etiquette
BBQs: Prohibited throughout the Heath, including disposable barbecues. This is actively enforced.
Dogs: Welcome throughout the Heath. Must be on leads near the ponds and the athletics track. The Heath is excellent for dogs; most regular picnickers in the dog-owning demographic treat the Health as the dog's exercise and the picnic as the human's reward.
Alcohol: Permitted. No restrictions on wine or beer.
Noise: No specific restrictions, but the Heath's character rewards moderate noise levels, the better picnic locations are not compatible with amplified music.
Litter: No bins in most of the Heath interior. Take everything away.
Timing and Crowds
Best weekday time: Tuesday-Thursday, 11am-3pm. The Heath is genuinely quiet on weekdays.
Weekend timing: On sunny summer weekends, the best spots fill by 11am. Arrive by 10am for a good Parliament Hill position; by 11am for Kenwood.
Best months: May to September for warmth; April and October for quieter conditions.
Conclusion
The perfect Hampstead Heath picnic has three ingredients: the right location for the occasion, good food assembled from the High Street market, and enough time to stay through the afternoon. The Heath does the rest.
Continue exploring: Dog-Friendly Hampstead Guide · Things to Do With Kids in Hampstead · Hampstead Heath Map Guide
