Hampstead Heath walk(part two)
A beautiful Spring afternoon sees a bumper turnout for the walk
(Photos/words © urban75, 18th April, 2009)


Inverforth House, now luxury flats.


Walking around the Pergola.










The Hill Garden, said to be one of London's best-kept secrets.




Sweetheart's names carved on a tree. I wonder if ID stills loves PD?




Second pub stop at the Old Bull and Bush (est. 1721), a pub made famous by a once-popular knees-up, "Down at the Old Bull and Bush" belted out by the 15 stone favourite of the music halls, Florrie Forde.

The original building was a farmhouse, licensed to sell ale in 1721.

William Hogarth used to quaff ale here, and was said to have planted the yew bower in the garden by his own hand.

Thomas Gainsborough felt the love and is quoted as saying, "What a delightful little snuggery is this said Bull and Bush."




Heath House near the summit.


View over London.


The Egg Rolling Competition!




Ready to go...


They're off!


Following the eggs down the hill. Some eggs appeared to have received a rather less than sporting extra shove which saw them hurtling down the slope at improbable speeds.


Rolling down the hill.


Most survived the journey.


...but not all.




Tranquil pond at Hampstead Heath.


Pond at Hampstead Heath.




Woodland den.


Long shadows at the end of the day.


Looking out across the pond.

A final flurry of FACTS!
Views of the Heath and its cloudscapes were a favourite subject of John Constable, who lived in nearby Well Walk.
John Keats lived in West Heath Road, and his poem Ode to a Nightingale was inspired by a bird he heard while swigging ale at the Spaniards Inn on the northern border of the Heath.
CS Lewis was inspired to write "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" while strutting about the heath on a snowy day.


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