Queer Theatre Summer Picnic & Optional Swim on Hampstead Heath
Saturday 15th August 2026
Meet from 12:00pm | Picnic from 1:00pm | Optional swimming & pub later in the afternoon
Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath
Join Queer Theatre for a joyful summer day on Hampstead Heath, bringing our acting students, artists, friends and wider LGBTQIA+ community together for food, games, music, conversation, fresh air and optional swimming.
This is a chance to take a breath, get out of the rehearsal room, enjoy one of London’s most beautiful green spaces, and spend a lovely summer day together.
About the Day
We’ll be spending the day around Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath, one of London’s best picnic spots, with beautiful views across the city and plenty of space for us to gather.
The plan is simple: a big picnic feast, outdoor games, music, creative chat and queer community joy in the sunshine.
The Plan
12:00pm – Meet at Hampstead Heath Overground Station
We’ll meet outside Hampstead Heath Overground Station from 12:00pm, before walking over to the Heath together at approximately 12:15pm. This should make it easier for people to find us, arrive with others, and support anyone who may need assistance getting to the picnic spot. We’ll then head towards Parliament Hill, where we’ll find a good place to settle for the day. If you are arriving later, we’ll share a more exact location in the Queer Theatre WhatsApp group on the day using What3words.
Picnic, Games and Fun
We’ll settle in for a shared picnic together. We’re collecting £10 to buy food and drink in advance which we’ll bring to Hampstead heath for you.
You are very welcome to bring your own food and drink, and we’d love people to bring something fabulous they’ve made for all our star-bakers and master chefs - if they fancy it. However, there is absolutely no pressure to bring anything extra. Your presence is enough, but if you enjoy feeding people, this is your moment to shine.
We’ll also bring some games and music to keep the day fun, relaxed and social. Expect picnic games, conversation starters, group activities and plenty of laughter. Nothing is compulsory. You can join in, dip in and out, or simply relax on a blanket, enjoy being around queer people and relax.
Optional Swimming
Some people may wish to swim later in the afternoon. If that’s you, please bring swimwear, a towel, and anything else you need to feel comfortable. Depending on who would like to swim, we can visit one of the appropriate Hampstead Heath swimming options, such as the Mixed Pond, Men’s Pond, Ladies’ Pond or Parliament Hill Lido. Swimming is completely optional and is not included in your ticket. Anyone who wants to swim will need to arrange and pay for their own swimming session where required. Please only swim if you are a confident swimmer. The ponds are natural, cold, deep outdoor swimming spaces, and they are not the same as a heated indoor pool.
Early Evening
Depending on the weather and the mood of the group, we may stay on the Heath a little longer or head to a nearby pub for a drink together. The pub part is completely optional.
Contribution
Tickets are £10 per person. This contribution will go towards food and soft drinks for the whole group, including picnic snacks and shared bits for everyone to enjoy. You will still need to bring anything specific you personally need, including your own travel, any extra food or drink (including alcohol), and swimming costs if you choose to swim.
Food, Allergies and Keeping Everyone Safe
Queer Theatre will provide some food and drink for the group, and we will make sure that ingredients are clearly listed wherever possible to help people make informed choices.
We also encourage people to bring food or snacks for the group if they would like to. However, we ask anyone with allergies, intolerances or specific dietary needs to take responsibility for their own health and only eat foods they know are safe for them.
If you have serious allergies, we strongly recommend avoiding food brought by members of the community unless you are completely confident it is safe. Homemade food, shared snacks and picnic bits may contain allergens or may have been prepared in kitchens where allergens are present.
Please do not be offended if someone cannot eat what you bring. We want everyone to enjoy the day safely.
Alcohol and Drugs
Alcohol is welcome, but we ask everyone to drink responsibly. Please remember this is a community day in a public space, and we want everyone to feel safe, comfortable and respected. Any illegal drugs or anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and the police will be called.
Suggestions of What to Bring
- A picnic blanket or towel to sit on
- Water (essential)
- Sun cream, sunglasses and a hat
- Layers in case the weather changes
- Any special food or drink you would like to contribute to the group or need for yourself.
- Swimwear, a towel, wet bag, goggles.
- Any medication or personal items you need
- A portable phone charger
- Hand sanitiser, tissues or wipes
- A reusable cup or bottle
- A book, cards, outdoor games or anything fun you might like to share
Please avoid bringing anything too heavy, fragile or difficult to carry across the Heath. Queer Theatre takes no responsibility for lost or damaged items.
How to Get There
Hampstead Heath Overground Station
South End Road, Hampstead, London NW3 2QD
By Overground: Hampstead Heath Overground Station is the closest station and is where we’ll be meeting from 12:00pm.
By Tube: Belsize Park and Hampstead are both nearby, though please allow extra time as both involve a walk to the Heath.
By Bus: Several bus routes stop nearby on South End Road and around Royal Free Hospital, including routes 24, 46, 168, 268 and C11.
Meeting Point: We’ll meet outside Hampstead Heath Overground Station before walking over to Parliament Hill together. If you are arriving later, we’ll share a more exact picnic location on the day using What3words.
Access and Comfort
Hampstead Heath is a large outdoor space with grass, paths, hills and uneven ground. We will do our best to choose a picnic spot that is practical and comfortable, but please be aware that there will be some walking involved and the ground may not be flat. If you have any access needs, worries about finding us, or concerns about attending, please let us know in advance and we will do our best to help. There are public toilets and cafés around parts of the Heath, but they may involve a short walk from where we are sitting.
About Queer Theatre
This event forms part of Queer Theatre’s commitment to ensuring London’s LGBTQIA+ theatre-makers and theatre-lovers need never spend a week alone again.
We offer Acting Classes for LGBTQIA+ People, OutCast showcases, Queer Play Reading Club with the UK’s greatest queer playwrights, The Show People Podcast LIVE with famous faces from stage and screen, Luvvie: The Party for Queer Theatre-makers, theatre trips, social events, masterclasses and productions.
Our diverse membership is made up of experienced performing arts professionals, enthusiastic amateur theatre-makers, and people simply looking for a creative LGBTQIA+ community. Our events are open to all queer people, and our community is founded on shared passions, mutual respect, love and tolerance.
Join our movement at www.queertheatre.co.uk/whats-on