Top 9 Things To Do In North London During Bank Holidays (2026)

If you and your mates are looking for something better than the usual pub quiz this bank holiday, North London has plenty of ways to make the most of a day off.

Here are four ideas to get you started:

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

If your friend group thrives on a bit of pressure and friendly competition, Game Over at Brent Cross is the place to be this bank holiday.

The concept is simple: you and your friends get locked inside a themed room, and the clock starts ticking. 

Your job is to work together, hunt for clues, crack codes, and solve puzzles before time runs out.

Game Over offers rooms for all experience levels, so whether your group are total beginners or seasoned escape-room fans, there is something that will challenge you.

The themes range from adventurous to mysterious, and you can choose from rooms like:

• The Lost City of Atlantis
• Nightmare Hotel
• School of Magic
• Alice in Wonderland.

It is also a brilliant option for a birthday or celebration, and walk-ins are welcome, although booking in advance is always a good idea, especially on bank holidays when things tend to fill up fast.

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Escape rooms work best in groups of 3 to 6, so rally your most resourceful friends and see who really keeps their cool under pressure.

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

Bank holidays are made for eating well, and District at Brent Cross makes it easy to do exactly that without needing a passport.

District is Brent Cross' vibrant street food destination, where you and your friends can wander between stalls and graze on flavours from all corners of the globe.

Think handmade pasta from Pasta Remoli, fiery Thai curries from Yaay Yaay, creamy matcha lattes from Smatcha, Cantonese roast meats and fluffy bao buns from Three Uncles, and loaded burgers and saucy wings from Smoky Boys.

What makes it work so well for groups is that nobody has to agree on one restaurant.

Everyone picks what they fancy, and you all come together to share plates and swap bites.

The atmosphere is lively and relaxed at the same time, which suits a bank holiday mood perfectly.

You are not rushing through a formal meal; you are enjoying a mini culinary adventure inside the shopping centre.

District is ideal for friends who love discovering new food and do not want the hassle of booking a table. 

Just turn up, explore, and eat your way through North London's most diverse food hall.

And since you are already at Brent Cross, you can make a full day of it with free parking and plenty to explore afterwards.

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

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If your group prefers the outdoors over four walls, the Parkland Walk is one of North London's best-kept secrets, and it will not cost you a penny.

This 4.5-mile trail follows a disused Victorian railway line that closed in 1970, and today it is London's longest local nature reserve.

The route takes you through tunnels of greenery from Finsbury Park through Crouch End and Highgate, all the way to Alexandra Palace, passing old ghost stations, graffiti-covered arches, and a famous sculpture called The Spriggan carved into the brickwork.

Over 200 wildflower species have been recorded along the route, and you might spot foxes, hedgehogs, and even muntjac deer along the way.

The walk ends perfectly at Alexandra Palace, where you can reward yourselves with drinks overlooking one of London's best panoramic views.

The trail is completely free, open all day with no gates or restrictions, and easily accessible from Finsbury Park station on the Victoria and Piccadilly lines.

Location: Alexandra Palace Way, London N22 7AY.

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If you want a bank holiday that feels like a mini getaway without leaving North London, Alexandra Palace Park delivers exactly that.

The park stretches across 196 acres of elevated ground surrounding the iconic Victorian palace, and on a clear day, the views from the terrace sweep from Canary Wharf all the way across to the Crystal Palace transmitter. It is one of London's most impressive free panoramas.

Inside the grounds, there is a boating lake, a skatepark, a deer enclosure, woodland, and a pitch and putt course, so there is plenty to keep a group entertained for hours.

The sunset from the palace terrace is widely considered one of North London's best free experiences, so plan your visit for late afternoon and bring something to sit on.

The park is completely free to enter and open all the time, including bank holidays.

You can reach it via Alexandra Palace rail station from King's Cross.

Bank holidays with children can go one of two ways: absolute chaos or a genuinely brilliant day out.

These three activities tip the odds firmly in favour of the latter:

Location: L1, 117 Prince Charles Dr, Hendon Way, Brent Cross, London NW4 3RW. Located just opposite the Brent Cross multi-storey car park (level 3).

When the kids have energy to burn, and the weather is not cooperating, Topsy Curvy's Soft Play at Brent Cross is a reliable bank holiday winner.

The space is built for children under 12 and offers a multi-tiered play frame packed with slides, climbing frames, and tunnels that keep kids moving and exploring.

There is also a dedicated area for under-3s, which means toddlers can play safely without being overwhelmed by older children.

Everything is fully padded and runs with a smart one-way system, so parents can relax knowing the little ones are in a safe and controlled environment.

The on-site cafe means adults can grab a coffee and a bite while the children play, which is a small but very welcome detail on a long bank holiday.

Topsy Curvy's is also a popular spot for birthday parties, so booking ahead on bank holidays is a good idea to guarantee a session.

⚠️ Disclaimer: There's a 1.5 metre height limit. Check venue policies as they can change seasonally.

Location: Outside Brent Cross, Prince Charles Drive, NW4 3BR.

If you are looking for something a little different to do with the family this bank holiday, Florescenza at Brent Cross is a genuinely surprising find.

Tucked just outside Brent Cross Shopping Centre, Florescenza is a garden centre that feels nothing like a typical retail experience.

The space is filled with outdoor plants, succulents, house plants, bouquets, and beautiful pots and planters, and walking through it is more like stepping into a green retreat than a shop.

What makes it especially appealing for families is Il Cortile, the Italian-Mediterranean bistro set inside a glasshouse surrounded by greenery.

It is a calm and relaxed atmosphere that suits families who want to slow down and enjoy their bank holiday rather than rush through a busy food court.

Florescenza also has plant specialists on hand, so if you are looking to start a little garden project with the kids, this is the perfect place to get advice and pick up supplies.

The whole venue is wheelchair-accessible with step-free access throughout.

Location: North End Way, London NW3 7HE.

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A free zoo in North London? It sounds too good to be true, but Golders Hill Park Zoo is the real deal, and it is one of the best free family days out in this part of the city.

Tucked inside the beautifully landscaped Golders Hill Park, which is part of Hampstead Heath, this small but brilliant zoo is home to ring-tailed lemurs, wallabies, kookaburras, eagle owls, fallow deer, donkeys, and coatis.

Beyond the zoo, the park itself has an excellent adventure playground with separate areas for toddlers and older children, a walled Mediterranean garden, and a water garden with tropical plants.

The zoo and park are completely free and open daily, and is a short walk from Golders Green tube station on the Northern line.

Local tip: Arrive in the morning when the animals are most active, and the park is quieter. On bank holidays, it can get busier from midday onwards.

Bank holidays with your partner should feel like a proper escape, even if you are not going anywhere far.

These three North London activities offer exactly that:

Location: Kenwood House, 3 Hampstead Ln, London NW3 7JR.

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For couples who appreciate art, history, and a touch of grandeur, Kenwood House on the northern edge of Hampstead Heath is one of North London's most romantic free days out.

This magnificent 17th-century country house is managed by English Heritage and contains an exceptional art collection featuring works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Gainsborough, Turner, and Van Dyck, all free to view.

Robert Adam's library inside the house is considered one of the finest neoclassical interiors in England.

The landscaped gardens surrounding the house feature sculptures by Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore, and the grounds connect to the wider Hampstead Heath, making it easy to extend your visit into a longer walk through one of London's most beautiful green spaces.

Kenwood also has a fascinating story behind it. It was the home of Dido Elizabeth Belle, the great-niece of Lord Mansfield, whose life inspired the 2013 film Belle.

The house is open daily, and you can reach it from Archway or Golders Green tube stations on the Northern line.

Location: Heath Lodge, London NW5 1QR.

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If your idea of a perfect bank holiday is a peaceful walk followed by one of the best views in London, Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath should be at the top of your list.

At 98 metres above sea level, Parliament Hill offers a panorama so spectacular that it is legally protected under the London View Management Framework.

On a clear day, you can see St Paul's Cathedral, The Shard, The Gherkin, the London Eye, and the Palace of Westminster all in one sweeping view.

The walk up to the viewpoint is gentle and enjoyable, passing through 790 acres of ancient heathland, rolling meadows, and woodland.

Along the way, keep an eye out for the Hill Garden and Pergola, a hidden early 20th-century raised walkway draped in climbing plants that is one of London's most romantic secret spots, also free and open from 8:30 AM.

The sunset from Parliament Hill is legendary, so plan your visit for late afternoon, bring a blanket, and enjoy one of the most romantic free evenings North London has to offer.

You can reach it from Hampstead Heath Overground, Gospel Oak Overground, or Hampstead tube on the Northern line.

Whether you are with friends, kids, or your partner, Brent Cross Shopping Centre is a brilliant base for your North London bank holiday.

Between the escape rooms, walks in the park and street food adventures, there is more than enough to fill a full day, and you can always discover something unexpected at places like Florescenza.

Brent Cross Shopping Centre offers a variety of surprises, unmissable experiences, and must-see moments all year round in a stress-free environment.

You can plan your visit to Brent Cross here to see how you can visit by car, taxi, train, bus, or bike.

If you visit by car, you will be surprised to find that parking in the multi-storey car park is completely free.

And if you are coming with an EV, you can charge your vehicle with RAW Charging's EV charging points, making Brent Cross one of London's largest EV charging hubs.