Whether or not youโre in search of methods to interrupt up a busy journey sightseeing or extra concepts without spending a dime 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 identified, dwelling to pirate ships or dragons, to ones close to the townโs largest household sights, listed here are 17 London playgrounds to go well with all ages, concepts if you happen toโre in search of a 10-minute breather plus locations to entertain for hours.
Many are set inside parks and most are free, however Iโve additionally picked out just a few much less well-known and strange choices which deserve their place on a listing of the perfect playgrounds in London too.
Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Playground, Kensington Gardens
Maybe Londonโs best-known play space, youโll discover the Diana Memorial Playground within the parkโs north-western nook, with an enormous wood pirate ship as its centrepiece.
However thatโs solely the beginning of the completely different play areas dotted round: youโll discover a sensory path, play wigwams, sculptures, even a telescope to look out, and lots extra.
The playground might be closing briefly from autumn 2025 till spring 2026 for a six-month refurbishment if you happen toโre visiting throughout that interval
For extra recommendations on the townโs greatest parks for households, take a look at my decide of the highest free issues to do in London with youngsters
At busy occasions, thereโs a one in, one out system to keep away from the playground being overcrowded, so itโs value getting there earlier somewhat than afterward sunny weekends or throughout faculty holidays.
Kensington Gardens can be dwelling to a statue of Peter Pan, with squirrels, rabbits, mice and fairies climbing up in direction of Peter himself: discover it subsequent to the Lengthy Water as you stroll in direction of Hyde Park.
Should youโre 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 through the summer season months โ free to make use of, however you’ll want to prebook a timed slot as numbers are restricted.
Kilburn Grange Journey Park
Adventurous youngsters want look no additional, as Kilburn Grange Journey playground is among the most fun playgrounds in London.
This gem is squirreled away within the nook of Kilburn Grange park in north London, and is full of wood constructions that make up a large community of treehouses and walkways, nice for any little one who adores exploring.ย
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 if you happen to want extra space to run round.
Itโs 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
Should youโre in search of a playground in central London, there isnโt all the time a substantial amount of selection, so this play park in a patch of greenery on the South Financial institution is ideal.
Set inside Jubilee Gardens, thereโs a fab journey playground aimed toward kids as much as 11 years, with cleverly designed wood constructions and spidery rope webs to entertain any budding younger climbers โ refurbished in Might 2022, thereโs 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, itโs straightforward to mix with the large household sights, plus Jubilee Park is a reasonably place for fogeys to take a couple of minutes to sit back out.
There are additionally public bathrooms 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, take a look at my high picks
Holland Park
With its tall wood towers and stairs, the Holland Park journey playground in London is all the time a well-liked one โ good to spark your youngstersโ imaginations in the event that they fancy enjoying at king or queen for the day, or just having enjoyable.
Thereโs a zipper wire, see-saw, swings and large steel slide together with the string of wood constructions, and the play space is designed to entertain youngsters aged from 5 to 14.
One beautiful additional is that thereโs additionally a wheelchair accessible roundabout, whilst youโll discover a separate play space for toddlers and youthful youngsters not far-off.
For extra concepts of issues to do in London with toddlers and preschoolers, take a look at this put up
The park itself is gorgeous too, with peacocks roaming round, the peaceable Kyoto backyard, Dutch backyard, fountains and woodland to discover.
As a bonus, itโs straightforward to park close by plus there are a number of tube stations inside straightforward strolling distance, together with Excessive Road Kensington (or if you happen toโve been exploring Kensington Palace) in addition to Holland Park itself.
For extra issues to do in South Kensington with youngsters, take a look at my decide of the perfect
Coramโs Fields, Camden
Coramโs Fieldsย is exclusive in terms of London parks and playgrounds, as this stretch of inexperienced area is simply open to households โ until youโre visiting with youngsters, youโre not allowed in.
And there are a number of completely different play areas to find throughout the seven acres. A number 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, itโs a great mixture to burn off some vitality 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 season.
Try my evaluate of a go to to Coramโs Fields
The Cove
This new play space by the Nationwide Maritime Museum places different playgrounds within the shade. The Cove is designed to carry kidsโs imaginations to life in addition to letting them climb, clamber and play to their coronary heartโs 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 crowโs nest earlier than heading again down the large tentacle slide.
Or head contained in the Cutty Shark, climbing its fin and exploring via a maze of nets to find a secret den โ then slide out via its fearsome jaws.
Be careful for the Kraken too, as you slide, leap and climb via the creatures seaweed tangles, nets and bridges โ one of many enjoyable components of the playground for youthful guests. Thereโs no have to ebook and itโs utterly free: thereโs additionally a restaurant and bathrooms contained in the Nationwide Maritime Museum subsequent door.
For extra issues to do in Greenwich with youngsters, take a look at my high picks
Greenwich Park
This thrilling playground in London is ideal for imaginative youngsters: the Greenwich Park playground has a stunning nautical theme, with progressive water installations to offer a summery really feel.
And in addition to the water and sand parts, there are basket swings and roundabouts to offer a extra conventional playground really feel.
Nice for each youthful and older kids as much as 12 years previous, each the playground and wonderful Greenwich Park itself are an awesome selection on a sizzling summer season day.
With bathrooms, seating and refreshment kiosks, itโs 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 wood horses, Horseferry Playground is simply a 10-minute stroll from Westminster, so itโs a great choice if you happen toโve been recognizing Massive Ben, the Homes of Parliament or Westminster Abbey.
Nice for kids aged as much as 12 years, particularly the bigger wood 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 technique to get youngsters involved in historical past!
Plus a sand pit, swings, slide and a water set up. There are public bathrooms right here too.
Itโs additionally bought some fantastic views: you may see St Paulโs Cathedral, and the Shard from the playground, in addition to searching alongside the Thames โ a great reward if you happen toโve 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 enduring energy station and is designed with areas for various ages โ an awesome choice if you happen toโve bought siblings who each need entertaining.
Thereโs a mixture of wood climbing gear impressed by treehouses together with nets to clamber on, among the many splashes of vivid color โ not forgetting some curving steel slides and swings, all set inside the greenery of Prospect Park itself.
Thereโs additionally an entire string of family-friendly eating places and cafes within the revitalised Energy Station web site, together with The Cinema in The Arches, so itโs straightforward to seize something from a sizzling drink at Black Sheep Espresso to a margherita at Gordon Ramsayโs Road Pizza round a spot of enjoying.
Battersea Park, Wandsworth
Should you battle discovering a playground in London that caters to quite a lot of completely different ages, Battersea Park is good.
There are 4 areas which might 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 wood treehouses and slides make up the journey playground, together with gentler enjoyable for toddlers equivalent to a static prepare, and small slides. ย
The park itself is filled with household sights too, from boating on the lake to the Battersea Park Youngstersโs zoo for little animal lovers, and Putt within the Park mini golf.
St Jamesโs Park playground
This beautiful playground is located in the course of St Jamesโ Park, one in every of my favorite London parks, and simply minutes away from vacationer hotspots like Buckingham Palace, so itโs a great stopping level if you happen toโre 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, itโs famously dwelling to a small group of pelicans, who youโll 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 artistic play and itโs one other one whichโs good for various ages.
Youโll discover a steamliner, prepare, tunnel, musical devices and a forest play space among the many timber, however the huge spotlight is the string pastel colored playhouses which appear like terraced homes.
Thereโs additionally a sensory path, and for little Paddington followers (and who isnโt), the playground was impressed by the bear himself.
For extra locations to seek out Paddington in London, take a look at my suggestions
Union Park at Wembley Park
Should youโre visiting Wembley Park for a day trip, whether or not itโs for an occasion or one of many common free festivals, thereโs not one however two all-weather play parks for youthful youngsters.
The play park is in Union Park, round 5 minutesโ stroll from Enviornment Sq. will cowl seven acres when itโs full. With the parkโs wood playground and paddling pool for sunny days, itโs the form of spot the place youngsters can play for hours, or spot the busy inhabitants of the close by bee lodge within the park.
For folks, itโs a stunning tranquil spot to chill out with wildflowers and an city meadow, pond and timber dotted round.
Thereโs one other play space is on Wembley Park Boulevardย by the London Designer Outlet which is designed for teenagers underneath 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 nicely value a go to โ the Magic Backyard is as spectacular a playground as Hampton Courtroom is a palace.
Sand and water areas make it nice for summer season days out with youngsters, particularly with toddlers, while the aerial walkway and royal towers are good for adventurous youngsters.ย
The magical theme makes it someplace a bit completely different, with animal statues hidden within the timber and a dragon to stability on, in addition to play hills to scamble and down. This isnโt a free choice, itโs solely out there with a ticket to Hampton Courtroom Palace however itโs a unbelievable day trip in London with youngsters.
Try my evaluate of our go to to Hampton Courtroom Palace, together with the Magic Backyard
Youngstersโs Backyard, Kew
One other paid choice, this beautiful playground is a part of Kew Gardens โ you want a separate (free) ticket to the kidsโs backyard play space, presently with timed entry to restrict numbers.
Nevertheless itโs nicely value a cease amongst all the opposite sights at Kew Gardens. Impressed by the necessities of life, youโll discover completely different areas themed round gentle and water, for instance.
In observe that additionally means mini trampolines to bounce on, a giant climbing space together with ropes, plus a number of water play, vivid colors and slides that end in sandpits, in addition to little wood homes within the sand for youthful youngsters.
Whilst youโre there, take a look at 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.
Try my full set of suggestions for visiting Kew Gardens with youngsters
Biodiversity Park, Stratford
Whereas this isnโt essentially the most central playground choice, the Biodiversity Park in Stratford is among the most quirky and strange locations for teenagers to play.
Subsequent to Westfield Stratford (additionally dwelling to the Disney Retailer and Lego Retailer, in addition to bathrooms and loads of locations to eat), itโs nice as a reward if you happen toโre making an attempt to slot in some buying with youngsters in London, however the design makes it an awesome choice regardless.
With an animal and vegetation theme, youโll discover frog, dragonfly and fish-shaped constructions, in addition to wood ships and a bridge, all linked as much as slides of various heights, some climbing rocks plus there are exercise partitions as nicely.
Solely round 10 minutes on the tube from Liverpool Road station, itโs one to recollect if you happen toโre in east London.
Tumbling Bay playground, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
An alternative choice thatโs a method out of central London however nonetheless an awesome place for teenagers to play, the Tumbling Bay playground is on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Count on sand, wobbly bridges, swimming pools and extra to play in โ the โbayโ part is especially fashionable in summer season when thereโs an opportunity to faux your on a seaside, and splash round by rock swimming pools. Or the tree-houses, impressed by birds nests, are one other favorite.
Thereโs a restaurant close by with bathrooms too. And if you happen toโre fed up at having nowhere for adults to play, the ArcelorMittal Orbit, the worldโs longest tunnel slide, is strolling distance away (youngsters may also trip from age 8/1.3m+ in the event that theyโre accompanied by an grownup)
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Pictures: Diana Memorial playground photos courtesy of Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels
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