Swiss Cottage Community Centre (19 Winchester Rd., 0207 586 5272) holds various children (and new mother) classes so it's worth stopping by to see if anything interests you. The Centre also has a drop-in centre as well as a play scheme and upstairs is a decent cafe that does children's basic foods (fishfingers etc.) Just behind the Centre in the square is a small playpark and a splashy fountain in the summer. The Swiss Cottage Library is within the same complex as the Swiss Cottage Community and the Leisure Centre (see below). They have toys for little ones as well as some activities and is worth stopping by in person. The C11 stops close by as does the 46.

 

         Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre 0207 974 2012, Adelaide Rd: The Leisure Centre has a teaching pool that -- provided it's working -- is warm and comfortable with clean changing rooms. (NB the main pool is very cold.) The Centre also has a soft play area, gym classes for children and adults and a creche. Rascals climbing frame can be fun but I don't find it particularly well supervised on the weekend so not a great choice unless your child can take care of him/her self. The cafe (Del'Aziz) is lovely but really crowded on the weekend. Again, it's worth checking out in person to see if there's something that might interest you. Birthday parties a possibility.

 

       Talacre Sports Centre (Dalby Street NW5 0207 974 8765): Has hysterically popular gymnastics classes for over threes as well as "baby gym" times in the morning. Football classes for over threes and tennis at age 5 is also available.Treetops climbing frame is safe for little ones BEFORE 3 pm when schools let out and the savages take over. Having said that, it is well supervised in the afternoon. Birthday parties possible. Rather mediocre and frantic cafe serves up decent coffee but food is strictly for the kids unless you are really hungry. The 46 bus stops in front while the 24 is not far.

 

If you have a child three and under, you should register with Surestart (surestart.kentishtown@camden.gov.uk, 0207 974 8961), especially if you live near or in Kentish Town. Lots of play groups, creches and other support services for parents with young children. www.euston.surestart.org 

 

You should also pick up the Camden Information Under 5s booklet (phone 0207 974 1679 for a copy.) 

 

 

 

At some point, you will want to leave your street so unless you drive, you may want to get familiar with the various bus routes in and out of Belsize Park/Hampstead. NB if your stroller is wider than the average MacLaren you will find it difficult to get down the aisle.

 

46: Starts in the City and stops right in front of Talacre Sports Centre in Kentish Town, turns right up Malden Rd, left on Fleet Rd. left again up Pond Street (Royal Free Hospital on your left), up Rosslyn Hill, left on Heath Street and down Fitzjohns, past Swiss Cottage station to Maida Vale. It's the only bus that goes to and from Talacre from Swiss Cottage, Hampstead and Belsize Park. At a pinch, the 24 (just around the corner from Talacre) goes from Malden Rd. to South End Green (Royal Free Hospital.)

 

C11: Starts at Archway Tube Station (very close to the Archway Pool) winds its way past the Highgate Newtown Community Centre, down Swains Lane, down Dartmouth Park Rd (Heath tennis courts on your right) and then right on Mansfield Rd. (close to the Kentish Town farm on your left and Hampstead Heath on the right) up Fleet Rd. and Pond Street, taking a left down Haverstock Hill, past Belsize Park tube station. The C11 then takes a right on England's Lane and then a left down Primrose Hill Rd. At the intersection, it takes a right on Adelaide Rd. and drops you off right in front of the Leisure Centre/Library and not far from the Community Centre. The C11 then carries up the Finchley Rd. before turning left at the Waitrose on to Broadhurst Gardens and then on towards Brent Cross Shopping Centre.

 

268: This bus starts at the O2 Centre, goes down the Finchley Rd., left on College Crescent and then joins up with Belsize Avenue. The 268 then takes a left on Haverstock Hill and then up through Rosslyn Hill and then right on Heath Street until it gets to the round-about near Jack Straw's Castle and then down Golders Hill (there's a stop at right in front of the park) to end at Golders Green Station.

 

168: Starts off at South End Green, up Pond St., then left on Haverstock Hill, where it follows the road down through Chalk Farm, Camden, Euston and beyond.

 

So most places are fairly reachable by bus, with one notable exception -- Primrose Hill Park!