A Stroll Through Hampstead Heath in Autumn

Today was one of those days that could easily have been written off. Things felt out of kilter from the start.

My local Starbucks was completely packed, which meant stalking a table until one finally became available. Unfortunately, the sunlight was so bright—yes, that does happen in London—that I could not see anything on my computer screen. After sending one semi-scatty email, I gave up and went home.

Working from home was also a bust. I felt like a caged animal at the zoo, and it quickly became clear that no research or writing was going to happen. So I grabbed my camera and headed out for a stroll through Hampstead Heath, one of my favourite places in London.

I am not really an outdoorsy person, per se. That might be because I grew up and spent a large portion of my life in the American desert Southwest. Some people find the desert beautiful, but I have never shared that opinion.

I do not camp either. Why would I want to sleep in a tent when humankind has more or less perfected indoor plumbing and comfortable mattresses?

London skyline viewed from Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath — View of London from Parliament Hill

That being said, I love the area where I live because it is surrounded by green spaces. If I walk south-ish, I reach Primrose Hill and Regent’s Park. If I head a little northeast, I arrive at Parliament Hill and Hampstead Heath.

From Parliament Hill, I can look down at the city I love. Then I can turn around and walk through a patch of nature that seems almost out of place in a city of more than eight million people.

It is a calm and peaceful area—perfect for clearing my mind of unconstructive thoughts.

These are the places I visit when I need to gain some perspective and remind myself not to give up on my goal of staying in London.

An Autumn Stroll Through Hampstead Heath

This week, I am not going to write a bunch of words. Instead, I am sharing some of the sights from my autumn stroll through Hampstead Heath.

I hope you enjoy the photographs and that they bring a little happiness to your day too. Click on an image to open a larger version and read the caption.