Central Park Water Play

The water play area in Central Park is where London parents send kids to burn off energy on a hot day. It's nothing fancy - a series of fountains, jets and shallow pools that switch on during summer months, designed so children can paddle about without much risk. You'll find families camped out on the surrounding grass from late morning onwards, kids dripping wet and squealing as they dodge the spray.

It works best for under-tens who don't need structured entertainment. Older kids tend to find it a bit tame after twenty minutes or so, though on scorching days it serves a genuine purpose. The setup means you can actually sit nearby with a book or coffee while keeping an eye on things, which counts for something.

There's no charge to use it, which is the main appeal. Allow an hour if you're treating it as a destination, though realistically most families drop in whilst exploring the wider park. Summer holidays are rammed, so go on a weekday morning if you can stomach it. Weekends turn into a bit of a scrum.

If you're staying at Abbey Wood Experience Freedom Glamping just down the road, this scratches a particular itch on hot afternoons without requiring a full day's commitment. It's functional rather than thrilling, but that's exactly what makes it useful. The park itself offers plenty more to explore beyond the water features.