Did you know that 48% of London is made up of green space?
That there’s even a campaign to make London the world’s first National Park city?
So how much of green London have you really seen? I’m sure most of you have ventured into Hyde Park and maybe even Regent’s Park. But there’s so much more to see and explore and it would be a shame to leave London without venturing into some of its most wonderful outdoor spaces.
Of these, Hampstead Heath is probably one of the largest and best loved – certainly the most famous and most visited with over 7 million visitors a year; yet it’s situated just six kilometres from Trafalgar Square and accessible by tube. An island of beautiful countryside, the magic of Hampstead Heath lies not only in its rich wildlife and recreational opportunities, but also in its proximity and accessibility to millions of people. There is a zoo, an athletics track, an education centre, extensive children’s facilities, three swimming ponds and a Lido! And nestled on the edge of the Heath is one of London’s hidden gems, Kenwood House, a beautiful stately home with breathtaking interiors and a stunning art collection, free for everyone to enjoy.
Why not join the Program Office staff and Professor Dennis Bury on Saturday April 16th for a bracing hike across the Heath – great for chasing away those mental cobwebs! Come sign up in the Program Office (with a £10 refundable deposit). Details tbc but we’d probably meet Dennis Bury mid-morning at Belsize Park, ready to put our best foot forward – and there’ll be a nice refreshment break at the end, courtesy of SUL!
Maybe you’ve heard of Kew Gardens? Put simply Kew Gardens is the world’s largest collection of living plants. Founded in 1840 and covering over 300 acres, its living collections include more than 30,000 different kinds of plants, while the herbarium (one of the largest in the world) has over seven million preserved plant specimens. It is one of London’s top tourist attractions and in 2003, it was put on the Unesco list of World Heritage sites. But aside from facts and statistics it is simply an exquisite garden with magnificent flowers, greenhouses, exhibitions and even a Treetop Walkway, 18 metres up in the air and from which you can get birds’ eye perspective of the woodland.
There can be no lovelier time to visit Kew than in Spring so we’re offering you the opportunity to go with the school on Friday April 22nd. Again Professor Bury will be your guide and you could not be in better, nor more enthusiastic hands. Come sign up in the Program office – a £10 refundable deposit secures your spot.