Highgate Wood Playground and More Near Archway
Saturday morning, the kids have been up since six, and if they do not get outside soon someone is going to climb the curtains. If you live around Archway or Highgate, the Highgate Wood playground is probably the first place that comes to mind, and for good reason. But it is not the only option. Here is my local parent’s guide to the best playgrounds near Archway and Highgate, how to get there, what each is best for, and a few ways to sneak in some exercise for yourself while the kids play.
Highgate Wood playground
Highgate Wood is an ancient woodland looked after by the City of London, and its playground is one of the best-loved in North London. Time Out describes it as excellent and well equipped, with sandpits, climbing frames at different levels of difficulty, a zip wire that gets very busy at peak times, and a separate area for under-fives. Being in the wood, it also has shade on hot days.
Highgate Wood playground: practical info
- Cafe: there is a popular cafe with a terrace, handy for a coffee while the kids play.
- Toilets: the City of London lists an accessible toilet near the playground and toilets by the cafe.
- Sports field: a well-used field right there for a kickabout.
- Getting there: about a 5-minute walk from Highgate tube station on the Northern line. Buses 43, 134 and 234 also stop nearby, and the 43 and 134 both run up Archway Road from Archway.
- Parking: there is no car park, only limited restricted street parking.
- Bikes: cycling is not allowed anywhere in the wood, so leave the bikes at home or walk them.
- Closing times: the wood closes earlier in autumn and winter, and can close at short notice in high winds. Check the City of London’s Visit Highgate Wood page before you go.
My tip: go early on weekends. By late morning the zip wire queue can be long. For more ideas for a full day there, read my guide to Highgate Wood with kids, including easy walking loops through the trees.
Archway Park: the giant slide
Back down the hill, Archway Park in the Hillrise area has the slide every local child talks about. Built in the 1980s on a concrete mound, it was saved by a local campaign when the park was redesigned. The refurbishment added a new play area alongside the slide, a ball court and table tennis tables.
Best for: a quick after-school visit and kids who love speed.
Whittington Park: sand and water play
On Holloway Road, Whittington Park has a playground with sand pits and a water play feature, plus a natural play area and the One O’clock Club for under-fives, according to Islington Council. There is also a free outdoor gym, which is ideal for a parent who wants to train while keeping an eye on the kids.
Best for: toddlers and preschoolers, and warm summer days.
Elthorne Park: for older kids
On Hazellville Road near Hornsey Rise, Elthorne Park has children’s play areas, a floodlit basketball court, free-to-use Astroturf pitches and outdoor gym equipment. It is great once kids are old enough to want a game rather than a swing.
Waterlow Park: play and picnics
Up Highgate Hill, Waterlow Park has a children’s play area, big open lawns and terraced gardens, with the Lauderdale House cafe on its edge. Bring a picnic, but note that barbecues are not allowed.
For a fuller rundown of the green spaces closer to the station, see my guide to Archway Park and other parks in Archway.
Playground workouts for parents
You are going to be standing there for an hour anyway. Here is a 15-minute circuit I give to parents who spend their weekends at the swings. Do each move for 30 seconds, then 30 seconds of watching the kids, and go round 3 times.
- Bench step-ups: alternate legs, stand tall at the top.
- Incline push-ups: hands on a bench or low fence rail.
- Split squats: one foot forward, one back, lower slowly. Hold a fence for balance if needed.
- Calf raises: on the edge of a kerb or step.
- Brisk lap: a fast walk around the playground fence.
A word of caution: playground equipment is designed for children. Avoid hanging off climbing frames or swinging on equipment in ways it was not built for, and always give kids priority. Your kids will probably want to join in, which is the whole point. My post on active games for kids in the park has ideas for getting the whole family moving.
When it is too wet for the playground
From late autumn the woods get muddy, the light goes early and the swings stay wet for days. That is when parents often stop exercising altogether. It is why I run SYP Bootcamp indoors in a church hall in Archway. You get a proper workout in 45 minutes, rain or shine, and you are back in time for whatever the kids need next.
FAQs
Is there a playground in Highgate Wood?
Yes. Highgate Wood has a large children’s playground with climbing equipment, sandpits, a zip wire and a separate area for under-fives, plus a cafe and toilets nearby.
What is the nearest tube station to Highgate Wood?
Highgate on the Northern line, about a 5-minute walk according to the City of London. Buses 43, 134 and 234 also stop nearby.
Is there parking at Highgate Wood?
There is no car park. There is limited restricted street parking nearby, and blue badge holders can use the Onslow Gate entrance.
Can you cycle in Highgate Wood?
No. The City of London says cycling is not permitted anywhere in the wood.
Book your first class
If your weekends are spent at the playground and your weekdays are packed, a 45-minute class might be the easiest way to look after yourself. SYP Bootcamp runs small-group classes indoors in Archway N19, max 10 people, £15 a class, with an easier and harder option for every move. Book your £15 class here or call or WhatsApp me on 07301 512215. If you live up the hill and want 1-1 support, find out more about my 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.
