Hampstead Heath
If you were thinking that the Heath is a manicured urban park, the attached photos show an extensive but largely natural open space: a proper heath. The grass is pretty burned up from the recent hot weather, but the pics might give an idea of this seemingly improbable open space in the north of London. The weather being fine, there were (unsurprisingly) quite a few locals making the most of the sunshine and open space—as evidence the people in some of the photographs.
Hampstead Heath is a part of London populated by the wealthy and famous, notably many politicians, actors, authors, and playwrights. The locality retains some sense of village origins and it's easy to imagine what its immediately post-war character might have been. Situated near Hampstead Heath is the Royal Free Hospital, and hard by the hospital is an example of the increasingly rare London cabbies' hut, where their fraternity could obtain meals and beverages, and a small, planted island containing a Victorian fountain, a couple of benches for relaxation and two red K2 telephone boxes. One of the boxes continues to serve its original purpose, the other is now turned over to use as a kiosk serving coffee.
