Hampstead Heath

Hampstead Heath is a large public heath in north London, owned and policed by the City of London Corporation. It has been a gay cruising ground since the Victorian era; historians and the press have written about it many times, and it is still the outdoor spot most Londoners would name. The activity is concentrated on West Heath, the wooded south-western corner nearest Hampstead tube station, around the Pergola and Hill Garden. The rest of the Heath is ordinary parkland used by families, swimmers and dog walkers, so respect that. In February 2025 unofficial posters telling gay men to "take back West Heath" and "get a room" appeared on trees. The Corporation said fly-posting was not permitted and removed them within a day, and ACT UP London held a protest walk at the Pergola in March 2025. In early 2026 the Corporation said it was reviewing its powers over large unauthorised gatherings; it has announced no new rules about cruising. Cruising itself is not a crime in England, but sex where the public can see it can lead to arrest for outraging public decency or exposure, and in a public toilet it is a specific offence. Robberies and homophobic attacks on men in London parks do happen. Keep your phone charged, carry little, tell a friend where you are, and report incidents to the police or to Galop, the LGBTQ+ anti-violence charity.