Hampstead Heath — Local services in London

I was knocked sideways by an affogato, one of those where the air tastes bitter and heavy and the heart goes like a greyhound at the starting pistol. I was positively catatonic, my face rubbed against the kerb, until a blonde voice (blondes all have the same voice) violently drew me from my stupor. I cursed the obnoxious girl, got to my feet and composed myself. The sun had set, rubbing what was left of its light into a fine golden powder, sprinkled and spinning in the dusk.

I made for the station. On the bridge I passed a couple, quite young, attractive, fast and coiling. The woman’s beauty was particular to the exact curve of her lips – it is embarrassing to admit I have since spent much of my time failing to find the precise trigonometric relation that would allow me to determine the sensual outline of it all. The man was mostly hair and denim, his back to me. I can only assume him as devilishly handsome.

Perception is a strange creature. When I observed them they appeared close, unbearably so, and I assumed them to be kissing, but upon closer inspection a thin parting separated their two silhouettes. Yet in the station’s circus mirror – the Overground’s bloated parallel universe – suddenly that slender gap was bridged, the two meeting in a long, tender embrace, her all lips, his hair obscuring her face. I rubbed my eyes and returned to the parted couple, still close but not touching, mouthing words to the other. Behind, their mirror twins were now snarling like dogs. Their embrace had turned sacrificial, his teeth sunk into her chest, her fingernails red-traced along his neck. The real couple continued speaking, in louder voices, daring the other to grow old together. They frankly both looked ridiculous, neither trusting the other with themselves. I wished the glass broke, that the two dogs (because they were completely animal now, the mirror couple) jumped onto the bridge and ran on to the heath, that their howling and biting and loving could ring the night trees and the soft wind, bring life to the quiet earth and courage to the human couple. I felt quite sick. No more...

My second visit to Hampstead Heath since last year and it's a great place to go for walks in the forest and spending time with nature. Make sure you check out golders Hill Park, Golders Hill Pond and Walled Garden and Golders Hill Park Deer Enclosure.

The asmosphere here in this neck of the woods is a friendly and calming place!

The station could be more cleaner near the seating area as I suppose the intoxicated weekenders left their disgusting alcoholic substances on the floor! Nice!

Otherwise, definitely worth a visit on the...

I work in Soho and like to take a bus up to Hampstead Heath for a nice walk. Luckily I live along the Overground route in North West London so it is great to use the Overground. Hampstead Heath is a lovely open, clean and well kept station. There are often staff up in the ticket hall helping people and giving travel advice. I love the Overground line (except the engineering work on Sundays) and Hampstead Heath is a really nice station to...