At 98 metres above sea level, Parliament Hill offers a view of London that money cannot buy, and has been drawing visitors to Hampstead Heath for centuries.
Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath offers one of the finest free views in London, a sweeping panorama across the entire city, from the towers of the City and Canary Wharf to the dome of St Paul's and the distant hills of South London. This is the complete guide to the view, how to reach it, and when to go for the best experience.
- Parliament Hill rises to 98 metres, one of the highest points in London
- The view spans the City, Canary Wharf, St Paul's, the Shard, and beyond
- It is a protected view, development that would block it is legally restricted
- Free, open 24/7, and one of the best spots in London for sunrise and sunset
- Excellent for kite flying thanks to its exposed summit
- A short walk from the Heath's swimming ponds and lido
The View
From the summit of Parliament Hill, London spreads out to the south in one of the city's great panoramas. On a clear day, the view takes in:
- The City of London, the cluster of skyscrapers including the Gherkin, the Cheesegrater, and the Walkie-Talkie
- St Paul's Cathedral, Wren's dome, still a defining landmark despite the towers around it
- The Shard, London's tallest building, unmistakable on the south bank
- Canary Wharf, the eastern financial district's towers
- The London Eye, the BT Tower, and, on the clearest days, the hills of South London beyond
The view is so valued that it is legally protected: Parliament Hill is one of London's designated "protected vistas," meaning new development that would obstruct the sightline to St Paul's is restricted. This is why, even as London's skyline transforms, the view from Parliament Hill retains its essential character.
Why It's Called Parliament Hill
The hill's name is the subject of several theories. The most popular holds that it was where the Gunpowder Plot conspirators planned to watch the destruction of the Houses of Parliament in 1605, though this is likely legend. Other theories link it to Parliamentary troops defending London during the Civil War. Whatever the origin, the name has stuck for centuries, and the hill has been a public gathering and viewing point for generations.
When to Visit
Sunrise
Parliament Hill faces south and east enough to make it a superb sunrise spot. Early risers are rewarded with the city emerging from the dawn mist, the towers catching the first light, and, best of all, near-total solitude. See the Heath dawn guide for more.
Sunset
Sunset is the most popular time, and for good reason: the low sun lights the city, the skyline silhouettes against colour, and on clear evenings the view is spectacular. Expect company, sunset on Parliament Hill is a well-known London experience, but the atmosphere is convivial.
Clear Days
The view is best on clear days, particularly after rain when the air is washed clean, and in autumn and winter when haze is minimal. Hot, hazy summer days offer the weakest visibility.
James Okonjo, a photographer who has shot the Parliament Hill view in every season, keeps returning. "I've photographed it hundreds of times and it's never the same twice," he said. "Winter mornings when the City towers float above the mist. Summer evenings when the whole sky goes orange behind the Shard. The protected view means I'm shooting essentially the same composition Constable could have sketched, except now there's a skyline that changes every year. It's the best free view in London and most Londoners have never been."
Getting There
By Tube/Overground: Hampstead Heath Overground (North London line) is closest, a 10-minute walk to the summit. Gospel Oak Overground is similar. Hampstead (Northern line) is a 20-minute walk through the Heath.
On foot: From the Heath's southern entrances at Gospel Oak or South End Green, the climb to the summit takes 15-20 minutes. From Hampstead Village, allow 20-25 minutes across the Heath.
The climb: The summit is a genuine hill, the final approach is a real (if short) ascent. Wear suitable footwear, especially in wet weather when the grass paths are slippery.
Combining with the Heath
Parliament Hill sits at the heart of the Heath's southern section, close to several other attractions:
- The swimming ponds: The Men's, Ladies', and Mixed ponds are a short walk away.
- Parliament Hill Lido: The Art Deco outdoor pool is at the foot of the hill.
- The playground and café: The Parliament Hill Fields playground and café serve families and walkers.
- Kite flying: The exposed summit is one of London's best kite-flying spots.
A natural circuit: climb the hill for the view, descend to the ponds for a swim (or the lido), and finish with coffee at the café, a complete Heath morning.
Practical Information
- Cost: Free
- Access: Open 24/7; the summit is always accessible
- Best for: Views, sunrise, sunset, kite flying, picnics
- Facilities: Café, toilets, and playground at Parliament Hill Fields (foot of the hill)
- What to bring: Camera, layers (the summit is exposed and windy), suitable footwear
- Accessibility: The summit is reached by grass paths and a slope; not fully step-free, but the lower Fields are accessible
The view from Parliament Hill is one of London's great democratic pleasures, free, open to all, day and night, and legally protected so that future generations will see essentially what we see today. In a city where the best views increasingly come with a ticket price and a queue for a viewing platform, the panorama from this grassy hilltop on Hampstead Heath remains gloriously, defiantly free.
