Hampstead Heath
Hampstead Heath is a park in the north of London, covering 791 acres (320 hectares). The name of the park comes from a rare heathland habitat. It has 25 main ponds and areas of ancient woodland, bog, hedgerows and grassland. Parts of the park have been designated as Site of Special Scientific Interest by English Nature.It is owned by the Corporation of London, which also maintains most of the park. The Kenwood area, 112 acres, is maintained by English Heritage. Most of the park, 681 acres, lies in the London Borough of Camden. The remaining 110 acres is the Hampstead Heath Extension lying in the London Borough of Barnet.
Some of the train stations near the park are Gospel Oak and Hampstead Heath on the North London Line (Silverlink) to the south, Hampstead and Golders Green tube stations on the Northern Line to the west, and Highgate tube station on the Northern Line to the north.
At the southern tip of the park is the Lido open air swimming pool; further north near the Highgate end are several ponds in which swimming is allowed, one mixed and two single-sex.
The area is notorious for its use by gay men as a cruising ground at night.
