Golders Hill Park is where Hampstead Heath becomes unusually easy to organise. Instead of starting with woodland paths and deciding where they lead, visitors get a compact landscaped park with a free zoo, children’s playground, ornamental gardens, café, tennis courts, bandstand and broad lawns—all close enough to combine without spending the day walking between attractions.
That makes it especially useful for families, but describing it only as a children’s park misses half of its character. Move away from the zoo and playground and the atmosphere changes quickly: clipped gardens, water, mature planting and quieter paths give adults reasons to explore at their own pace.
Who Will Get the Most from Golders Hill Park?
Families with Young Children
The strongest match. Animals, play equipment, toilets, café and grass are close enough to keep the day flexible.
Garden Walkers
The walled garden, water garden and stumpery create a much calmer experience beyond the family areas.
Visitors Wanting Easier Paths
Most paths are surfaced, entrances are step-free and the landscape is more predictable than much of the wider Heath.
Longer-Distance Walkers
The park works as a comfortable starting point before continuing onto West Heath or towards the Hill Garden and Pergola.
Think of the Park in Four Layers
The easiest way to understand Golders Hill Park is not as a checklist of individual attractions but as four different experiences sitting beside one another.
The Animals
The free zoo is the immediate draw for many families. It is deliberately small, easy to walk around and integrated into a normal park visit rather than operating as a separate ticketed attraction.
The Family Zone
The playground, open lawns, toilets and nearby café allow children to switch from structured play to simply running around without another journey across the Heath.
The Garden Side
Formal planting, water and quieter paths give the park a more ornamental character. This is the section most easily missed when the visit revolves entirely around children.
The Gateway to Hampstead Heath
Once the formal park has been explored, the landscape can continue into West Heath and towards the Hill Garden and Pergola, turning a compact outing into a much longer walk.
The Most Important Expectation to Set
Golders Hill Park Zoo is genuinely free, but it is also genuinely small. That is not a contradiction and does not need to be presented as a disappointment.
Its value is that families can spend time looking for animals and then walk straight into a playground, garden or picnic without having paid for a major zoo day. The zoo works because it is one element in a surprisingly complete park.
Inside Golders Hill Park Zoo
The zoo opens daily in line with Golders Hill Park’s seasonal gates and has no admission charge. The perimeter route is surfaced, which makes the animal area comparatively straightforward for wheelchairs, mobility aids and buggies.
The collection includes both native and non-native animals. Current residents listed by the City of London include:
Among the zoo’s most recognisable residents and often one of the first animals children want to find.
A long-established part of the animal collection and one of the species most strongly associated with the park.
Particularly relevant to the zoo’s increasing emphasis on British wildlife and conservation.
One of several bird species that add variety to the relatively short zoo circuit.
Fallow deer are among the current residents, with red deer also represented through the zoo’s adoption programme.
Donkeys and bantam chickens help give younger children animals that feel immediately familiar.
The Zoo Is Gradually Changing
The City of London says the collection is moving towards a stronger story about wildlife in Britain and its relationship with Hampstead Heath. Existing enclosures are expected to be upgraded and new habitats developed over time.
The zoo team also contributes to local conservation work by recording butterflies, bumblebees, dragonflies and damselflies around the park during summer.
Zoo First or Playground First?
For many families, zoo first is the smoother order. Animals require a little patience; playground equipment does not. Once younger children have seen the play area, persuading them to leave swings and climbing equipment for a quiet zoo circuit can be considerably harder.
Zoo First Works Best When…
- children are still fresh and curious
- you arrive early in the day
- animals are the main reason for visiting
- you want the playground to become a reward afterwards
Playground First Can Work When…
- children need to release energy after travelling
- you have arrived specifically for a short play session
- another adult can organise food or the next part of the visit
- the zoo is not the priority
The Playground: Useful, but Not the Whole Story
The play area is designed for children up to 12 and includes a basket swing, climbing frame and other play equipment. Dogs, glass and smoking are not permitted inside, and children must remain supervised.
There is an important current limitation: the sandpit is closed. This matters because older family reviews and photographs often feature it prominently.
The playground should also be judged in context. It is not intended to compete with London’s biggest destination playgrounds. Here, its value comes from being surrounded by zoo animals, gardens, grass and other activities.
The Best Playground May Be the Lawn
One recurring theme in family discussions is surprisingly simple: children do not always need another piece of equipment. The rolling grass is part of the entertainment.
Running, chasing, climbing the slope or simply choosing their own game creates a useful break between the zoo and formal playground. Leaving time for that unstructured play generally suits Golders Hill Park better than moving children from one attraction to the next on a strict timetable.
Three Gardens, Three Different Moods
🌺 The Walled Garden
This is the ornamental section that can change an adult’s impression of the park. Planting, enclosed paths and places to sit make it feel more intimate than the open lawns.
💧 The Water Garden
Water, planting and reflections create a gentler short walk. Families with small children should supervise closely around the ponds.
🪵 The Stumpery
Old roots, trunks and decaying timber become garden structure and wildlife habitat rather than being treated simply as waste.
The garden side of Golders Hill Park is worth deliberately including in the route. Visitors arriving only for the zoo can otherwise leave without seeing the area that gives the park much of its visual character.
My Editorial Impression
Golders Hill Park Is Better as a Combination Than as a Headline Attraction
Looking across current and older visitor reviews, family discussions and the official layout, the strongest theme is not that one feature is extraordinary. It is that an unusual number of useful features fit comfortably into a relatively manageable space.
The positive reviews repeatedly mention some combination of the mini zoo, flowers, lawns, playground, ponds and the easy link into Hampstead Heath. Families particularly value the freedom to move between animals and play without committing to an expensive attraction. Adult visitors are often more enthusiastic about the gardens than they expected to be.
The criticism is useful as well. Some visitors expect a larger zoo. Others have commented negatively on aspects of maintenance or café experience, while the playground will not occupy every older child for long. These are reasons to keep expectations realistic rather than reasons to avoid the park.
My editorial impression is that Golders Hill Park succeeds because it does not require one attraction to carry the entire visit. If the animals are quiet, there is the garden. If the playground is busy, there is grass. If the family wants more walking, the Heath begins almost immediately beyond the formal park.
That flexibility is probably its strongest quality—and the main reason I would rate it particularly highly for families with younger children.
The Café: Useful, but Do Not Build the Entire Day Around It
Golders Hill Park Café provides hot and cold food, snacks and drinks. Its position inside the formal park makes it convenient when families need a proper break without leaving the area.
Visitor opinion around the café has varied over time, and the Hampstead Heath café contracts went through a competitive re-tendering process at the end of 2025. For that reason, older reviews should not automatically be treated as a description of the current operator, menu or service.
Use the Café For
- a sit-down pause
- hot or cold drinks
- a more substantial food stop
- a break when weather changes
Still Bring
- water for children
- one or two familiar snacks
- a picnic option on very busy days
- anything needed for dietary requirements
Current menus, prices and operating details are more useful to check directly than relying on old online reviews.
Picnic or Café?
Golders Hill Park suits both. The broad lawns mean a picnic does not feel like a second-best option, and eating outside also gives children more flexibility to move around.
A café stop is easier when the weather is uncertain or the visit needs a more defined break. A picnic gives families greater control over timing and cost.
Barbecues and open fires are not permitted across Hampstead Heath. Visitors should dispose of rubbish responsibly or take it away when bins are full.
Three Ready-Made Visits
A Quick Family Visit
- Short zoo circuit
- Playground
- Snack on the lawn
- Leave before tiredness sets in
The Best All-Round Visit
- Zoo
- Walled and water gardens
- Playground
- Picnic or café
- Unstructured grass play
Park + Hampstead Heath
- Explore the formal park
- Have lunch
- Continue onto West Heath
- Add the Pergola if time allows
Summer Concerts: Check the Actual Dates
The bandstand sits near the heart of Golders Hill Park and is used for free outdoor concerts during summer. No booking is required for the confirmed 2026 performances.
The current official programme lists:
| Date | Performance | Style | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday 28 June | London Saxophone Choir | Jazz / pop | 3:00–5:00pm |
| Sunday 19 July | KIX Jazz Orchestra | Jazz | 3:00–5:00pm |
| Sunday 16 August | Metropolitan Brass Band | Brass | 3:00–5:00pm |
A concert afternoon can turn the park into a longer outing, but it also means more competition for popular lawn positions and potentially busier paths and food stops.
Tennis and Table Tennis
Golders Hill Park has four hard-surfaced tennis courts that operate throughout the year.
| Option | Current Charge |
|---|---|
| Standard court | £11.60 per hour |
| Concession | £7.00 per hour |
| Annual membership | £37.30 per year |
Booking requires membership. Casual pay-and-play users can book two courts per week up to 24 hours ahead, while annual membership allows five court bookings per week up to four days in advance.
All-weather table-tennis tables are also available in the park. Bring your own bats and balls unless a particular organised activity states otherwise.
Accessibility Is One of the Park’s Stronger Practical Features
Compared with rougher parts of Hampstead Heath, Golders Hill Park is relatively straightforward to navigate. All park entrances are step-free and most paths are even and surfaced with tarmac, including the route around the zoo.
The formal park will generally be easier with wheelchairs, mobility scooters and buggies than natural Heath paths beyond its gates, which can become uneven or muddy.
Parking: One Detail That Needs to Be Clear
Golders Hill Park does not have a general visitor car park inside the park.
The internal car park contains eight spaces reserved for registered Blue Badge holders. It operates from 7:30am to dusk, Monday to Friday excluding Bank Holidays, and ANPR enforcement is used. Eligible Blue Badge parking is free after registration.
For other drivers, Jack Straw’s Car Park is the main nearby official option and is roughly a ten-minute walk from Golders Hill Park. It has 60 spaces, uses RingGo for payment and is locked overnight from 9:00pm.
Getting There
Golders Green Underground
Golders Green on the Northern line is the nearest Underground station identified by the City of London for the park and zoo. The official zoo information estimates the walk at around 14 minutes.
With very young children, luggage or mobility considerations, using a connecting bus may be more comfortable than treating the Underground station as if it were directly beside the park.
Bus
Routes 210 and 268 serve Golders Hill Park and can also be useful when combining the visit with other parts of Hampstead.
Cycling
The park connects with local cycling routes, but its formal paths and family areas contain significant pedestrian movement. Follow signs and use designated routes rather than assuming every path is suitable for cycling.
The Hill Garden and Pergola: Nearby, Not Part of the Same Opening Schedule
The Hill Garden and Pergola is one of the best additions for adults or families who still have energy after exploring Golders Hill Park. Its raised walkway, garden architecture and planting create a very different atmosphere from the zoo and playground.
It should, however, be treated as a separate destination. It has its own gates and shorter opening hours.
The site may close at short notice when winds of 40mph or more are forecast. Only assistance dogs are permitted within the Hill Garden and Pergola.
2026 Hill Garden and Pergola Hours
| Period | Opening Hours |
|---|---|
| 1–25 January | 8:30am–3:00pm |
| 26 January–8 February | 8:30am–3:30pm |
| 9–22 February | 8:30am–4:00pm |
| 23 February–8 March | 8:30am–4:30pm |
| 9–22 March | 8:30am–5:00pm |
| 23–28 March | 8:30am–5:30pm |
| 29 March–12 April | 8:30am–6:30pm |
| 13–26 April | 8:30am–7:00pm |
| 27 April–16 August | 8:30am–8:00pm |
| 17–30 August | 8:30am–7:00pm |
| 31 August–13 September | 8:30am–6:30pm |
| 14–27 September | 8:30am–6:00pm |
| 28 September–4 October | 8:30am–5:30pm |
| 5–24 October | 8:30am–5:00pm |
| 25 October–15 November | 8:30am–3:30pm |
| 16 November–31 December | 8:30am–3:00pm |
Golders Hill Park Opening Times for 2026
The park opens at 7:30am every day, with closing times extending into the evening during spring and summer and becoming progressively earlier through autumn.
| 2026 Period | Park Hours |
|---|---|
| 1–25 January | 7:30am–4:30pm |
| 26 January–8 February | 7:30am–5:00pm |
| 9–22 February | 7:30am–5:30pm |
| 23 February–8 March | 7:30am–6:00pm |
| 9–22 March | 7:30am–6:30pm |
| 23–28 March | 7:30am–7:00pm |
| 29 March–12 April | 7:30am–8:00pm |
| 13–26 April | 7:30am–8:30pm |
| 27 April–16 August | 7:30am–9:00pm |
| 17–30 August | 7:30am–8:30pm |
| 31 August–13 September | 7:30am–8:00pm |
| 14–27 September | 7:30am–7:30pm |
| 28 September–4 October | 7:30am–7:00pm |
| 5–24 October | 7:30am–6:30pm |
| 25 October–15 November | 7:30am–5:00pm |
| 16 November–31 December | 7:30am–4:30pm |
Strong winds can affect access. If wind speeds of 40mph or above are forecast, Golders Hill Park may close at short notice because of the risk from trees and branches.
When Is Golders Hill Park at Its Best?
🌱 Spring
A particularly good time for ornamental planting and comfortable walking. Families also benefit from longer closing hours as the season progresses.
☀️ Summer
The longest park days and bandstand events make it easy to stay for several hours. Warm weekends are naturally busier.
🍂 Autumn
Tree colour gives the wider Heath a different character and crowds can be lighter, but closing times begin to shorten noticeably.
❄️ Winter
Still useful for a zoo-and-walk visit, provided the earlier gates are taken into account. The compact layout becomes an advantage when daylight is limited.
Dogs
Dogs can use appropriate open parts of Golders Hill Park when kept under suitable control, but they are not permitted inside the children’s playground. Visitors should pay particular attention around animals, children and formal planting.
The nearby Hill Garden and Pergola operates a stricter policy: assistance dogs only.
What I Would Not Build the Visit Around
- I would not describe the zoo as a substitute for London Zoo.
- I would not promise the sandpit while the official closure remains in place.
- I would not assume an old café review describes the current operation.
- I would not drive expecting a general car park inside Golders Hill Park.
- I would not leave the Pergola extension until near its closing time.
- I would not move children continuously between attractions without leaving time for the lawns.
- I would not ignore the gardens simply because the visit began as a family outing.
Quick Editorial Scorecard
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Golders Hill Park free?
Yes. General entry to Golders Hill Park is free, as are the zoo, playground, ornamental garden areas and normal use of the lawns. Tennis, food and parking where applicable are charged separately.
Is Golders Hill Park Zoo really free?
Yes. No zoo admission ticket is required. The zoo operates daily in line with the seasonal park opening and closing times.
How big is the zoo?
It is a small park zoo rather than a large commercial attraction. It is best treated as one part of the wider Golders Hill Park visit.
Which animals are currently listed?
The City of London currently lists animals including ring-tailed lemurs, red-necked wallabies, a Scottish wildcat, kookaburras, fallow deer, donkeys and bantam chickens, with other residents also present.
Is the playground open?
Yes. The play area remains open and is intended for children up to 12, but the sandpit is currently closed while improvement and accessibility plans are developed.
Is the park good for toddlers?
Yes. Its compact combination of zoo animals, playground, grass, toilets and food facilities makes it particularly practical for younger children.
Can wheelchair users visit the zoo?
The zoo perimeter path is surfaced with tarmac. All entrances to Golders Hill Park are step-free, although the park sits on a gentle slope.
Are accessible toilets available?
Yes. Golders Hill Park has three accessible toilets that use a Radar key, including two larger facilities beside the zoo with baby-changing equipment.
Is there parking inside Golders Hill Park?
Only limited Blue Badge parking is available inside the park. The dedicated car park contains eight bays and requires eligible users to register their badge. General visitors should use another legal parking option or public transport.
What is the nearest Underground station?
Golders Green on the Northern line is the nearest station identified by the City of London. The zoo information gives the walk as approximately 14 minutes.
Which buses serve the park?
Routes 210 and 268 serve Golders Hill Park and are also useful for connections around Hampstead.
Are the 2026 summer concerts free?
Yes. The confirmed Golders Hill Park bandstand concerts are free and require no booking.
Is the Hill Garden and Pergola inside Golders Hill Park?
No. It is nearby and works well as an extension, but it has separate gates, shorter seasonal hours and its own visitor rules.
Are dogs allowed in the Pergola?
Only assistance dogs are permitted in the Hill Garden and Pergola.
How much is tennis?
The current charge is £11.60 per hour for a standard court and £7 per hour for eligible concessions. Booking membership is required.
Is Golders Hill Park Worth Visiting?
Yes—particularly for families looking for a low-cost North London outing that does not require much planning. The zoo alone is intentionally modest, and the playground alone would not justify every journey across London. Put the animals, gardens, grass, playground and Hampstead Heath connection together, however, and the park becomes much more convincing.
Final Take
Golders Hill Park is not the wildest part of Hampstead Heath and it is not trying to be. Its strength is almost the opposite: the formal park puts useful things close together and makes a family outing unusually easy to adapt as the day develops.
A child who loses interest in the zoo can move to the playground. Someone who wants quiet can disappear into the walled garden. A picnic can replace the café. A short visit can end after ninety minutes, while a family or couple with more energy can continue towards West Heath and the Pergola.
That flexibility makes Golders Hill Park one of the most useful family spaces around Hampstead Heath. The best approach is simply not to oversell any one element. Come for the combination.
Official Information & Editorial Research
This guide is independently written. Changing information such as opening hours, zoo residents, accessibility, playground status, parking, tennis charges, concert dates and Pergola arrangements was checked against current City of London information. Public reviews and forum discussions were used only to identify recurring visitor themes and opinions; they were not treated as authoritative sources for operational facts.
- 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 Café
- City of London – Golders Hill Park Car Park
- City of London – Golders Hill Park Tennis Courts
- City of London – Golders Hill Park Summer Concerts
- City of London – Hill Garden and Pergola
- City of London – Jack Straw’s Car Park
Last reviewed: 8 August 2026
This guide may combine first-hand observations, original photography, independent editorial research, verified official information, maps and recurring visitor feedback. Where personal experience is included, it reflects an actual visit. Other descriptions are research-led and should not be understood as a claim that the park was personally visited.
Author
I explore parks across London and combine personal observations where available with detailed research and verified information. My goal is to create clear, practical guides that help visitors know what to expect, plan their day more easily and make the most of London’s green spaces.
About Steve