Top 9 Fun Things To Do In North London In 2026

Location: Level 4 of the Red Car Park, Brent Cross Shopping Centre, London NW4 3FP. Open now.

Brent Cross is adding a serious dose of adrenaline to its lineup, with TeamSport Indoor Go Karting and Bowling open now.

The venue brings an electric indoor karting circuit, eight ten-pin bowling lanes, arcade games, and pool tables to Level 4 of the Red Car Park.

For groups who want competition with a side of banter, it is hard to imagine a better setup: race each other on the track, then settle the score over a few frames of bowling.

We’re sure TeamSport would also cater to younger visitors with karting available for ages 4 and up, alongside birthday party packages and corporate event options.

Food, drink, and a bar are all part of the plan, so there is no need to leave when the racing is done.

The venue will accept both bookings and walk-ins, though securing a slot ahead of a weekend visit is always a smart move.

Location: L1, Prince Charles Dr, London NW4 3RW.

Game Over at Brent Cross puts your group inside a themed room with one goal: work together, solve the puzzles, and get out before time is up.

Each room is built around a different story, so the experience changes depending on what you choose.

School of Magic drops you into a world of spells and hidden riddles for groups who want something imaginative and adventure-driven, while Nightmare Hotel takes a darker turn with suspense and tension around every corner.

If neither of those is your style, The Lost City of Atlantis leans into exploration, and Alice in Wonderland flips the classic tale into something you have to solve your way through.

Rooms are designed so that beginners and seasoned escape room players can enjoy them equally, which means no one in your group will feel out of their depth.

It also works well for birthdays or get-togethers where you want something more engaging than drinks at a bar.

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You can turn up on the day, but reserving a slot in advance means you will not have to wait around for your preferred room.

Location: Prince Charles Dr, Brent Cross, London NW4 3FP. Located on the Lower Mall opposite M&S.

If your group loves food and can never agree on where to eat, District at Brent Cross solves that problem entirely.

District is Brent Cross' street food destination, bringing together a mix of vendors serving dishes from across the globe, all under one roof.

You and your friends can wander from stall to stall and pick whatever catches your eye, from Pasta Remoli's handmade pasta and Roman-style pizza, to Yaay Yaay's fiery Thai curries, or Three Uncles' Cantonese-style roast meats and fluffy bao buns.

There is also Oshpaz for Central Asian comfort food, Smoky Boys for loaded burgers and wings, and Smatcha for matcha lattes and refreshing drinks.

With over 130 seats in a laid-back, food court-style setting, it is the kind of place where everyone grabs something different and then shares the table.

District suits groups who enjoy trying new flavours and want something more exciting than a sit-down chain restaurant.

The whole experience feels like a mini culinary adventure right inside the shopping centre, and it pairs perfectly with a browse around Brent Cross before or after.

Location: Runs from Finsbury Park (N4) to Highgate (N6).

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The Parkland Walk is London's longest linear nature reserve and follows the route of a Victorian-era railway line that once connected Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace.

The tracks are long gone, but the trail remains, and it is now a peaceful, tree-lined path popular with walkers, joggers, and cyclists looking to escape the city noise.

You and your friends can enjoy views of the London skyline, pass by old ghost platforms, and spot street art in the tunnels along the way.

The southern section runs from Finsbury Park to Highgate, while the northern stretch continues through to Alexandra Palace, so you can choose how far you want to go.

With many recorded wildflower species and wildlife, including foxes, birds, and butterflies, it feels surprisingly wild for a trail that cuts through suburban North London.

💡 Local tip: Start at Finsbury Park and walk to Highgate, and then you can carry on to Alexandra Palace.

Finding activities that genuinely hold a child's attention (and do not wear out the adults too quickly) is harder than it sounds. These three manage both:

Location: Grahame Park Way, Colindale, London NW9 5LL.

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The Royal Air Force Museum in Colindale is one of those rare attractions that manages to be both educational and genuinely exciting for children.

The museum is home to six aircraft hangars packed with real planes, hands-on exhibits, and stories that bring aviation history to life.

You and your family will be able to:

• Get to know more about the Royal Air Force’s first 100 years, including its iconic British aircraft.
• Learn more about the future of aircraft, such as what’s keeping the RAF at the edge of air and space power and innovation.
• Learn more about WW1 in the air, including the earliest days of flight.

Children can walk beneath enormous aircrafts, try interactive displays, and learn about everything from the history of British aviation to the future of air and space power.

The best time to visit is late morning when children are alert and ready to explore, and you should plan for at least two to three hours to see everything comfortably.

Admission to the entire museum is completely free, making it one of the best value family days out in North London.

💡 The aviation-themed play areas are a great way to round off the visit, especially for younger children.

Location: North End Way, Golders Hill Park, London NW3 7HE.

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Golders Hill Park Zoo is a small, free zoo tucked inside one of North London's prettiest parks, and it is perfect for a relaxed morning or afternoon with children.

The zoo is home to ring-tailed lemurs, red-necked wallabies, fallow deer, donkeys, kookaburras, and a striking pair of Eurasian eagle owls, among other species.

Children love getting up close to the animals, and the compact size of the zoo means it is easy to explore without anyone getting tired or overwhelmed.

Beyond the zoo itself, Golders Hill Park has a well-equipped playground, a beautiful flower garden, and a duck pond.

The park is part of the wider Hampstead Heath area, so you can combine it with a walk through the surrounding green spaces if the weather is on your side.

💡 Local tip: Visit in the morning when the animals are most active, and bring a picnic to make the most of the parkland.

Location: Birchen Grove, London NW9 8SA (access from Cool Oak Lane or Birchen Grove car park).

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The Welsh Harp, also known as Brent Reservoir, covers 170 acres of open water, marshland, woodland, and grassland, and it is one of North London's best-kept secrets for a family day outdoors.

For families, it works because the space is vast and uncrowded: children have room to run, explore, and point at the grebes, ducks, and other wetland birds that live around the water.

Bird hides are scattered around the site, and floating habitats installed to protect nesting birds can be seen from Cool Oak Bridge and the nearby picnic area.

The surrounding meadows and wooded trails add variety to the walk, so it never feels like you are just doing laps of a pond.

It is one of those places that feels properly wild despite being a short drive from central London.

North London has plenty of spots that work well for couples:

Location: Upper Mall, Multi Storey Car Park, Brent Cross, NW4 3FY.

Not every day out has to be an "activity" in the traditional sense, and sometimes the most enjoyable thing you can do together is walk out of somewhere looking and feeling noticeably better.

Regis at Brent Cross offers cuts, styling, colouring, and scalp treatments for all genders, so both of you can book appointments at the same time and make it part of a wider Brent Cross visit.

The stylists are experienced across a range of hair types and styles, and they are happy to consult on what would work best if you are after something new.

It slots nicely into a bigger day at the centre: book your appointments, grab food at District or one of the other restaurants, and browse the shops in between.

The salon has step-free access and a wheelchair accessible entrance, and it is open seven days a week with late evenings on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

Booking an in-store appointment in advance is recommended, especially for weekend slots.

Location: Hampstead, London NW3.

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Hampstead Heath is one of the most romantic and scenic green spaces in North London and is perfect for couples who want a relaxed day surrounded by nature.

You can bring a blanket and some food, find a quiet spot with views over the city, and enjoy each other's company without the distractions of busy London life.

In warmer months, the Heath's bathing ponds are open to the public, with separate ponds for men, women, and a mixed pond, giving you a unique chance to swim in natural spring water.

Afterwards, a stroll through the gardens around Kenwood House makes for a calm and intimate way to round off the day.

💡 Local tip: Head to Parliament Hill for one of the best panoramic views of the London skyline, and time your visit for the late afternoon when the light is at its most beautiful.

No matter how you are spending your time in North London, Brent Cross Shopping Centre ties a lot of it together.

Escape rooms, street food, go-karting, and a salon visit are all on the doorstep, alongside over 120 shops, restaurants, and entertainment options.

You can plan your visit to Brent Cross here to check how to get there by car, taxi, train, bus, or by bike.

And if you are driving, you will be pleased to know that parking at the multi-storey car park is completely free, and EV drivers can charge their vehicles at RAW Charging's charging points on-site.