What’s your adventure?
London is the spiritual home of adventure play in the UK and boasts a world-beating collection of truly magnificent adventure playgrounds. Here we give you the low down on the wild gems that are tucked away in all the corners of the city and why they are such vital spaces for London’s children and young people.
Click on the map place markers to find adventure in your borough!
NOTE: London Play does not itself run any adventure playgrounds – we support and champion them!
They are managed by a variety of individual organisations; to contact them please see playground listings.
Find an adventure playground - search by keyword or borough
Harrow Council does not have an in house play service however the early years department runs some holiday and after school play provision via children's centres and at other venues.
Haringey Council does not operate an inhouse play service. Enquiries about out of school play should be directed to the Family Information Service.
The council does not run a dedicated play service but children's services is responsible for social care services for children, young people and their families, nursery, primary and secondary schools, youth and play projects.
For 25 years until 2015, RBKC play service provided school based play centres, breakfast clubs, holiday playcentres and support for community adventure playgrounds. The service was outsourced to Epic CIC however in April 2020 as the pandemic hit, Epic ceased to trade. The council is 'in talks' with other providers but many services have been paused in the meantime.
Southwark Council no longer has an in house play service. Find information via the Local Offer site or through the borough's adventure playgrounds.
The council does not provide any staffed play facilities; Vision RCL manages a number of leisure facilities and open spaces on behalf of the council including some children's play areas
Islington is one of the few councils that continues to operate an in house play service. It provides free, safe, open access play facilities for all children and young people in the borough. .
Young Hackney runs activities for young people across the borough, and offers advice and help support to young people who need it, on subjects like education, employment, housing or health.
After-school and holiday play and childcare provision for 3-13 year-olds are based at a number of sites and locations throughout the City of Westminster. Check the Westminster Family Information Service Directory for details.
Run by The Venture Community Association (who also manage Notting Hill APG, one of the oldest Adventure Playgrounds in the country), Flashpoint shares the community centred ethos of the other playgrounds in the Venture stable: "Our playgrounds are a pillar of support to our community as they provide children a safe space to play, eat and enjoy."
Situated on Hampstead Heath with some of the best views over London, The Adventure Playground and Clubhouse is a fun and welcoming space. Children can access free play sessions and take part in activities of their choice. The sessions are supervised by skilled playworkers, and provide opportunities to socialise, develop confidence, and keep healthy.
The Glyn Hopkin Abbey Hub, the second neighbourhood play and youth club from AAA, opened its doors in 2018. Providing inclusive play space and community resource for children, young people and their families living in Stratford, the centre now runs a varied activity programme throughout the year.
Three Acres began life over 40 years ago as part of the local authority's play provision.
Opened in 2010, Acacia Adventure Playground was part of the first purpose built intergenerational centre in the country and as well as the playground, boasts a children’s centre, sensory room, space for activities and community gardens.
Woolwich Adventure has a great collection of rope swings, walk ways, zip wires, climbing wall and much more. Children have fun, while challenging themselves in a safe but testing environment.
Recently reopened in late 2020 after a period of closure, Wiltshire Close is now under the management of Venture Community Association
Open Access Adventure Playground with plenty to keep busy with; anything from arts and crafts, or indoor and outdoor games, to sports, cookery and computer courses.
There's a wealth of varied playful opportunities from fires to slime provided by a team of creative playworkers at Whitehorse.
Now closed (since March 2020). White City Adventure Playground was run by Hammersmith and Fulham Play Association and situated in the heart of the White City estate.
Children come first is Weavers Adventure Playground's motto, catering for the diverse community that surrounds the area the playground is in - all children and young people and their families are made welcome.
High Trees Community Development Trust run Tulse Hill Adventure Playground site, which also encompasses a hub for the surrounding community who are the heart of the playground.
Triangle was established in 1957 and has a good claim to be the oldest adventure playground in London still to be operating on its original site.
First established in 1971, Toffee Park has welcomed generations of Islington kids to play and is run by Islington Play Association.
Set up by local residents in the 1970's with no building, Timbuktu has a colourful past including a stint in a laundry and a double decker bus!
The Log Cabin Charity in Northfield Avenue, Ealing provides a setting where children and young people with additional needs or disabilities can socialise, grow and have fun alongside their mainstream peers.
Formally Burgess Park Adventure Playground, the emphasis these days leans toward sport rather than play, but the play structures remain and there's plenty of fun stuff to get involved with.
Run by the community organisation AAA, Arc in the Park offers Adventure Play, sports and youth hub running projects all year round. The Arc provides a Newham-wide delivery and resource base for young people with disabilities and/or additional needs and the playground is fully inclusive.
Originally known as COPS (named for the 4 surrounding estates) Surrey Docks is currently closed. Southwark Council says “this site requires significant investment to improve the play offer, which we are working on.”
Streatham Vale, run by Streatham Youth and Community Trust offers Physical activities, indoor and outdoor sports, games, challenges, cooking, arts and crafts and Free play fun!
Formerly known as St John's Wood Adventure Playground, Adventure Play Hub is another playground staking a claim to being London's oldest AP!
The Somerville was first opened in 1971, their commitment to providing a happy, safe and stimulating environment for all members of the Lewisham and Southwark community hasn’t changed since then.
Tucked away behind the Spurs stadium, Somerford Grove is one of the newer Adventure Playgrounds in London, established in 2005, but has become a much loved community space.
Slade Gardens Adventure Playground offers over an acre of safe, staffed space where children & young people can come to play, make new friends, develop skills & try new things.
Shoreditch Park is a free, open access playground for children and young people aged 6 to 15 years old (18 years SEND.) free to play with whom or what they like whilst experiencing levels of risk, stimulation, encouragement and challenge.
SWAPA has been a community run playground since its establishment in 1976, and the neighbourhood kids remain at the heart of the playground.
Developed as a partnership project between Clarion Housing and Tower Hamlets Local Authority in 2010, Roman Road was the very first adventure playground to be built by a housing association in England.
Richard MacVicar Adventure Playground, Deptford is one of the oldest of its kind with some of the tallest play structures in London.
Plumstead Common Adventure Play Centre has both indoor and outdoor facilities. Activities include table tennis, pool, arts and crafts and much more.
Peckham Rye had a revamp in recent years and is a big open space with exciting structures, MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) and a new building.
Pearson Street in Hoxton is a friendly playground, who pride themselves on providing a welcoming environment for everyone.
Notting Hill adventure playground in the Venture Centre was first built in 1960 and was one of the first in London.
Given a major refurb in 2018, Mint Street is known locally as the community's back garden!
Meridian Adventure Play Centre has both indoor and outdoor facilities. Activities include; Football, Pool, Table Tennis, Arts and Crafts and much more.
Joint winners of London Adventure Playground of the Year 2020 for some really innovative and creative playwork, Max Roach are a playground with heart, with a strong focus on community.
Home Park was originally built by youth workers with funding from the Big Lottery. The current structure was rebuilt and opened by the Mayor of Lewisham after it was destroyed by fire in the 2011 riots and is regularly named in the Annual Parks survey as best in the area.
That the playground belongs to the kids is at the heart of Glamis. The children participate in building play structures, dens, swings and tree houses, any changes to the site are discussed with children and access to tools, timber, paint, nails is encouraged.
This fantastic adventure playground offers kids the perfect opportunity to get active and have fun in a well-equipped play area
For over 40 years DKHAP has been open to all children aged 5-15 for free, supervised, open-access adventure play fun!
Fancy playing in a real castle? As you enter the grounds of Crumbles Castle you will find yourself transported out of the city and into a nature-filled wonderland with hidden swings and secret places to climb and explore.
Cape, the playground previously known variously as Wooden Bridge, The Bowlers and CROP dates from the early 70’s. Another fab member of the Awesome CIC family, there’s a labyrinth of rope bridges and treehouses to explore. It gives us Neverland vibes.
Barnard Park, thought to be the oldest Adventure Playground in Islington houses a dragon! ARGH! Run by Awesome CIC, there’s a whole host of activities and challenge to inspire.
100 % FREE TO CHOOSE
Dedicated to children's freely chosen play, Adventure Playgrounds belong physically, socially and culturally to the kids playing there.
100 %FREE OF CHARGE
Often located in the least affluent areas of the capital, mainstream adventure playgrounds don't charge entry fees, ensuring ALL children can access high quality play opportunities.
100 % FREE TO COME AND GO
The 'Open Access' nature of Adventure playgrounds increases children's independence, confidence and resilience - and engages children that other services sometimes struggle to.