Parliament Hill Playground and Paddling Pool

If you’re heading up to Hampstead Heath anyway, the playground and paddling pool here is genuinely one of the better stops on the north London family circuit. The splash area gets properly busy on warm days — kids absolutely tear through it — and the sand, swings, climbing frame, and slides mean there’s enough going on that you’re not leaving after twenty minutes. It’s enclosed, which parents tend to appreciate, and the shade trees plus covered seating make a real difference in summer. Pack a picnic because the grass fields nearby are exactly the kind of open space that’s hard to find this close to central London, and with the ponds and trails just a short walk away, you can easily turn it into a full half-day out.