Alexandra Palace – Highgate Wood – Hampstead Heath

Oliver O'Brien

You need to log in as a member of Walkingworld to access the details for this walk and have an active subscription. Please join, or log in above if you are already a member.

This walk starts in the grounds of Alexandra Palace, the Victorian 'People's Palace' with fantastic views south to central London. It then follows the Parkland Walk, along a disused railway line, again with excellent views south at one point.

You enter Highgate Wood, joining the Capital Ring walk. A plaque in the wood marks the place where the Capital Ring walk was first founded. After leaving the wood, the route follows a road, climbing steeply into Highgate Village, an attractive if congested part of London.

Next the route passes Highgate Cemetery, the final resting-place of Karl Marx. It passes through the Holly Lodge Estate, a Victorian housing estate with dramatic mock-Tudor mansions. Finally, it enters Hampstead Heath, passing a couple of the ponds before climbing to Parliament Hill for one last dramatic view, both to central London and back to Highgate Hill. The walk ends at Hampstead Heath Station.

England - South England - London - Town or city

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Church, Flowers, Food Shop, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Lake/Loch, Play Area, Pub, Stately Home, Toilets

8/8/2023 - Kevin Hilton

We thought we'd try something different and have a walk in London and we are so glad we did. This walk is outstanding and the written directions (crucial on an urban route like this) are faultless. We refreshed ourselves at The Flask in Highgate and The Flask in Hampstead and both were excellent. A really memorable day out. Please pass on our thanks to Oliver.

9/27/2015 - Patricia Daw

We did this walk on a glorious Saturday at the end of September. As always the directions were spot on. This was an unknown area of London for us and we loved it all! We had coffee on the terrace of Ali Pally; lunch from a great sandwich park in Highgate sitting in Waterlow Park - who knew that existed?- we did a guided tour of Highgate Cemetery - thoroughly recommended - . Saw that there are men only bathing lakes in Hampstead?! Also mixed and ladies only. The most wonderful views from Parliament Hill. All in all thanks to Walking world we had a wonderful day out!

6/1/2014 - Alan Hemson

Great walk to discover woodland and parks in London. Incredible views across the city and nice pub in Highgate Village. A great day out if you are in London and fancy some fresh air.

3/30/2012 - Peter Bartle

Great walk.

3/13/2012 - Anthony Whiteson

Varied & interesting walk with lovely views.

9/14/2008 - Roger Groocock

We completed this walk on 13/9/08 and enjoyed it very much. Surprised at how much countryside that there is just a few miles from the centre of London. And those views were magnificent. An excellent day out. Roger and Sue Groocock.