Parliament Hill

Camera phone photos cannot do the view from Parliament Hill any sort of fair justice, so you won't find one attached to this review. It'd be like looking at a police impression artist's sketch of a serial killer, as compared to being strangled by the spree murderer first hand. That's the degree of difference you're looking at. On a clear day, which only the luckiest of strollers get at this drab, damp time of year, onlookers can see all the way to the Crystal Palace broadcast tower in deepest South London, and even to the hill beyond that. All the world stretches before you. 

One issue with the name: you can't actually see the Houses of Parliament and the Big Ben clock tower from the top anymore. Nothing against the gentlemen/women who bestowed its title, because at the time there is no doubt that the eponymous landmark was clearly visible from their above sea level standing. No, they couldn't known what London would become. It is the corrupt city planners and big buck developers that are to blame for this ironic eventuality in which the place that was famous for being a good spot to see a famous building is now not a good spot to see the famous building because of the skyscrapers and tower blocks in the way. Primrose Hill is at a slightly better angle in relation to the city skyline; ipso facto, it has a better view than Parliament Hill. 

But I digress. Parliament Hill is still a must-go and a must-see. An alarming number of dogs are always on top, pretty much 24/7, so there's them to enjoy too. Not if you have a dog phobia and/or severe allergy, though. If you have both, how unlucky. Or perhaps it makes sense - the dogs produce unpleasant physical symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and dying, and therefore you are rightly fearful of being anywhere near them, making it a totally logical phobia to have. 

So legend has it that Parliament Hill is where Guy Fawkes was planning to watch his little 5th November firework display from - tsk tsk. If that's not a reason to go here, I don't know what is! The view stretches out over London and can be viewed from different heights on the way up. I still seem to have a bigger soft spot for Primrose Hill but that's mainly because it always seems to be pretty muddy at the top of Parliament Hill. The grounds and forests are vast so go play! Explore! Enjoy! Also a lovely manor house is nearby and garden cafes with often long lines for a cup of earl grey and an icecream! Everyone is there on a sunny day, dogs, people, kids, picnics, books, kites etc etc. The area is fab to explore with cafes, pubs and shops just outside the grounds. The perfect way to spend a lazy weekend.