Parliament Hill, London

History

A mound on the hill may have been a Bronze Age burial barrow. In 1133, the hill was part of a manor that Henry I gave to a baron called Richard de Balta. During Henry II's reign it was passed to Alexander de Barentyn, the king's butler. The area that was known as Traitors' Hill may have acquired its current name during the English Civil War in the 17th century, when it was occupied by troops loyal to the English Parliament. A legend states that this was the site from where Guy Fawkes and Robert Catesby, of the Gunpowder Plot on November the 5th 1605, planned to watch the destruction of Parliament.

Over time, plots of land in the manor were sold off for building, particularly in the early 19th century, though the hill remained mainly common land. In 1875 Hampstead Heath was acquired for the people by the Metropolitan Board of Works. Thirteen years later Parliament Hill was purchased for the public for £300,000 and added to Hampstead Heath.

The City of London Corporation has managed Parliament Hill since 1989. Before that it was managed by the GLC and then Camden Council.

Local area

It is administered by the City of London Corporation together with the rest of Hampstead Heath. The Eastern (Highgate) side, including Parliament Hill Lido, is known as Parliament Hill Fields, and a local girls' school, Parliament Hill School, is named after it.

Activities

Cross-country running

Parliament Hill is renowned as a cross-country running venue and hosted the 1957, 1961, 1965, 1969, 1973, 1977, 1981, 1993 and 2003 men's English National Cross Country Championships and the 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2022 and 2025 men's and women's English National Cross Country Championships.

Hampstead Rugby Club

The Hill is also used by Hampstead Rugby Club. The senior men's and women's teams train in the middle of the running track and on parts of the hill. The men's section is one of the oldest in the world.

In film, literature, art and the media

Scenes in films:

• The Wedding Date – 2005
• Notes On A Scandal – 2006
• Run Fatboy Run – 2007
• Before I Go to Sleep – 2014
• Absolutely Anything – 2015
• Allied – 2016
• Eternals – 2021
• Kraven the Hunter – 2024
• Picture This – 2025

Scenes in television:

• Skins Pure (Part 1) – 2013
• Turn Up Charlie – 2019

Scenes in literature:

• Adamson, E.V. Five Strangers – 2021

References

;Notes ;References

References

1. (1983). "Buildings of England: London 2: South". Penguin.
2. "Parliament Hill Park, but Why?".
3. Thompson, Hampstead, 130, 165, 195, 317-18, 329- 30; G.L.R.O., E/MW/H, old no. 27/15 (sales parts. 1875).
4. British History Online]
5. "Hampstead Heath on the City of London website".
6. (2021). "Five Strangers". HarperCollins.