The 19 best playgrounds in London

Whether or not you’re searching for methods to interrupt up a busy journey sightseeing or extra concepts at no cost issues to do, there are some nice playgrounds in London that are good for a household time out.

incorporates affiliate hyperlinks*

And from a few of the finest recognized, residence to pirate ships or dragons, to ones close to town’s largest household sights, listed below are 19 London playgrounds to go well with all ages, concepts when you’re searching for 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 number of much less well-known and strange choices which deserve their place on an inventory of the most effective 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 completely different play areas dotted round, all of which have had a refresh this yr, together with the model new 17m galleon moored on a sandy seashore.

For extra recommendations on town’s finest parks for households, take a look at my decide of the highest free issues to do in London with children

With two crow’s nests, a tunnel slide and telescope on board, plus a play kitchen and loads of nooks and crannies to discover under deck, the ship is the right place to let imaginations run free.

However you’ll additionally discover a treehouse with its personal tunnel slide and towers, plus interactive enjoyable, together with musical devices and extra.

Or maintain a watch out for the crocodile sculpture within the new waterplay space. There’s additionally a redesigned space for little ones with a big sandpit, plus play ships and homes, whereas the entire playground is now supposed to be extra accessible.

At busy instances, there’s a one in, one out system to keep away from the playground being overcrowded, so it’s value getting there earlier relatively than in a while sunny weekends or throughout faculty holidays.

Kensington Gardens can be residence 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.

In the event you’re searching for locations to chill down in the summertime with children, neighbouring Hyde Park has the Diana Memorial Fountain to splash in, whereas additional west, Ravenscourt Park in west London has a paddling pool throughout the summer time months – free to make use of, however you should prebook a timed slot as numbers are restricted.

Jubilee Gardens Playground, Southbank

In the event you’re searching for a playground in central London, there isn’t at all times quite a lot of alternative, 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 buildings and spidery rope webs to entertain any budding younger climbers – refurbished in Might 2022, there’s additionally new tools for youthful children 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 sights, plus Jubilee Park is a reasonably place for folks 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 children, take a look at 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 children’ 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 steel slide together with the string of picket buildings, and the play space is designed to entertain children aged from 5 to 14.

One beautiful further is that there’s additionally a wheelchair accessible roundabout, whilst you’ll discover a separate play space for toddlers and youthful children 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, 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 when you’ve been exploring Kensington Palace) in addition to Holland Park itself.

For extra issues to do in South Kensington with children, take a look at my decide of the most effective

Coram’s Fields, Camden

Coram’s Fields is exclusive in relation to London parks and playgrounds, as this stretch of inexperienced house is simply open to households – until you’re visiting with children, you’re not allowed in.

And there are a number of completely 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 set free to roam and nibble the grass throughout spring and summer time.

Try 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 convey 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 large tentacle slide.

Or head contained in the Cutty Shark, climbing its fin and exploring by a maze of nets to find a secret den – then slide out by its fearsome jaws.

Be careful for the Kraken too, as you slide, bounce and climb by the creatures seaweed tangles, nets and bridges – one of many enjoyable elements of the playground for youthful guests. There’s no must ebook and it’s fully free: there’s additionally a restaurant and bathrooms contained in the Nationwide Maritime Museum subsequent door.

For extra issues to do in Greenwich with children, take a look at my high picks

Greenwich Park

This thrilling playground in London is ideal for imaginative children: the Greenwich Park playground has a beautiful nautical theme, with revolutionary water installations to offer a summery really feel.

And in addition to the water and sand parts, there are basket swings and roundabouts to present a extra conventional playground really feel.

Nice for each youthful and older kids as much as 12 years outdated, each the playground and wonderful Greenwich Park itself are a terrific alternative on a scorching summer time day.

With bathrooms, seating and refreshment kiosks, it’s enjoyable for a break between trying out the opposite issues to do in Greenwich with children, 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 choice when you’ve been recognizing Huge Ben, the Homes of Parliament or Westminster Abbey.

Nice for kids 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 option to get children fascinated by historical past!

Plus a sand pit, swings, slide and a water set up. There are public bathrooms 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 searching alongside the Thames – an excellent reward when 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 choice when you’ve bought siblings who each need entertaining.

There’s a mixture of picket climbing tools impressed by treehouses together with nets to clamber on, among the many splashes of brilliant color – not forgetting some curving steel slides and swings, all set throughout the greenery of Prospect Park itself.

There’s additionally an entire 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 scorching drink at Black Sheep Espresso to a margherita at Gordon Ramsay’s Road Pizza round a spot of enjoying.

Battersea Park, Wandsworth

In the event you wrestle discovering a playground in London that caters to a wide range of completely different ages, Battersea Park is right.

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 resembling a static practice, and small slides.  

The park itself is full of household sights too, from boating on the lake to the Battersea Park Youngsters’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, certainly one of my favorite London parks, and simply minutes away from vacationer hotspots like Buckingham Palace, so it’s a great stopping level when you’re sightseeing in London with children.

There may be additionally a cool sandpit for youthful toddlers, climbing partitions and boulders for older children, though this play space is best for youthful ages than older major age searching for extra journey.

In addition to wandering across the park itself, together with a restaurant and locations to seize an ice cream, it’s famously residence 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 artistic play and it’s one other one which’s good for various ages.

You’ll discover a steamliner, practice, tunnel, musical devices and a forest play space among the many bushes, however the large spotlight is the string pastel colored playhouses which appear to be 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 seek out Paddington in London, take a look at my ideas

Union Park at Wembley Park

In the event you’re visiting Wembley Park for a time out, 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 children.

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 type of spot the place children can play for hours, or spot the busy inhabitants of the close by bee lodge within the park.

For fogeys, it’s a beautiful tranquil spot to chill out 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 youths beneath 12, with a slide, climbing body, towers and roundabout to play on.

Kilburn Grange Journey Park

Adventurous children 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 buildings that make up an enormous community of treehouses and walkways, nice for any little one who adores exploring. 

The play space is advisable for ages eight to 13 however there are smaller areas for youthful kids, in addition to the park itself to discover when 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.

Claremont Park, Brent Cross

Reopened in 2022, the Claremont Park is designed to enchantment to all ages, with numerous occasions happening all year long, but additionally with some nice play areas for youths.

In addition to the same old playground enjoyable, together with swings, slides, roundabouts and many climbing buildings, there’s additionally a water play space. The Water Meadows is designed to be inclusive, with sensory options, and to encourage children to get artistic (and moist!).

In case your children need greater than slides, there’s additionally a Pocket Sports activities Zone with basketball hoop, plus a mini-scooter and skate space. And it’s strolling distance from Brent Cross Procuring Centre, with numerous locations to eat (and store) inside.

Youngsters’s Backyard, Kew

One other paid choice, this beautiful playground is a part of Kew Gardens – included in entry, there’s now not any timed tickets so it’s simple to take pleasure in as you discover.

And it’s effectively value a cease amongst all the opposite sights at Kew Gardens. Impressed by the necessities of life, you’ll discover completely different areas themed round mild and water, for instance.

In apply that additionally means mini trampolines to bounce on, an enormous climbing space together with ropes, plus numerous water play, brilliant colors and slides that end in sandpits, in addition to little picket homes within the sand for youthful children.

When you’re on the Botanic Gardens, 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 ideas for visiting Kew Gardens with children

Magic Backyard, Hampton Court docket

This historic playground is a bit out of the best way however effectively value a go to – the Magic Backyard is as spectacular a playground as Hampton Court docket is a palace.

Sand and water areas make it nice for summer time days out with children, particularly with toddlers, while the aerial walkway and royal towers are good for adventurous children. 

The magical theme makes it someplace a bit completely 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 choice, it’s solely obtainable with a ticket to Hampton Court docket Palace but it surely’s a improbable time out in London with children.

Try my overview of our go to to Hampton Court docket Palace, together with the Magic Backyard

Victoria Park Playground

In the event you’re spending the day in east London, Victoria Park (or Vicky Park to locals), must be excessive in your listing – and it’s a terrific choice to mix with a go to to the Younger V&A close-by.

London’s oldest public park, it’s gained a string of awards, however extra excitingly from children, there are 4 completely different play areas to select from.

The principle playground is successfully a large sandpit, with three large slides to zoom down, an enormous spider-web climbing body, swings and extra.

In summer time, there’s additionally a splash pool to take pleasure in close by, plus a skate park in case your children need to practise their strikes (or get impressed). And for little ones, the V&A playground (on the west facet of the park close to Grove Street) is right, with picket play tools, spinning bridges, extra sandpits and water pumps to play with.

Biodiversity Park, Stratford

Whereas this isn’t probably the most central playground choice, the Biodiversity Park in Stratford is likely one of the most quirky and strange locations for youths to play.

Subsequent to Westfield Stratford (additionally residence to the Disney Retailer and Lego Retailer, in addition to bathrooms and loads of locations to eat), it’s nice as a reward when you’re attempting to slot in some procuring with children in London, however the design makes it a terrific choice regardless.

With an animal and vegetation theme, you’ll discover frog, dragonfly and fish-shaped buildings, 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 when you’re in east London.

Tumbling Bay playground, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Another choice that’s a method out of central London however nonetheless a terrific place for youths 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 – the ‘bay’ part is especially widespread in summer time when there’s an opportunity to faux your on a seashore, and splash round by rock swimming pools. Or the tree-houses, impressed by birds nests, are one other favorite.

There’s a restaurant close by with bathrooms too. And when you’re fed up at having nowhere for adults to play, the ArcelorMittal Orbit, the world’s longest tunnel slide, is strolling distance away (children may also trip from age 8/1.3m+ in the event that they’re accompanied by an grownup)

*final up to date 2026*

PIN FOR LATER: THE BEST LONDON PLAYGROUNDS

Disclosure: This put up incorporates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee

Photographs: Diana Memorial playground/Holland Park photos courtesy of Depositphotos, Union Park courtesy of Wembley Park, all others copyright MummyTravels

LIKED THIS? SIGN UP FOR MY EMAIL NEWSLETTER