Dick Turpin

A Memory of Hampstead.

I lived in Hampstead from 1937-1941. Just before the war started my cousins and I used to play for many hours on Hampstead Heath One of our favourite spots was the Viaduct and Pond.

We were very wary of entering the arch on the far left. Halfway through the archway, on the left was an iron gate which was kept locked. We had been told that Dick Turpin had hidden up there at one time and the ghost of his horse haunted the archway.
We often sprinted through the archway casting a scared glance at the gate half hoping to see the ghost. On one occasion, very daring, we sat outside until dusk hoping to catch a glimpse of the ghost. But after our reception for a late homecoming we didn't try again.