Highgate Wood with Kids: A Parent's Guide

Some days you need to get the kids out of the house, and you need it to be easy. Toilets nearby. Somewhere to get a coffee. A playground for when the walking novelty wears off. Highgate Wood with kids ticks all of those boxes, and it still feels like a proper wood rather than a city park. I send a lot of the Archway and Highgate parents I train here, so this is my practical guide to getting the most out of a visit.

The facts below come from the City of London’s Highgate Wood visitor page. The City of London manages the wood, and details like closing times change through the year, so check that page before you go.

Highgate Wood at a glance

• What it is: a 70-acre ancient woodland in North London, managed by the City of London and run as a charity.
• Facilities for families: a large playground, a popular café with a terrace, toilets and a sports ground.
• Accessible toilets: two wheelchair-accessible toilets, one by the playground and one by the café. Both need a Radar key.
• Paths: some are tarmac, which helps with buggies and scooters; others are unmade and can be muddy in wet weather.
• Getting there: Highgate station on the Northern line is about a 5-minute walk. Buses 43, 134 and 234 also serve the wood.
• Parking: no car park, just two blue badge bays near the café and limited restricted street parking nearby.

Planning a visit to Highgate Wood with kids

Check the closing time

The City of London publishes closing times that get earlier through autumn and winter. In autumn 2026, for example, the wood closes at 6.45pm from 28 September and at 4.30pm from 9 November. If you are planning an after-school visit in winter, you will not have long, so check the page on the day.

Check the weather

The wood may close at short notice when winds of 37mph or more are forecast. On blustery days, check the City of London’s social media before you set off.

Leave the bikes at home

Cycling is banned throughout the wood under its byelaws, to protect the ancient woodland. Pushchairs are fine. The byelaws also say anyone aged 15 or over may not use play equipment set aside for younger children, and ball games are not allowed in the playground itself.

Pack for mud

Even in summer, the unmade paths can be soft. Wellies or old trainers and a spare pair of socks will save you a grumpy walk home.

Things to spot with children

The City of London’s Highgate Wood wildlife page is a great thing to look at with kids before you go. Some highlights:

• Trees: the wood is mainly oak and hornbeam, with some beech. Bring a leaf home and see if you can work out which it is.
• Birds: about 70 bird species have been recorded in the wood.
• Bats: seven bat species have been recorded.
• Fungi: 353 species have been recorded so far. Look, but do not pick them, as the City of London asks visitors to leave them.
• Insects and moths: over 900 invertebrate species and over 400 moth species have been recorded.
• Old trees: look for veteran trees, very old trees full of holes and cracks that other wildlife uses as homes.

For older children who like history, the City of London also has a self-guided historic walk that starts at the Information Hut by the café and takes about 2 hours. The hut has been closed for a roof replacement during 2026, so check whether it has reopened.

A simple plan for a family morning

1. Arrive from Highgate station and head into the wood.
2. Do a 30 to 45-minute loop on the paths, with a “spot five things” challenge.
3. Playground time to burn off whatever energy is left.
4. Snack or drink at the café.
5. Home before anyone melts down.

Want to make it a bit of exercise for you too? Walk briskly between the stops. The NHS counts brisk walking as moderate intensity activity, and children aged 5 to 18 should average at least 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous activity a day across the week. A morning in the wood and the playground goes a long way.

If your kids are older and up for more, cross Muswell Hill Road into Queen’s Wood, or combine the wood with the Highgate end of the old railway path. My Parkland Walk guide explains how the two connect, and my list of family walks in North London has more ideas.

Where a bootcamp fits

Days out like this keep the whole family moving. If you also want a couple of strength sessions a week for yourself, SYP Bootcamp runs small indoor classes in Archway: 45 minutes, maximum 10 people, £15 a class. You can see this week’s times on the booking page.

FAQs

Does Highgate Wood have a playground?

Yes. The City of London says Highgate Wood has a large playground, with a wheelchair-accessible toilet next to it that needs a Radar key.

Is there a café in Highgate Wood?

Yes, there is a popular café with a terrace. It is also where the Information Hut and the start of the self-guided historic walk are.

Can children cycle in Highgate Wood?

No. Cycling is banned throughout the wood under its byelaws, to protect the ancient woodland. Pushchairs are allowed.

Have a lovely time in the wood. And when you want an hour that is just for you, book a £15 class in Archway, a short hop down the hill. If you are a mum looking for more tailored help, have a look at 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.