Parks & nature in London

Acton Skatepark

London

A free outdoor park for skateboarding, BMX and blading, lit until 9pm so you're not racing the sunset.

Forty Hall Farm

Enfield

A weekend farm wander with animals to spot and picnic space, plus a farmers market with activities for kids.

Dog friendlyFood on sitePicnic area

Haggerston Park BMX Track

London

Coached BMX racing sessions on a proper track, booked online in advance rather than a turn-up-and-ride setup.

Booking required

Heartwood Forest

St Albans

Free waymarked walks through England's largest new native forest, with wildflower meadows and a community orchard to explore.

Bike parkingBlue badge parkingFree parkingOutdoor play+4 more

Hewitt's Farm shop

Orpington

A working farm shop with pick your own fruit and veg in season, plus Christmas trees and wreaths from December.

Highgate Wood

London

Ancient woodland with a big playground, a sports field and a self-guided historic trail, and it costs nothing to get in.

Accessible toiletBlue badge parkingCaféPublic transport nearby+2 more

Holland Park

London · ages 0-99

Two separate playgrounds, one for under-fives and one for five to 14s, plus tennis courts, free to get into and open from 7.30am until dusk.

Accessible toiletBlue badge parkingCaféChanging Places+4 more

Joyden's Wood

Dartford

Two waymarked woodland trails with a Saxon dyke to explore and free entry all year round.

Dog friendlyOutdoor playParkingPublic transport nearby+3 more

Kingston Beach

Shoreham-by-Sea

Free rock pools and a swim spot with limited parking, right by Shoreham-by-Sea.

Leg O Mutton

London

A free mile-long walk round a quiet nature reserve, good for spotting herons, terns and roosting bats.

Outdoor play

Meopham PYO

Gravesend

Fill a punnet with your own strawberries, apples or squash on a working Kent farm, weekends only from June to October.

Accessible toiletBaby changeCaféFree parking+2 more

Parliament Hill Playground

London

A free paddling pool and playground on Hampstead Heath, with a cradle swing for kids with mobility needs.

Wheelchair accessible

Parliament Hill Viewpoint

London

A steep climb up Hampstead Heath to a bench-lined summit with a proper panorama of the London skyline.

Primrose Hill

London

A grassy hill with skyline views over London, a café for a warm drink, and space to spread a picnic blanket for free.

CaféOutdoor playPicnics allowed

Queen's Park

London

A free London park with a small farm, a sandpit playground and a pitch and putt course to fill an afternoon.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBike parkingCafé+3 more

Rookery Paddling Pool (Volunteer Run)

London

A free paddling pool and ballpit run entirely by volunteers, open from late May to mid-September.

Food on site

Ruislip Lido Beach

Ruislip

A sandy stretch by a lake with woodland walks and craft sessions, though the splash pad and fishing are both closed for now.

ParkingPublic transport nearbyToilets

Sky Garden

London · ages 0-16

Free glasshouse gardens 35 floors up the City, with wraparound views you get for the price of booking ahead.

Accessible toiletBooking requiredCaféDog friendly+3 more

The Green Park

London

A big stretch of open grass and woodland walks in central London, free to wander from 5am to midnight.

Food on sitePicnics allowed

The Savill Garden

Egham

A wander through landscaped woodland and formal planting, with a café and gift shop to bookend the walk.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBlue badge parkingCafé+5 more

Vine Road Recreation Ground

London

A paddling pool, ball games space and a playground with a DDA swing for under-13s, all in one recreation ground.

Accessible toiletBlue badge parkingParkingPublic transport nearby+2 more

Walthamstow Wetlands, London Wildlife Trust

London

Free wetland reserve with bird hides to explore and a visitor centre, all a short walk from Tottenham Hale.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBlue badge parkingCafé+6 more