With warmer weather well on its way, it’s been pleasant to have the sun out in London for a stretch of days. Since I’ve been complaining so much about London’s dreariness, I figured I would take the opportunity to scope out some of the more picturesque spots around England’s capital.
Hampstead Heath, one of the largest areas of green parkland within Greater London, presented an extremely welcome change of pace. Within its borders, there are ponds, hilly knolls, wooded knolls, large grassy spaces perfect for picnicking and lounging, as well as the highest spot in London, Parliament Hill, which offers a beautiful view of the London skyline.
On the other hand, not quite as natural, Notting Hill, a West London neighborhood, showcased with its quieter, almost suburban nature, the diverse types of neighborhoods which can all be found within the same sprawling metropolis. Despite a more calm and posh element, strikingly colored houses and street markets still demonstrate Notting Hill’s diversity and multicultural background.
In both of these places, I found a unique London phenomenon, the sudden crowding of all outdoor parks and nooks and crannies the moment the weather is somewhat favorable. On Hampstead Heath’s grassy plain, it seemed half of London had set up camp to catch some sun rays, while Notting Hill’s street markets thronged with patrons, and the sidewalks were filled with people and their dogs on walks.
As with the rest of London, I’ve found that with just a little bit of looking, part of the city’s deeper character and history can be revealed even as I walk through the most mundane of places. My visits on these last few sunny days have been no exception to the rule.
Hampstead Heath presents a history that goes back to the medieval period, back when that part of London was far from anything that could be considered urban. The green hills and wooded areas that would become Hampstead Heath were preserved because of their ownership by British nobility and status as common land for use by the local community.
By the time London’s rapid industrial era expansion had reached the Heath, active efforts began to be undertaken to preserve it as a green space for the benefit of local Londoners. Efforts that succeeded in securing a prominent natural oasis surprisingly close to the city’s bustling center, a status which the park has held for almost 200 years.
On my walk through Hampstead Heath, I mainly did my part to enjoy the sun and the sprightly weather, taking in the greenery as a happy privilege apart from days that usually stick to an urban gray. However, it was also very nice to experience the park as a place that draws in Londoners from all walks of life, all in a moment of unity to enjoy a nice day in a pleasant park. Which I felt, combined with the park’s long history as a community space, gave me a sense of the kind of local spirit which can thrive in a city as prominent as London.
In Notting Hill, by contrast, I found a similar community spirit very firmly within the concrete and asphalt streets and buildings of London. In this case, it was in a neighborhood that embodied some of London’s chaos in its street markets and eclectic architecture, but with a distinct element of calm as a distinctly suburban feel took to hold down streets lined with larger homes and frequent parks.
Notting Hill’s history also displays some of the larger trends and changes befitting greater London as a whole. Through the early 1900s, Notting Hill was largely a low-income area with significant immigrant communities and a reputation for cultural and artistic vibrancy. By now, however, the steady march of time has given way to a relatively well-off neighborhood.
Regardless, Notting Hill’s rowdier roots can be visible in some of the character and charm it has managed to maintain, such as in the rows of brightly colored homes which adorn its streets, or in the tradition of community events such as street markets and festivals which continue to this day. All elements which are constant reminders of a neighborhood with a rich heritage of considerable diversity are emblematic in many ways of London as a whole.
While I’ve been able to find some welcome respite in these days of sun, I am also thankful that the good weather has been able to show me some interesting snippets of London’s community life and diverse history. Going in depth and exploring the many smaller communities strewn throughout London has so far proven very worthwhile in providing a greater insight on the sprawling metropolis as a whole.
