The Friendly Data Walk - Sep 2026 - Hampstead Heath

MEETING POINT:
- Here exactly: https://maps.app.goo.gl/RcsNqG6s3yfHhj9A9
- It's the southeastern corner of the Vale of Health pond. Please use the link above!
MEETING TIME: 12pm
START TIME: 12:30pm sharp!

Hi new friends and old! We're back with another walk!

This September, we thought we’d give the pub carpets a break and swap the scent of ale and ambition for fresh air, floral blooms, and the unmistakable aroma of Hampstead Heath!

📌 The Plan:
Rather than our usual leaning-on-the-bar networking, we’re heading out for a Friendly Data Walk at Hampstead Heath!

Stretch our legs, get some fresh air, and pretend we know things about birds and trees, before very quickly finding the nearest pub for a well-earned pint.

🌳The Trail:
Hampstead Heath Partial Loop
Vale of Health > Parliament Hill > Highgate Ponds > Kenwood House > Vale of Health

Distance: About 5 km (just around 3 miles)
Time: 1–1.5 hours

Highlights: The iconic panoramic view of London that is Parliament Hill. Kenwood House, a beautiful English Heritage stately house, a chain of serene yet historic Highgate ponds

Route: A more compact route, perfect if we want to linger for photos or impromptu philosophical debates about AI ethics.

Also happy to extend route if everyone is up for it (we'll see how it goes on the day)

Ref #1: https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/hampstead-heath/activities-at-hampstead-heath/walks-and-trails-at-hampstead-heath
Ref #2: https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/assets/Green-Spaces/hampstead-heath-trails-map.pdf

🥾 What to Bring

Footwear: Trainers or walking shoes you don’t mind getting a bit muddy. No heels, no regrets.

Clothes: Layers. British weather is famously indecisive.

Water: Stay hydrated — even if you're planning on replacing all fluids with lager later.

Optional: Snacks, sunnies, raincoat (aka the full British survival kit)

🍻 Food & Drinks After

Once we’ve had our fill of nature, we'll decamp to a local Hampstead pub (likely The Duke of Hamilton or The Flask, both historic and very atmospheric).

We'll grab some proper pub grub (and possibly a Sunday roast if we’re feeling fancy) and continue doing what we do best: chatting about AI, data lakes, and that one time someone accidentally emailed an entire customer database to themselves.

⚠️ Precautions & Disclaimers

Fitness level: You should be comfortable with gentle walking for a couple of hours. This isn’t Ironman, but also not a 30-second dash to the bar.

Terrain: Some paths may be uneven or muddy. Expect hills (nothing Everest-like, promise).

Dogs: Very welcome if you have one. 🐶 Please keep them leashed at all times.

Weather: If the forecast is truly dire (think Ark-building levels of rain), we may revert to Plan B (which involves a pub, obviously).

Health: This is an informal, at-your-own-risk ramble. Wear good footwear, be sensible, don’t duel with squirrels. If you feel unwell, stay home, and we’ll toast to your speedy return.

Getting lost: We do our best to keep at a cohesive pace so the group stays together. Find a buddy and follow the group closely. You've got this!

Summary:

Fresh air ➡️ Friendly faces ➡️ Summer vibes ➡️ Optional pint ➡️ Guaranteed good time.