Hampstead Pergola & Hill Garden

The lowdown

The Hill Garden and Pergola is one of London's great romantic secrets, a raised Edwardian walkway built for the soap magnate Lord Leverhulme so his guests could promenade above the Heath. A century on it has gone gloriously soft at the edges, stone columns wrapped in wisteria and climbing roses, with views out over the treetops, and it is completely free.

Below the pergola sits a formal hill garden with a lily pond and lawns, quiet and well kept, so you get both the wild faded grandeur above and a calm garden below. It is a favourite for photographers and couples, yet because it takes a short climb to reach it never feels overrun.

Wander the long terrace, lean on the balustrade and look out across the West Heath, and you would never guess you were minutes from one of the busiest parts of north London.