Walking Hampstead Heath (the Last Day in London)

 

April 11th. Today was practically the last full day of my London trip. Tomorrow I’ll simply leave the city from Gatwick Airport. My daughter has many things for me to take back to Japan—souvenirs for her sister, her own belongings, and four heavy books. She planned to come to my hotel at 2:00 p.m. to check whether everything would fit into my 65‑liter rucksack. If not, I would have to use her large suitcase.

I had plenty of time before she arrived. The bus stop for the No. 24 bus was right in front of my hotel, and the bus goes all the way to Hampstead Heath. It suddenly occurred to me that I could ride it directly there. I decided to go, knowing I could return by 2:00 p.m.

There were only a few passengers, so I sat in the front row on the upper deck to enjoy the view. The weather forecast had said it would be sunny, but it was drizzling when I boarded.

I hadn’t realized it before, but the No. 24 bus passes many major tourist spots as it travels south to north—Victoria Station, Westminster, Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, the British Museum, UCL, Regent’s Park, Camden Market, and finally Hampstead Heath. I wished I had known about this convenient route earlier, but I was leaving the next day.

I got off at the last stop. The street was quiet and pleasant. I stepped into a café to escape the rain. Hardly anyone in London seems to use an umbrella. When the rain eased, I headed into the park.

Hampstead Heath is unlike an ordinary park. It is more like a hill covered with woods. I walked north. With the dense trees and limited visibility, you really need a map and compass to navigate. Even in the rain, some people were jogging or walking their dogs.

The northern half of the park is the Kenwood estate. I reached a fence and a small gate with a notice. The woods grew thicker. When I reached the Wood Pond, a large white mansion suddenly appeared through the trees—Kenwood House. What a dramatic sight. By then, the rain had stopped.

 

Hampstead Heath

Kenwood House

the Wood Pond

Kenwood House

 The interior of Kenwood House is open to the public free of charge. After enjoying the rooms and artwork, I headed south toward the bus terminal. I needed to return to my hotel soon. Parliament Hill, the highest point in the area, offers the best view of London’s skyline. I asked a woman walking nearby to confirm the direction of the bus stop.

the entrance

the interior

the cafe

Parliament Hill

I bought two sweet buns and a bottle of juice for lunch at a small grocery store along the street, then boarded the No. 24 bus again.

My daughter had already arrived at my hotel. We packed everything into my rucksack—and it all fit.

Since it was my last evening in London, I wanted to visit Covent Garden and have a lamb steak. My daughter agreed. We went to Oxford Circus and Angel to buy souvenirs, and in the evening we enjoyed the lively atmosphere and street performances in Covent Garden. The restaurant she chose nearby was excellent. She wanted me to see Big Ben illuminated at night, but dusk in London comes late, so we gave up. I took the No. 24 bus from Trafalgar Square back to my hotel.

 

Covent Garden

Covent Garden

Big Ben from Trafalgar Square

 

The next morning, my daughter came again and we went together to Victoria Coach Station. She had already bought the bus tickets to Gatwick Airport. I left London on an afternoon flight. She saw me off at the airport. It had been a wonderful ten days. (END)