Like their Highgate counterparts on the opposite side of Parliament Hill, the Hampstead ponds were created in the late 17th century by damming the waters of the upper Fleet. Now they're perfect for fishing, bathing, walking, or just exercising the dog. Here's my clickable guide to the five Hampstead ponds [map here], working down from north to south:
• Vale of Health pond: We did this one yesterday, remember? • Viaduct pond: My favourite of the five (pictured), a gorgeous teardrop-shaped lily-covered pool. It's named after the red brick viaduct that runs across the northern tip, wide enough for a two-lane road but now carrying only a quiet footpath. The viaduct was built by greedy landowner Sir Thomas Maryon Wilson who mined clay and established sulphurous kilns on the Heath, then transported wagonloads of bricks away to build local houses. The brickfields, thankfully, have long since vanished beneath fresh vegetation as nature reasserts itself. • Mixed bathing pond: Not only are there separate male and female bathing ponds over on the Highgate side but there's also a mixed bathing pond over here in the Hampstead valley. Alas three all-year outdoor bathing pools are proving hard to fund, so the landowners are currently torn between making penny-pinching charges or swingeing cuts. Needless to say, local bathers are aghast and in campaigning mood. • Hampstead number 2 pond: Fisherman's haunt, thankfully not swimming with number twos. • Hampsteadnumber 1 pond: Favoured destination of Heath visitors who can't be arsed to venture more than 100 yards from the car park. Clamber down by the water's edge and, if you're as lucky as I was, you can stand surrounded by butterflies, dragonflies and inquisitive wildfowl.
Famous nearby residents • ErnöGoldfinger(2 Willow Road) - the Hungarian architect of the Trellick Tower designed this modernist family home for himself and moved in in 1939. Near neighbour Ian Fleming hated the design so much that he sought revenge by naming one of his Bond supervillains 'Goldfinger'. The house is now owned by the National Trust, and a tour of this tiny time capsule is heartily recommended. • John Keats(Keats Grove) - the 19th century romantic poet lived at Wentworth Place in a road which has since been named after him. His sweetheart Fanny lived nextdoor and it was in this Hampstead garden, sat beneath the plum tree, that he composed his most famous Ode To A Nightingale. Keats died of tuberculosis at the age of just 25, and his house is now a museum.
Reviewing the Fleet
Like their Highgate counterparts on the opposite side of Parliament Hill, the Hampstead ponds were created in the late 17th century by damming the waters of the upper Fleet. Now they're perfect for fishing, bathing, walking, or just exercising the dog. Here's my clickable guide to the five Hampstead ponds [map here], working down from north to south:
Reviewing the Fleet
Like their Highgate counterparts on the opposite side of Parliament Hill, the 