Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground

Address: Broad Walk, London W2 2UH

Nearest Tube Station: Queensway (Central)

In addition to the late Princess’ memorial fountain in neighbouring Hyde Park, this playground was built next to her Kensington Palace home at a cost of £1.7 million as a fitting and lasting tribute to a Princess who cherished the innocence of childhood.

At the centre of this Peter Pan-inspired playground, which opened in June 2000, is a huge wooden pirate ship that serves as a climbing area for children, surrounded by sand.

Continuing the Peter Pan theme, there’s also a giant sea monster, a tepee camp, a treehouse encampment with walkways slung between trees and ladders, as well as musical instruments that can be played with your feet. The playground encourages children aged 12 and under to explore and follow their imaginations, learning whilst they play.

Refreshingly, there’s an area designed where less able and able-bodied children can play together with the aim of providing physical, creative, social and educational child development.

More than one million visitors enjoy this free playground each year, and with plenty of seating available for the grownups to relax, we think you will be glad you dropped by the Diana, Princess of Wales memorial playground too.

The playground opens at 10am every day and closes around dusk throughout the year except Christmas Day.