Playgrounds

Having never lived in London before, I have no idea where the best playgrounds are in and around London

Do you have a favourite park or playground you visit on a regular basis? Where do you go when you just have to get out of the house for a couple of hours between nap times? Where do you go when your kids have more energy than you do and you want to tire them out?

Please tell us your favourite park / playground? Where is it and and why do you like it? Is it close to home? Is it easy to get to? Does it cater for babies, toddlers or big kids? Does it have swings, slides, monkey bars etc? Is it old or new? Does it have sand to play in or grass to run around on? Is it safe or secure? Does it have toilets or picnic facilities?

Lastly, would you reccommend this park / playground for a Hip Mama meetup place?

Actually, I just posted a suggestion for a meetup that was on this very topic...

I took my 6 year old to the Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens this week and we had absolutely the best time. I would highly recommend this playground as a day/morning outing!

The play park is modeled on Never Never Land (life-size pirate ship, Indian TeePee village, lagoon) and includes dedicated areas for the under 3's. There is a sand sand/water area as well as a dry sand area. There is a lot of scope for different climbing, digging, running, pretend play.

There are handy bathrooms and diaper changing facilities as well as a connected, outdoor cafe. The cafe is fairly reasonable, and there is also plenty of space for picnics. There are paved pathways through all the play areas as well as stroller parking areas.

The park has a gate attendant and no one is allowed in without a child. Also, the age cutoff is 12 so there are not giant teenagers to run over little ones.

There is a nice mix of sunny/shady areas, so little ones can get a break from the sun if need be, and mums won't bake unless they want to!

There is easy tube access just outside the playground gate at the Queensway stop (Central Line).

We would love to go back and meet some other mums/children any time!

I have also heard that the Diana Memorial Park is great. Thanks for your feedback. I hope we can meet there at some stage.

We went to that park once, it's amazing. It really makes me want to be a kid again. It was pretty busy, but we went on a weekend. I think they even stopped letting people in at one point until more people came out.

We usually just go to the park close to our place, so either South Park Gardens - this doesn't have a playgroup, but it is beautiful and great for older kids on bikes and scooters.

If we want a playground we go to Wimbledon Park - nice playground and a little water area. It also has a cafe where you can get food or ice cream.

Have any of you been to the Adventure Playground in Battersea Park? I'm thinking of venturing over there next and wonder if it's worth the time? I saw a post somewhere else that said it was pretty good but I'm always looking for more info!

I haven't been to the Adventure Playground yet, as my daughter is too young at 2.5, (they have to be 5 or something right?) but we've been to the playground near it many times and my daughter loves it. It's smaller but has nice equipment and a nice variety from other parks.

And the kiddos at the Adventure Playground look like they are having a blast! My husband and I said we would like to play in there!

I love Battersea Park in general, from the Children's Zoo, to the playground, to the pond and paddle boat rides, etc. etc. What don't they have?

And the "Pirate Ship Park" as we call the Princess Diana memorial park, is a true gem. In the summer and during half term we have had to queue to get in but if you go early enough and during the off season it's often not as crowded. Definitely a place you could spend all day in, esp. during nice weather as it has the water play area.

We live in Westminster and frequent St. James's playground. It has a sand play area, climbing gym with slides as well as swings, see-saw, and several other riding type toys for the kids. It's wood chips in a lot of areas so can get messy if it's been raining.