The summer is all about “making mad love on the Heath.” More than just a quote from the 1995 dance classic “Insomnia” by Faithless, the lyric has become the modus operandi of celebrity couples who can’t get enough of each other. Yes, I’m talking about London’s Hampstead Heath, and obviously, I’m also talking about those viral pap shots of Harry Styles with Zoë Kravitz, which were quickly followed by similarly affectionate snaps of Joe Alwyn and Sarah Pidgeon.
In the former, the effortlessly cool duo can be seen kicking back in the long grass, enjoying a low-key picnic date on a sunny afternoon, complete with canned drinks and a patterned blanket. Lying in his fiancée’s lap, Styles opted for a casual ensemble of navy shorts with a white long-sleeved The Row top featuring cherry-red sleeves. Almost twinning with him, Kravitz donned her signature oval shades with a strappy black crop top, cobalt Adidas shorts, and a pair of black ballet flats.
As for Alwyn and Pidgeon, whose romance is still relatively fresh—they were photographed for the first time together in early June—it was a similarly laissez-faire day date. Nestled in the heart of the Heath, the pair were seen laughing, kissing, and playfully dancing as they shared a bottle of sparkling wine and crackers.
Pidgeon’s elevated sportswear was a far cry from her CBK era, and comprised a blue baseball cap, a white sleeveless T-shirt, and butter-yellow, wide-leg cropped trousers, finished with a pair of flip-flops. Alwyn joined her with the baseball cap—a totem among off-duty celebs—and wore a black T-shirt, navy shorts, and speakers. These are enviable scenes. And not just for the obvious reasons, i.e., if you happen to fancy any of the aforementioned supremely attractive people.
Of all the romantic spots in London, few rival the Heath. Its dangerously vast and deliciously rugged landscape subverts the city’s other manicured green spaces. There are steep, pebbly hills that will leave you feeling breathless, bodacious trees that have stood for 800 years, and muddy pathways that you might sink into on the right kind of rainy day. Also, a set of freezing, slightly murky ponds you can swim around in, just so long as you’re comfortable with your hands vanishing just a few inches deep.
Loungers and swimmers in Hampstead Heath.
Photo: Getty Images
There are viewpoints, too, where it feels as if you can see all of London at once. Kenwood House carries that Austenian romance that makes us all feel like we’re stepping into a period piece. And then there’s the long grass, where anything and everything can unfold from the safety of being at least a little bit hidden.
