Diana Memorial playground

Ever wanted to go to Neverland? Children spend the day as a Lost Boy (or Tinker Bell or Captain Hook if they prefer) commandeering teepees, fighting sea monsters and captaining a beautiful wooden pirate ship that is the centre piece of the Diana Memorial Playground and with its Peter Pan theme.

This wonderful outdoors children's play area opened on the 30th June 2000 in memory of the late Princess Diana and is located next to her Kensington Palace home, welcoming over a million visitors every year. The playground has since acquired a sea monster sculpture, giant swing, turtle drum, storyteller's chair and a little beach where the Duchess of Cambridge, neé Kate Middleton, took Prince George to muck around in the sand last year.

With plenty of seating for adults, nappy changing facilities and and a café and on sight (with a kids menu) the Kensington Gardens are a great place for families to relax together, whilst taking advantage of the sensory trail, the vast wooden pirate ship complete with walkways, ladders, slides and 'tree phones', and the toys and play sculptures littering the kids area.

There is a big emphasis on providing for children with special needs, including those in wheelchairs, at the park.

Be warned that the queues can be long and families are advised that waiting times for entrance can go on for up to an hour.

Click here to read our line up of the best outdoors activities for kids.