Skating in the Vale of Health, formerly Hatch’s Bottom

Published: 1 July, 2010

• THE Christopher Wood skating painting is clearly the Vale of Health.
CHRISTOPHER WADE, NW3

• WRITING about the painting of skaters by Christopher Wood, Dan Carrier wondered on which pond it was set (A Heath pond frozen in time, June 24).

It is the pond in the Vale of Health.

Until the swamp was drained to form a reservoir for drinking water for Londoners, the area was named Hatch’s Bottom after its only inhabitant Samuel Hatch.

So around 1780 it was renamed.

After all, who would buy Hatch’s Bottom Water?

The hamlet which developed there, though quaint, is a maze of lanes and alleys, a trial for any trainee postman, as none are named.

Obviously the well-off do not mind living in this higgledy-piggledy fashion and surrounded by ivy-draped trees and bramble.

The railings and waterside trees are still there, but the large building, the Tavern, has made way for Spencer House flats.

Another Christopher, Mr Wade the eminent local historian, has revised the guide Streets of Hampstead which is packed with useful information.
SKIP MURPHY
Prince of Wales Road, NW1