Parliament Hill, London
Parliament Hill | |
---|---|
Hampstead Heath, London | |
Coordinates | 51°33′35″N 00°09′35″W / 51.55972°N 0.15972°W |
Area | 932 acres (3.77 km2) |
Created | 1888 |
Operated by | City of London Corporation |
Status | All year |
Parliament Hill is an area of open parkland in the south-east corner of Hampstead Heath in north-west London. The hill, which is 98 metres (322 ft) high, is notable for its views of the capital's skyline.
The Houses of Parliament, which are 6+1⁄4 miles (10.1 km) south of Parliament Hill in the City of Westminster, can be seen from the summit, although construction in the intermediate parts of London has partly obscured them.
History
A mound on the hill may have been a Bronze Age burial barrow.
Over time, plots of land in the manor were sold off for building, particularly in the early 19th century, though the hill remained mainly common land. In 1875 Hampstead Heath was acquired for the people by the Metropolitan Board of Works.[3] Thirteen years later Parliament Hill was purchased for the public for £300,000 and added to Hampstead Heath.
The City of London Corporation has managed Parliament Hill since 1989.[5] Before that it was managed by the GLC and then Camden Council.
Local area
It is administered by the City of London Corporation together with the rest of Hampstead Heath.[5] The Eastern (Highgate) side, including Parliament Hill Lido, is known as Parliament Hill Fields, and a local girls' school, Parliament Hill School, is named after it.
Activities
Cross-country running
Parliament Hill is renowned as a cross-country running venue and hosted the 1957, 1961, 1965, 1969, 1973, 1977, 1981, 1993 and 2003 men's English National Cross Country Championships and the 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018 and 2022 men's and women's English National Cross Country Championships.[citation needed]
Hampstead Rugby Club
The Hill is also used by Hampstead Rugby Club. The senior men's and women's teams train in the middle of the running track and on parts of the hill. The men's section is one of the oldest in the world.[citation needed]
In film, literature, art and the media
Scenes in films:
- The Wedding Date – 2005
- Notes On A Scandal – 2006
- Run Fatboy Run – 2007
- Before I Go to Sleep – 2014
- Absolutely Anything – 2015
- Allied – 2016
- Eternals – 2021
Scenes in television:
- Turn Up Charlie – 2019
Scenes in literature:
- Adamson, E.V. Five Strangers – 2021[6]
See also
- Canada
- Parliament Hill, Ottawa
- Parliament Hill (Quebec City)
- China
- Government Hill, Hong Kong
References
- Notes
- References
- ISBN 0140710477.
- ^ "Parliament Hill Park, but Why?".
- ^ Thompson, Hampstead, 130, 165, 195, 317-18, 329- 30; G.L.R.O., E/MW/H, old no. 27/15 (sales parts. 1875).
- ^ Hampstead - Manor and Other Estates | British History Online
- ^ a b "Hampstead Heath on the City of London website". Archived from the original on 30 October 2016. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
- ISBN 9780008439279. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
External links
- BBC website
- A Map of Hampstead Heath showing the location of Parliament Hill
- Map sources for Parliament Hill, London