Top Dog Walks in London: Hampstead Heath
Dog walks North London | Dog photographer Hampstead Heath | Dog-friendly London guide
Some places in London feel like they belong to dogs. Not exclusively, and not in any official sense, but in the way you feel it the moment you arrive - the particular energy of a space where dogs have clearly always been welcome, where the community that gathers around them has had decades to become something real. Hampstead Heath is one of those places.
I have probably spent hundreds of hours watching dogs on Hampstead Heath now, both behind a camera and simply walking alongside them. I have photographed young dogs discovering the Heath for the first time and senior dogs enjoying it in a different way entirely - more slowly, more deliberately, with that quality of attention that older dogs bring to the world. One of those senior dogs is no longer with us. The photographs remain. That is the whole point of this work.
I also came here once with Theo, my miniature pinscher, specifically to introduce her to the dog swimming ponds. It turned out she has very strong opinions about water, and those opinions are entirely negative.
At 790 acres of woodland, meadows, hills, and ponds, Hampstead Heath is one of the largest and most varied green spaces in London. It is also, for anyone who loves dogs, one of the most alive. This guide covers everything you need to know before you go - the practical details, the rules worth understanding, the things to be genuinely careful about, and the places worth ending up at afterwards.
The views from Parliament Hill are some of the best in London. Dogs, as usual, seem unbothered by this. → Explore Outdoor Sessions
What makes Hampstead Heath so special for dogs
The Heath is not a conventional park. It does not feel designed or contained. It feels like somewhere that has simply always been there - ancient, atmospheric, and genuinely wild in the way that very few London green spaces manage to be. There are no neat borders between the woodland and the grassland, no obvious circuit to follow, no sense that you are being guided from one thing to the next. You arrive, you wander, and the Heath reveals itself gradually.
For dogs, that is extraordinary. The scent picture here is layered in a way that more manicured parks simply cannot match. Woodland floor, open heath, ponds, long grass, the trails of everything that has moved through before them. Many dogs arrive at Hampstead Heath and visibly shift into a different gear - nose down, pace unhurried, fully absorbed. That kind of mental engagement is worth more than most exercise, and the Heath provides it in abundance.
The terrain changes constantly as you move through it. Open grassland gives way to woodland paths, which open onto hillside views, which lead down to water. There are steep sections and flat ones, exposed areas and sheltered ones, busy pockets and corners where you can walk for a good stretch without seeing another soul. That variety means you can shape a visit around the dog you have with you that day, rather than fitting them into a fixed experience.
And then there is Parliament Hill. Standing at the top on a clear morning with your dog beside you and the London skyline spread out below, you are reminded that this is still, somehow, in the middle of one of the world’s great cities. It never quite stops being remarkable.
Say hello to Peanut! You can read all about her birthday session on Hampstead Heath here.
Where exactly is Hampstead Heath?
Hampstead Heath sits in north London, spanning the areas between Hampstead, Highgate, and Golders Green. It is managed by the City of London Corporation and has been protected common land since 1871, when Parliament secured it from development after a campaign by local residents. That history matters: the Heath feels the way it does because people fought to keep it this way, and have continued doing so ever since.
The Heath connects at its northern edge to Kenwood House - a magnificent 18th-century mansion with landscaped grounds that add yet another character to the landscape - and extends south towards Gospel Oak and the Parliament Hill area. It is large enough that different sections feel genuinely different places, which is part of why it rewards repeated visits rather than feeling like a place you've “done.”
Opening times and access
Open access - no entry fee, no gates, no formal opening hours.
The Heath is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Golders Hill Park (attached to the western edge of the Heath): opens at 7:30am, with closing times varying seasonally.
The Hill Garden and Pergola: opens at 8:30am, with seasonal closing times.
Accessible facilities are available across the Heath, including disabled toilets, dedicated disabled parking bays at all four car parks, surfaced paths suitable for wheelchairs, and free mobility scooter hire from Parliament Hill Lido (booking required).
Getting there
By car
There are three paid car parks for Hampstead Heath, plus one dedicated Blue Badge-only car park. The main options are East Heath Car Park, Jack Straw’s Castle Car Park, and The Lido Car Park. Blue Badge holders can park free, but should check the latest requirements before visiting.
Street parking is limited around the Heath and subject to local restrictions, so it is worth checking before you rely on it.
The City of London Corporation encourages visitors to use public transport where possible, partly for environmental reasons and partly because the Heath is genuinely very well connected. On busy summer weekends, that advice is also practical.
By public transport
Hampstead Heath Overground station is the most convenient stop for the East Heath and Parliament Hill areas.
Hampstead station on the Northern line brings you to the top of Hampstead Village, from which the Heath is around a 10 to 15-minute walk.
Gospel Oak station is useful for the Parliament Hill and southern Heath sections.
Several bus routes also serve the Heath’s perimeter, making it one of the easiest dog walks in North London to access without a car.
The swimming ponds - what dog owners need to know
The swimming ponds are one of Hampstead Heath’s most distinctive and beloved features.
There are three designated dog swimming areas on the Heath, clearly marked with floating barriers. These are the only places dogs should swim. Dogs are not permitted in human bathing ponds or in ponds where notices prohibit them.
This matters because of something that has become a real concern on the Heath in recent years: people swimming dogs in the wrong ponds, including areas designated for wildlife. The disturbance to nesting and resting waterfowl from dogs entering these spaces is significant, and the Heath’s guidance is clear about where dogs may and may not swim.
Please check signage on the day and stick to the designated dog swimming areas only. The wildlife that calls this place home deserves the same respect as the human swimmers.
For those looking for safe dog swimming in London, the Hampstead Heath dog pond remains one of the capital’s most famous locations - provided it is used responsibly.
Blue-green algae
Hampstead Heath has previously identified blue-green algae in pond water and erected signage when levels rise.
Blue-green algae can be fatal to dogs. Symptoms after exposure can include vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures, weakness, and breathing difficulties.
Always check for signage before allowing your dog to swim, and if you see anything resembling green paint or thick scum on the water’s surface, keep your dog away.
Flea and tick treatments
The Heath and Hampstead Society has raised concerns about levels of pesticides from some flea and tick spot-on treatments entering the dog ponds through swimming dogs.
If your dog regularly swims on the Heath, it is worth speaking with your vet about the most appropriate parasite prevention options. This is not a reason to avoid the ponds, simply a useful piece of information that helps protect the wildlife that makes this place so special.
What kind of dogs does Hampstead Heath suit?
Confident off-lead dogs
Yes, absolutely.
For dogs who enjoy off-lead dog walks in London, Hampstead Heath offers genuine space to explore. The dog walking code asks that dogs be kept in sight at all times and that they can be reliably recalled.
For dogs who love to investigate, cover ground and explore different environments, it is hard to think of many better options in London.
Long-line and sniffy dogs
Possibly one of the best options in North London.
The scent layers here are extraordinary, and the varied terrain provides endless opportunities for dogs who enjoy exploring the world through their noses.
Nervous or reactive dogs
Yes, with thoughtful timing and route planning.
The Heath can be busy, particularly around Parliament Hill and East Heath on warm days and weekends.
However, it is also large enough that quieter routes can usually be found. Early mornings are noticeably calmer, and the woodland sections often allow more space to step aside and create distance when needed.
For dogs who benefit from decompression walks and scent-led exploration, Hampstead Heath can be a beautiful place.
Older dogs or dogs with mobility considerations
The wonderful thing about Hampstead Heath is that it does not have to be an epic walk to be a rewarding one. A shorter route here can still provide an enormous amount of enrichment.
For older dogs
The flatter paths around East Heath and some of the wider routes near Kenwood House can be a good choice for dogs who still enjoy getting out and about but no longer want to tackle steep hills or long distances.
The scents, changing scenery, and opportunities to watch the world go by still make for a rich experience.
For dogs recovering from injury
If your dog is returning to exercise after an injury or surgery, it is worth planning your route before you arrive.
Some areas of the Heath are uneven underfoot and can become muddy after rain, while others offer wider, more predictable paths.
For guardians with mobility considerations
The Heath offers surfaced routes, accessible toilets, dedicated Blue Badge parking bays and mobility scooter hire.
While not every part of the Heath is fully accessible, there are plenty of areas where visitors can enjoy the landscape without tackling the steeper terrain.
The beauty of Hampstead Heath is that there is no right way to experience it. Whether your dog covers miles or simply enjoys a gentle wander and a good sniff, there is space for both.
Things to be aware of, in the nicest possible way
The Heath has a set of byelaws - actual laws, not guidelines - that apply on top of normal UK legislation.
The vast majority simply amount to respecting the space, the wildlife, and the people who share it with you.
The most relevant ones for dog walkers are keeping your dog in sight, ensuring they have a reliable recall, not allowing them into ponds where notices prohibit entry, and making sure every dog wears a collar tag with current contact details.
Golders Hill Park, which sits at the western edge of the Heath and contains formal gardens and a small zoo, requires dogs to be on lead at all times.
The Heath can also be very busy on warm weekends, particularly around Parliament Hill and the ponds.
If that is likely to be difficult for your dog, early mornings genuinely transform the experience. The paths are quieter, the light is beautiful, and the whole place feels calmer.
In wet weather, parts of the Heath become deeply muddy. Bring a towel. Accept your fate. Your dog will almost certainly have a wonderful time.
The dog community on Hampstead Heath
One of the things I love most about the Heath is the community that has gathered around it.
The dog people here are enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in the space.
All Dogs Matter, the North London rescue charity whose work I have enormous respect for, regularly hosts events on the Heath, including the annual Great Hampstead Bark Off on Parliament Hill.
If you happen to be visiting when one of their events is taking place, it is well worth stopping by.
A photographer’s perspective on Hampstead Heath
Hampstead Heath gives me things that not every London location can.
The views from Parliament Hill create a sense of scale that reminds you exactly where you are. The woodland sections offer beautiful, dappled light. The open heathland feels expansive and atmospheric in every season.
What I find most valuable here as a photographer is the same thing I find most valuable about the space in general: its refusal to be just one thing.
Over the years, I have photographed an extraordinary variety of dogs here. Tiny Peanut, the Spitz cross Pomeranian, approached the Heath with enough confidence to convince anyone she owned it. Ozzy the Lancashire Heeler treated every path like a new investigation. I photographed sisters Matilda and Ruth here, and was once commissioned to photograph a Leonberger and a Cairn Terrier so their family could have a painting created from the images. Every dog experienced the Heath differently, but all of them seemed completely at ease here.
A session on Hampstead Heath can move from deep woodland to open grassland to sweeping city views in the space of an hour, and each environment offers something completely different.
Dogs respond to that variety with a natural curiosity and looseness that makes photographs feel alive rather than posed.
I have photographed here across every season, and the Heath changes dramatically throughout the year. Summer woodland feels lush and enclosed. Autumn transforms the landscape with colour. Winter brings beautiful simplicity. Spring fills the Heath with fresh growth and extraordinary light.
If you’re looking for a dog photographer in London, you can learn more
about my outdoor sessions here.
Seasonal notes
Spring
One of the Heath's best seasons. Fresh growth, birdsong, improving light, and the kind of energy in the air that makes dogs looser and more curious. The woodland sections are particularly beautiful as the canopy comes in. Be aware that this is also when the wildlife is most sensitive to disturbance - keep dogs away from pond edges where nesting birds are present, and stick to the designated dog swimming areas only.
Summer
The Heath is at its most popular, and Parliament Hill can feel genuinely crowded on warm weekends. Early mornings are the answer - cooler for your dog, less busy, and the light is at its best. Check for blue-green algae signage before any swimming. The swimming ponds require advance booking during peak summer months and can sell out quickly.
Autumn
Excellent. The woodland on the Heath in October and November has a quality that is hard to describe until you have been there - rich, atmospheric, and slightly melancholy in the best way. Fewer visitors, better light on the open sections, and dogs who seem genuinely delighted by the carpet of fallen leaves underfoot.
Winter
Quieter and colder, but worth every visit. The open heathland sections feel expansive even on grey days, and a frosty morning on Parliament Hill, looking out over a city still waking up, is one of those London experiences that stays with you. Wrap up, waterproof your footwear, and bring the towel.
Practical notes before you go
Bring water for your dog, particularly during warmer months.
Make sure your dog’s collar tag carries your current contact details.
Check for updates on blue-green algae before allowing your dog to swim.
Stick to designated swimming areas only.
And if you regularly use spot-on flea and tick treatments, consider speaking to your vet if your dog frequently swims in the ponds.
Downloading a map before your first visit is also a sensible idea. Hampstead Heath is large enough that getting pleasantly lost is entirely possible.
Things to do after your walk
The Spaniards Inn
If you could design the perfect post-walk pub for dog owners, it would probably look something like The Spaniards Inn. Built in 1585 as a tollgate on the Finchley boundary, it is one of London's most historic pubs - it features in Charles Dickens' The Pickwick Papers, and Keats is said to have written Ode to a Nightingale in its garden. It is also deeply committed to dogs: there is a dog wash outside so muddy visitors can be cleaned up before coming in, hooks on the walls to secure your dog while you eat, and a range of dog treats available. The pub also regularly hosts charity events in support of dog rescue and rehoming organisations. A genuinely exceptional post-walk option, and right on the edge of the Heath itself.
The Bull & Last
Between Hampstead Heath and Waterlow Park on Highgate Road, The Bull and Last is one of London's most celebrated gastropubs - it features in the Michelin restaurant guide and is part of the Mr and Mrs Smith hotel group, with guest rooms inspired by Kenwood House and the Heath. Dogs are welcomed warmly, with water bowls, meaty treats, and dog biscuits at the bar. If you want something a step above the standard post-walk pub lunch, this is an excellent choice.
Burgh House Café
One of Hampstead's best-kept secrets, and worth knowing about. The café sits in the basement of Burgh House, a beautiful Queen Anne building on New End Square just off Flask Walk - two minutes from the High Street and close to the Heath. Dogs are welcome inside as well as in the courtyard garden, the food is good, and the atmosphere is exactly what you want after a long walk: relaxed, unhurried, and slightly hidden from the world. Worth seeking out.
The Lord Palmerston
A well-regarded dog-friendly gastropub in Dartmouth Park, a short walk from the Heath. The chef keeps dog treats on hand, and water bowls appear without being asked. A reliable choice if you want something solid and welcoming without any fuss.
The Garden Gate
A 19th-century pub near Hampstead Heath Overground station with one of north London's finest beer gardens - dogs are welcome both inside and out. Good food, a relaxed atmosphere, and a location that makes it an easy last stop before heading home.
Final thoughts
Looking back at Matilda’s photographs now, I am reminded that none of us ever know which walks will become the ones we treasure most.
If a walk on Hampstead Heath has ever made you wish you could hold onto it, that instinct is worth following.
The Heath is one of those places that brings out something vivid and real in dogs - present, curious, entirely themselves.
Those are exactly the versions of them I love to photograph.
Whether it is a puppy discovering the Heath for the first time, a dog who knows every path by heart, or a beloved companion whose photographs will one day mean more than you can imagine, these walks matter.
If you’d like to create lasting memories of your own dog in one of London’s most beautiful outdoor locations, I’d love to help.
You can explore my outdoor portrait sessions and find out what it might look like to turn one of those mornings into something you can keep on your wall.
