For a small Sunday afternoon fieldtrip we went to Hampstead Heath. It's one of the largest open spaces within the boundaries of a world capital, and with over 800 acres, The Heath, is considered "the lungs" of London. The Heath has been kept as an open space originally because its soil consists of sand and gravel - unsuitable to sustain any crops. Over the years local residents have resisted any development. Hampstead Heath's soil might be sand but it's history is rich - in 1588 a chain of fires across The Heath acted as a beacon to warn the south of England that the Spanish Armada was coming.
We criss-crossed all over The Heath - stopping by the various swimming ponds (no swimmers today of course with the chilly weather), Parliament Hill, Kenwood House, and The Brew House Gardens. Parliament Hill is one of the highest points in London at 319 feet. You can view the whole of London, just as Guy Fawkes had hoped to do when he tried to execute a plan to blow up the Houses of Parliament on November 5th, 1605. Legend says that's how Parliament Hill got its name.
In a few days time Brits will celebrate Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Bonfire Night. Fawkes was part of a group of Catholic conspirators who tried to kill King James I of England and the Protestant aristocracy by attempting to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London. Though Fawkes was not the brains behind the attack, or the Gunpowder Plot, he was the executioner, as he was quite knowledgeable with explosives. Today still, bonfires are burned and fireworks are lit to mark the foiled plot which meant the King had been saved!
Back to The Heath...we stopped at The Brew House and enjoyed a bowl of soup with crusty bread outside in the Gardens while the rain let up for a few moments. It really is an oasis in London - no soot or pollution and no getting hit by a double-decker to worry about.
The area surrounding The Heath was quite a find too - we were very English and shared a pot of tea while we stopped in a local bakery for a few treats...
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