Please add to my list of places to go/things to see for this summer

[chicaguapa]

I know summer is a long way off still, we haven't even got to the Easter holidays yet! But it feels like summer and I may start my visiting frenzy early.

Thanks to a brilliant suggestion on another thread, I am going to draw up a list of all the places we never usually have time to go to because we can't get ourselves out of bed at a decent time at the weekends are too busy and then tick them off over the holidays. This is going to be in place of a summer holiday so they don't have to be free places as the entry fee will come out of our very small holiday budget.

So any recommendations? I realise this is a bit vague but we live in Hampshire and DCs are 9&6, if that helps. We are happy to drive places and may even stay over in a nearby youth hostel if neccessary. I'm thinking of days out rather than holiday destinations. I'm thinking of it as the mn version of the book Bo**cks to Alton Towers! Though we love Alton Towers too.

It would be lovely to unearth some hidden gems. Thanks.

Bluewater, loads of stuff to do as well as shopping IIRC

One of those pottery painting places

The body shop factory near littlehampton (if it still exists). Littlehampton itself is a nice little seaside town IIRC

Musical in London expensive but very much worth and they have matinees on some weekdays where you can get cheap tickets at those stalls in Leicester square

Street theatre in covent garden- nice shops, restaurants and cafes around there to

Day trip to the Isle of Wight
Corfe Castle in Dorset
London - Greenwich Observatory and Park, Docklands Light Railway
Intech in Winchester

Warwick Castle
Windsor Castle
Hampton Court
Transport Museum, Covent Garden
National Trust properties - often have children's activities
Henley Rowing Museum

RHS Wisley will definitely have children's events and has a maize maze in the summer.

Thank you. Never been to Hampton Court and had forgotten I've wanted to go. Isle of Wight is a good idea too. Though at how all these places add up!

I think we might go to London for a few days and stay in a youth hostel. I've never done the whole London thing with DC yet and you can't get much done in a day.

Paultons park
Marwell zoo
Mary Rose/Victory at Portsmouth
New Forest

Depending on where you are in Hampshire, if you are close(ish) to Crawley (West Sussex) Tulleys farm is pretty good. In July and August they have a HUGE maize maze which is themed every year and have lots of other attractions there, ie bouncy slide, trampolines, panning for gold, tractor rides etc. Can be a really good day out and often get discount vouchers in local paper

If you are going to London in August, there is free outdoor theatre at the Scoop near City Hall. It starts at about 5:30pm

Arrive early and bring a blanket to sit on.
We have been for the last 3 years and really enjoy it.
www.morelondon.com.

In London the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich is free and has a good hands-on section as well as activities some days, and then you can walk up the hill to the Astronomy Museum at the observatory - also free. Though you will have to pay if you want to go to a show in the planetarium. Fabulous views fom the top of the hill.
Imperial War Museum free. London Transport Museum is good but not free.
Walk from Suthwark Cathedral by London Bridge all along the South Bank, passing The Clink, the replica of the Golden Hinde, Tate Modern, the Millenium Bridge, The Globe Theatre, then to the South Bank by the Eye where all the street performers entertain you. Pick up lovely food at Borough Market to have as a picnic on a bench over looking the river.

Tate Modern is free, interesting and again great views over the river from the coffee bar on the upper level. Fantastic buuilding to explore.

Take a boat down to Greenwich, or even up to Hampton Court - though that's a long trip. Get train back.