Secret Edwardian pergola covered in wisteria with overgrown romantic gardens. Hidden London oasis rarely crowded.
The Pergola and Hill Garden in Hampstead Heath, north London, is one of the capital's least-known and most evocative green spaces — a grade II* listed Edwardian garden structure built between 1905 and 1925 by Lord Leverhulme, founder of the Lever Brothers soap empire, as an elevated walkway linking his Inverforth House property to the surrounding gardens. The pergola consists of a raised timber and brick walkway approximately 100 metres long, supported on stone columns and encased in climbing plants — predominantly wisteria, roses, and ornamental vines — which create a green tunnel of extraordinary density in the growing season. The Hill Garden below the pergola is a formal sunken garden with a circular pool, herbaceous borders, and a more structured planting than the wildness above. The entire complex fell into disuse after Leverhulme's death and was gradually taken over by the surrounding vegetation, giving it the overgrown, romantic, semi-ruined quality that makes it so photogenic. The site is managed by the City of London Corporation as part of Hampstead Heath and is free to visit. Access is from North End Way or from the West Heath Heath car park. The site is little-known among visitors to London and even among regular Hampstead Heath visitors, making it consistently uncrowded even on busy summer weekends. The wisteria blooms in May and early June with a particular intensity; the roses follow in June and July. In autumn the climbing plants turn gold and orange across the pergola structure. The elevated walkway provides views over the surrounding woodland canopy and across to distant London landmarks on clear days.
Location
51.5611, -0.1800 View on map
Highlights
- Wisteria-draped pergola walkway — 100 metres of climbing plants creating a green tunnel above the Hampstead Heath woodland
- May wisteria bloom — the pergola covered in cascading purple flowers, one of London's most fleeting annual spectacles
- Circular pool and formal sunken Hill Garden below the pergola — a structured formal contrast to the wild climbing plants above
- Hidden location known to few visitors — one of London's best-kept landscape secrets, consistently uncrowded
- Autumn colour on the pergola climbing plants — gold and orange foliage on the stone columns in October
Tips for visiting
- Visit in May for the wisteria bloom — the purple flowers typically last 2-3 weeks and the exact timing varies by year
- Access from the West Heath car park on Inverforth Close provides the closest approach to the pergola entrance
- The site is free to enter and has no formal visitor facilities — bring a picnic and water
- Golden hour in summer illuminates the pergola walkway from the west in late afternoon light
- The location is genuinely little-known — visiting midweek or early morning in any season provides a near-solitary experience
When to visit
May for the wisteria bloom, which typically peaks in the second or third week of the month. June for roses. Late afternoon golden hour in summer illuminates the pergola structure from the west. October for autumn colour on the climbing plants.
Accessibility
The Pergola walkway itself is accessed by stone steps and is not accessible for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The Hill Garden below is accessible on flat paths. The surrounding West Heath paths are grassy and may be soft in wet conditions. The site has no formal accessibility infrastructure.
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is the Pergola and Hill Garden in Hampstead Heath?
The Pergola and Hill Garden is on West Heath, the western section of Hampstead Heath, accessible from North End Way (on the A502) or via a walk through Golders Hill Park. It is approximately 15 minutes' walk from Hampstead Underground station on the Northern Line.
Is the Pergola and Hill Garden free to visit?
Yes — the Pergola and Hill Garden is free to visit at all times as part of Hampstead Heath, managed by the City of London Corporation. There are no admission charges and no booking requirements.
When does the wisteria bloom at the Pergola?
The wisteria typically blooms in May, peaking around mid-May in most years, though the exact timing varies by temperature. The bloom lasts approximately 2-3 weeks. Checking garden forums or Instagram for current bloom status before making a special journey is advisable.