What's new at Hampstead Heath

Spring has arrived on Hampstead Heath, bringing with it longer days and a renewed sense of energy as we head into the warmer months. With the change in season, many visitors are returning to enjoy walking, running, picnicking and spending time outdoors.

As always, our teams have been busy with a full programme of seasonal maintenance work. From repairing paths, mowing meadows and preparing our wonderful facilities for the months ahead, a great deal of care goes into making sure the Heath is ready to welcome everyone. Please take your litter home if you can. If not, place it in one of the bins provided.

Sadly, over recent months we have seen a spate of graffiti across the Heath, including damage to the Grade II listed Viaduct Bridge. This type of behaviour is inexcusable. It damages historic assets, diverting valuable time and resources from caring for the Heath. We ask everyone to remain vigilant and, if they witness any suspicious behaviour, to report it to the Metropolitan Police or the Heath Constabulary. If we have the evidence, we can seek prosecution of those responsible.

As the weather improves, the Lido and Bathing Ponds also experience a significant increase in visitors. Many of you will have been following the conversation around future access arrangements at the Men’s and Ladies’ Ponds, following an extensive consultation earlier this year with users and the wider local community. At their most recent meeting, the Hampstead Heath Consultative Committee - which brings together a wide range of local stakeholder groups - discussed the recommended options that will soon be put forward to the final decision-making committees.

I want to reassure everyone that the recommendations put forward have been carefully developed considering a wide range of factors. These include expert legal advice, equality impact assessments, safeguarding responsibilities and operational considerations, alongside the views expressed during the consultation. However, it will be up to Members of the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood & Queens Park (which includes local stakeholders and councillors from Camden and Barnet councils) and then ultimately the City Corporation’s Policy & Resources Committee to decide the outcome. Feedback from the Consultative Committee will be carried forward at every stage and the final decision is due to be announced next month.

It was my pleasure recently to attend a triple tree planting ceremony held as a gesture of thanks to our former Committee Chairs for their commitment, leadership and support for Hampstead Heath. Karina Dostolova (Chair from 2017-2020), Ann Fairweather (2020-2022) and William Upton (2022-2025) have each made a lasting contribution to the Heath and neighbouring north London open spaces, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park. The newly planted trees feel like a fitting symbol of their work - putting down roots that will continue to support and shape the Heath for years to come.

This winter has seen Hampstead Heath’s Bathing Ponds at the centre of one of the largest public engagement exercises ever undertaken by the City of London Corporation, which manages the Heath as a registered charity. More than 38,000 people took part, sharing their views on how access to the Ponds should be managed in the years ahead.

Among the six options considered for the Kenwood Ladies’, Highgate Men’s and Hampstead Mixed Ponds, the most popular – backed by 86% of respondents – was to retain the current access arrangements, in which trans men and women can use the pond of their choice. And while the consultation was not a referendum, it will be taken into account as part of the decision-making process.

Elsewhere on the Heath, restoration work at the Model Boating Pond is about to begin. This project – generously supported by over £50,000 in public donations for which we are extremely grateful – will transform the island into a fully separated wildlife sanctuary through the removal of the causeway linking it to the shore. Once complete, the island will offer a haven for nesting birds and other wildlife, protected from people and pets. Nearly 100 square metres of new reedbed will also be created, alongside new wildflower planting and habitats for wetland birds, amphibians and reptiles. Temporary fencing will be in place to keep visitors and wildlife safe, so thank you for bearing with us while these habitats establish. Information on supporting the Hampstead Heath Charity can be found at www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/hampsteadheath.

It was a real pleasure to see our new café operator, Prue Freeman of Daisy Green, join the community in bidding a fond farewell to Alfonso D’Auria – a familiar and much-loved presence on Parliament Hill for more than 40 years. And for those who were wondering, yes, the famous vongole pasta will remain on the menu! Plus, the D’Auria family will continue to supply ice cream on the Heath.

Prue and her team are already working with us on plans to refurbish the café and are eager to open as soon as possible. Temporary arrangements are in place so visitors can still enjoy a hot drink in the meantime.

It is of course our hardworking staff who keep the Heath running, and I was delighted that teams were recognised at the City Corporation’s Celebrating Our People awards. The Swimming Team won ‘Team of the Year’, while the Golders Hill Zoo Team won ‘Runner Up Team of the Year’ – a well-deserved recognition of their dedication.

Finally, at the end of January we said goodbye to an outstanding colleague, Jonathan Meares, who served as Head of Conservation for the Heath and Highgate Wood for 18 years. Jonathan leaves a legacy, and we wish him a very happy retirement.

January is the perfect time to look back on 2025 – a year that has once again highlighted why Hampstead Heath is such a treasured space. The Heath continues to thrive as a sanctuary for nature and a vibrant hub for community life, thanks to the dedication of our staff, volunteers, and visitors.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my first few months as Chair of this Committee, and I was delighted to learn that the Heath’s Management Strategy – which sets out our long-term vision for conservation, biodiversity, and community engagement – was a finalist in the recent Landscape Institute Awards.

Over the past year, the Heath has seen an array of wonderful events – from the Affordable Art Fair and the Highgate Harrier’s London 5,000 athletics event, to our much-loved summer concert series and famous conker competition! Our partners, The Heath & Hampstead Society, also delighted visitors with the popular summer Kite Festival and Natural Aspects Concert – both firm favourites in the Heath’s cultural calendar.

The Hill Garden Pergola was recently added to Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register – a move that could help unlock funding and specialist support for its long-term conservation. Work is now underway to develop a Conservation Management Plan which will set out how we protect and restore this iconic structure for future generations.

I also know there has been strong feeling about the recent cafes’ decision. To be clear, these cafés are not closing, and they will remain much-loved parts of Hampstead Heath and Queen’s Park.

Daisy Green is an independent, London-based business – not a chain – and campaigners have overlooked the benefits they will bring, which include significant investment in café buildings and a promise to keeping menus affordable. Not only that, retained staff in all cafés across the Heath and in Queen’s Park will be paid at least the London Living Wage – demonstrating a real commitment to supporting those who live and work in the local area.

While change can feel unsettling, this decision was taken carefully and in line with our responsibilities as sole trustee of the Hampstead Heath charity, which invests millions of pounds each year – and at no expense to the local council tax payer – to secure the Heath’s long-term future.

Looking ahead, one date stands out – 7 February 2026 – when the Heath will once again host the London International Cross Country. Whether you’re running, cheering, or simply soaking up the atmosphere, we hope you’ll join us for what promises to be an unforgettable day.

I am immensely grateful for the continued support and enthusiasm that make Hampstead Heath such a cherished space. We’ve navigated challenges and embraced opportunities, ensuring the Heath remains a place where nature and people flourish side by side.

Here’s to building on this success in 2026 and beyond!

You may have seen the news that the Hill Garden Pergola – one of Hampstead Heath’s most beautiful historic landmarks – has recently been added to Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register.

Since acquiring the Pergola in 1989 following the abolition of the Greater London Council, the City of London Corporation has funded multiple repair and restoration efforts, including major work after storm damage that same year. Our ongoing maintenance programme covers structural inspections, vegetation control, and upkeep of walkways, and bridges. In 2025, the red-brick section received essential timber bracing and temporary scaffolding to ensure safety.

Built in 1906 as part of a private Edwardian estate, this Grade II* listed structure remains a beloved public space and recently won Gold at the London in Bloom Awards. Its 170-metre raised walkway, stone balustrades, and wooden trellising offer a rare glimpse into Edwardian garden design. As an outdoor feature, the Pergola is particularly exposed to the elements and, as part of the natural process, much of the wood has weathered away.

Importantly, this new designation on the Register assists in opening the door to additional funding to help safeguard the Pergola for generations to come. We are planning the next chapter in the Pergola’s story to ensure it inspires future visitors and we will be asking the community for suggestions and funding. If you’d like to support the project contact: hampstead.heath@cityoflondon.gov.uk.

Calling snow the 'greatest of gifts', The Sphere reported an ‘old-fashioned Christmas’ at Hampstead Heath in 1907 with ‘young people’ taking to Parliament Hill on their toboggans, or using ‘everything in the shape of a box’. We can't guarantee snow, but as Christmas approaches there are lovely gifts for the Heath lover, including Heath Hands’ annual calendar, available at the new Information Hut at Parliament Hill on weekend mornings until Christmas, or by visiting www.heath-hands.org.uk. ’

Another option could be an animal adoption from Golders Hill Park Zoo. Adoptees get a certificate and photo of their adopted animal. All proceeds go to the Zoo -visit www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/hampsteadheath.

Wishing you a joyful festive season when it gets here – and hope you’ll join us for a winter walk on the Heath.

After seven years serving of on the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee – and three incredibly rewarding years as Deputy Chair – I’m truly honoured and thrilled to now serve in the role of Chair.

It’s a real privilege to follow in the footsteps of William Upton KC, Common Councillor, who has led with such dedication and vision over the past three years. William has made a lasting impact, and I’m grateful to have his support, particularly until my period as Sheriff finishes in September.

During William’s tenure, we’ve seen some remarkable achievements — most notably, the City of London Corporation’s significant investment in the Parliament Hill Athletics Track, transforming it into one of the country’s leading facilities of its kind. We’ve also celebrated major accessibility improvements at the beloved Bathing Ponds, ensuring more people can enjoy them.
Over the past three years, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many of the passionate and knowledgeable staff who care for these iconic green spaces. Their expertise, ranging from horticulture to grounds maintenance to operations and beyond, is what keeps these cherished green spaces thriving.
Equally vital are the amazing volunteers, who dedicate their time and energy to supporting the Heath. During Volunteers’ Week in early June, we recognised their incredible contribution: an astonishing 15,000 volunteer hours last year — the most ever achieved. These generous efforts range from conservation and gardening to wildlife surveys and leading wildlife interpretation sessions — every hour making a difference.
It is also a joy to see our events programme returning in full force this summer. We kicked things off in May with another successful Affordable Art Fair, and we’re now looking forward to the return of the Heath & Hampstead Society’s spectacular Kite Festival on 29 June at Parliament Hill. This free event is always a crowd-pleaser, showcasing awe-inspiring kites flown by enthusiasts from all over the country.
Our free summer concert series is also back, bringing live music to the bandstands at Parliament Hill Bandstand and Golders Hill Park from July through August. Whether you're into jazz, classical, or contemporary tunes, there's something for everyone. Visit our website for full details (www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/hampsteadheath).
I hope you’ll join us at one of our upcoming events and take the opportunity to enjoy some quality time on the beautiful, inspiring Heath.

The English National Cross Country Championships (pictured) made a triumphant return to Hampstead Heath last month, with 6,500 runners taking part in races ranging in length up to 12km.   

The Heath is known as the spiritual home for cross country running – dating back as far as 1876 – and a World Athletics Heritage plaque was recently unveiled at Parliament Hill to commemorate this historic association. The plaque is a location-based recognition that celebrates and links together iconic athletics competitions, careers, performances, cities, venues, landmarks and cultures around the world. As guardians of the Heath, the City of London Corporation is proud to host the National Championships every three years, as well as many other athletics events throughout the year.  

After a cold and wet winter, we’re starting to see signs of spring on the Heath. Like me, you might have noticed the snowdrops and crocuses emerging, as well as the buds on the oak and beech trees that are starting to burst. It’s wonderful to see the Heath come to life as the warm weather nears.    

As extreme weather becomes more common in the UK, our Ecology and Conservation Team is finding new ways to adapt. One exciting project is enhancing wetland habitats by installing small, natural woody barriers to slow water flows on the Heath. These barriers create pools that retain water longer, helping wetland plants like brooklime and supporting invertebrates. They also reduce erosion and enrich the Heath’s diverse habitats, strengthening its resilience for the future.  

The Heath’s Senior Ecologist has also been monitoring frog spawn in the ponds with the help of local volunteers. This spawn will eventually turn into common frogs, which unfortunately are no longer common, so we’re pleased to have a good distribution of spawn across our water habitats. You might be able to see in the shallow areas of the ponds the next time you visit.   

If you would like to volunteer on the Heath to get involved with its care, and help with tasks such as wildlife monitoring, please visit our incredible community-based partners – Heath Hands – at www.Heath-Hands.org.uk to learn about opportunities to do so.  I hope that you will visit Hampstead Heath soon as we welcome in the Spring. 

Managing somewhere like Hampstead Heath continues to be about finding a balance between the enjoyment of visitors and conservation. We have just been carrying out an interim review of our ten year Management Strategy which was adopted back in 2018. As you will probably have noticed, more and more people now regularly enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of the Heath, and it really proved its worth during the pandemic. The review shows that the priorities that were identified in 2018 still essentially apply. They reflect the views and aspirations of the many organisations, staff and local people who love and care for the Heath.

We have also continued to learn about the impacts of climate change, and our Ecology and Conservation Team is exploring new ways to adapt. One exciting project involves enhancing wetland habitat along our streams, by slowing down water through the creation of small, natural, woody barriers.

The past few years have seen the 150th anniversary since the Hampstead Heath Act 1871, which provided the foundation for the protection of the Heath as a public open space. It is now over 35 years since the City of London Corporation took over the care of the Heath, and we are proud to be the custodians of this remarkable open space.

The Management Strategy itself now fits within a series of interlocking strategies which guide the work of the City Corporation, and which have recently affirmed the central value of our open spaces across London and southeast England. Our own committee is responsible for Highgate Woods and Queen’s Park, as well as the Heath, and they are all run as charities, at little or no cost to the communities they serve. The strategy review itself will be available online on the City Corporation’s website – cityoflondon.gov.uk.

The Heath was a popular choice for birdwatchers during the recent RSPB’s “Big Garden Birdwatch” – which included the second time ever that the Dartford Warbler has been recorded here!Looking ahead, the English National Cross Country Championship takes place on Saturday 22 February with races starting at 11am. It’s one of the biggest events in the cross country calendar. Please do come along to cheer on the thousands of runners as they race up Parliament Hill, proudly representing their counties – and, best of luck to everyone taking part!

It is always a pleasure to show friends and colleagues around Hampstead Heath, and to share what we do. So, I was delighted to welcome our own Policy Chairman of the City of London Corporation, Chris Hayward, for a tour recently.

In addition to seeing the many natural areas of the Heath, and the swimming facilities and athletics track, we enjoyed visiting Golders Hill Park Zoo.

The Policy Chairman was very impressed and described the Heath as “a jewel in the City of London Corporation’s crown”, on which I wholeheartedly agree.

We do see the need for our open spaces to flourish as part of the City Corporation’s own Corporate Plan, and the Heath forms part of an 11,000 acre network across London and southeast England for which we are responsible.

It was also good to see that Golders Hill Park, the Hill Garden and the Pergola gardens all received awards at this year’s London in Bloom competition, as well as our own Queens Park.

As for the Heath’s wildlife, recent monitoring, carried out with the help of our volunteers, shows some positive trends. Important mammals such as hedgehogs and bats have robust populations, and foxes, badgers and muntjac deer have all been spotted by our secret wildlife cameras. It underlines the importance of continuing to protect and conserve the area.

We’re lucky to have so many passionate and knowledgeable bird experts who visit the Heath regularly. The Heath & Hampstead Society, and others, have been working with one of our ecologists on surveys.

The first breeding bird survey was carried out in 2020 and was repeated in 2021. Another is planned for next year, which will use digital field maps to record data for the first time.

Thanks to this survey, we now know that around 50 species of bird breed on the Heath. The ornithologists’ patience can also be rewarded. Earlier this year, a breeding pair of kingfishers were spotted on the Hampstead chain of ponds using the kingfisher bank that was installed over ten years ago.
Finally, a quick plug. It's that time of year when we start to think about the festive period and buying gifts. The 2025 Heath Hands calendar is a perfect gift for the Heath lovers in your life. It is available to buy every Saturday morning from the old tennis hut at Parliament Hill in the run up to Christmas and online at: www.heath-hands.org.uk/shop.

Proceeds go back into protecting and preserving Hampstead Heath.

It was good to see the sheep return to Hampstead Heath this month, following successful trials in 2019 and 2023. This year’s flock on the Heath Extension were from Mudchute Farm. Four of the same sheep visited last year, and the Heath must have made an impression on them, as they seemed to remember the way when they returned.

Sheep grazing has a significant place in the Heath’s history, dating back to the Middle Ages and continuing until the 1950s. Historically, sheep on the Heath were owned by local farmers and it was a popular stopover for farmers from across the country before taking them to market in London.

The Heath & Hampstead Society have led this initiative, and our thanks got to them as well as all the volunteers at Heath Hands who helped engage with visitors, including making sure dogwalkers were aware. It’s part of a range of approaches that we can use. The area used is difficult to mow and is ecologically important due to the anthills there.

Staying with the animal theme, there is more news from the Golders Hill Park Zoo. Their animal adoption scheme will shortly include all animals, meaning you’ll soon be able to adopt a wildcat, a widgeon or an Egret! The animals you can currently adopt are donkeys, deer, owls and kookaburras. All money received goes back into managing the Zoo and caring for the animals. Adopters receive a certificate and photo of their animal. For more information, visit www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/ghpzoo

It was the 25th year of the Duathlon on 1 September which runs between the Lido and the Ponds, and congratulations to those who took part. With autumn just around the corner, we have our annual conkers competition on Sunday 6 October. Organised by our volunteer charity, Heath Hands, this is always a fun afternoon on the Heath. Registration for the competition starts from 12:30pm at the Parliament Hill Bandstand.

After a slightly damp Spring, the recent warm and dry weather is very welcome. However our colleagues at the London Fire Brigade were keen for us to remind visitors of the fire risk this kind of weather can bring. Grass fires can spread extremely quickly and are very dangerous for anyone in the vicinity, devastating to wildlife and detrimental to air quality. It’s for this reason, as well as to protect the Heath, that BBQs and bonfires are strictly prohibited. Please help our staff and care for the Heath by following this byelaw.

Warm weather also means lots of swimmers visiting our four iconic swimming facilities – the three bathing ponds and the Parliament Hill Lido. This may be the first swim of the season, so we do recommend caution when entering the water – the Ponds are deep and the water can still be very cold. The wonderful team of lifeguards are on hand to keep a watchful eye and also offer advice to first-time open water swimmers. The non-lifeguarded ponds do not have that benefit and swimming in these is strictly forbidden. You also need to remember that these ponds are not checked for underwater hazards.  I am told that, when the Model Boating Pond was drained and dredged as part of the Ponds Project, a rusty car was found at the bottom amongst a fair few other matters.

The Heath & Hampstead Society’s annual kite festival took place on Sunday 30 June, with another stunning display of kite flying from the Kite Society. It’s a treat to see the colourful kites in all shapes and sizes soaring from Parliament Hill, or Kite Hill, as it’s known locally.  Around 2000 people, including 100s of children enjoyed the day- many of them flying their own kites. Our summer bandstand concerts are also now underway, taking place on most Sundays in July and August at the Parliament Hill and Golders Hill Park bandstands. You can find the details of the programmes on our website: www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/hampsteadheath.I hope you enjoy your visits to the Heath this summer to enjoy the entertainment or to escape into nature with a swim or a walk. 

You may have wondered if it is possible to assess the value of our local environment, even in broad terms. There are already a number of important biodiversity and conservation designations that apply on Hampstead Heath.

The City of London Corporation recently commissioned a report to investigate the broader suite of benefits that are provided by the natural capital assets on our open spaces. This report calculated the value of a number of benefits the Heath and other spaces deliver to the public, including through recreation, health and wellbeing, air and water quality, and by removing carbon from the atmosphere.

For the first time, this assessment of our natural capital assets puts a figure on the huge value they represent for society. In these terms, it is estimated that Hampstead Heath is worth £51.2 million every year in benefits, with a present natural capital value of £1.5 billion over 50 years.

The Heath is also said to have a benefit-to-cost ratio of 8.4, which means that every £1 spent on maintenance delivers £8.40 of these types of public benefits. This ratio is even higher in the case of Highgate Woods, with all its trees, giving a return of £16.5 for every £1 spent. It is a way of demonstrating how every penny of investment into our open spaces is absolutely worth it.

We know the Heath isn’t just important to locals and visitors. It is also a critical habitat for wildlife, including hedgehogs. A survey of these ‘hard-to-spot’ mammals is due to take place on the Heath in May following the successful surveys in 2018 and 2021.

Past surveys have shown that the Heath, thankfully, has a healthy population of hedgehogs – one of the largest in London – which is reassuring as they are in decline in other places. This work will be run in partnership with the Zoological Society of London and Heath Hands, with input from many volunteers. The results of this survey, and others like it, help us to determine management techniques which support our hedgehog population as well as other wildlife on the Heath.

On the topic of biodiversity, the wildflower meadows created on the Heath Extension and next to Savernake Bridge last year will most certainly have helped butterflies and other important pollinators thrive. I am happy to say that there are now 23 breeding species of butterflies that we know of, following the first record made on the Heath recently for Brown Hairstreak butterfly eggs by a keen-eyed member of the public.

The signs of spring are starting to be seen, and heard, across the Heath and I do hope you get the chance to visit and enjoy the changing seasons.

January is a good time to look forward and indeed we have lots coming up on Hampstead Heath this year.

We started off 2024 with an exciting new event – the London International Cross Country – which took place on Saturday 20 January. Taking inspiration from the incredibly successful Night of the 10,000m Personal Bests, the event followed a new format which was more spectator-friendly with big screens and entertainment.

British Athletics, the event organisers, held a series of races for a range of age groups, including a qualifier for the World Athletics Cross Country Championship, so the standard of running was extremely high. As always, the atmosphere was excellent, and I would like to extend my congratulations to everyone who took part and braved the challenging hills of the Heath.

You can also mark the Night of the 10,000m Personal Bests in your diaries, which will be back on the Parliament Hill Athletics Track on Saturday 18 May 2024.

We have plenty of non-running events on the cards, too – with the return of the Affordable Art Fair this spring and the historic funfairs on East Heath over Easter. There will be more details on these in the coming weeks, so keep an eye on the our website for more news and events.

You may also have heard our Superintendent, Bill LoSasso, on the radio recently talking about Golders Hill Park Zoo, which is free to enter and boasts an array of native and non-native creatures including wallabies, wildcats, and lemurs.

There are some exciting new experiences being launched this spring that will allow the public to feed the animals and try out at being a zookeeper for a day. The Zoo now has its own social media channels, so please do follow them for all the latest news and plenty of photos. You can follow them on X @GHPZoo and on Instagram @GoldersHillParkZoo.

For those out and about on the Heath Extension, you will have seen the desilting works out on the Seven Sisters chain of ponds. Hampstead Heath is managed by the City of London Corporation as a registered charity meaning that all revenue is reinvested so that important maintenance like this can be carried out.

I’m also pleased to say that the final pieces of play equipment have been installed in the Heath Extension playground. This now completes the project which was made possible thanks to fundraising from a number of local community groups. It’s great to see the new equipment looking so smart, courtesy of a little extra TLC from Theories Landscape and the Hampstead Heath team – ready to be used as and when the weather allows!

As the seasons change from autumn to winter it is a great reminder that nothing stands still. There have been some big changes on the Heath this past year as the team adapt to different ways of working and new leadership, with new Superintendent Bill LoSasso, supported by Charlotte Williams as Head of Operations and Parks and Jonathan Meares as Head of Conservation.

The sudden loss of our former Head of Operations, Declan Gallagher, earlier this year is still keenly felt by all of his family, friends and colleagues. I do know Declan would have been very proud that the newly improved Parliament Hill Athletics Track is due to be reopened imminently. Declan was passionate about the track and managed the facility for many years. He was a key part of the team that drove forward the £2million project, funded by the City of London Corporation, and which the new team have seen completed. This will ensure it remains accredited by British Athletics and can be used to host local, national and international athletics events in the future. The project saw some delays in August due to the poor weather but the track surface is looking magnificent, the upgraded floodlights have been fitted and tested, and we’re aiming to welcome athletes back before the year is out.

The track has come a long way since it had a cinder surface in the 1970s. The City of London remains committed to supporting sport, health and wellbeing. This project has been a great example of partnership working and the clubs who use the track such as the Highgate Harriers have been able to give invaluable feedback throughout. Those who use it, including the schools who book their sports days at Parliament Hill in 2024, can look forward to running on one of the country’s best athletics tracks.

Finally, as the festive season comes round again, our stalwart colleague Paul Maskell reminds me that the Christmas Fayre will be at East Heath this weekend until Sunday 7 January. There are Christmas trees for sale and fairground rides for small children as well as seasonal food and drinks. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and you get the chance to enjoy some magical time on the Heath this winter.

It’s hard to believe that it has been only seven weeks since I took on this incredible post of Superintendent. I am so heartened by the warm welcome that I have received from the local community and our incredible team who care for the special spaces we are entrusted with. This corner of North London is quickly feeling like home.

My reverence for green spaces began many years ago back in the United States when I would visit a large local park to escape the city, discover the natural world, and let my imagination run wild. Today, some 40 years later and across an ocean, I find myself doing the same thing.

Since beginning my service in September, I have gotten lost on the Heath, marvelled at the hidden Pergola (and the lemurs!) in Golders Hill Park, wandered the ancient woodland of Highgate Wood, visited grazing sheep on Heath Extension, and taken in the conker championship at Parliament Hill. Hampstead Heath and Highgate Wood really do simultaneously offer both an escape and a sense of community, and I often must remind myself I live in a city. It’s a sentiment I’m sure you share too.

Beyond the unrivalled natural beauty, diverse wildlife, and iconic features of these spaces, however, what has struck me most is the passion of their visitors. Today, the Heath and Highgate Wood are so many things to so many people. It’s important to recall that the Heath was saved from development over 150 years ago by a community committed to its preservation. The energy that fuelled that original campaign continues today.

This brings me comfort. We live in a time when there are seemingly endless threats to our green spaces. Expanding population. The climate crisis. Biodiversity loss. The nature and wildlife we love are facing challenges like never before.

This all brings with it a greater need for support for our collective physical and mental health. While our green spaces are indeed under stress, they are also a solution. We know that the health of our green spaces is related to our own physical and mental wellbeing, and that they are directly linked to climate resilience.

All this underscores the importance of the City of London Corporation’s continued support. Recent investments in wildlife habitats, wildflower gardens, and athletics facilities are recent examples, and our unwavering commitment remains.

As I look forward, I cannot help but be excited. We have an expert and tireless team with years of experience, committed to caring for these beautiful spaces. I know that we are in good company, having joined a community of dedicated stewards committed to protecting these green oases. What an incredible legacy to be a part of.