Archbishops Park playground
Local parents say this playground is much better than the one next to the Imperial War Museum, so it's worth the short walk if you're in this part of London. One of Lambeth's better playgrounds, it has a zip wire, climbing structure, sandy play and younger kids' equipment, plus it adjoins an area with astro sports pitches, cricket nets and tennis courts, although these are bookable and paid-for.
Times change seasonally — always check before you set off.
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Elephant Springs
Children can splash around cascading water features, control hand-operated pumps and dam babbling streams. Our kids reckon this is London's best splash park - the surrounding natural play space also includes sand pits perfect for shaping with buckets and spades. On warm days particularly it gets SUPER busy, so get there early if possible for a more relaxed visit.
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Crystal Palace Park Maze and Dinosaur Playground
One of the largest hedge mazes in the UK, dating back to the 1870s and right beside the famous Victorian dinosaur statues. The revamped playground has bone-shaped climbing structures, a footprint-shaped sandpit, slides, swings and balancing beams, built to be inclusive with accessible equipment and seating.
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Finnegan's World
Set inside a converted former bank on West Ealing Broadway, this lovely, independent soft play café is designed for babies, toddlers, and young children. The venue focuses on imaginative play with miniature shop setups, soft climbing ramps, and sensory toys - it’s far more than the usual blocks and slides. Parents can sit back with decent coffee and a slice of cake while keeping a direct line of sight on their kids.
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