Car Hire Cricklewood

Rows of red-brick terraces and wide green spaces set the easy tone of Cricklewood long before you step out of the car. Tucked between the livelier pull of West Hampstead and Kilburn, it holds onto a quieter, slightly hidden feel despite its nearness to London’s centre. Getting here is straightforward—a smooth turn off the A5 or a steady run along the North Circular.

Mornings can still carry a soft chill even in summer, so it’s worth keeping a jacket in the car. Spring and early autumn suit the town best, when the parks open up and the streets feel alive without the heavy crowds.

Attractions In Cricklewood

We set out thinking we’d tick off a few highlights but Cricklewood had other ideas. Down one street, a sunlit garden square; along another, the buzz of a pop-up market. It’s the kind of place where the best bits sneak up on you when you’re not looking for them.

Dollis Hill House

Hidden within Gladstone Park, Dollis Hill House sits like a whisper from another time. We walked through late in the morning, sunlight brushing the old brickwork. Though only remnants remain, the house still casts a kind of quiet spell. It’s the perfect small stop if you’re easing into the day from Golders Green.

Gladstone Park

Gladstone Park stretches out in a way that almost tricks you. One minute you’re by the neat rows of houses; the next, you’re swallowed up by open lawns, rough meadow grasses and wide skies. The pond is easy to miss if you don’t follow the smaller paths but it’s worth the extra steps.

Wander further and you’ll find the old walled garden, now a little softened by time and an art installation hidden where the trees grow thicker. We ended up circling back without meaning to, losing track of the afternoon altogether—it’s that sort of place.

Paddock

Brook Road leads you quietly to Paddock, a wartime relic more felt than seen. The heavy doors and overgrown walls hint at its hidden life. Although tours are rare, even glimpsing it from outside makes you pause—a small, serious thread woven through Cricklewood’s otherwise easygoing atmosphere.

Mapesbury Dell

We turned off the main road and stumbled into Mapesbury Dell by accident. A handful of benches, a tiny playground and enough trees to muffle the noise of the city—it’s a patch of peace. Closing by 4pm most days, it’s a lovely little reset before carrying on through Harlesden or beyond.

Flip Out Brent Cross

Flip Out Brent Cross is pure, noisy, brilliant chaos. Trampolines cover almost every surface, broken up by foam pits, zip lines and obstacle courses where kids and adults launch themselves into the air with a sort of gleeful abandon.

Even so, it’s remarkably well-run. We visited late on a Saturday and despite the crowds, the parking was straightforward, the check-in quick and the whole building buzzed with good-natured energy. It’s the sort of place that tires everyone out in the best possible way and a handy option when a rainy day hits without warning.

Roundwood Park

Roundwood Park has the sort of understated charm that sneaks up on you. Before heading back towards Kensal Rise, we spent a while wandering its formal gardens, soaking up the soft smell of cut grass. A local café nearby, tucked among the trees, served one of the best scones we’d had all week.

Jewish Museum London

The Jewish Museum London, just off Finchley Road, is small but dense with story. Through personal artefacts, photographs and everyday objects, the museum gives weight to individual histories that might otherwise slip through the cracks. Visiting after a morning around Hampstead made it feel even more intimate, a thoughtful way to ground the day.

Paddington Recreation Ground

We weren’t expecting much at Paddington Recreation Ground—maybe a football pitch and a few swings. Instead, we found a lively, sprawling space full of joggers, tennis players and young families picnicking under big, old trees. The café by the entrance turned out to be a real find, with coffee strong enough to fuel the walk back to the car.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London

Driving up to BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir feels surreal. From the grey roads around Neasden, you suddenly arrive at gleaming white marble, intricate carvings and gardens laid out with geometric precision.

We joined a quiet midday tour, shoes off, feet cool against the polished stone and left feeling quietly awed.

Fryent Country Park

There’s a stillness to Fryent Country Park that hits you as soon as you leave the car. No traffic hum, no rush of people—just tall grass moving in slow waves and the occasional call of a bird somewhere out of sight.

We followed the paths half by accident, trusting the curves of the land rather than any particular route. It felt endless at times, the woods folding out into fields, the fields folding back into woods. After an hour of wandering, we realised we hadn’t crossed another soul. If you’re looking for breathing space near Hendon, it’s hard to imagine a better place.

Food, Sleep And Slow Wanders

Spending time in Cricklewood is all about settling into the quieter corners between bigger journeys. Along Cricklewood Broadway, you’ll find plenty of relaxed places to refuel. We stopped at Taste of Lahore, a longstanding favourite for generous plates of tandoori chicken wings and lamb curries, with the warm clatter of families and friends always filling the air.

For a place to stay, the Clayton Crown Hotel (formerly the Crown Moran) stands out with its grand, slightly old-world feel. Its easy parking and spacious rooms make it a practical base if you’re exploring by car. The on-site restaurant, PanAsia, serves up a mix of Asian flavours that fits well after a day spent wandering.

If you’re after something quick before heading home, Golden Grill on the Broadway offers no-frills kebabs, burgers and chips well into the early morning—handy when the streets start to quiet and you’re still after a proper meal.