Barnard Park, ping-pong in Islington

Photo: Time Out

Barnard Park: Ping Pong in Islington, London

FreeWalk-inOutdoor tableGroupsFamily

Copenhagen Street, London ยท N1 0ER

Barnard Park is a free outdoor table tennis spot in Barnsbury, run by Islington Council. It is one of around ten Islington parks with a permanent concrete ping pong table you can just walk up to and play, no booking and no charge. The catch is simple: there are no bats or balls on site, so bring your own. It suits casual knockabouts, families and anyone who wants a quick game without paying or planning ahead. The table sits in a ten-acre green space off Copenhagen Street, alongside a football pitch, playground and tennis courts. If you are after a relaxed, low-cost game in the open air near Angel and Caledonian Road, this does the job. Best in daylight and dry weather, since it is an outdoor council table with no cover.

The ping pong setup

There is a permanent outdoor table tennis table here, the kind of solid council table you find dotted around Islington's parks. It is free play, first come first served, so you do not book a slot or pay a fee. What you will not find is kit: there are no bats or balls provided, so pack your own before you head over. The table sits within the wider park, which also has a football pitch, tennis courts and a playground, so it works well as part of a longer visit rather than a dedicated venue.

Good to know

Barnard Park is on Copenhagen Street in Barnsbury, a ten-acre green space and one of the larger parks in the area. Being a council table outdoors, it is exposed to the weather, so aim for a dry day and daylight hours. Nearest stations are Angel and Caledonian Road, and buses 153 and 274 stop on Copenhagen Street. There is no cafe at the table itself, though you are a short walk from shops and pubs around Caledonian Road and Barnsbury for food and drink afterwards.

Get directions

Common questions

What is Barnard Park?
Barnard Park is a public park in Barnsbury, Islington, with a free outdoor table tennis table run by the council, alongside a football pitch, tennis courts and a playground.
Is the table tennis at Barnard Park free?
Yes. It is one of around ten Islington parks with a free-to-use outdoor table tennis table. There is no charge and no booking.
Do I need to book or can I just turn up?
You just walk up and play. It is free play on a first come, first served basis, so no booking is needed.
Do I need to bring my own bats and balls?
Yes. The council table is free to use but no bats or balls are provided, so bring your own.
How many table tennis tables are there?
There is one outdoor table at Barnard Park. If you want more, Rosemary Gardens in Islington has four.
What is the nearest station to Barnard Park?
Angel and Caledonian Road tube stations are both close, and buses 153 and 274 stop on Copenhagen Street.

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