Golders Hill Park is a lovely place for a day out, especially when the weather is nice. There are plenty of quiet paths to explore, and on this particular visit we even came across a mysterious little trail that we had never been down before, despite having visited plenty of times.
Golders Hill Park sits at the edge of Hampstead Heath and packs a free mini zoo, walled garden, water garden, playground, café and tennis courts into one compact, easy-to-navigate site.
A Little Free Zoo in the Middle of London
One of the nicest things about the park is the small collection of animals. It feels almost like having a little free zoo in the middle of London. There are wallabies relaxing in the sun, two fluffy little donkeys, chickens wandering around, and even a Eurasian eagle owl sitting towards the back. The owl was surprisingly big in person, even though it didn’t look quite as impressive on camera.
Usually found relaxing in a sunny corner of their enclosure.
Much bigger in person than it ever looks on camera.
Two fluffy residents, with a much bigger history than you’d guess.
There are also deer around the park, although they can sometimes be difficult to spot because they hide away or move to different parts of the grounds. Apparently, the park once had as many as 100 donkeys, which were used in the 1800s around Hampstead to give rides, a fact that makes the two fluffy residents here today feel like a small echo of something much bigger.
Trees Too Big for Our Garden
Beyond the animals, Golders Hill Park has plenty of lovely green spaces, beautiful trees and gardens. It’s the kind of place where you can simply sit down and enjoy a sunny day. Some of the trees have grown incredibly large over the years, and we even started wondering whether one of them would work in our own garden, although seeing just how big they can get, we weren’t so sure anymore.
The gardens are particularly pretty when the flowers are in bloom. The tulips were looking lovely, and later in the year even more of the gardens would be filled with colour.
🌺 The Walled Garden
Ornamental planting, enclosed paths and places to sit, feeling more intimate than the open lawns.
💧 The Water Garden
Water, planting and reflections making a gentler short walk, and a good spot to slow down.
The Café Bill
There is also a small café and restaurant within the park. It’s a convenient place to stop for something to eat, with things like chips, burgers and sandwiches on the menu. The prices are definitely more on the London side, though.
The portions were rather small. Still, sitting outside on a sunny day with an Americano and enjoying a quiet morning makes it feel worthwhile. There is also an ice cream parlour nearby with homemade ice cream, which is another nice little treat when the weather is warm.
Zoo First or Playground First?
For many families, zoo first is the smoother order: animals require a little patience, while playground equipment does not. Once children have seen the play area, persuading them to leave swings and climbing equipment for a quiet zoo circuit can be considerably harder.
Practical Details
🕖 Opening Hours
From 7:30am daily, with closing extending into the evening through spring and summer and becoming earlier through autumn and winter.
🚗 Parking
No general visitor car park inside the park; only eight Blue Badge bays. Jack Straw’s Car Park is about a ten-minute walk away for everyone else.
🚇 Getting There
Golders Green Underground (Northern line) is the nearest station, around a 14-minute walk. Buses 210 and 268 also serve the park.
♿ Accessibility
All entrances are step-free and most paths are surfaced tarmac, including the route around the zoo, though the park does sit on a gentle slope.
My Take
After finishing our rather expensive little portions of chips, the sun started to disappear, so it was time to head back to the car. It had been a lovely little morning at Golders Hill Park, with the animals, gardens, pond and quiet paths making it a really pleasant place to spend some time.
From there, it was time to head home and do some gardening of our own, minus the giant trees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Golders Hill Park Zoo free?
Yes. Both the park and the zoo are free to enter, with no admission charge for the animal enclosures.
What animals can you see?
Current residents include wallabies, donkeys, chickens, a Eurasian eagle owl, fallow deer, ring-tailed lemurs, a Scottish wildcat and kookaburras among others, though not every animal is guaranteed to be visible on a given visit.
Is the playground sandpit open?
No. The sandpit is currently closed while the City of London develops plans to improve it and make it more accessible. The rest of the playground remains open.
Is there parking inside the park?
Only eight Blue Badge bays are available inside. Other visitors should use Jack Straw’s Car Park nearby or public transport.
Research Method
This guide is based on a personal visit to the zoo, gardens and café, combined with independent research. Photographs on this page are original. Zoo residents, playground status, opening hours, parking and accessibility were checked against current City of London information. Café prices quoted are those paid on the day and will change.
Official & Useful Sources
- City of London: Golders Hill Park
- City of London: Golders Hill Park Zoo
- City of London: Golders Hill Park Play Area
- City of London: Golders Hill Park Car Park
Last checked: 10 September 2026
Author
Steve visits every park featured on Ekskluzivet Park in person, checking practical details against councils, park operators and official sources. Every guide is based on a personal visit, and the photographs published with it are his own.
About Steve