London has lots of great playgrounds to explore and now is the ideal time to visit if you’re planning a city break with the kids. The summer crowds have started to give way to mellow weather and a more relaxed pace – so if you’re visiting the city during this season, be sure to check out some of our favourites…
Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground
Hyde Park
Created to commemorate the late Diana, Princess of Wales, this is a great spot for kids visiting Kensington Gardens. The playground centres around a large pirate ship set within its own sandpit, but there’s also a teepee camp to explore.
During popular times, it can get particularly busy here – though autumn is the ideal time of year to visit as you’ll beat the summer crowds.
Coram’s Fields
Bloomsbury
This walled garden includes a spacious children’s park complete with a large sandpit. Best suited to toddlers, there is also a well-equipped adventure playground on-site for older children, ensuring adults can let the kids unwind for a while during their stay at hotels in Bayswater.
Regent’s Park
Regent’s Park
There are a number of playgrounds set within Regent’s Park, so it is simply a matter of finding your favourite one! We recommend the playground close to Hanover Gate, which was refurbished in 2010 to include a timber tree-house ideal for older kids to let off some steam. There’s also a sandpit, and easy access to the park’s sprawling boating lake.
Finsbury Park
Finsbury Park
The playground at Finsbury Park is sure to keep the kids entertained for a few hours, with lots of great features designed to entertain both toddlers and older children. There’s a sandpit, several slides, and much more besides.
A trip here is the ideal way to treat the kids after a Grand Royale London Hyde Park, and will also give the adults a chance to relax and unwind.
Highbury Fields
Highbury
A popular children’s playground in Islington, there is a traditional feel to the space which is sure to appeal. Here kids can enjoy everything from climbing frames to slides and swings, all set within stunning surroundings.
Brockwell Park
Herne Hill
With its huge sandpit and play areas specially designed for designated age groups, Brockwell Park also includes duck ponds and a large paddling pool. Its currently in the process of a revamp, but with much to offer, it can still be enjoyed by visitors to the city – and has proven popular with London locals.
Highgate Wood
Highgate
The playground at Highgate Wood includes lots to keep children entertained, including climbing equipment for a variety of different abilities. There’s also a zip wire, and several sandpits.
You can tell how much thought has gone into planning this particular playground, and this is reflected in its popularity. During the summer it can get quite busy, but autumn should provide a more relaxed chance to give it a try. For children under five, there is a separate play area designed specifically to meet their needs.
Mile End Park
Mile End
The playground at Mile End Park has been designed to be both colourful and effective in keeping kids entertained, with lots of room to roam. Big favourites with local children include the climbing frame, rope slide and see-saw. For younger kids, there’s also a huge sandpit.
Battersea Park
Battersea
The park includes its own adventure playground with lots of fantastic features for kids of all ages. Most of the space is for children aged 5+, though there’s also a play area for younger children – leaving parents safe in the knowledge the kids are entertained for a while!
Avondale Park
Notting Hill
Based in Notting Hill, Avondale Park was created in 1892, and this historic space includes its own large playground. The surrounding area is scenic and also offers space for sports such as tennis, netball and football.
Parliament Hill
Hampstead Heath
Parliament Hill is home to a fantastic adventure playground featuring state-of-the-art fittings, and the recipient of an award-winning refurbishment project. A lot of imagination has gone into both designing and installing the new playground area, which also includes a large paddling pool.
This is a great option for adventurous kids, and gives them lots to explore while staying at hotels in Bayswater.
Horniman Triangle
Forest Hill
The Horniman Triangle playground was refreshed in 2009, and has since become something of a hit. It includes a huge circular sandpit where kids can clamber, as well as a spider-themed interactive climbing space with web-style rope. There are many other interactive areas and features, as well as a cafe for adults who are feeling a bit less energetic!
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Olympic Park
The children’s playground at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park was first opened in 2014, and has become hugely popular in just a few years. It looks great, which should be unsurprising for anyone acquainted with the Olympic Park itself – designed to keep all the family entertained.
Key features include rope walkways through the trees, climbing frames, stepping stones, slides and even play areas in the water and that traditional favourite, the swings. Ideal for energetic children with a few hours to spare, there’s a cafe nearby where adults can relax and unwind.
Kew Children’s Garden
Kew Gardens
Perhaps the most ostentatious of all the playgrounds on our list, Kew Children’s Gardens is also the newest, first introduced to the public in May 2019.
It covers a space of 10,000 metres, which is the size of 40 tennis courts! There’s lots of natural features incorporated into the area including a 200-year-old oak tree and a variety of pines and eucalyptus trees. The garden helps to give kids a place to play whilst also getting them more acquainted with the natural world. Its aimed at kids aged between 2-12, and is sure to keep even the most active of children occupied for a few hours.
