As we approach the summer months, our colleagues at the London Fire Brigade are keen for us to remind Hampstead Heath visitors of the fire risk hot weather can bring.

Grass fires can spread extremely quickly and are very dangerous for anyone in the vicinity, devastating to wildlife and bad for air quality.

It’s for this reason, as well as to protect the Heath, that BBQs and bonfires are strictly prohibited. Please help our staff, and care for the Heath by following this byelaw.

The return of warmer weather also means lots of swimmers visiting our four iconic swimming facilities – the three bathing ponds and the Parliament Hill Lido.

This may be the first swim of the season, so we do recommend caution when entering the water – the Ponds are deep, and the water can still be very cold.

The wonderful team of lifeguards are on hand to keep a watchful eye and also offer advice to first-time open water swimmers. The non-lifeguarded ponds do not have that benefit, and swimming in these is strictly forbidden.

William Upton KC reminds new outdoor swimmers to use the lifeguard ponds this summerWilliam Upton KC urges new outdoor swimmers to use the lifeguard ponds this summer (Image: City of London Corporation)

You also need to remember that these ponds are not checked for underwater hazards. I am told that, when the Model Boating Pond was drained and dredged as part of the Ponds Project, a rusty car was found at the bottom, among a few other objects!

The Heath & Hampstead Society’s annual kite festival took place on Sunday, June 30, with another stunning display of kite flying from the Kite Society. It’s a treat to see the colourful kites in all shapes and sizes soaring from Parliament Hill, or Kite Hill as it’s known locally.

Around 2,000 people, including hundreds of children, enjoyed the day – many of them flying their own kites.

Our summer bandstand concerts are also now underway, taking place on most Sundays in July and August at the Parliament Hill and Golders Hill Park bandstands.

You can find the details of the programmes on our website: cityoflondon.gov.uk/hampsteadheath.

I hope you enjoy your visits to the Heath this summer to enjoy the entertainment or to escape into nature with a swim or a walk.

  • William Upton KC  is chair of the City Corporation’s Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood, and Queen’s Park Committee.