Hidden London: Hampstead's Hill Garden and Pergola

Evening Standard

This is the Hill Garden and Pergola; a horticultural wonder that's the ideal spot for a romantic walk this Valentine's day.Away from the skyline views of the capital on Parliament Hill, these walkways, climbing vines and plant beds crisscross the hillside on the West Heath as it rolls down towards the suburban sprawl of north west London.It retains much its faded grandeur amid the worn wooden beams, cascading wisteria and magical walkways. It opens every day at 8.30 so head down and lose yourself in this slice of Hidden London - you won't be disappointed.

Transcript

00:00Deep inside Hampstead Heath lies a hidden garden, an ideal escape from the chaos of London.

00:06This is the Hill Garden and Pagola, a horticultural wonder that's the ideal spot for a romantic walk

00:13this Valentine's Day. Away from the skyline views of the capital on Parliament Hill,

00:19these walkways, climbing vines and plant beds crisscross the hillside on the West Heath

00:24as it rolls down towards the suburban sprawl of North West London.

00:33Its story begins back in 1904 when Lord Leverhulme, after building his fortune in

00:39the soap business, splashed out on a new garden to host parties and receptions.

00:47Enlisting the services of world-famous landscape gardener Thomas Mawson,

00:52two decades later his garden was finally built. Thankfully it's no longer private property.

00:59After years of neglect and disrepair following the soap magnate's death,

01:03the City of London took over its running, restoring it and opening it to the public.

01:13It retains much of its faded grandeur amid the worn wooden beams,

01:17cascading wisteria and magical walkways. It opens every day at 8.30am,

01:24so head down and lose yourself in this slice of hidden London. You won't be disappointed.

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