The best playgrounds in London

Whether you’re looking for ways to break up a busy trip sightseeing or more ideas for free things to do, there are some great playgrounds in London which are perfect for a family day out.

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And from some of the best known, home to pirate ships or dragons, to ones near the city’s biggest family attractions, here are 16 London playgrounds to suit all ages, ideas if you’re looking for a 10-minute breather plus places to entertain for hours.

Many are set within parks and most are free, but I’ve also picked out a few less well-known and unusual options which deserve their place on a list of the best playgrounds in London too.

Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Playground, Kensington Gardens

Perhaps London’s best-known play area, you’ll find the Diana Memorial Playground in the park’s north-western corner, with a huge wooden pirate ship as its centrepiece.

But that’s only the start of the different play areas dotted around: you’ll find a sensory trail, play wigwams, sculptures, even a telescope to look out, and plenty more.

For more tips on the city’s best parks for families, check out my pick of the top free things to do in London with kids

At busy times, there’s a one in, one out system to avoid the playground being overcrowded, so it’s worth getting there earlier rather than later on sunny weekends or during school holidays.

Kensington Gardens is also home to a statue of Peter Pan, with squirrels, rabbits, mice and fairies climbing up towards Peter himself: find it next to the Long Water as you walk towards Hyde Park.

If you’re looking for places to cool down in the summer with kids, neighbouring Hyde Park has the Diana Memorial Fountain to splash in, while further west, Ravenscourt Park in west London has a paddling pool – free to use, but you need to prebook a timed slot as numbers are limited.

Kilburn Grange Adventure Park

Adventurous kids need look no further, as Kilburn Grange Adventure playground is one of the most exciting playgrounds in London.

This gem is squirreled away in the corner of Kilburn Grange park in north London, and is filled with wooden structures that make up a massive network of treehouses and walkways, great for any child who adores exploring. 

The play area is recommended for ages eight to 13 but there are smaller areas for younger children, as well as the park itself to explore if you need more space to run around.

It’s around 10 minutes walk from West Hampstead tube station on the Jubilee line, only a few stops from Baker Street and Bond Street, less to Brondesbury station on the overground too.

Jubilee Gardens Playground, Southbank

If you’re looking for a playground in central London, there isn’t always a great deal of choice, so this play park in a patch of greenery on the South Bank is perfect.

Set within Jubilee Gardens, there’s a fab adventure playground aimed at children up to 11 years, with cleverly designed wooden structures and spidery rope webs to entertain any budding young climbers – refurbished in May 2022, there’s also new equipment for younger kids and sensory options to make it more inclusive.

Surrounded by tourist hotspots such as the London Eye, and Sea Life Aquarium, it’s easy to combine with the big family attractions, plus Jubilee Park is a pretty place for parents to take a few minutes to chill out.

There are also public toilets close by and plenty of places to eat and drink along the South Bank.

For more things to do on the South Bank with kids, check out my top picks

Holland Park

With its tall wooden towers and stairs, the Holland Park adventure playground in London is always a popular one – perfect to spark your kids’ imaginations if they fancy playing at king or queen for the day, or simply having fun.

There’s a zip wire, see-saw, swings and giant metal slide along with the string of wooden structures, and the play area is designed to entertain kids aged from five to 14.

One lovely extra is that there’s also a wheelchair accessible roundabout, while you’ll find a separate play area for toddlers and younger kids not far away.

For more ideas of things to do in London with toddlers and preschoolers, check out this post

The park itself is beautiful too, with peacocks roaming around, the peaceful Kyoto garden, Dutch garden, fountains and woodland to explore.

As a bonus, it’s easy to park nearby plus there are several tube stations within easy walking distance, including High Street Kensington (or if you’ve been exploring Kensington Palace) as well as Holland Park itself.

For more things to do in South Kensington with kids, check out my pick of the best

Coram’s Fields, Camden

Coram’s Fields is unique when it comes to London parks and playgrounds, as this stretch of green space is only open to families – unless you’re visiting with kids, you’re not allowed in.

And there are several different play areas to discover across the seven acres. A few are more traditional with swings, slides and climbing frames, as well as some interactive options to make music on play instruments.

Walking distance from the British Museum, it’s a good combination to burn off some energy after looking at the exhibits, plus you can normally see animals at the little city farm. The goats even get let out to roam and nibble the grass during spring and summer.

Check out my review of a visit to Coram’s Fields

The Cove

This new play area by the National Maritime Museum puts other playgrounds in the shade. The Cove is designed to bring children’s imaginations to life as well as letting them climb, clamber and play to their heart’s content.

At the centre is a ship, the Shanty, where you can take the wheel, fire the cannon, explore the barrels as well as climbing up to the crow’s nest before heading back down the giant tentacle slide.

Or head inside the Cutty Shark, climbing its fin and exploring through a maze of nets to discover a secret den – then slide out through its fearsome jaws.

Watch out for the Kraken too, as you slide, jump and climb through the creatures seaweed tangles, nets and bridges – one of the fun parts of the playground for younger visitors. There’s no need to book and it’s completely free: there’s also a cafe and toilets inside the National Maritime Museum next door.

For more things to do in Greenwich with kids, check out my top picks

Greenwich Park

This exciting playground in London is perfect for imaginative kids: the Greenwich Park playground has a lovely nautical theme, with innovative water installations to provide a summery feel.

And as well as the water and sand elements, there are basket swings and roundabouts to give a more traditional playground feel.

Great for both younger and older children up to 12 years old, both the playground and lovely Greenwich Park itself are a great choice on a hot summer day.

With toilets, seating and refreshment kiosks, it’s fun for a break between checking out the other things to do in Greenwich with kids, from the museums and Cutty Sark to the meridian line.

Horseferry Playground, Millbank

With sandpits, water installations and wooden horses, Horseferry Playground is only a 10-minute walk from Westminster, so it’s a good option if you’ve been spotting Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament or Westminster Abbey.

Great for children aged up to 12 years, especially the larger wooden swing structure, there is also an interesting art installation by Chris Campbell around the park that depicts London events from over the centuries; a fun way to get kids interested in history!

Plus a sand pit, swings, slide and a water installation. There are public toilets here too.

It’s also got some wonderful views: you can see St Paul’s Cathedral, and the Shard from the playground, as well as looking out along the Thames – a good reward if you’ve been for a walk along the Thames path.

Prospect Park at Battersea Power Station

New in April 2022, this colourful playground sits in the shadow of the iconic power station and is designed with areas for different ages – a great option if you’ve got siblings who both want entertaining.

There’s a mix of wooden climbing equipment inspired by treehouses along with nets to clamber on, among the splashes of bright colour – not forgetting some curving metal slides and swings, all set within the greenery of Prospect Park itself.

There’s also a whole string of family-friendly restaurants and cafes in the revitalised Power Station site, along with The Cinema in The Arches, so it’s easy to grab anything from a hot drink at Black Sheep Coffee to a margherita at Gordon Ramsay’s Street Pizza around a spot of playing.

Battersea Park, Wandsworth

If you struggle finding a playground in London that caters to a variety of different ages, Battersea Park is ideal.

There are four areas that are designed for different ages from ages four to 14, as well as the (paid) Battersea Park Go Ape course for any thrill seekers.

Towering wooden treehouses and slides make up the adventure playground, along with gentler fun for toddlers such as a static train, and small slides.  

The park itself is packed with family attractions too, from boating on the lake to the Battersea Park Children’s zoo for little animal lovers, and Putt in the Park mini golf.

St James’s Park playground

This lovely playground is situated in the middle of St James’ Park, one of my favourite London parks, and just minutes away from tourist hotspots like Buckingham Palace, so it’s an ideal stopping point if you’re sightseeing in London with kids.

There is also a cool sandpit for younger toddlers, climbing walls and boulders for older kids, although this play area is better for younger ages than older primary age looking for more adventure.

As well as wandering around the park itself, including a cafe and places to grab an ice cream, it’s famously home to a small group of pelicans, who you’ll spot swimming on the lake and lounging on pelican island.

Paddington Recreation Ground playground

Paddington Recreation Ground playground, aka Paddington Rec near Maida Vale tube, is designed to encourage creative play and it’s another one that’s good for different ages.

You’ll find a steamliner, train, tunnel, musical instruments and a forest play area among the trees, but the big highlight is the string pastel coloured playhouses which look like terraced houses.

There’s also a sensory trail, and for little Paddington fans (and who isn’t), the playground was inspired by the bear himself.

For more places to find Paddington in London, check out my tips

Union Park at Wembley Park

If you’re visiting Wembley Park for a day out, whether it’s for an event or one of the regular free festivals, there’s not one but two all-weather play parks for younger kids.

The play park is in Union Park, around five minutes’ walk from Arena Square will cover seven acres when it’s complete. With the park’s wooden playground and paddling pool for sunny days, it’s the kind of spot where kids can play for hours, or spot the busy inhabitants of the nearby bee hotel in the park.

For parents, it’s a lovely tranquil spot to relax with wildflowers and an urban meadow, pond and trees dotted around.

There’s another play area is on Wembley Park Boulevard by the London Designer Outlet which is designed for kids under 12, with a slide, climbing frame, towers and roundabout to play on.

Magic Garden, Hampton Court

This historical playground is a bit out of the way but well worth a visit – the Magic Garden is as spectacular a playground as Hampton Court is a palace.

Sand and water areas make it great for summer days out with kids, especially with toddlers, whilst the aerial walkway and royal towers are perfect for adventurous kids. 

The magical theme makes it somewhere a bit different, with animal statues hidden in the trees and a dragon to balance on, as well as play hills to scamble and down. This isn’t a free option, it’s only available with a ticket to Hampton Court Palace but it’s a fantastic day out in London with kids.

Check out my review of our visit to Hampton Court Palace, including the Magic Garden

Children’s Garden, Kew

Another paid option, this lovely playground is part of Kew Gardens – you need a separate (free) ticket to the children’s garden play area, currently with timed entry to limit numbers.

But it’s well worth a stop among all the other attractions at Kew Gardens. Inspired by the essentials of life, you’ll find different areas themed around light and water, for example.

In practice that also means mini trampolines to bounce on, a big climbing area including ropes, plus lots of water play, bright colours and slides that finish in sandpits, as well as little wooden houses in the sand for younger kids.

While you’re there, check out The Hive installation with lights linked to the actions of a beehive and the hum of a swarm making music inside, as well as regular family trails around the botanic gardens.

Check out my complete set of tips for visiting Kew Gardens with kids

Biodiversity Park, Stratford

While this isn’t the most central playground option, the Biodiversity Park in Stratford is one of the most quirky and unusual places for kids to play.

Very close to Westfield (also home to the Disney Store and Lego Store, as well as toilets and plenty of places to eat), it’s great as a reward if you’re trying to fit in some shopping with kids in London, but the design makes it a great option regardless.

With an animal and plants theme, you’ll find frog, dragonfly and fish-shaped structures, as well as wooden ships and a bridge, all linked up to slides of different heights, some climbing rocks plus there are activity walls as well.

Only around 10 minutes on the tube from Liverpool Street station, it’s one to remember if you’re in east London.

For another fantastic east London playground, check out the Tumbling Bay playground at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park nearby – sign up to the London with Kids newsletter for a free guide to the best places to get outdoors with kids in the city

*last updated 2024*

PIN FOR LATER: THE BEST LONDON PLAYGROUNDS

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Images: Diana Memorial playground images courtesy of Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels

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