A major new vision for one of London's most cherished green spaces has been unveiled, promising a host of new attractions and vital conservation work. The City of London Corporation, which manages Hampstead Heath, has published a draft five-year business plan containing more than 70 proposed actions designed to enhance the park for visitors and wildlife alike.
Wellness Trends and Heritage Restoration
The comprehensive plan, covering the period up to 2031, aims to capitalise on contemporary wellness trends while protecting the Heath's historic fabric. For those captivated by London's growing sauna culture, the corporation has set out an ambition to explore installing more saunas across the park. While a small sauna already exists at Parliament Hill Lido, the search for potential new locations is slated for the 2027/28 financial year.
Furthermore, in a nod to rapidly rising sports trends, the authority plans to investigate adding padel or pickleball courts between 2028 and 2031. On the heritage front, urgent attention will be given to the Hill Garden Pergola, a structure recently classified as 'at risk', which is now earmarked for restoration.
Boosting Biodiversity and Managing Floods
Perhaps one of the most significant environmental proposals is the creation of up to 11 new small ponds. These will not be for human bathing but are specifically designed to mitigate flood risk and generate crucial new habitats for the Heath's diverse wildlife. This move underscores a key priority of the plan: ensuring the park's natural habitats continue to flourish.
In a charming and traditional conservation effort, sheep are planned to graze on the Heath in 2026, helping to manage the landscape naturally. Additionally, there is a vision to re-landscape and potentially open the popular mixed bathing pond to visitors all year round.
A Delicate Balance for the Future
The draft plan, developed by the City of London Corporation's Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen's Park Committee, is built around ten core priorities. These carefully balance the need to preserve the park's unique heritage and ecosystems with improving the physical and mental wellbeing of its millions of annual visitors.
The proposed projects, from new recreational facilities to essential environmental work, represent a holistic strategy for the Heath's future. They aim to safeguard its status as a vital lung for the capital while ensuring it evolves to meet the changing needs of Londoners. The plan is now open for consideration, setting the course for the beloved park's next chapter.
