First, it’s Instagram gold. The light filters through the vines like nature’s own Instagram filter, and the textures—stone, wood, greenery—are a feast for the eyes. Second, it’s quiet. Unlike the tourist-packed Highgate Cemetery or the zoo-like Hampstead Ponds, this spot is a secret sanctuary. You might even have the whole place to yourself if you go at sunrise. But watch out for the squirrels—they’ve formed a gang and will stare at your snacks with aggressive interest.
Third, it’s free. That’s right—you can experience all this romantic, crumbling, wisteria-soaked glory without spending a penny. In London, that’s like finding a unicorn that poops gold. So go, take a selfie, write a poem, or just sit there and marvel at the fact that a soap tycoon built this for his wife. Then go get a coffee at the nearby Kenwood House café—because after all that beauty, you’ll need caffeine.
Hidden within one of the last ‘lungs of London’, this fairytale garden
But Wait—There’s a Catch (Sort Of)
The only downside is that the pergola is very popular on sunny weekends. You might find yourself sharing the view with a wedding party, a yoga class, or a bewildered tourist who thought it was a petting zoo. But don’t worry—just crouch behind a vine and pretend you’re a garden gnome until they leave. They always leave.
Also, there are no toilets nearby. Plan accordingly, or you’ll be doing the “pee-please-I’m-desperate” shuffle all the way to the Hampstead High Street. Trust me on this—I learned the hard way during a particularly aggressive wisteria inhalation incident.
