West London Park/Playground Recommendations

[NuffSaidSam]

Has anyone got any recommendations for good parks/playgrounds in West London?

It doesn't have to be a 'big' park with loads of stuff, just a nice/interesting/different playground or any other attraction and preferably a cafe/toilet.

I keep seeing great park recommendations, but they're always East London way and I don't think my DC will be happy to travel for an hour+ to visit a park.

We like Ravenscourt Park and Holland Park and Richmond Park. Also Kew Gardens, but you have to pay to get in if you're not a member.

What are your favourites?

Good idea Rose. I'll leave it here a bit longer in case there are anymore suggestions and then ask MNHQ to move it.

I've never been to Queens Park or Brondesbury....off for a Google.

Yes there are a few trees aroubd for some shade but on busy days you cant always guarantee there will be enough room in the shade, so we take large parasols with us.

You have to pay once kids are 4+, but Wetlands in Barnes, near Hammersmith makes a great day out. Has playgrounds. Bird feeding tour (?3pm) is great. Also otters which can be seen at their feed times. Nice cafes.

Or how about a trip to Barnes itself? Has a nice duck pond, get seed from OSO and lunch (with small play area) at Wildwood. Kids menu v reasonable. Sometimes they do candyfloss.

Ruislip lido, has a big beach area, train, splash pools, play equipment, pub for lunch, all free (apart from train and obviously the pub) get there early as parking gets manic. Pinner Memorial Park is also nice and slightly further out but Cassiobury park in Watford is great

Ravenscourt is lovley but gets busy when its hot. Dukes meadows is probally a 5 yr old up wheras ravenscourt has smaller equipment.

Golders hill park is great but maybe too north for you? It has playground, sandpit, mini zoo and butterfly enclosure. And lovely walks in wood. Queen's Park also good. And parliament hill at gospel oak - 2 playgrounds and a little pool. If you are close to north London line (Richmond and kew both on it) you get off at gospel oak.

LongDivision Walpole Park is one of my favourite places to stroll around (and has been for some time I'm told as my parents often used to take me on walks around there). Also worth a mention in second place is Pitshanger Park a little longer walk away in the other direction from the Broadway. It has lots of places to walk, a café, tennis courts and paths to walk by the River Brent for a little while as well.