Diana Memorial Playground

The playground near the Serpentine in Hyde Park is a sprawling affair dedicated to the late Princess Diana - and it's genuinely one of the better spots in London if you've got children in tow. There's a genuine playground here, not just a memorial plaque: a wooden pirate ship, a grotto, water features that kids actually want to wade through, and play areas designed for different age groups. You'll spot families sprawled across it most days, especially weekends and school holidays.

It's free, which is the main appeal. Allow a good two hours if you've got young children - they won't want to leave, and the water play keeps them entertained longer than you'd expect. The whole thing is enclosed, so you're not watching them bolt toward the Serpentine. If your kids are past the toddler stage but still into climbing frames and water, this is exactly their speed. Teenagers and adults without children get less from it, though the surrounding park is brilliant for walking.

Hydes Park itself is free to wander. The playground works best on dry days - it gets muddy and less appealing in poor weather. If you're staying at Lovat Parks nearby, this is an easy bus or short drive into central London. It's worth building into a morning or afternoon, not as a destination in itself but as part of a larger Hyde Park visit. Go early on weekdays if you want it less rammed with school groups.