The best playgrounds in London feature joys like giant sandpits, tree houses, views of Big Ben and 172-year-old dinosaurs.
But if you only have time for one, which is worth the trip? Our guide to free outdoor playgrounds in London can help you decide.
It’s broken down by area, so click below to jump ahead to the location you had in mind.
- Best playgrounds in Central London
- Best playgrounds in North London
- Best playgrounds in East London
- Best playgrounds in South London
- Best playgrounds in West London
The playgrounds here are all in public spaces and open to everyone. For some different options, we’ve covered London pubs with play areas elsewhere, as well as the city’s best adventure playgrounds.
In each section, we’ve picked out our favourite playground for younger kids. For parents with kids in this age group, we also have a handy guide on things to do with toddlers in London.
Best playgrounds in Central London
Central London’s playgrounds come with stunning views and famous neighbours.
These plus points make up for a slight lack of options when it comes to playgrounds in the heart of the city.
Toddler pick: Horseferry Playground
Horseferry Playground really can’t be beaten for location. It’s in Victoria Tower Gardens, a small riverside park next to the Houses of Parliament.
Much of the equipment here is Thames-themed: sunken horses, a water play feature and bridges. You’ll still find the sort of classics toddlers will be familiar with, though, such as its wide slide and sandpit.
In terms of practical stuff, there are toilets on site and a kiosk selling snacks and drinks.
If the weather turns, Tate Britain is less than a 10-minute walk away. The playground and general area can get busy, of course, being the most touristy part of London.
Location: Victoria Tower Gardens, SW1P 3GE
Nearest Tube: Westminster (10 min walk) or Pimlico (15 min walk)
Coram’s Fields
Opened in 1936, Coram’s Fields is a great place for peace of mind. Adults can only enter if they are accompanied by a child, while dogs aren’t allowed in at all (with the exception of guide dogs).
Across its seven acres are sections for different ages. For older kids, there’s the adventure section, which has a zip wire, tunnel slide and treehouse climbing frame. You can keep their younger siblings busy by showing them the goats and chickens at its farm corner.
Some of the equipment has seen better days, but in 2026 they opened a new, colourful Junior Play Zone designed by kids.
For many, the children-only policy will tune out a lot of background stress. The location also makes Coram’s Fields a great counterbalance to more educational or cultural activities nearby. The British Museum, for example, is only about 10 minutes away on foot.
Every summer, Coram’s Fields also throws a big, free Play Day festival.
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Location: 93 Guilford Street, WC1N 1DN
Nearest Tube: Russell Square (5 min walk)
Best playgrounds in North London
North London has both manicured parks and sprawling ancient woodlands. Both are great settings for kids’ playgrounds, especially when they’re surrounded by family-friendly neighbourhoods and attractions like these two.
Toddler pick: Hanover Gate Playground
Hanover Gate is on the west side of Regent’s Park and best described as a giant sandpit with a treehouse in the middle. It also has swings, slides, climbing frames and rope ladders.
Once kids have had their fill of the playground, you can take them out on the water in a hired pedalo or boat.
Being a Royal Parks site, the maintenance is generally better and you’re surrounded by other family attractions. The best example here is London Zoo, a ten-minute walk away.
The nearby Primrose Hill playground is another good option on hotter days. Like Hanover Gate, it’s built around a huge sandpit, but with a bit more shade.
For more places to cool down in the summer, see our guide to free London splash parks.
Location: Hanover Gate, Regent’s Park, NW1 4HG
Nearest Tube: Baker Street (12 min walk)
Parliament Hill Playground
Parliament Hill Playground is on the edge of Hampstead Heath, next to the Athletics Track and paddling pool.
The playground itself has a good mix of classic equipment, including swings, slides and climbing frames. In summer, they open the paddling pool next door.
Once kids have finished playing, you can walk up Parliament Hill for one of the best free views in London. There’s also plenty of open space on the Heath for running around and picnics. If you forget to pack a hamper, Swain’s Lane down the road has great (if pricey) places to stock up.
Location: Parliament Hill Fields, Nassington Road, NW3 2TX
Nearest station: Gospel Oak (11 min walk)
Highgate Wood Playground
Highgate Wood Playground is nestled in 70 acres of ancient woodland. It’s split into two separate areas, one for under-fives and one for older kids. The over-5s side has a zip wire, slides, monkey bars and climbing frames that look like cars and tractors.
The tree cover keeps it shaded on hot days, and nearby you have an ancient Roman kiln site plus Jacksons Lane for shows.
You’re also spoiled for choice when it comes to cafes here. Beyond the Pavilion Cafe, there’s Queen’s Wood Cafe across the road, a fairy tale-style building with an allotment in the garden. Thanks to its recent social media fame, though, it can get busy on weekends.
Location: Muswell Hill Road, London, N10 3JN
Nearest Tube: Highgate (5 min walk)
Best playgrounds in East London
East London has both London’s oldest public park and one of its newest. Despite the age gap, both have outstanding playgrounds.
Toddler pick: V&A Playground
Opened in 1845, Victoria Park is London’s oldest public park. Of its two (very different) playgrounds, the V&A is the quieter.
It’s on the park’s west side, off Grove Road. The play equipment includes mini tree houses and climbing structures, with plenty of sand underneath to cushion any tumbles.
The larger playground is on the east side of the park. There you’ll find huge slides, more challenging climbs and a splash pool that’s open from 11am to 5pm in summer.
Location: Victoria Park, E9 7DE
Nearest station: Cambridge Heath (15 min walk)
Tumbling Bay Playground
Based in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Tumbling Bay was built on the site of the 2012 Olympic Games.
It has won awards for its design and the equipment is on a different scale from most London playgrounds. It has giant red rock climbing frames, rock pools, big slides and swings, and a rope bridge that looks like it sprouted from two trees. There are also water pumps for kids’ use in the summer and often free family events in the wider Olympic Park area.
Location: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, E20 2ST
Nearest Tube: Stratford (18 min walk)
The Cove (at the National Maritime Museum)
The Cove is built around three different structures. First, you have a multi-level pirate ship called the Shanty. Kids can fire pipe drum cannons below deck before climbing up to the crow’s nest.
The second is a giant Kraken with tentacle nets, bridges and tunnels to scramble through.
Lastly, there’s the Cutty Shark, with a secret den and more sea-themed play features. Beyond this, you also have a compass roundabout.
Directly next to the playground is a cafe serving maritime-themed ice creams. The National Maritime Museum is free to explore and also has toilets and baby-changing facilities. They sometimes even do history or space-themed takeover days.
Location: National Maritime Museum, Romney Road, SE10 9NF
Nearest station: Cutty Sark (6 min walk) or Greenwich Station (10 min walk)
Best playgrounds in South London
South London is home to the city’s most central farm, Victorian dinosaurs and also two newly improved playgrounds that we recommend.
Toddler pick: Vauxhall Park Playground
As part of a complete redesign in 2020, Vauxhall Park’s playground was split into separate areas for under-sevens and older kids.
Away from the bigger equipment, the under-sevens section has a red train to climb. The park is also home to a model village, a nice thing to visit in spring when it’s surrounded by colourful tulips.
Just a 10-minute walk away, you also have Vauxhall City Farm. Often during school holidays, you can book the little one a five-minute ‘Cuddle Corner’ session with cute bunnies and the like.
Location: Fentiman Road, Vauxhall, SW8 1QY
Nearest Tube: Vauxhall (7 min walk)
Crystal Palace Park Playground
Crystal Palace Park opened a brand-new playground in March 2026, built around the park’s famous Victorian dinosaurs.
You have a dinosaur skeleton climbing frame, giant egg play features, basket swings and a footprint-shaped sandpit where kids can fossil hunt.
The Victorian dinosaur sculptures themselves are a short walk away, currently being restored as part of the wider park makeover.
Because of these ongoing works, we recommend checking the Crystal Palace Park website before you visit, in case anything’s closed.
Location: Crystal Palace Park, Thicket Road, SE20 8DT
Nearest Station: Crystal Palace (10 min walk)
Best playgrounds in West London
Holland Park is built on the grounds of a 17th-century mansion, which helps explain the Japanese garden and peacocks near its two playgrounds. A few miles north of it is a hidden gem.
Toddler pick: Holland Park Playground
Holland Park has two separate playgrounds about five minutes’ walk apart within the 54-acre park.
Both are close to the stunning Kyoto Garden. The toddler area is fenced and has swings, slides, climbing structures and a sandpit. Lucky visitors get to see peacocks wandering freely about.
For older thrill-seekers, the nearby adventure playground has a 25-metre zip wire since its award-winning redesign in 2019.
Location: Holland Park, Ilchester Place, W8 6LU
Nearest Tube: Holland Park or High Street Kensington (both 12 min walk)
Kensington Memorial Park Playground
Kensington Memorial Park is small, but it’s beloved for its water play area with little cannons, tipping buckets and all sorts of sprinklers. It opens in the summer months in two-hour blocks (so they can clean it and do safety checks).
Beyond the water play are two playground areas. You have a sandpit pirate ship area for younger children and a larger climbing frame for older kids.
Location: St Mark’s Road, W10 6BZ
Nearest station: Ladbroke Grove (14 min walk)
Paddington Recreation Ground
Despite being 27 acres, Paddington Recreation Ground is easy to miss if you don’t know it’s there.
And missing it would be a real shame because it has so many unique features. For toddlers, there’s a steamship climbing structure and colourful houses to explore. Older kids have a forest play area. For all ages, there’s a train station, tunnels and musical instruments.
Location: Randolph Avenue, W9 1PD
Nearest Tube: Maida Vale (5 min walk)
Find more free family fun in London
With free pop-ups, festivals and activities happening every week, London is one big playground for families.
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