Hampstead Heath & Keats’ House

This isn’t a long ride, but it packs in some sharp hills! Apart from the off road tracks over the Heath, this is an urban ride, so we won’t be going very fast. You need to be fairly confident riding in traffic, but we do use quieter roads and cycle tracks where possible. Going to Hampstead means hills, so be ready for a challenge! We will go at a steady pace, no one will be left behind, and we will take time to pause and regroup at the top of hills.

We will be using our previous route to the top of Hampstead Heath, via Stonebridge Park, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, and Gladstone Park. After navigating side roads around Cricklewood and West Hampstead, we make our way uphill to enter Hampstead Heath. We ride on the off-road tracks across the Heath, before tackling the toughest hill of the ride, up to the top of Hampstead Lane. A short stretch of main road brings us to Kenwood House, for welcome refreshments and time to relax and enjoy the beautiful views.

Riding on, we descend on the cycle track by Spaniards Road and then back down to the bottom of the Heath. We have the option of another ascent to the top of Parliament Hill, where we will need to walk our bikes for the final climb, in order to admire the spectacular views over London.

Rather than riding back to Ealing, we will visit the lovely Keats House https://keatsfoundation.com/keats-house-hampstead/ where the famous English Romantic poet John Keats lived in the early 19th century and composed some of his best known poems. https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/attractions-museums-entertainment/keats-house. As well as seeing the house and the permanent collection of artefacts related to Keats we will be able to see the temporary exhibition which considers questions of gender in relation to the Romantic Movement https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/events/young-romantics-in-the-city-exhibition. Standard admission to the House is £8.40, with some concessions (please see website for details). The House closes at lunchtime and reopens at 2pm.

We will then use London Overground services from Hampstead Heath for our return journey. For those wishing to return to Ealing, we will take the Overground via Willesden Junction to Acton Central (approx. 30 mins) and then ride back to Ealing.

You are welcome to come on the ride without visiting the exhibition. However, if you don’t want to visit the exhibition, please leave booking your place until closer to the day, so that those who do want to see the exhibition are able to book first.

Ride to the top of Hampstead Heath to Kenwood House, then back down to visit the Keats House and return to Ealing by train.

Quieter roads where possible, some shorter stretches on busier roads. Off road tracks over the Heath. Some steep climbs.

Stop at Kenwood House for refreshments. Visit to Keats House at the end of the ride (optional).

Locks for bike. Water, snacks. Money/card for cafe, admission to Museum, train fare.

First-timers welcome!