Whilst the weather is having a psychotic moment with snow blizzards in April, what better to do than reminisce about the notion of Spring by flicking through photos of Spring 2012. And whats even better is to remember one of our most beloved places in London, namely the fabulous Hampstead Heath. Rain or shine, (or snow to make it current) we visit the Heath in all its glory as there's an abumdance of space and things to do there.
10 reasons why we love the Heath.
1. You can have best lunch and Tea with (not the best, but okey) cake in Kenwood House by Company of Cooks. They have kids sized portions of delicacies such as sausage and mash. Really, what could be better.
2. Kenwood grounds! Godly. Probably my favourite and most visited part of Hamstead Heath. Rhododendrons in May, Summer concerts, bridges over the duck pond, ducks with ducklings, great picnics, tree trails and a mini wood.
3. Women's only Ponds. This is a very special experience. Ladies only. Not even little baby boys allowed, which is abit extreme, but such are the rules. The blessing is that you can swim almost all year round (not that you would want to), surrounded only by girls and women of all ages. In very special circumstances: i.e when the weather is warm, when the sun is out, when you have a babysitter, its divine! Lets not forget the beautiful parade of gay men at the Men's Ponds. Always an eye candy.
4. Vast, vast, VASTNESS of trails and fields, some woods and a series of lakes. Space is a real luxury in London. When you run through it, turns out its not so vast, but walking with a buggy and a five year old on a scooter, it is vast enough.
5. Gospel oak 1 o'clock club for under 5's aka the Pitstop. Runs till 4pm. You can always get a bit of a rest there, drink a nice cup of free tea and munch of a biscuit whilst the kids go crazy over the toys and puzzles. Great kids vehicle parking lot outside.
6. The Lido. Okey, we have visited the Lido about twice! But it was great nonetheless. Great looking pool and a small one for the babies. The reason for such an infrequency is due to the low English temperatures. Too popular on the warm days, impossibly cold on the not so warm a temperatures. (btw he only heated Lido in London is in the trendy London Fields, one of the reasons to miss living in Hackney.)
7. Gospel Oak playground with the Lido. This, on the other hand is a much visited place for a splash on the summer days. The pool is shallow and warms up fast. Lots of pale, sun deprived children and half naked adults enjoying themselves. Chaotic but fun. Next door is a great playground we much appreciate on any day.
8. The running track. I have yet to enjoy this as I have been advised to practice speed with 800m, but the fact that its there is just rad.
9. Dog owners with dogs. Love them. They tend to dogs as keenly as the mothers to their children. Makes me laugh. They come in small groups, and all stick together. They are usually opposed by similarly grouped numbers of mothers and prams. Then there's dog walkers. One man- ten dogs. Fun. One man- ten mini dogs (who I find difficult to classify as dogs.). Comedy.
10. Walking. This really deserves a place of its own. Its one the greatest places to walk in London with or without kids, dogs, old ladies and friends.
10 reasons why we love the Heath.
1. You can have best lunch and Tea with (not the best, but okey) cake in Kenwood House by Company of Cooks. They have kids sized portions of delicacies such as sausage and mash. Really, what could be better.
2. Kenwood grounds! Godly. Probably my favourite and most visited part of Hamstead Heath. Rhododendrons in May, Summer concerts, bridges over the duck pond, ducks with ducklings, great picnics, tree trails and a mini wood.
3. Women's only Ponds. This is a very special experience. Ladies only. Not even little baby boys allowed, which is abit extreme, but such are the rules. The blessing is that you can swim almost all year round (not that you would want to), surrounded only by girls and women of all ages. In very special circumstances: i.e when the weather is warm, when the sun is out, when you have a babysitter, its divine! Lets not forget the beautiful parade of gay men at the Men's Ponds. Always an eye candy.
5. Gospel oak 1 o'clock club for under 5's aka the Pitstop. Runs till 4pm. You can always get a bit of a rest there, drink a nice cup of free tea and munch of a biscuit whilst the kids go crazy over the toys and puzzles. Great kids vehicle parking lot outside.
6. The Lido. Okey, we have visited the Lido about twice! But it was great nonetheless. Great looking pool and a small one for the babies. The reason for such an infrequency is due to the low English temperatures. Too popular on the warm days, impossibly cold on the not so warm a temperatures. (btw he only heated Lido in London is in the trendy London Fields, one of the reasons to miss living in Hackney.)
7. Gospel Oak playground with the Lido. This, on the other hand is a much visited place for a splash on the summer days. The pool is shallow and warms up fast. Lots of pale, sun deprived children and half naked adults enjoying themselves. Chaotic but fun. Next door is a great playground we much appreciate on any day.
8. The running track. I have yet to enjoy this as I have been advised to practice speed with 800m, but the fact that its there is just rad.
9. Dog owners with dogs. Love them. They tend to dogs as keenly as the mothers to their children. Makes me laugh. They come in small groups, and all stick together. They are usually opposed by similarly grouped numbers of mothers and prams. Then there's dog walkers. One man- ten dogs. Fun. One man- ten mini dogs (who I find difficult to classify as dogs.). Comedy.
10. Walking. This really deserves a place of its own. Its one the greatest places to walk in London with or without kids, dogs, old ladies and friends.
