Parliament Hill, London
Parliament Hill is an area of open parkland in the south-east corner of Hampstead Heath in north-west London. The hill, which is high, is notable for its views of the capital's skyline. The Houses of Parliament, which are south of Parliament Hill in the City of Westminster, can be seen from the summit, although construction in the intermediate parts of London has partly obscured them. History. A mound on the hill may have been a Bronze Age burial barrow. In 1133, the hill was part of a manor that Henry I gave to a  baron called Richard de Balta. During Henry II's reign it was passed to Alexander de Barentyn, the king's butler. The area that was known as Traitors' Hill may have acquired its current name during the English Civil War in the 17th century, when it was occupied by troops loyal to the English Parliament. A legend states that this was the site from where Guy Fawkes and Robert Catesby, of the Gunpowder Plot on November the 5th 1605, planned to watch the destruction of Parliament. Over time, plots of land in the manor were sold off for building, particularly  in the early 19th century, though the hill remained mainly common land. In 1875 Hampstead Heath was acquired for the people by the Metropolitan Board of Works. Thirteen years later Parliament Hill was purchased for the public for £300,000 and added to Hampstead Heath. The City of London Corporation has managed Parliament Hill since 1989. Before that it was managed by the GLC and then Camden Council. Local area. It is administered by the City of London Corporation together with the rest of Hampstead Heath. The Eastern (Highgate) side, including Parliament Hill Lido, is known as Parliament Hill Fields , and a local girls' school, Parliament Hill School, is named after it. Activities. Cross-country running. Parliament Hill is renowned as a cross-country running venue and hosted the 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018 and 2022 English National Cross Country Championships. Hampstead Rugby Club. The Hill is also used by Hampstead Rugby Club. The senior men's and women's teams train in the middle of the running track and on parts of the hill. The men's section is one of the oldest in the World. However it was disbanded for the 2nd WW and did not regroup until the  mid 1960s. Since the formation of the RFU leagues it is the only club to be ever present in London 2 NW. The club's most successful seasons were 2016/17 and 2017/18, when they won 18 games and then 19 games and 1 draw. In film, literature, art and the media. Scenes in films: Scenes in television: Scenes in literature: