It’s been wintry recently on the Heath, with some early snowfall and gorgeous frosty mornings, interspersed with some big storms!
As it turns colder and the evenings grow darker, it can be tricky to feel motivated to head outdoors, but contact with nature and exposure to sunlight are essential to maintaining your wellbeing in winter.
Luckily, there are lots of things taking place on Hampstead Heath and nearby green spaces to provide that extra motivation this festive period.
To help get you in the festive spirit, our popular festive wreath-making workshops are running throughout December. All materials, instruction and warming drinks - including a glass of mulled wine - and a few mince pies are provided.
If you feel like doing something a bit more physical, why not wrap up warm try our winter forest bathing session on December 3? This is a fantastic opportunity to spend time with a mindfulness practitioner to connect with nature and embrace the colder weather.
Our monthly women-only ramble is the next day (December 4 at 9.30am), while our other regular health walks for varying abilities run throughout the week. They’re extremely sociable outings, with lots of time for a chat and a cuppa at the end.
To round it all off there’s a winter guided walk at Highgate Wood on December 28, and a New Year's ramble to blow away the cobwebs at Parliament Hill on January 5.
Now, it is the season of giving, so if you’d like to get something Heath-related for your loved ones and support Heath Hands’ work at the same time, you can get your hands on the 2025 Hampstead Heath calendar, festive greeting cards of the Heath in the snow and much more in our online shop (heath-hands.org.uk/shop).
Alternatively, come along to Parliament Hill Farmers Market every Saturday, where you can get your hands on all the above, as well as the brand-new Hampstead and Highgate Monopoly game. Do not pass by without collecting yours!
For full details about all that’s going on Hampstead Heath visit: heath-hands.org.uk/whatson
- Karin Oleinikova is programme manager for Heath Hands.
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