Hampstead Heath dominates any conversation about green space in the area — and rightly so, given its size and character. But there are several other parks and gardens in and around the neighbourhood that are worth knowing about, particularly if the Heath feels overwhelming or you want something more formal.
Golders Hill Park
Technically a separate enclosure at the north-western edge of Hampstead Heath, Golders Hill Park has a different character from the wilder main Heath — manicured lawns, a small zoo (free entry, deer, flamingos, wallabies), a walled flower garden, and a café that is open year-round. It's particularly good for families with young children: gentler terrain, enclosed spaces, and the animals are a reliable draw. The bandstand hosts free concerts on summer Sunday afternoons.
The Hill Garden and Pergola
One of the most extraordinary hidden spaces in London, and largely unknown outside the neighbourhood. The Hill Garden, set above Inverforth House on North End Way, contains a formal Edwardian pergola of great architectural ambition — a raised walkway, covered in wisteria and roses, that runs for some 800 metres above a formal garden. Built in the early 20th century by Lord Leverhulme, it fell into disrepair and was restored in the 1980s. Free entry; limited opening hours (check the City of London website). In May, when the wisteria is in bloom, it is among the most beautiful places in North London.
Waterlow Park
A 10-minute walk (or short bus journey) from Hampstead village, Waterlow Park on Highgate Hill is a formal Victorian park with three ponds, a magnificent view south over London, and the restored Lauderdale House — now a café and arts centre. Free entry. Quiet on weekdays; popular with Highgate and Hampstead families on weekends.
Keats Grove Garden
The garden of Keats House on Keats Grove is small but atmospherically maintained as it would have appeared during the poet's residence (1818–1820). The mulberry tree is a later memorial addition, but the wisteria on the south wall and the general quietude of the space are authentic to the period. Free to enter the garden; admission charged for the house.
Belsize Park Gardens
The private communal gardens in central Belsize Park (residents only) are, if you're visiting rather than living, inaccessible — but the public gardens along Fitzjohn's Avenue and around the Belsize Square area are pleasant enough for a quiet sit in summer. Not dramatic, but useful to know about as a calm spot mid-walk.
## The Hill Garden and Pergola The Hill Garden on the north-west of the Heath is Hampstead's secret garden — a formal Edwardian garden wrapped around an extraordinary 240-metre-long pergola, commissioned by Lord Leverhulme in 1906. The pergola was designed to connect his private gardens to the Heath by an elevated walkway; it is now a public walk, and some summer weddings are held here (permits required from the Corporation). The garden sits below the pergola — terraced, formal, with a lily pond and original Edwardian plantings. Peak interest is April to June and again in September. Free entry, no gate; open roughly 8:30am to dusk. The quietest time is weekday mornings; weekend afternoons in May bring small crowds. ## Golders Hill Park A fifteen-minute walk from Hampstead tube (or one stop on the 210 bus), Golders Hill Park is the formal Edwardian pleasure park attached to the northern edge of the Heath. Deer enclosure, small zoo with exotic birds and goats, rose garden, bandstand, tennis courts. The café terrace has some of the best-value food in Hampstead's parks — a proper lunch for £12 to £15. Free entry. Golders Hill's seasonal highlight is the magnolia grove, which reaches peak flower in early April. The park is dog-friendly but with more on-lead restrictions than the Heath. ## Primrose Hill Ten minutes by bus from Hampstead (the 46 or a 25-minute walk via Chalk Farm), Primrose Hill is the best sunset viewpoint in north London. The climb is short and steep; the view from the summit takes in central London, the Shard, the Walkie-Talkie, and Canary Wharf. The pubs on the Regent's Park Road strip at the base are excellent for a post-walk drink — the Princess of Wales and the Queen's are both worth knowing. ## Waterlow Park Tucked beside Highgate Cemetery, Waterlow Park is a 25-acre landscape garden given to London in 1889 by Sydney Waterlow, the philanthropist publisher. Victorian lake, mature trees, a tea pavilion. Quieter than the Heath; ideal for a long, slow afternoon. The 210 bus from Hampstead drops you at the entrance. ## South End Green and the lesser gardens South End Green is the small triangular park at the base of Hampstead, useful as a quick lunchtime break if you are between Hampstead Heath overground and the Royal Free. A small farmers' market runs here on Saturdays. Holly Mount Gardens — tucked behind the Holly Bush pub — is a private residents' garden with formal planting and a war memorial; accessible at weekends by arrangement with residents. Kenwood Gardens (separate from the Heath) covers the ornamental south lawn, the walled kitchen garden, and the east flower garden. Free, daily 8am to dusk. ## How to plan a multi-park day Start at the Hill Garden and Pergola (8:30am), walk through the West Heath to Golders Hill Park (mid-morning), lunch on the café terrace, cross back through the Heath to Kenwood (early afternoon), finish at Parliament Hill for sunset. Around 10 km, all day, four distinct gardens.