Celebrating a year of the Heath Info Hut

Last month marked one year since the opening of the Hampstead Heath Info Hut, our visitor engagement hub based by the Parliament Hill tennis courts (see location).

The Heath Info Hut, run by our staff and volunteers, is open on Saturdays from 10-2, helping us engage the public about our green spaces and nature conservation by providing free information about the Heath, its ecology and history, as well as running a small shop with all proceeds supporting our work.

A busy morning at the Heath Info Hut

Background

The hut previously operated for Hampstead Heath’s tennis court bookings, but, following the digitisation of the tennis bookings, the building had lain empty for a number of years. Heath Hands enquired about the space and, with funding and refurbishment from the City of London Corporation, the Heath Info Hut was born! Read on to hear more about the activities and offerings available.

Litter picking

From 12-1 each Saturday we operate a drop in litter-picking session, no need to book, just pop by the hut to grab a litter picker and bag. Litter is a big issue in a popular green space like Hampstead Heath, and volunteering a short amount of your time can really make a difference in ensuring our green spaces remain beautiful, clean and accessible to all.

Litter pickers having fun

Wildlife Adoptions

Our ‘Adopt a Wildlife Home’ programme enables you to support our work by sponsoring a home for one of the Heath’s protected or endangered species. With sparrow, bat, grass snake, hedgehog and stag beetle packs to choose from, all adoptions include a tote bag featuring your chosen species as well as a certificate, fact card and information about our work conserving your species. Packs can be purchased in person at the hut, and make a perfect gift for the wildlife lover in your life!

Checking on a hedgehog home, funded by our wildlife adoptions.

Spotter Sheets

Created in-house by our knowledgeable team, our spotter sheets provide a visual guide to all manner of flora and fauna found ion Hampstead Heath, ranging from pollinators to hedgerows, historical features and wetland birds. Drop by and pick one up for a small donation, or download an online version from our shop.

Hampstead Heath Merchandise

We stock a range of Hampstead Heath related merchandise including walking guidebooks, children’s explorer maps, photobooks and fiction written by local authors. As well as this the Hampstead monopoly is a popular choice - spot us featured as a community chest!

A selection of Hampstead Heath merchandise

Friendly information and What’s On

Our team and volunteers are always happy to provide information on the Heath’s ecology and history, with historical photos to flick through, and some specimens to admire of eggs, snake skins, beetles and more. A breakdown of our upcoming events and volunteer drop-ins is also available, helping you to get involved with nature and the local community.

Last year’s work experience trainees providing a friendly face

Art prints and cards

A selection of high-quality prints are available to purchase, made by local artists, and featuring some of Hampstead Heath’s most iconic locations. These make the perfect gift for a loved one, or the perfect gift for yourself… We also stock cards featuring some of these artworks as well as images from around the Heath.

Some of the art available to purchase

Seasonal activities

With varying topics throughout the seasons, activity and information sheets are available for all ages. We’re currently focusing on the Big Butterfly Hunt, a citizen science project run by Butterfly Conservation which helps you get involved in species monitoring by counting butterflies.  Stop by and pick up an identification sheet to get involved.

New Ideas

This summer, we’ve also trialed renting out table tennis equipment for anyone wanting to try out the circular table tennis table nearby - do let us know if you have any other ideas for things you would like to see on offer at the Info Hut!

Our star youth volunteer team helping at the Hut

We hope that you’ll stop by the Hut soon, do say hello if you’re passing by. If you’re interested in helping out you can submit an application via our wildlife interpreter volunteer page, and join our friendly team.

Here are our upcoming open days: