Adventure play London
What makes a truly great playground? Imagination, variety, nature and, yes, a proper dose of real old-fashioned risk. Common sense tells us that if you take all the challenge out of kids’ play, it stifles their development, kyboshes their ability to make proper judgements and leaves them with only one place to go wild – the internet.
Insurance companies may be doing their utmost to make life difficult for adventure play, but these three venues stand proud...
1. The Magic Garden
David Hedges
The new magical garden at Hampton Court Palace. March 13 2016.
Hampton Court Palace, Wilderness Cottage, Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU | Opening times depend on season | 2-13 yrs | Prices £8 adult, £6 child, free admission included with palace entry
The stats say it all: when Hampton Court opened its Tudor-themed playground visitor numbers went up a whopping 34%. With its colourful helter-skelter towers, accessed by aerial walkways, and a seriously high fireman’s pole – not to mention a 25ft sleeping dragon that wakes every hour to breathe smoke (steam, actually) – it’s still the most spectacular and imaginative playground at any historic building in the land.
2. Tumbling Bay
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, E20 2ST | Open daily 24 hrs | All ages | Free
In play terms, the Olympic legacy park is best known for the Arcelor Mittal Orbit, the world’s tallest and longest tunnel slide – you must be 1.3m tall and eight years old to attempt it (adults £16.50, child £10.50).
However, the real standout attraction is free: Tumbling Bay, a spacious adventure playground built into the park’s natural landscape with rock pools, sandpits, exceedingly tall treehouses and wobbly bridges. And you can round off your visit to the Park at the Waterworks fountain – a labyrinth of computer-controlled jets of water that light up with a neon glow at night.
3. Diana Princess of Wales’ Memorial Playground
Kensington Gardens, London, W2 2UH | Open 10am-5:45pm, later opening in summer | Up to 12 yrs | Adult entry with child only | Free
A fully-rigged, three-tiered, handcrafted wooden galleon is the majestic centrepiece of this Peter Pan-themed gem. Kids can try to refloat the beached vessel by sifting sand out of the hull or climb the rigging and walk the plank. Pirate play aside, there are teepees, a giant tyre swing, a musical garden, water play and plenty of space to run around.
4. Battersea Park Adventure Playground
Battersea Park, Wandsworth, Greater London, SW11 4NJ | Park open daily 9am-6pm | All ages | Free (except for Go-Ape)
Battersea Park Playground has four different play areas with a range of exciting structures suitable for toddlers, teenagers, and everyone in between. The toddler playground and younger children's play areas have equipment tailored for each age group to safely enjoy. The adventure playground is better enjoyed by older children, as its tall climbing structures and ropes between the trees are joined to the forest floor by lengthy, enthralling slides, so if your children are on the daring and adventurous side, they will love this playground.
All are free to enter and use, save for the Go-Ape treetop area, which, courtesy of its height rather than age restrictions, is ideal for any parents wishing to blow off some steam, too. (Although not recommended for those who struggle with heights!).
5. Coram's Fields
Coram's fields
93 Guilford St, London WC1N 1DN | Open daily 9am-6pm | Children under 16 | Free
This all-year-round park is soaked in intriguing history, having originally been home to the world's first incorporated charity, founded by Captain Thomas Coram. The park offers something for every child, with accessible play equipment, a sensory and music area, sandpits, a paddling pool, an adventure playground featuring a zip wire, and two large lawns for those just wishing to run around. Promoting safe spots to play, the park's ‘no adult can enter without a child' policy can leave parents at ease in this luscious play area.
Coram's Fields will be hosting an incredible 160ft bungee jump on 9-10 September 2023 as a fundraising event. If you're inclined towards audacious activities and London skyline views, find out more here.
6. Archbishop's Park
Carlisle Ln, London SE1 7LE | Open 7am-9pm daily | All ages | Free
This Green Flag Award-winning park offers a clean, green safe space with facilities that accommodate children and adults alike. As well as the climbing frames and sand pits, pitches and courts complete with changing room and toilet facilities ensure that this space caters to many.
As a local 'Site of Importance for Nature Conservation', the park has a rich wildlife habitat and community garden, and is recognised as a valuable space for those living and working in bustling, built-up, central London.
