Highgate woods, Waterlow Park and Kenwood

The plan

1. 10:001
   

   Nature & gardens · 10:00–11:45 (1h45m)

   Highgate Wood

   Large fenced playground and remains of Roman pottery kilns; the Pavilion Cafe is here if you need a morning snack.

   A 70-acre ancient woodland run by the City of London, with a large fenced playground, an information hut and remains of Roman pottery kilns. The Pavilion Cafe and its terrace sit in a clearing beside a big grassy field, which makes it a relaxed morning for toddlers and older children alike. Some paths are unmade and can get muddy.

   FreeOutdoors

   • Baby changing
   • Café on site
   • Toilets
   • Accessibility
   • Parking

   From the day-trip listing

   Opening times, prices & map

   Photo: ElectricRay at en.wikipedia

2. 12:052
   

   Park · 12:05–12:30 (25m)

   Waterlow Park

   Hillside park with ponds and views over London.

   A hillside park in Highgate with three ponds, a playground, a kitchen garden and orchard, and views over London. Lauderdale House inside the park has a cafe and children's shows, and Highgate Cemetery borders it to the south. Run by Camden Council with an active Friends group.

   FreeOutdoors

   • Café on site
   • Toilets

   From the day-trip listing

   Opening times, prices & map

   Photo: Jim Osley

3. 12:303
   

   Art & crafts · 12:30–13:30 (1h)

   Lauderdale House

   Lunch at the cafe that opens onto the park; check the children's programme for a show.

   A 16th-century house inside Waterlow Park run as an arts centre, with a programme of children's theatre, music and seasonal family activities. Its cafe opens onto the park, so it works as a lunch stop on a Highgate morning out.

   Free / PaidIndoors & out

   • Café on site

   From the day-trip listing

   Opening times, prices & map

   Photo: Ignacio Crespo Valdez

4. 13:554
   

   Landmark · 13:55–16:15 (2h20m)

   Kenwood

   Free English Heritage house with family activities in the Housekeeper's Room, then 112 acres of grounds down to the Heath.

   An English Heritage mansion on the northern edge of Hampstead Heath, free to enter, holding paintings by Rembrandt, Vermeer and Turner. It sits in 112 acres of landscaped grounds that run down to the Heath, with family activities in the Housekeeper's Room and a cafe on site. The lawns and lake views make it an easy free half day with a picnic.

   FreeIndoors & out

   • Café on site

   From the day-trip listing

   Opening times, prices & map

   Photo: english-heritage.org.uk