Day trip from London tomorrow

[HotandSweatyBetty]

I'm awful at making decisions - please tell me where to go!

• me and a 5yo
• public transport only (or possibly including a short taxi ride)
• travelling from near Stratford
• obviously it will be hot 🥵

Everywhere woll be heaving, would you enjoy the lake and park at the Olympic stadium, does it need to be a day out. Mudlarking in the city can be fun, what does your child like to do.

@MissMoneyFairy the Olympic park is the plan for Monday.

I thought you needed a licence for mudlarking?

Maybe the fountains at Somerset House and a bus ride to St James’ Park to see the pelicans?

Yes you do,sorry. What about the young V&A museum, lots of kids activities or Victoria Park with a picnic.

@Pandorea thanks, could do. I was more thinking of going out of London where it might be slightly cooler (I can hope!)

Do not do the Olympic park. West Ham are playing their final game of the season. It will be heaving. Avoid stratford station or trying to get back to your hotel at those times too as it will be very busy.

Trains are cool and there is lots of room on beaches of
margate or whitstable.

@MissMoneyFairy have you been to the young v&a recently? I went quite soon after the renovation and really wasn't impressed, but maybe it's improved?

Vicky park is a possibility though.

Any thoughts on day trips out of town?

Get the train to Windsor. Hire a rowing boat for some time on the river then take a picnic to the Great Park and sit under a tree in the shade.

Southend or Leigh on sea for the seaside? Direct train from Stratford

@SwiftyMum21 I actually live here but donnot follow football so had no idea west ham were playing - thanks for the heads up! I will check match times!

Oooh, Windsor is an idea!

Trains are cool and there is lots of room on beaches of
margate or whitstable.

Just thought, check for engineering work. I know there is some this weekend, but didn't pay proper attention because I wasn't planning to travel.

Yes you can get a High Speed train from Stratford. But it's not all that High Speed once it gets into Kent because it stops nearly everywhere and can be pretty crowded in fine weather in holidays.

Whitstable is shingle/pebbles, Margate is sand. Broadstairs is nice too.

@Sprig1 is it tricky to get from the train station to the Great Park? I've never been (except for Lego land)

Has anyone been to Canterbury and would you recommend? 🤔

About 45 minutes from Stratford to Folkestone. Easy walk down to the beach and the harbour. Busy but not mad busy today.

Canterbury is great. The Beany House is a lovely museum and will have something special on for half-term. Westgate gardens is lovely for a run around and there's a playground just beyond.

Southend on Sea? Fairly easy to get to from E London

Has anyone been to Canterbury and would you recommend?

Frequently. I don't know that I'd recommend it for a 5yo, especially if you've got a longish train journey to get there. Depends what s/he is into. There's a new Canterbury Tales attraction just opened. You can take a boat trip on the river. Or just walk around looking at the old buildings. Cathedral is quite expensive and 5yo is probably a bit young for it.

And like I said, do check for engineering works if travelling into Kent.

Margate? Hastings? It’s significantly cooler on the coast….

How about Deal?

Wet Ham are playing tomorrow so it should be fine there on Monday.

Kew. Been today. Gorgeous

Have a look at Royal Gunpowder Mills. It's near Waltham Cross, so a short train ride from Stratford and it is wooded so should be relatively cool.

There are 2 rail stations in Windsor. From Stratford, you are probably best to go via Slough. The train station that you will arrive at is a 5 minute walk from the grounds behind Windsor castle (Home Park?). You can have your picnic in there or keep walking if you want to go the Great Park. I expect Windsor will be busy.