Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Stranded in South West London

44 replies

Subeccoo · 25/08/2020 08:58

I'm in South West London for 2 days. I have young adult dc and a one year old gc. Kids are very easy going, but our relatives house is not baby friendly and we need to find something to do today.
The obvious museums are booked or shut today.
Can anyone help with ideas? We'd prefer not to travel too far but I guess a train journey is something to do at least!!

OP posts:
Lightsabre · 25/08/2020 09:00

Battersea Park?

Original poster
Subeccoo · 25/08/2020 09:01

Sorry forgot to say, the weather is awful, so all the parks are a no go

OP posts:
SquirmOfEels · 25/08/2020 09:05

The rain is meant to be clearing up, so Battersea Park, or Crystal Palace Park later on

Or a walk along the Thames Path? You pass some playgrounds, so you can tire the little one out

Spotting the deer in Richmond Park? (Also playground there by one of the gates at the NW side of the park)

Ifailed · 25/08/2020 09:08

"SW London" is quite a large area, can you be a bit more specific?

SquirmOfEels · 25/08/2020 09:08

If you really want indoors, then Horniman Museum (you need to book) or perhaps Dulwich Picture Gallery

DillonPanthersTexas · 25/08/2020 09:10

If you really want indoors, then Horniman Museum (you need to book) or perhaps Dulwich Picture Gallery

I would get a refund on that compass if I were you Grin

SquirmOfEels · 25/08/2020 09:13

Yes, SE postcodes, but easy reach from across most of SW London, and OP hasn't specified which bit!

What do you suggest instead?

SquirmOfEels · 25/08/2020 09:16

Cinemas are open

Kew Gardens is not fully booked for today, and has mix of indoor and outdoor stuff to do (not fully open, but good info on website)

Original poster
Subeccoo · 25/08/2020 09:18

We're in Richmond.
Just looked at bbc and yeah supposed to be dry after lunch so fingers crossed we can make a day out of it!
Would still love to hear ideas, I visit here many many times a year but never really explore. I have a 15 yo ds who comes with me every time so anything he would be interested in is good too.
And thanks Grin

OP posts:
AiryFairy1 · 25/08/2020 09:19

The Imperial War Museum has availability for today (I just checked for our Day Out, but everyone in the house seems to suddenly be allergic to rain 🙄) it’s a 9 min walk from Elephant and Castle tube (Northern Line) and also close to Lambeth North.

KitNCaboodle · 25/08/2020 09:19

Where in SW are you? Do you have wet weather gear to go puddle jumping in Bushy or Richmond Park?
Is Hampton Court open? That might have availability.

KitNCaboodle · 25/08/2020 09:20

Just reread it. Don’t think the 15 year old would appreciate puddle jumping too much. 😂

mynameiscalypso · 25/08/2020 09:20

What about Barnes Weltand Centre?

Original poster
Subeccoo · 25/08/2020 09:22

No we didn't come ready for rain, bit stupid but dgc is one and not a walker so she's a bit confined to the buggy anyway.
Kew is a good shout and dd, mum to dgc is under 25 so cheaper entry wahoo. Turns out the lads are happy to game all day so just me, dd and dgc to appease.
I like the idea of kew, been meaning to go for years.
Keep em coming though, we'll make a fabulous day of it

OP posts:
Original poster
Subeccoo · 25/08/2020 09:23

Dd wants to see the crap dinosaurs in crystal Palace Park and I think there's a maze there too so that would be fun for a bit..

OP posts:
ChaBishkoot · 25/08/2020 09:25

Kew.
Kew Bridge Steam Museum.
Richmond has a good library with a good children’s section. And then they can play in Richmond Green outside. There’s a nice ice cream shop there too.
Richmond Park is very very nice as well.

TweetleBeetlesBattle · 25/08/2020 09:26

Hampton Court Palace is in easy reach and has availability for today and tomorrow.

ChaBishkoot · 25/08/2020 09:26

For lunch I can recommend the Victoria in East Sheen which has a children’s playground at the back. And for a posher lunch I can recommend the Dysart Arms which is opposite the Petersham entrance to Richmond Park (and there are some huge playgrounds there).

Applesandpears23 · 25/08/2020 09:28

With this wind I wouldn’t go anywhere with trees!

DillonPanthersTexas · 25/08/2020 09:29

What do you suggest instead?

Well if the forecast is right the weather should be clearing up after lunch so you have Kew Gardens and Hampton Court Palace. If the OP is more central the south Bank walk from Waterloo all the way to London Bridge is always pretty nice. Richmond Park has been mentioned with perhaps a coffee in Barnes Village afterwards. Take a river cruise from Putney all the way to Hampton Court.

theconstantinoplegardener · 25/08/2020 09:30

Have a look at Thames River Boats. They do a 45 minute cruise from Richmond landing stage. You can book online.

DillonPanthersTexas · 25/08/2020 09:33

Dysart Arms

Not been there, will have to check it out👍

Always found the Victoria a bit up its own arse.

larrygrylls · 25/08/2020 09:34

I would bite the bullet and walk in Richmond Park. The views are fantastic and the deer are out.

Both cafes are open for sandwiches and cake, or walk around the park and combine it with some shopping in Richmond and lunch.

It is not forecast to rain hard and it is warm, just wear a waterproof jacket and I assume the one year old has a pushchair with a rain cover...

Verite1 · 25/08/2020 09:34

Going to be nice tomorrow (and later today). I would repeat battersea Park. We are other side of London but travel there for a change sometimes as so nice. Also Kew Gardens are lovely but you will have to book.

Verite1 · 25/08/2020 09:35

If museums national army museum is in Chelsea and is surprisingly good fun