Highgate Wood

Once, Highgate Wood was part of the ancient Middlesex Woods, which stretched across the north of London. Now, it's a seven-acre green oasis full of beautiful and very old trees (it's closed during periods of high winds, to protect the public from falling branches). There are well signposted trails that'll take you through its winding forest paths, past historic features including an Ancient Roman pottery.

It also has an excellent and well-equipped kids' playground that's pleasantly shady on hot days, complete with sandpits, climbing equipment of various levels of difficulty and a zip wire that gets very busy at peak times. Great thought has gone into providing fun and challenges for the various age groups, and there’s a separate area for the under-fives to call their own.