Hampstead Heath has multiple playgrounds, an adventure playground, and a lido paddling pool, making it one of London's most complete family destinations.
Hampstead Heath has some of the best children's playgrounds in London, well-equipped, beautifully situated, and surrounded by 790 acres of open space for further adventures. From the large adventure playground at Parliament Hill to the paddling pools and the play area at Golders Hill Park, this is the complete guide to the Heath's playgrounds for families.
- Parliament Hill Fields has the Heath's largest adventure playground and a paddling pool
- Golders Hill Park has a play area, paddling pool, and free zoo
- All playgrounds are free; paddling pools open roughly late May to September
- Cafes and toilets are located at the main playground sites
- Combine playground visits with wider family activities on the Heath
- Buggy-friendly access at the main sites
Parliament Hill Fields Playground
The adventure playground at Parliament Hill Fields, on the southern side of the Heath, is the largest and best-equipped on the Heath. It offers:
- Climbing structures and frames for a range of ages
- Swings, slides, and a sandpit
- Equipment suited to toddlers through to older children (roughly ages 2-12)
- Enclosed and supervised during peak times
Adjacent to the playground is a paddling pool, open in the warmer months (typically late May to September), which is a magnet for families on hot days. Nearby are a café for parental refuelling and toilets.
The location is superb: the playground sits at the foot of Parliament Hill, so a playground visit can easily be combined with the climb to the summit for London's best free view and, on windy days, some kite flying.
Priya Sharma, a mother of three from Tufnell Park, calls the Parliament Hill playground "our second home in summer." "The paddling pool on a hot day is heaven, and free, which when you've got three kids matters enormously," she said. "The older two run wild on the climbing frames, the little one splashes in the pool, and I get a coffee from the café and actually sit down. Then we climb the hill for the view. There's no other place in London that gives you all of that for the price of a flat white."
Golders Hill Park
In the Heath's northwest corner, Golders Hill Park offers a different but equally excellent family experience:
- A children's play area with equipment for younger children
- A paddling pool (open in summer)
- The famous free zoo, flamingos, deer, meerkats, and wallabies
- Formal gardens, lawns, and a café
The combination of playground, paddling pool, and free zoo makes Golders Hill Park one of the best family destinations in North London. Children can play, splash, and see exotic animals, all in one beautifully maintained Victorian park, all free.
Other Play Opportunities on the Heath
Beyond the formal playgrounds, the Heath itself is one giant natural play space:
- The slopes of Parliament Hill for rolling, running, and sledging in snow
- Woodland for den-building, exploration, and adventure
- The ponds for pond dipping (at organised events) and wildlife spotting
- Conker collecting under the horse chestnuts in autumn
- Open grassland for ball games, picnics, and kite flying
For many families, the unstructured play the Heath offers, climbing trees, exploring woods, splashing in streams, is as valuable as the formal playground equipment.
Seasonal Notes
- Spring: Playgrounds in full use; paddling pools reopen in late May
- Summer: Peak season, arrive early on hot days to beat the paddling pool crowds
- Autumn: Quieter playgrounds, plus conkers and falling leaves to play in
- Winter: Playgrounds open year-round; Parliament Hill's slopes are London's best sledging spot after snow
Practical Information
- Cost: All playgrounds and paddling pools are free
- Paddling pools: Open roughly late May to September (weather and season dependent)
- Facilities: Cafes and toilets at Parliament Hill Fields and Golders Hill Park
- Buggies: The main sites are buggy-accessible; some woodland routes are rough
- Getting there: Parliament Hill, Hampstead Heath or Gospel Oak Overground; Golders Hill, Golders Green (Northern line) then a short walk
- Best for: Families with children of all ages, from toddlers to pre-teens
Hampstead Heath's playgrounds are among the best free family resources in London, well-equipped, beautifully situated, and embedded in a vast natural landscape that offers endless further adventure. Whether your children want climbing frames and paddling pools or trees to climb and woods to explore, the Heath delivers, in every season, at no cost. For a fuller picture of family days out in the area, see the complete guide to Hampstead with kids.
Safety and Practical Tips
Hampstead Heath's playgrounds are well-maintained and popular, but a few practical tips help families make the most of them:
- Arrive early on hot days: The paddling pools and playgrounds get very busy in summer, mornings are calmer.
- Bring supplies: Water, snacks, sun cream, and a change of clothes (especially for the paddling pools) are essential.
- Mind the sun: The playgrounds can be exposed; bring hats and sun protection in summer.
- Use the cafés and toilets: Facilities are available at Parliament Hill Fields and Golders Hill Park.
- Combine with nature: Beyond the equipment, the Heath itself is a giant natural playground, let children explore, climb, and discover.
With a little planning, a playground visit becomes a full, happy day out for the whole family.
Playgrounds Through the Year
The Heath's playgrounds are a year-round resource, each season bringing something different:
- Spring: Playgrounds reopen to full use; the paddling pools return in late May; the Heath comes alive.
- Summer: Peak season, paddling pools, long days, and the free zoo at Golders Hill nearby.
- Autumn: Quieter playgrounds, plus conkers, falling leaves, and crisp days.
- Winter: Playgrounds open year-round; after snow, Parliament Hill becomes London's best sledging spot.
Whatever the season, the Heath's playgrounds, combined with the wider family attractions of the area, make Hampstead one of the best places in London for a family day out, and one of the best-value, since almost everything is free.
