Beautiful Parks And Open Spaces To Visit in North London

With lockdown easing, we have compiled a list of the top open spaces in North London to explore. After weeks upon weeks of house air, it's time to breathe in that freshness among some natural beauty. Whether your baby is in a buggy, or grandma wants to come to, we have all of the information needed for you to enjoy the outside.

Remember to keep following government advice for England regarding travel and social distancing.

Islington's largest park includes an adventure playground with sandpit and water play feature, a barbecue area, café, tennis and netball courts, a football pitch and table tennis table. This is a big open space, perfect for social distancing in the open air.

Where is it?  Highbury Crescent, Highbury East, London N5 1AR

Nearest Tube  Highbury and Islington

Is it buggy friendly?  Yes

Where are the toilets?  In the playground and by the tennis courts. Open 24 hours a day, including disabled toilets.

Is there parking? No designated parking area at the park, but spots to be found in surrounding streets.

What outdoor amenities are there? Oasis Café, barbecue area, adventure playground, toilets, netball and tennis courts, table tennis table, football pitch.

How big is the park? 29 acres.

Another sizeable Islington park with ample room to roam without having to invade anyone's 2-metre bubble.

Where is it?   Copenhagen Street, Islington, London N1 0ER

Nearest Tube Caledonian Road

Is it buggy friendly?  Yes

Where are the toilets?  By the playground.

Is there parking? None on site but paid parking spots available immediately outside the playground and across the road.

What outdoor amenities are there? Adventure playground with interactive water play feature, football pitch, basketball court, amphitheatre, perennial meadow.

How big is the park? 9.4 acres
 

Another of Islington's green open spaces and a Site of Local Importance to Nature Conservation. A favourite picnic and sunbathing spot with local families. Smaller than some of the other Islington parks listed but more than enough room to take a safe walk or run around.

Where is it?   King Square, Lever Street, London EC1V 8DD

Nearest Tube  Old Street

Is it buggy friendly?  Yes

Where are the toilets?  In the children's play area

Is there parking? In the surrounding area

What outdoor amenities are there? Extensive children's play area with sandpit and water play feature, bog garden, art installation, games courts.

How big is the park? 2.92 acres

One of Islington's largest parks, Caledonian Park is a lush oasis in the middle of the city, a spectacular choice for a sunny day's outdoor social distancing.

Where is it?   Market Road, Islington, London N7 9PL

Nearest Tube Caledonian Road

Is it buggy friendly?  Yes

Where are the toilets?  By the North Gate

Is there parking? No free parking at the park but spaces in the surrounding area

What outdoor amenities are there? Playground, large open grassy area for ball games and other sports, tarmac ball court for football and basketball, Clock Tower with panoramic views across the whole of London from a viewing platform, café, woodland area, community orchard, short and long-grass meadows, community gardens, amphitheatre.

How big is the park?  18.27 acres

Check out the topiary cat in this park named after Dick Whittington. Situated in the North of Islington this impressive park features ample open green space and a variety of amenities to keep visitors of all ages satisfied.

Where is it?   Holloway Road,  Islington, London, N19 4RS

Nearest Tube Archway

Is it buggy friendly?  Yes

Where are the toilets?  In the children's play area, near the Holloway Road entrance.

Is there parking? No carpark on site.

What outdoor amenities are there? Children's playground, natural play area, wildlife pond, ecology garden, woodland, RSPB sparrow meadow, war memorial, skatepark, football pitch, table tennis tables, free outdoor gym facility.

How big is the park? 10.11 acres

A hidden treasure, Haringey's Railway Fields is a lush forested oasis of calm. Most of the area is wooded although there are also areas of grassland and a pond. Over 200 species of wildflower and more than sixty species of birds call this city paradise home.

Where is it?   381 Green Lanes, Haringey, London N4 1ES

Nearest Tube/station  Manor House

Is it buggy friendly?  Yes

Where are the toilets?  At the teaching centre in the middle of the reserve

Is there parking? No onsite parking

What outdoor amenities are there? Woodland, grassland, small ponds, teaching centre, picnic area

How big is the park? 2 acres

A huge green space in the heart of the city, Finsbury Park has it all. Over 100 acres of parkland with landscaped gardens, a lake and playground.

Where is it?   Seven Sisters Rd, Haringey, London, N4 2NQ

Nearest Tube/station  Finsbury Park/Manor House

Is it buggy friendly?  Yes

Where are the toilets?  By the café

Is there parking? Pay and display parking via Hornsey Gate entrance.

What outdoor amenities are there? Playgrounds and play spaces, parkland walk, café, river and river pathway, flower garden, boating lake, bowling green, American gardens, American baseball field, bike park, skate park, tennis courts, volleyball, basketball and netball courts, Thames water reservoir.

How big is the park? 110 acres

Ornamental Italian gardens, rose gardens, a recreation ground and café make this elegant, sizeable open space a must-visit.

Where is it?   Downhills Park Rd, West Green, London N17 6PE

Nearest Tube/station  Turnpike Lane

Is it buggy friendly?  Yes

Where are the toilets?  By the café

Is there parking? No carpark onsite.

What outdoor amenities are there? Playground, Multi-Use Games Area, table tennis tables, netball, basketball and football courts, outdoor gym, café, rose garden, wildflower meadow, landscaped gardens.

How big is the park?  30 acres

A large Haringey park with impressive fountains and a paddling pool. Spacious and full of lush vegetation and tree-lined walks - a perfect spot for letting the kids run around in the sun.

Where is it?   112 Middle Lane, Crouch End, London N8 8LJ

Nearest Tube/station  Turnpike Lane

Is it buggy friendly?  Yes

Where are the toilets? In the centre of the park

Is there parking? No carpark onsite.

What outdoor amenities are there? Playgrounds, paddling pool, café, St Paul's fountain and obelisk fountain, tennis courts, The Philosopher's Garden, bowling green

How big is the park?  16 acres