Hundreds of Londoners will gather on Hampstead Heath’s Parliament Hill this Sunday [7 October] to battle it out in the UK’s largest annual conker championships.

In 2011, the Hampstead Heath Conker Championships broke the Guinness World Record for the biggest ever knockout conker tournament with numbers reaching 395 people.

The free autumn event, in its 17^th year running, is officiated by the “Conkermeister”.

Participants are divided into five categories; under 5s, 5-7 years, 8-13 years, 14-17 years, 18s and over. Contestants who wish to battle it out for the winning title can register at the Parliament Hill Bandstand by 2.30pm to take part. Conkers will be provided on the day.

The winner for each category will receive the coveted Golden Conker and a certificate to commemorate their victory.

Hampstead Heath, which is managed by the City of London Corporation, is located 3.5 miles from Trafalgar Square and receives over 7 million visits a year. The City Corporation spends more than £5 million a year to maintain the Heath which includes a zoo, an athletics track, an education centre, extensive children's facilities, three natural bathing ponds and a Lido.

Karina Dostalova, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Hampstead Heath Management Committee, said:

“This great British pastime has been enjoyed for generations and makes for a great family day out in one of London’s finest green spaces.

“This contest draws hundreds of Londoners to the Heath and as ever, the competition remains fierce.”

Spectators are encouraged to share the greatest conker battles and autumn fall pictures on social media through #autumnwatch. Follow @CityHeathCorp for the latest updates.

The City of London Corporation is a major green spaces provider for London. It protects and conserves 18 green spaces in London and south east England – including Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest - and over 200 smaller ones in the Square Mile. They include important wildlife habitats, sites of scientific interest and national nature reserves. They are protected from being built on by special legislation.

The City of London Corporation invests £29m in its green spaces every year, which attract over 23 million visits annually.

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Media enquiries

Laura Simpson, Media Officer, City of London Corporation

T 020 7332 3654

M 07738862229

E Laura.Simpson@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Notes to editors

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk