Hampstead Pergola & Hill Garden
About Hampstead Pergola & Hill Garden
A romantic Edwardian pergola and terraced garden on the edge of Hampstead Heath, famous for its atmospheric colonnades, climbing plants and quiet beauty.
History & Heritage
The Hill Garden and Pergola were created for Lord Leverhulme, the soap magnate and founder of Lever Brothers, who bought the adjacent property 'The Hill' in 1904. He commissioned the landscape architect Thomas Mawson to design an elaborate raised pergola and formal garden for lavish Edwardian garden parties, with construction taking place in stages using spoil excavated during the building of the nearby Northern line.
After Lord Leverhulme's death the estate passed into public ownership, and the gardens were eventually opened to the public. Decades of neglect left the pergola romantically overgrown before a restoration in the 1990s, and today its weathered colonnades draped in wisteria and vines make it one of London's most photographed hidden gardens.
What to Expect
Expect a tranquil, romantic escape quite unlike a conventional park — a raised stone and timber pergola walkway wreathed in wisteria, roses and climbing vines, overlooking a formal terraced garden and lily pond. It sits on the western edge of Hampstead Heath, offering a peaceful, almost secret atmosphere that is especially beautiful in late spring when the wisteria blooms.
Known For
Features & Facilities
- Raised pergola walkway
- Formal garden
- Lily pond
- Benches
- Heath access
- Quiet retreat
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Hampstead Pergola free to visit?
- Yes, the Hill Garden and Pergola are free to enter and open to the public daily, managed as part of Hampstead Heath.
- When is the best time to visit the Pergola?
- Late spring, particularly May, is the most spectacular time to visit when the wisteria and climbing plants are in full bloom, though it is atmospheric year-round.
- Where is the Hampstead Pergola?
- It is located on the western side of Hampstead Heath, near Inverforth House and the Golders Hill Park area, a short walk from Hampstead village.
More London Parks
Hampstead Heath
A sprawling, wild expanse of ancient heathland in North London, famous for its swimming ponds, panoramic views from Parliament Hill and Kenwood House.
Primrose Hill
A grassy hill just north of Regent's Park offering one of London's most famous and protected panoramic views across the entire city skyline.
Hyde Park
One of London's largest and most famous Royal Parks, home to the Serpentine lake, Speakers' Corner and 350 acres of open parkland in the heart of the city.