Highgate Wood
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
London
What it’s like
Ancient woodland with a big playground, a sports field and a self-guided historic trail, and it costs nothing to get in.
There's a proper playground here, the sort that swallows an hour without you noticing, plus a sports field if your lot need the space to charge about in. The self-guided historic trail is the bit that gets overlooked but it's worth doing once, especially if you've got a kid who likes asking why a tree looks like that. None of it costs anything, which makes it an easy one to say yes to on a random Tuesday.
Getting there without a car is straightforward: Highgate Station is a five minute walk on the Northern Line, and the 43, 134 and 234 buses stop nearby. That's just as well, because there's no car park. If you do drive and need a blue badge bay, use the Onslow Gate entrance, there are two bays in the wood and some limited street parking beyond that.
One thing to know before you plan a windy day out: the wood can close at short notice if gusts hit 37mph or above, so it's not the one to bank on if the forecast's grim. The Gypsy Gate entrance is also shut for around nine months from November 24, so check which gate you're heading for if that's your usual route in.
There's a café on site for the inevitable snack stop, and both accessible toilets and wheelchair access are catered for.
What’s on here
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- No car park. Two blue badge bays in the wood
- Wheelchairs
- Two wheelchair accessible toilets
- Getting there by bus or train
- Highgate Station 5 minute walk away on Northern Line
- No car park, so plan on the train, bus or a walk
- Gypsy Gate entrance is closed for around nine months from November 24
- High winds (37mph plus) can trigger a short-notice closure
- There's a café on site for a mid-walk snack
Plan your visit
Is it free to get in?
Yes, there's no entry charge for the wood.
Is there a car park?
No car park on site. There are two blue badge bays and some limited street parking, otherwise it's public transport.
How do we get there without a car?
Highgate Station is a five minute walk away on the Northern Line, or the 43, 134 and 234 buses stop close by.
What do kids actually do there?
There's a large playground, a sports field for a proper kickabout, and a self-guided historic trail through the woodland.
Does it ever close?
It can shut at short notice if wind speeds reach 37mph or above, so it's worth having a plan B on a blustery day.
Is it accessible for wheelchairs and buggies?
There are two wheelchair accessible toilets and blue badge parking bays, with the Onslow Gate entrance set up for blue badge vehicles.
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