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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Hampton Court or Kew Gardens

19 replies

kittya · 24/07/2010 23:02

with three under tens? I want to take them somewhere they can run around, if the weather is nice. Ive never been to either.

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TheMoonOnAStick · 24/07/2010 23:09

Took dc to Hampton Court a couple of yrs ago and it was excellent. The gardens are lovely and the house part is very well done. Lots of actors dressed up which brings it all to life and things to see. The kitchens were esp interesting.

I seem to remember Kew Gardens from when I was small, (about 100 years ago) It was nice, but to me back then, I thought it was just a pretty park really. Not sure I appreciated it as much as I probably should've.

domesticslattern · 24/07/2010 23:09

Definitely Kew Gardens, unless they are doing the Tudor period at school or summat. Kew Gardens has really good playgrounds, including a brand new one with zip wire etc. It's good for really little ones too eg. sandpit, ride-ons. The treetop walk is really fantastic as well if you have a head for heights. And one of the glass houses has free flying butterflies at the moment. And kids go free (£7 each at Hampton Court). ps. Take a picnic though as the catering is dire.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 24/07/2010 23:09

hampton court - lots of variety.

TheMoonOnAStick · 24/07/2010 23:10

Oh blimey it sounds like a totally different place to when I went!

MaryAnnSingleton · 24/07/2010 23:10

another vote for Kew

BellevilleRendezvous · 24/07/2010 23:13

kew is great. they have just got new caterers which seems to have improved food offering somewhat. great playground near the car park as well as indoor educational / play thing. other playground with zip wire is a bit of a walk away but worth it (and helps for tiring out dcs anyway).

MaryAnnSingleton · 24/07/2010 23:15

treetop walk and giant badger sett too

bluecheesedip · 24/07/2010 23:23

Kew is amazing - we take ds's 7,5 & 3 often and they're never ready to leave Have also been to Hampton Court and enjoyed it but Kew definitely wins.

Original poster
kittya · 24/07/2010 23:24

Oh, now Im confused!! The nine year old has just done the Tudors but, the Tower of London may fulfill that do you think? Kew is nearer and sounds cheaper. Where else would you reccomend? The 8 year old wants to go to the V and A but I didnt think it was really for that age group? Its so long since Ive been.

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domesticslattern · 24/07/2010 23:51

V&A is very interesting actually. Even small children can enjoy looking at things in it, though it doesn't have the hands-on, running-around-waving-things factor. As it's free and next to the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum (also free), it might be worth trying it out and then if you don't like it just crossing the road to go to another museum?

God I love Kew Gardens, all of this talking about it makes me want to go tomorrow!

Original poster
kittya · 24/07/2010 23:59

we will go on Tuesday, the day after legoland!! its going to be exhausting!

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DilysPrice · 25/07/2010 00:00

Kew's really good, it'll certainly tire them out - take comfortable shoes and a big water bottle.

V&A has good arty-crafty sessions in the summer holidays - check the website to see what's on on the day you want to go. It's got some hands on exhibits as well. Also you can paddle in the big pond in the garden in the middle if it's warm.

Original poster
kittya · 25/07/2010 09:52

Oh that sounds good fun. I think we are sorted then. Any good places to eat nearby?

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domesticslattern · 25/07/2010 19:09

There is a Pret a Manger and a Carluccios next to South Kensington station (turn left as you come up the stairs). You could take a picnic to eat on the lawn of the Natural History Museum, or anywhere non-carpeted (!) in the Science Museum. Or wander up to Kensington Gardens.

For Kew Gardens, we tend to pick up a picnic before we go TBH. Another option is the Pizza Express near Kew Gardens station: here.

Original poster
kittya · 25/07/2010 20:38

and, we could use our Tescos vouchers for Pizza Express. We will go there on Wednesday, they say it will rain on Tuesday so, that will be a museum day. Im exhausted already!

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SomeGuy · 25/07/2010 22:33

kew gardens is much better than Hampton Court. Hampton Court Palace gardens are free October 1st to March 31st. I would go at the end of March and save paying.

Kewcumber · 25/07/2010 23:48

you can get 20% of kew ticket if you google kew gardens vouchers, if all the different things are too far for you splash out on the train which is £4 for adult and £1 for child.

Kew has a pizza express about 1 min walk from teh tube and victoria gate is only about 5 min walk from tube.

Outdoor playground is good nd th e greenhouss always fun on a rainy day. We virtually live there in summer..

Kew also does various activities over the summer hols

Kewcumber · 25/07/2010 23:51

www.kew.org/visit-kew-gardens/summer-2010/index.htm

Original poster
kittya · 27/07/2010 22:48

we will arrive at 11 tomorrow, hope thats a good time.

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