Whether or not you’re in search of methods to interrupt up a busy journey sightseeing or extra concepts totally free issues to do, there are some nice playgrounds in London that are good for a household day trip.
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And from among the greatest recognized, house to pirate ships or dragons, to ones close to the town’s greatest household points of interest, listed below are 16 London playgrounds to swimsuit all ages, concepts in the event you’re in search of a 10-minute breather plus locations to entertain for hours.
Many are set inside parks and most are free, however I’ve additionally picked out a couple of much less well-known and strange choices which deserve their place on an inventory of the very best playgrounds in London too.
Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Playground, Kensington Gardens
Maybe London’s best-known play space, you’ll discover the Diana Memorial Playground within the park’s north-western nook, with an enormous picket pirate ship as its centrepiece.
However that’s solely the beginning of the totally different play areas dotted round: you’ll discover a sensory path, play wigwams, sculptures, even a telescope to look out, and many extra.
For extra tips about the town’s greatest parks for households, try my decide of the highest free issues to do in London with youngsters
At busy instances, there’s a one in, one out system to keep away from the playground being overcrowded, so it’s price getting there earlier slightly than in a while sunny weekends or throughout college holidays.
Kensington Gardens can be house to a statue of Peter Pan, with squirrels, rabbits, mice and fairies climbing up in the direction of Peter himself: discover it subsequent to the Lengthy Water as you stroll in the direction of Hyde Park.
For those who’re in search of locations to chill down in the summertime with youngsters, neighbouring Hyde Park has the Diana Memorial Fountain to splash in, whereas additional west, Ravenscourt Park in west London has a paddling pool – free to make use of, however it’s essential prebook a timed slot as numbers are restricted.
Kilburn Grange Journey Park
Adventurous youngsters want look no additional, as Kilburn Grange Journey playground is likely one of the most fun playgrounds in London.
This gem is squirreled away within the nook of Kilburn Grange park in north London, and is stuffed with picket constructions that make up a large community of treehouses and walkways, nice for any little one who adores exploring.Â
The play space is beneficial for ages eight to 13 however there are smaller areas for youthful kids, in addition to the park itself to discover in the event you want extra space to run round.
It’s round 10 minutes stroll from West Hampstead tube station on the Jubilee line, only some stops from Baker Road and Bond Road, much less to Brondesbury station on the overground too.
Jubilee Gardens Playground, Southbank
For those who’re in search of a playground in central London, there isn’t at all times quite a lot of selection, so this play park in a patch of greenery on the South Financial institution is ideal.
Set inside Jubilee Gardens, there’s a fab journey playground geared toward kids as much as 11 years, with cleverly designed picket constructions and spidery rope webs to entertain any budding younger climbers – refurbished in Might 2022, there’s additionally new gear for youthful youngsters and sensory choices to make it extra inclusive.
Surrounded by vacationer hotspots such because the London Eye, and Sea Life Aquarium, it’s simple to mix with the large household points of interest, plus Jubilee Park is a fairly place for folks to take a couple of minutes to sit back out.
There are additionally public bogs shut by and loads of locations to eat and drink alongside the South Financial institution.
For extra issues to do on the South Financial institution with youngsters, try my high picks
Holland Park
With its tall picket towers and stairs, the Holland Park journey playground in London is at all times a preferred one – good to spark your youngsters’ imaginations in the event that they fancy enjoying at king or queen for the day, or just having enjoyable.
There’s a zipper wire, see-saw, swings and large metallic slide together with the string of picket constructions, and the play space is designed to entertain youngsters aged from 5 to 14.
One beautiful further is that there’s additionally a wheelchair accessible roundabout, when you’ll discover a separate play space for toddlers and youthful youngsters not distant.
For extra concepts of issues to do in London with toddlers and preschoolers, try this submit
The park itself is gorgeous too, with peacocks roaming round, the peaceable Kyoto backyard, Dutch backyard, fountains and woodland to discover.
As a bonus, it’s simple to park close by plus there are a number of tube stations inside simple strolling distance, together with Excessive Road Kensington (or in the event you’ve been exploring Kensington Palace) in addition to Holland Park itself.
For extra issues to do in South Kensington with youngsters, try my decide of the very best
Coram’s Fields, Camden
Coram’s Fields is exclusive relating to London parks and playgrounds, as this stretch of inexperienced house is simply open to households – except you’re visiting with youngsters, you’re not allowed in.
And there are a number of totally different play areas to find throughout the seven acres. A couple of are extra conventional with swings, slides and climbing frames, in addition to some interactive choices to make music on play devices.
Strolling distance from the British Museum, it’s an excellent mixture to burn off some power after wanting on the displays, plus you may usually see animals on the little metropolis farm. The goats even get let loose to roam and nibble the grass throughout spring and summer time.
Take a look at my overview of a go to to Coram’s Fields
The Cove
This new play space by the Nationwide Maritime Museum places different playgrounds within the shade. The Cove is designed to deliver kids’s imaginations to life in addition to letting them climb, clamber and play to their coronary heart’s content material.
On the centre is a ship, the Shanty, the place you may take the wheel, fireplace the cannon, discover the barrels in addition to climbing as much as the crow’s nest earlier than heading again down the enormous tentacle slide.
Or head contained in the Cutty Shark, climbing its fin and exploring by way of a maze of nets to find a secret den – then slide out by way of its fearsome jaws.
Be careful for the Kraken too, as you slide, leap and climb by way of the creatures seaweed tangles, nets and bridges – one of many enjoyable components of the playground for youthful guests. There’s no have to e-book and it’s fully free: there’s additionally a restaurant and bogs contained in the Nationwide Maritime Museum subsequent door.
For extra issues to do in Greenwich with youngsters, try my high picks
Greenwich Park
This thrilling playground in London is ideal for imaginative youngsters: the Greenwich Park playground has a beautiful nautical theme, with modern water installations to offer a summery really feel.
And in addition to the water and sand parts, there are basket swings and roundabouts to provide a extra conventional playground really feel.
Nice for each youthful and older kids as much as 12 years outdated, each the playground and beautiful Greenwich Park itself are a terrific selection on a sizzling summer time day.
With bogs, seating and refreshment kiosks, it’s enjoyable for a break between testing the opposite issues to do in Greenwich with youngsters, from the museums and Cutty Sark to the meridian line.
Horseferry Playground, Millbank
With sandpits, water installations and picket horses, Horseferry Playground is simply a 10-minute stroll from Westminster, so it’s an excellent possibility in the event you’ve been recognizing Large Ben, the Homes of Parliament or Westminster Abbey.
Nice for youngsters aged as much as 12 years, particularly the bigger picket swing construction, there may be additionally an attention-grabbing artwork set up by Chris Campbell across the park that depicts London occasions from over the centuries; a enjoyable approach to get youngsters inquisitive about historical past!
Plus a sand pit, swings, slide and a water set up. There are public bogs right here too.
It’s additionally bought some fantastic views: you may see St Paul’s Cathedral, and the Shard from the playground, in addition to looking alongside the Thames – an excellent reward in the event you’ve been for a stroll alongside the Thames path.
Prospect Park at Battersea Energy Station
New in April 2022, this vibrant playground sits within the shadow of the long-lasting energy station and is designed with areas for various ages – a terrific possibility in the event you’ve bought siblings who each need entertaining.
There’s a mixture of picket climbing gear impressed by treehouses together with nets to clamber on, among the many splashes of brilliant color – not forgetting some curving metallic slides and swings, all set throughout the greenery of Prospect Park itself.
There’s additionally a complete string of family-friendly eating places and cafes within the revitalised Energy Station website, together with The Cinema in The Arches, so it’s simple to seize something from a sizzling drink at Black Sheep Espresso to a margherita at Gordon Ramsay’s Road Pizza round a spot of enjoying.
Battersea Park, Wandsworth
For those who battle discovering a playground in London that caters to a wide range of totally different ages, Battersea Park is good.
There are 4 areas which can be designed for various ages from ages 4 to 14, in addition to the (paid) Battersea Park Go Ape course for any thrill seekers.
Towering picket treehouses and slides make up the journey playground, together with gentler enjoyable for toddlers comparable to a static prepare, and small slides. Â
The park itself is filled with household points of interest too, from boating on the lake to the Battersea Park Kids’s zoo for little animal lovers, and Putt within the Park mini golf.
St James’s Park playground
This beautiful playground is located in the midst of St James’ Park, considered one of my favorite London parks, and simply minutes away from vacationer hotspots like Buckingham Palace, so it’s a great stopping level in the event you’re sightseeing in London with youngsters.
There may be additionally a cool sandpit for youthful toddlers, climbing partitions and boulders for older youngsters, though this play space is healthier for youthful ages than older major age in search of extra journey.
In addition to wandering across the park itself, together with a restaurant and locations to seize an ice cream, it’s famously house to a small group of pelicans, who you’ll spot swimming on the lake and lounging on pelican island.
Paddington Recreation Floor playground
Paddington Recreation Floor playground, aka Paddington Rec close to Maida Vale tube, is designed to encourage inventive play and it’s one other one which’s good for various ages.
You’ll discover a steamliner, prepare, tunnel, musical devices and a forest play space among the many bushes, however the large spotlight is the string pastel colored playhouses which seem like terraced homes.
There’s additionally a sensory path, and for little Paddington followers (and who isn’t), the playground was impressed by the bear himself.
For extra locations to discover Paddington in London, try my ideas
Union Park at Wembley Park
For those who’re visiting Wembley Park for a day trip, whether or not it’s for an occasion or one of many common free festivals, there’s not one however two all-weather play parks for youthful youngsters.
The play park is in Union Park, round 5 minutes’ stroll from Area Sq. will cowl seven acres when it’s full. With the park’s picket playground and paddling pool for sunny days, it’s the sort of spot the place youngsters can play for hours, or spot the busy inhabitants of the close by bee resort within the park.
For fogeys, it’s a beautiful tranquil spot to loosen up with wildflowers and an city meadow, pond and bushes dotted round.
There’s one other play space is on Wembley Park Boulevard by the London Designer Outlet which is designed for teenagers below 12, with a slide, climbing body, towers and roundabout to play on.
Magic Backyard, Hampton Courtroom
This historic playground is a bit out of the way in which however effectively price a go to – the Magic Backyard is as spectacular a playground as Hampton Courtroom is a palace.
Sand and water areas make it nice for summer time days out with youngsters, particularly with toddlers, while the aerial walkway and royal towers are good for adventurous youngsters.Â
The magical theme makes it someplace a bit totally different, with animal statues hidden within the bushes and a dragon to steadiness on, in addition to play hills to scamble and down. This isn’t a free possibility, it’s solely obtainable with a ticket to Hampton Courtroom Palace nevertheless it’s a incredible day trip in London with youngsters.
Take a look at my overview of our go to to Hampton Courtroom Palace, together with the Magic Backyard
Kids’s Backyard, Kew
One other paid possibility, this beautiful playground is a part of Kew Gardens – you want a separate (free) ticket to the kids’s backyard play space, at the moment with timed entry to restrict numbers.
However it’s effectively price a cease amongst all the opposite points of interest at Kew Gardens. Impressed by the necessities of life, you’ll discover totally different areas themed round mild and water, for instance.
In follow that additionally means mini trampolines to bounce on, a giant climbing space together with ropes, plus a number of water play, brilliant colors and slides that end in sandpits, in addition to little picket homes within the sand for youthful youngsters.
When you’re there, try The Hive set up with lights linked to the actions of a beehive and the hum of a swarm making music inside, in addition to common household trails across the botanic gardens.
Take a look at my full set of ideas for visiting Kew Gardens with youngsters
Biodiversity Park, Stratford
Whereas this isn’t essentially the most central playground possibility, the Biodiversity Park in Stratford is likely one of the most quirky and strange locations for teenagers to play.
Very near Westfield (additionally house to the Disney Retailer and Lego Retailer, in addition to bogs and loads of locations to eat), it’s nice as a reward in the event you’re making an attempt to slot in some procuring with youngsters in London, however the design makes it a terrific possibility regardless.
With an animal and vegetation theme, you’ll discover frog, dragonfly and fish-shaped constructions, in addition to picket ships and a bridge, all linked as much as slides of various heights, some climbing rocks plus there are exercise partitions as effectively.
Solely round 10 minutes on the tube from Liverpool Road station, it’s one to recollect in the event you’re in east London.
For one more incredible east London playground, try the Tumbling Bay playground on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park close by – signal as much as the London with Children e-newsletter for a free information to the very best locations to get outside with youngsters within the metropolis
*final up to date 2024*
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Pictures: Diana Memorial playground photographs courtesy of Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels
