Parliament Hill Playground: A Parent's Guide

Some days the only plan is “get them out of the flat before someone cries”. If you live around Archway, Highgate or Kentish Town, the Parliament Hill playground on Hampstead Heath is one of the easiest wins going. It sits at the bottom of the hill, it is free, and the rest of the Heath is right there for a walk once the swings have lost their magic. I take my own clients’ families here, and I want to give you an honest picture of what it offers, plus a simple way to get some exercise for yourself on the same trip.

What the Parliament Hill playground offers families

The playground is run by the City of London Corporation and sits next to the athletics track on the Parliament Hill side of the Heath. Their official playground page highlights a few useful points:

• Inclusive equipment: there is a cradle swing with seats designed for children with mobility disabilities.
• Clear rules: no dogs, no smoking and no glass inside the playground, which makes it feel calmer for parents of toddlers.
• A paddling pool next door: a shallow children’s pool for under-8s sits beside the playground. Be warned, though: the paddling pool page currently says it is closed until spring 2027, so do not plan a splash day around it until it reopens.
• Café nearby: the Parliament Hill Café is close by for a warm drink.

If the playground is ever closed for maintenance, the City suggests the East Heath play area or the Adventure Play Area as alternatives, so it is worth checking their page before you set off.

Getting there from Archway

From Archway, the C11 bus heads towards Hampstead Heath, or you can walk over through Highgate if your children are happy on hills. If you are coming by train, the City says Gospel Oak Overground station is about a 10-minute walk away. Drivers can use the Parliament Hill Lido car park, around 5 minutes on foot.

How it compares with Highgate Wood playground

Lots of parents ask me which is better, Parliament Hill or the playground in Highgate Wood. Honestly, they suit different days. Highgate Wood has a large playground inside the woods, with a café and toilets close by, and it feels sheltered and shady. Parliament Hill is more open, closer to big grass and the famous hill, and better if you want a proper walk afterwards. I have written a full guide to Highgate Wood with kids, and a wider round-up of playgrounds near Archway and Highgate if you like to rotate.

A walk and workout idea near Parliament Hill

Here is the plan I give tired parents. It takes about an hour, includes the playground, and gives you a decent dose of exercise without needing childcare.

Part 1: Playground time (20 to 30 minutes)

Let them play. While you supervise, do a few “invisible” exercises at the edge where you can see them:

• Calf raises while you stand watching: 3 sets of 15
• Wall sit against a fence post or tree: 3 sets of 20 to 30 seconds
• Incline push-ups on a bench outside the playground: 3 sets of 8 to 10

Nobody will notice, and you will have done more than most people manage all day.

Part 2: The hill walk (20 to 30 minutes)

Then walk up Parliament Hill together. The climb is steady rather than brutal, and the view at the top is one of the best in London. Make it a game:

• Bench to bench: walk briskly between benches, then let the kids choose a “power move” at each one (5 squats, 5 star jumps, a 10-second plank).
• Buggy push: if you have a pushchair, keep your arms bent, lean slightly from the ankles and take short steps up the slope. It is a real leg workout.
• Talk test: walk at a pace where you can talk but would struggle to sing. That is roughly the moderate effort the NHS describes in its walking for health guidance.

Part 3: Cool down at the top

Sit, have a snack, look at the skyline, and do a quick calf and hip stretch. Then wander down slowly. That is it: a playground trip turned into an hour of activity.

Safety and comfort tips

• The grass on the hill gets slippery after rain. Shoes with grip matter more than the latest trainers.
• Toddlers tire quickly on the climb, so bring the buggy or a carrier even if they insist they will walk.
• In summer, bring water and sun cream, as the hill has little shade. The NHS has simple sun safety advice for children.
• If you have knee or back pain, take the hill slowly and stop if it hurts. If pain keeps coming back, check with your GP or a physio.

Where a bootcamp class fits in

Hill walks with the kids are great for your heart and legs, but most parents also need some strength and mobility work that is planned for them, especially if their hips and lower back feel tight from carrying children. That is what my classes are for. They are indoors in a church hall in Archway, so rain does not cancel them, and every exercise has an easier and harder option.

If climbing Parliament Hill leaves your hips and back complaining, my SYP Unlock hip and back mobility class is a good starting point. If you want a bigger day out, my guide to a Hampstead Heath family day out covers the rest of the Heath.

FAQs

Is the Parliament Hill playground free?

Yes. The playground is free to use and does not need booking. Children must be supervised by a parent or carer at all times.

Is the Parliament Hill paddling pool open?

Not right now. The City of London’s paddling pool page says it is closed until spring 2027. When it is open in summer it usually runs 10:30am to 5pm and is for under-8s with an adult.

Are there toilets near the Parliament Hill playground?

There are public facilities around the Parliament Hill area, including near the athletics track, but opening can vary. Use the toilets before the hill walk, as there are none at the top.

Which is better for toddlers, Parliament Hill or Highgate Wood playground?

Both work well. Highgate Wood feels more sheltered and has a café and toilets right by the playground. Parliament Hill is better if you want open space and a walk with a view afterwards.

Book your first class

Playground trips and hill walks keep you moving, and a weekly class keeps you strong enough to enjoy them. SYP Bootcamp runs 45-minute small-group classes in Archway N19, maximum 10 people, indoors and weatherproof, for £15 a class. You get the timetable when you book. Book your £15 class here, or call or WhatsApp me on 07301 512215. If you live up the hill and want something more personal later, here is how I work as a personal trainer in Highgate.

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.