Parliament Hill Viewpoint

What it’s like

A steep climb up Hampstead Heath to a bench-lined summit with a proper panorama of the London skyline.

You walk up, that's really it, and the view does the rest. From the top of Parliament Hill you get a wide, unbroken look at the London skyline, the sort of thing that makes a phone camera work overtime trying to fit it all in. It's a decent stretch of legs to get there, not a stroll to the corner shop, so factor in some moaning on the way up if you've got younger legs in tow.

There's no entry fee, which makes it an easy one to add onto a wider trip across Hampstead Heath rather than a destination you have to plan the whole day around. Bring a picnic blanket and treat the summit as the reward at the end of a walk, or the excuse for one. The paths and open grass make it good for scenic walks and photos beyond just the main view, so you don't have to rush straight back down once you've taken the obligatory skyline shot.

Getting there without a car is straightforward. The 24, 46 and C11 buses all stop near the southern entrance of the Heath, which saves you hunting for parking on a Saturday when everyone else has had the same idea. Once you're up there it's an open, breezy spot, so a jumper's worth packing even on a day that looks warm from ground level.

Need to know

Getting there by bus or train

Routes 24, 46, and C11 bus stops close to southern entrance of Heath

• It's a proper uphill walk to the top, not a flat stroll
• No entry fee, so it pairs well with a wider walk across the Heath
• Bring a picnic blanket, the summit is an obvious spot to stop and sit
• It's an open, exposed spot, so worth a layer even on a mild day

Plan your visit

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