Aerial Views, 1920s - HAMPSTEAD HEATH - 2013

The images below are courtesy of- "the Britain from Above team"
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These shots of Hampstead, Highgate and Hampstead Heath were taken in the early days of aviation by ex-First World War pilots, from extremely low altitudes, a technique which was very dangerous.

These particular photographs were taken in and during the 1920s.

Click on an image below to enlarge

The picture above, on the right, shows a massive amount of allotments! These stretch upwards (in the direction of Parliament Hill).
From left to right, The Model Boat pond, The Bird Sanctuary Pond, The Ladies' Swimming Pond and The Stock Pond.
These allotments were in great use throughout World War Two and the following extract is taken from Hansard:-

HC Deb 25 October 1945 vol 414 c2346W2346W
§Flight-Lieutenant Challen:
asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the present position with regard to the 5,000 allotment holders on Hampstead Heath; and whether any provision can be made to give them some guarantee of tenure.
§Mr. Collick:
Hampstead Heath is under the control of the London County Council, who have about 1,600 allotments in that area. The Council are arranging that the plots shall remain in cultivation at least until the end of 1946 unless the sites are required in the meantime for a more urgent national purpose such as temporary housing. My right hon. Friend has no powers to give the allotment holders concerned any guarantee of tenure.