Golders Hill Park

Golders Hill Park is a formal park in Golders Green, north London, and the most manicured corner of the Hampstead Heath family of green spaces. It is managed by the City of London Corporation, which looks after Hampstead Heath and a number of other commons and parklands in and around the capital.

What kind of park is Golders Hill Park?

Where most of Hampstead Heath feels wild, with long grass, woodland and open slopes, Golders Hill Park is laid out as a designed landscape. It has lawns, planted borders and a more deliberate layout, which makes it an easy, relaxed place for a stroll. The park is also part of the Hampstead Heath Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation, so alongside the ornamental planting it carries recognised value for wildlife.

What is there to see?

The park's history shows in its features. A walled garden survives from the earlier estate and now includes some exotic planting, which gives it a different character from the open lawns around it. Additions from the early twentieth century include sports grounds, a bandstand and a deer enclosure. The house that once stood here was demolished in 1941, and a café now stands near its former site at the top of the park, although sources differ slightly on its exact position.

Families often come for the small free zoo area. Descriptions of it mention animals such as lemurs, wallabies, donkeys and tropical birds, though the exact collection can change over time, so treat any list as a guide rather than a promise.

When can you visit?

This is the practical detail that catches visitors out. Unlike the rest of Hampstead Heath, which is open around the clock, Golders Hill Park is closed at night. Plan your visit for daylight hours and check the City of London Corporation's current opening times before you set off, especially in winter when the park closes earlier.

How do you get there?

The park lies in Golders Green, in the north-west of London, on the western edge of Hampstead Heath. It sits at coordinates 51.567, -0.189. You can easily combine it with a longer walk across the Heath, using the park as a gentle, formal start or finish to a wilder route.

Frequently asked questions

Is Golders Hill Park free to enter? Yes, the park and its small zoo area are generally described as free to visit.

Is it part of Hampstead Heath? It is managed alongside the Heath by the City of London Corporation and forms part of the same nature conservation site, but it has a formal character of its own.

Is the park open at night? No. Unlike the rest of the Heath, Golders Hill Park is closed at night.

What is the best thing to do here? Wander through the walled garden, see the animals and deer enclosure, then rest at the café before continuing onto the Heath.

Is it suitable for children? Yes. The animals, open lawns and café make it a popular choice for families, and the formal layout is easy to walk.