Caledonian Park Holloway: A Family Guide to Cally Park

If you live in Holloway or around the Cally, you have probably seen the clock tower poking up above the rooftops and wondered what is down there. The answer is Caledonian Park: one of the best family green spaces in this part of Islington, with a playground, a free outdoor gym, a big open lawn and enough history to keep curious kids asking questions all afternoon. It is also, in my opinion, a seriously underused place for parents to get fit.

I coach busy mums and dads in Archway, just up the road, and I want to show you how to turn a normal park trip here into something active for the whole family.

The story behind the clock tower

Kids love a good “why is that there?” story. The clock tower at the centre of the park was built in 1853 and is around 47 metres tall. It was the centrepiece of the Metropolitan Cattle Market, and the park still has listed railings from the market days. A National Lottery Heritage Fund award helped revitalise the park and secure the tower’s future, as Islington Council’s page on the park explains.

A fun way to start your visit: get the kids to guess how many of them, standing on each other’s heads, it would take to reach the top of the clock tower. Then walk a full lap around its base before doing anything else. History lesson and warm-up, sorted.

What Caledonian Park has for active families

According to the council, the park offers:

• A children’s play area for ages 3 to 12
• A PlayZone for football, basketball, netball and cricket (free play, no booking)
• A large grass space for ball games
• Two table tennis tables
• A free outdoor gym
• A café and toilets
• Woodland, meadows, a community orchard and a wildlife pond

That mix is ideal. The kids have their zone, you have the outdoor gym, and the lawn in between is big enough for proper running games.

A one-hour family session

Here is a plan I would use on a dry weekend morning. It takes about an hour, including play time.

Part 1: clock tower laps (10 minutes)

• One easy walking lap around the tower area to warm up.
• Then “tower relays”: kids run a set route and back while you count. Swap roles and let them count for you.
• Finish with 10 star jumps each.

Part 2: lawn games (15 minutes)

The open grass is the best feature for running. Try:

• Sharks and minnows: one “shark” in the middle, everyone else tries to run past without being tagged.
• Cone sprints with jumpers: lay down four jumpers as markers 10 big steps apart and race between them.
• Ball wall: each player has to keep a football away from the others for 20 seconds.

Part 3: your outdoor gym circuit (15 minutes)

While the kids head to the play area, use the outdoor gym. Equipment varies, so check what is there and do a simple circuit. Aim for 3 rounds, resting 60 seconds between rounds:

• A pushing machine or bench push-ups: 10 reps
• A pulling machine or a low bar for assisted rows: 10 reps
• Squats or a leg machine: 12 reps
• Any core station, or a 20-second plank on a bench

Move slowly and with control. Outdoor gym kit often uses your bodyweight, so it is easy to swing through the reps. Do not. My guide to outdoor gyms in North London has more detail on using this kind of equipment safely.

Part 4: table tennis cool-down (10 minutes)

Bring bats and a ball. It is the perfect low-intensity finish, kids of almost any age can join in, and it is surprisingly good for reaction speed and coordination.

Slower days: nature and quiet time

Not every visit needs to be a workout. The woodland edges, meadow and wildlife pond are great for a slower walk with toddlers or a bug hunt with primary-age kids. Islington lists the park as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation, so there is genuinely plenty to spot. Walking slowly and looking closely still counts as movement, and on a tired week that is enough.

For more nature ideas that work in any North London park, see my post on active games for kids in the park.

Getting there

The park is on Market Road, N7. Islington lists Caledonian Road tube on the Piccadilly line and Caledonian Road and Barnsbury on the Overground as the nearest stations, with buses including the 17, 91, 259 and 274 on Caledonian Road. If you are coming from Archway, the 17 bus runs between Archway and Caledonian Road via Holloway, so you can do it without changing.

Where a bootcamp class fits

Parks like this are perfect for keeping the whole family moving. The challenge is that your own training ends up in ten-minute bits around the kids. That is fine, but if you want to make real progress with strength and fitness you need at least one session a week that is properly planned and properly coached.

That is exactly what my small-group classes do. If you live locally, my post on bootcamp classes for Holloway parents explains how people fit the trip to Archway into their week. And if stress is the thing that has built up, SYP Release uses pads and slam balls to let it out in a safe way.

FAQs

Is the park free to use?

Yes. The park, playground, PlayZone and outdoor gym are all free to use. Sports facilities are free play and cannot be pre-booked.

Can you go up the clock tower?

The clock tower is looked after with help from volunteers. Visiting arrangements change, so check Islington Council or the Friends of Caledonian Park before planning a trip around it.

Is there a café?

Yes. The council lists a café and toilets on site, which makes it easy for a longer visit with young kids.

What age is the playground for?

The council says the children’s play area is designed for ages 3 to 12. Older kids and teens usually prefer the PlayZone and table tennis.

Book your first class

Ready for a session that is all yours? SYP Bootcamp runs 45-minute small-group classes indoors in a church hall in Archway N19, max 10 people, £15 a class, and every exercise has an easier and harder option. Book my £15 class or call or WhatsApp me on 07301 512215 if you have questions first. If you are a mum who would like 1-1 coaching built around your body and your week, read about personal training for women in Archway.

About the author

Artem Olekhnovych is a personal trainer in Archway and the founder of SYP Fitness and SYP Bootcamp. He has coached clients in Archway, Highgate and across North London for over 10 years, and runs small-group bootcamp classes for busy mums and dads. Read reviews from his 1-1 clients.