Useful things to know before your visit
Website: royalparks.org
What are the opening hours?
Primrose Hill is open 24 hours (Mon-Sun).
How much time do you need?
A typical visit to Primrose Hill takes 45 to 60 minutes.
Which buses go to Primrose Hill?
Bus number 274 stops nearby.
Which is the closest train station?
The nearest station is St. John’s Wood on the Jubilee line. You can walk the ⅔ mile to Primrose Hill in about 13 minutes.
Which other attractions are nearby?
Here’s an attraction within 15 minutes walk of Primrose Hill: London Zoo.
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Email My review of Primrose Hill
The first time you clap eyes on Primrose Hill you’ll wonder what all the fuss is about. The way that people describe it you’ll be half-expecting to see a load of snow on top and mountain goats clinging to the side but trust me, once you start climbing the slope you’ll wish it had a cable car because this hill is a lot steeper than it looks.
Climbing up Primrose Hill
It’s the kind of hill that makes you turn around and look at the view halfway up, just so you can have a couple of minutes rest. You’ll sit down and re-tie your already tight shoelaces so you can sneak in a breather. But when you finally reach the summit (five hours later, if you’re unfit like me) you’ll be looking down on the whole of London. You’ll have an uninterrupted view from the London Eye to the skyscrapers at Canary Wharf.
They’ve thoughtfully installed a couple of benches on the top and a metal plaque to help you pick out the places, but where’s the ice cream van? There’s no burger van either. If you want a drink then you’ll have to bring it with you.
View of London’s skyline from the summit
Now that we’re up here shall we have a game of I-Spy? I’ll shout out some list of landmarks and you have to find them.
If you can’t see The Shard then you need to get your eyes tested so we’ll skip that one. The London Eye and St. Paul’s are extremely easy as well, so we’ll forget those. But how about the Gherkin and Canary Wharf? The Houses of Parliament are more of a challenge, and Westminster Cathedral will really test you (and I do mean the cathedral, not the abbey). If you really want to impress me then try and find the ArcelorMittal Orbit, because that’s too new to even appear on the plaque.
After you’ve seen all the buildings you can turn your attention to the humans, because there are all sorts of puffed-out people up here: people with running shoes and stopwatches and giant tripod cameras. One guy has just chucked his frisbee off the summit and the wind has lifted it fifty feet in the air, dumping it halfway down the hill. It’s very popular with joggers and dogs as well… and mountain climbers.
I’m standing next to a bloke who has dressed himself up like Edmund Hillary, complete with spiked shoes and a walking pole. He’s staring out from the summit like he’s just bested Everest. Er… you’re only ten minutes from Camden, mate.
I’ve ranked Primrose Hill as ★10 in London’s best free days out and ★10 in my pick of London’s parks
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What do you think? (3)
Ask a question, or share your experience of Primrose Hill
MargaretH We quite often go for a stroll up here on Sunday afternoon. They don’t have many benches but if you can get a bench at the top with your flask of tea you can look out over one of the best views in London. If it’s sunny it’s lovely, but if it’s raining then watch out because you are totally exposed and I remember a few times when I have strolled up there with the dogs only to get absolutely soaked to the bone. (reply)
Bera Nearest tube station? (reply)
Craig Hi Bera. You’re best off going to Chalk Farm and then walking down Regent’s Park Road for ten minutes. (reply)
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