Nature

Opinion

Five new drinking fountains have been installed on Hampstead Heath (Image: City of London Corporation)

City of London Corporation

From battling moths to winning gold: a busy season for Hampstead Heath

Parks like Stationers are perfect places for children to learn, develop and enjoy freedom (Image: Wikimedia)

Parks like Stationers are perfect places for children to learn, develop and enjoy freedom (Image: Wikimedia)

Why every child needs the freedom to play, explore and learn in local parks

The annual Conker Championships took place on Hampstead Heath last weekend and the autumn school term gets properly going (Image: Dieter Perry)

The annual Conker Championships took place on Hampstead Heath last weekend and the autumn school term gets properly going (Image: Dieter Perry)

Hampstead Heath

Why leaving Heath Hands feels like saying goodbye to a dream job

Some oaks in Kenwood are over 500 years old (Image: Michael Hammerson)

Some oaks in Kenwood are over 500 years old (Image: Michael Hammerson)

Highgate Society

Heatwaves are putting Highgate's ancient trees under threat

Chair and Deputy Chair of the City of London Corporation's Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queens Park Committee with the Master Woolman and Master Butcher and Tom Davis from Mudchute Farm as a ceremonial grazing declaration was made

Chair and Deputy Chair of the City of London Corporation's Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queens Park Committee with the Master Woolman and Master Butcher and Tom Davis from Mudchute Farm as a ceremonial grazing declaration was made

Hampstead Heath

Rare breed sheep return to grazing on Hampstead Heath and 'will help nature'

Hampstead Heath is ready to invite visitors to join a bat walk this International Bat Night

Hampstead Heath is ready to invite visitors to join a bat walk this International Bat Night

Hampstead Heath

International Bat Night shines a spotlight on Heath’s nocturnal wildlife

Arya plays with the giant enrichment ball

Arya plays with the giant enrichment ball

PICTURES: Lions have a ball with spicy treat at London Zoo

Gregory Jones joins Daisy Green's Prue Freeman at the newly refurbished Parliament Hill Café (Image: City of London Corporation)

Gregory Jones joins Daisy Green's Prue Freeman at the newly refurbished Parliament Hill Café (Image: City of London Corporation)

City of London Council

Respect Hampstead Heath or stay away, visitors warned after summer problems

Mildred the Humboldt penguin having her identification band fitted

Mildred the Humboldt penguin having her identification band fitted

Zoo names penguin chick after children’s hospital unit

An environmental campaign is encouraging people to upload pictures of their creative beach art (Image: Dorothea Hackman)

An environmental campaign is encouraging people to upload pictures of their creative beach art (Image: Dorothea Hackman)

Climate Emergency

Why food security should be treated as a national emergency

Camden’s much loved community gardening competition is back for another year and once again we are celebrating spaces that make our neighbourhoods more pleasant places to live and work

Camden’s much loved community gardening competition is back for another year and once again we are celebrating spaces that make our neighbourhoods more pleasant places to live and work

Annual gardening contest welcomes entries from across Camden

Copilot said: Volunteer Jean admires a mural at Swiss Cottage School celebrating pupils' activities and work on Hampstead Heath with Heath Hands (Image: Heath Hands)

Copilot said: Volunteer Jean admires a mural at Swiss Cottage School celebrating pupils' activities and work on Hampstead Heath with Heath Hands (Image: Heath Hands)

Hampstead Heath

Volunteers praised as summer challenges hit Hampstead Heath

The Heath's grass snakes and purse web spiders proved to be camera shy when Iolo Williams visited to film BBC Springwatch

The Heath's grass snakes and purse web spiders proved to be camera shy when Iolo Williams visited to film BBC Springwatch

Hampstead Heath

Why wildlife and staff on Hampstead Heath need to be shown respect this summer

Father and daughter stand in front of penguin sign at London Zoos penguin beach

Father and daughter stand in front of penguin sign at London Zoos penguin beach

More than 1,000 dads and children given free entry to London Zoo

New collaborative Nature North London held its first meeting on April 25

New collaborative Nature North London held its first meeting on April 25

Hampstead Heath

New alliance launched to boost nature and wildlife corridors around Hampstead Heath

Young people get involved with conservation projects on Hampstead Heath (Image: Heath Hands)

Young people get involved with conservation projects on Hampstead Heath (Image: Heath Hands)

Hampstead Heath

More young people than ever are discovering nature on Hampstead Heath

Volunteer shepherds are being sought to tend to a small flock on Hampstead Heath.

Volunteer shepherds are being sought to tend to a small flock on Hampstead Heath.

Hampstead Heath

Budding shepherds needed to watch over a flock on Hampstead Heath

Denis Lynch, plant area manager at Sunshine Garden Centre, gave a talk abot growing plants in containers

Denis Lynch, plant area manager at Sunshine Garden Centre, gave a talk abot growing plants in containers

Why 2026 is a bumper year for tulips and tips for growing plants in containers

There are plenty of places to explore eon foot during London Walking Festival (Image: PA)

There are plenty of places to explore eon foot during London Walking Festival (Image: PA)

Fascinating walks where you can learn about London's wildlife, woods and waterways

Putting up a bird box out of reach of cats and foxes can help support the ecosystem (Image: Pixabay)

Putting up a bird box out of reach of cats and foxes can help support the ecosystem (Image: Pixabay)

Hampstead Neighbourhood Forum

'The simple steps you can take to make Hampstead stay green, leafy and lush'

Forum+ members benefit from a season group walk (Image: forum+)

Forum+ members benefit from a season group walk (Image: forum+)

The LGBT+ group that uses walking to help people meet and unwind

MP Catherine West attended the Missing Lynx Project Parliamentary Briefing to discuss reintroducing the species (Image: Office of Catherine West)

MP Catherine West attended the Missing Lynx Project Parliamentary Briefing to discuss reintroducing the species (Image: Office of Catherine West)

Catherine West MP

The incredible birds and animals that are making their homes on London again

People have been using animals for millennia (Image: George Blair)

People have been using animals for millennia (Image: George Blair)

'Are we really an animal-loving nation or is it just a cosy myth?'

Simon Armitage at London Zoo

Simon Armitage at London Zoo

Poet Laureate writes poem to celebrate London Zoo's 200th anniversary

Karin Oleinikova shares the results of the Heath's wildlife survey

Karin Oleinikova shares the results of the Heath's wildlife survey

Hampstead Heath

The rare and beautiful animals that are thriving on Hampstead Heath

Advertising Feature

Meet the head of Heathside School Hampstead: a nature‑led, nurturing prep

Noel Brock looking for newts in his nursery in Belsize Park

Noel Brock looking for newts in his nursery in Belsize Park

The best way to create a wildlife pond in your garden

Frogs are showing their faces in the Ponds on Hampstead Heath (Image: City of London Corporation)

Frogs are showing their faces in the Ponds on Hampstead Heath (Image: City of London Corporation)

Hampstead Heath

Spotting the first signs of spring on Hampstead Heath

Comedian Ricky Gervais has been a long term supporter of many animal charities including All Dogs Matter and is pictured here at the charity's pop up in Hampstead High Street in 2024.

Comedian Ricky Gervais has been a long term supporter of many animal charities including All Dogs Matter and is pictured here at the charity's pop up in Hampstead High Street in 2024.

Ricky Gervais wins animal advocacy award in honour of Jane Goodall

Heath Hands session leader Molly and volunteer Margaret work hard to keep the Heath looking good and healthy (Image: C Blakemore/Heath Hands)

Heath Hands session leader Molly and volunteer Margaret work hard to keep the Heath looking good and healthy (Image: C Blakemore/Heath Hands)

Hampstead Heath

Meet the women who help care for Hampstead Heath

Marjorie Harris with her seed

Marjorie Harris with her seed

The gardeners vying to grow the biggest, most, or funniest looking potatoes

One of the peregrine falcons caught on the live stream cam on top of St Jude's in Hampstead Garden Suburb.

One of the peregrine falcons caught on the live stream cam on top of St Jude's in Hampstead Garden Suburb.

Hampstead Garden Suburb

'Pigeons were causing havoc at our church - but two rare birds answered our prayers'

Pupils from Highgate Primary School benefit physically and mentally from spending time on the allotment (Image: HPS)

Pupils from Highgate Primary School benefit physically and mentally from spending time on the allotment (Image: HPS)

Education Matters

Highgate Primary School

The school that gives children values to help them thrive in an unpredictable world

John Beyer from the Heath and Hampstead Society who raised most of the funds to create the wildlife haven on Hampstead Heath.

John Beyer from the Heath and Hampstead Society who raised most of the funds to create the wildlife haven on Hampstead Heath.

Hampstead Heath

Diggers move in to create island haven on Hampstead Heath

Work has begun on a wildlife sanctuary at Hampstead Heath

Work has begun on a wildlife sanctuary at Hampstead Heath

City of London Corporation

Work begins on new wildlife sanctuary at Hampstead Heath

More than 38,000 people shared their views on how access to the Ponds should be managed (Image: Nathalie Raffray)

More than 38,000 people shared their views on how access to the Ponds should be managed (Image: Nathalie Raffray)

Hampstead Heath

'Farewell to Parliament Hill cafe boss - but not the family's pasta or ice cream'

Snowdrops and azaleas brighten up the winter landscape near the Dairy at Kenwood (Image: Heath Hands)

Snowdrops and azaleas brighten up the winter landscape near the Dairy at Kenwood (Image: Heath Hands)

Hampstead Heath

All the activities to boost your winter wellbeing on Hampstead Heath

Sir David Attenborough began his TV career in the 50s making natural history programmes with London Zoo and continues to support its work.

Sir David Attenborough began his TV career in the 50s making natural history programmes with London Zoo and continues to support its work.

Iconic London zoo celebrates 200 years but how did it start?

The yew tree in St Andrew’s churchyard is believed to be London’s oldest tree

The yew tree in St Andrew’s churchyard is believed to be London’s oldest tree

Des Garrahan, Inner London Ramblers

The beautiful north London walk where you really could be in the countryside

Zookeeper Holly Dorning counts Capybaras

Zookeeper Holly Dorning counts Capybaras

Capybaras and penguins among 8,000 animals counted at London Zoo

Hampstead Heath is still a wonderful place to explore even in winter (Image: Heath Hands)

Hampstead Heath is still a wonderful place to explore even in winter (Image: Heath Hands)

Hampstead Heath

All the Christmas and New Year walks and activities on Hampstead Heath

Celebration moment: gardening club members and families gather with trophies in hand

Celebration moment: gardening club members and families gather with trophies in hand

Hampstead Heath

Hampstead’s community gardening project blossoms beside St Jude’s Church

Gregory Jones (right) is joined by English Heritage and Wendy Hurrell from the BBC at Hampstead's Hill Garden pergola (Image: City of London Corporation)

Gregory Jones (right) is joined by English Heritage and Wendy Hurrell from the BBC at Hampstead's Hill Garden pergola (Image: City of London Corporation)

English Heritage

'How we are saving one of Hampstead Heath’s most beautiful historic landmarks'

Learning at St Martin of Porres extends far beyond the classroom (Image: St Martin of Porres)

Learning at St Martin of Porres extends far beyond the classroom (Image: St Martin of Porres)

Education matters

The school that brings the curriculum to life with a walk in the woods

Camden Council’s Sustainability Team helped to loosen the ground on the Heath which had become compacted (Image: Heath Hands)

Camden Council’s Sustainability Team helped to loosen the ground on the Heath which had become compacted (Image: Heath Hands)

Hampstead Heath

Meet the team who repair the hedgerows and footpaths on Hampstead Heath

Daisy the cavachon gazes thoughtfully from a park bench, a familiar companion on Hampstead Heath walks

Daisy the cavachon gazes thoughtfully from a park bench, a familiar companion on Hampstead Heath walks

'I turned walks on Hampstead Heath with my beloved dog into a book'

Nathan is congratulated on his post to sergeant of the Hampstead Heath Constabulary by Alderman Gregory Jones KC

Nathan is congratulated on his post to sergeant of the Hampstead Heath Constabulary by Alderman Gregory Jones KC

Hampstead Heath

The return of conkers to Hampstead Heath and hedgehogs to Highgate Wood

Cllr Luke Cawley-Harrison hits target for new trees at Crouch End

Cllr Luke Cawley-Harrison hits target for new trees at Crouch End

Campaigner's success as more trees to be planted in high street

Jobs could be at risk at London Zoo after the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) launched a voluntary redundancy scheme to try to cut costs by £2m a year

Jobs could be at risk at London Zoo after the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) launched a voluntary redundancy scheme to try to cut costs by £2m a year

Jobs at London Zoo under threat as ZSL seeks to save £2 million a year

The grand Conkermeister is returning to Hampstead Heath to watch over the annual Conker Championships (Image: Heath Hands)

The grand Conkermeister is returning to Hampstead Heath to watch over the annual Conker Championships (Image: Heath Hands)

Hampstead Heath

Autumn is here as annual conker championships return to Hampstead Heath

Dame Jane Goodall

Dame Jane Goodall

The woman who transformed our understanding of apes - and humans

Hedgehog sightings in Highgate Wood soar from one to 19 since 2017

Hedgehog sightings in Highgate Wood soar from one to 19 since 2017

Hedgehogs 'make comeback' in Highgate Wood

A rainbow over Highgate, seen from Hampstead Heath

A rainbow over Highgate, seen from Hampstead Heath

Highgate Society

Talks on making your garden greener and helping butterflies thrive

Protesters on Westminster Bridge and (inset) Dorothea Hackmann

Protesters on Westminster Bridge and (inset) Dorothea Hackmann

Thames Water is failing to protect the river it is named after