Penny Blood's Black Book – My Independent Guide to London - Penny Blood's eclectic collection of favourite places in London to drink coffee, eat cake, have tea, eat out, buy clothes, watch movies, kill time, read Voltaire, quote Baudelaire and write this blog.

Now I know I said I wouldn’t mention parks and the only reason I mention Hampstead Heath is because I got lost there the other day trying to find Kenwood House with Drage who wouldn’t admit he had no idea where he was going. Well I decided that on a sunny day it’s worth getting off the train at Gospel Oak or Hampstead Heath and walking up via Parliment Hill where you get an amazing view of London where no skyscapers can ever be built that will block a clear view of St. Paul’s Cathedral. A while back a friend who had just moved to Gospel Oak insisted on taking me up there which I found unbelievably tedious as I hate to walk anywhere if I can help it, but I have to admit that it was indeed worth it.

Hampstead Heath itself feels like the the next best thing to a day in the country as it’s huge, rambling, spacious and unmanicured with acres to literally get lost in. The Hampstead Ponds are also a huge attraction where people (not me) can go swimming, there is even a ladies only pond. Like lido’s and sunsets, people seem to get very excited over them, I personally don’t get it. I hate swimming and outdoors? in Britain?…..???

Kenwood House is a stately home situated at the top of the Heath with a great tea room and a lovely outdoor seating area with great cakes, soup, salad, coffee, tea, that kind of thing. It’s a perfect setting although I brought the average age down by about 30 years.

http://www.companyofcooks.com

The Brew House, Kenwood House, Hampstead Lane, London, NW3 7JR
0208 341 5384
Monday – Sunday 9am-6pm

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1. Louis Pâtisserie
2. The Hollybush
3. The French House