West London things to do

[decafskinnylatte]

It's official. Following recent resignation from fullish time job, I'm now a full time SAHM of 2(ds 4 and dd 23 months). Below is a list of my kids' favourite localish places (we're in Twickers) to visit. I'd be v grateful if any of you W.Londoners could add any more and any practical comments. Thanks!

Bushy Park
Kew Gardens (is C&C as mad during the week as it is at weekends??)
Heathrow Gym
Richmond Park & Stag Lodge (riding)
NOT Snakes & Ladders
Pools in the Park
Hampton open air pool in summer
Marble Hill playground
Lollipop
Pottery Cafe
...and further afield...
Garsons Farm PYO
Bocketts Farm
Chessington
Legoland
....wracking my brains for more....

Chiswick Play cafe Dukes Road Chiswick

Dandelion play cafe in Chiswick House Grounds (and the grounds themselves)

Swallows Gym Rusilip (a bit like Heathrow one but not open as much but does have tiny cafe)

Theres a playground with a paddling pool near Kew for the summer North Sheen rec I think.

Bunny Park, Hanwell (animals, playgrounds, cafe, big park)

Theres a soft play place in Richmond, Hugos I think

One o'clock club Indoor and outdoor play Isleworth Redlees park, open every day

Pitshanger play centre Pitshanger Park Ealing

Wacky warehouse A40

Hi there, I'm a SAHM in Twickenham with a 3.5yr old DS. C&C is a bit quieter during the week but it's best to go when it opens in the morning as it can fill up with boisterous 8 year old when there is a school trip - the school lunch place is right next door and they tend to have play just before or after lunch.

Also try Playtime in Shepperton

www.playtime-centre.co.uk/

which is a nice soft play.

River Crane Walk which goes right past the playground at Kneller Gardens.

Lookout Discovery Centre in Bracknell, pretty much on the way to Legoland via the M3

www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/lookout/

London Wetland Centre in Barnes (never been there myself but heard good things)

www.wwt.org.uk/visit/wetlandcentre/howto.asp

Thanks Alex and Susie - there's plenty there I've not come across before. I'm sure we'll have no problem filling our days, especially when summer arrives.

Good point re C&C, Susie. I'll make sure we go ewarly. We tend to avoid it like the plague at w/ends and head for the badgers' sett instead.

Is your ds in nursery at all or do you have him full time? I'll be taking my ds out of nursery now until he starts school (I'm keeping dd in for a couple of mornings).

Wetland Centre as mentioned by susie now has the Xplore outside adventure playground which is really really good. Knocks C&C into a cocked hat in my opinion (assuming the weather is good)

You know there's a regular W / SW London Mumsnet monthly evening meetup and hosts of daytime meets for the SAHMs (see the Meetups section of MN)? Lots and lots of local information and recommendations to be gleaned there.

Thanks! I will def. check out the Wetland centre. I've never actually been.

I've seen the West London meet up thread but from a quick glance it looked so well established I felt a bit shy to jump in!

Really, half the people have only been around for a few months -- yes, there are the old stalwarts who've known each other for a couple of years, but they're in the minority. SAHMs in particular blend right in and you forget they've not always been around.

Hi everyone, i'm in the same area
Have you seen this thread about mumsnet local ? Link is in the first post. MN Towers want us to add info like this to their database.

Wetland centre sounds good.
For indoor sofat play and nice ecafe Playtime in Shepperton is nice.

DS is in Montessori nursery for one whole day and two mornings. I'll probably take him out for the summer before he starts school which won;t be till 2008.

Hi Chippy. Thanks for the note re mumsnet local. I'll take a look. p.s. nice cakes (couldn't resist a peek at your profile).

Lemonaid - you're right; I'm being silly re meetup thread. Hopefully see you all there soon!

Susie - how does your ds find Montessori? I'm considering moving my dd to another nursery for her reduced sessions now that I don't need full time, year round care so have been checking out the local options.

DS loves Montessori. He started at 2 and it is especially good for him as he is way ahead in some ways (reading and maths) and way behind in others (talking and socialising). The children are mixed up rather than being in year groups. and every couple of months they start a new big project. The last one was dinosaurs and they have just changed over to doing springtime, so now DS is pointing out and counting daffodils wherever we see them.

Have a look at this site to find some more places in West London.

I am now going to check out some of the recommendations myself as well as Mumsnet local.

Hi, has anybody tried the new softplay centre (Kidzone) in Isleworth. I can't find any info re. opening times but a brief review on the Hounslow website says its a great play for the under 5's. Any views would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hi there. I am looking for things to do in the Hounslow area on Mondays and Tuesday. I have recently gone back to work part time and my 13 month DD has Mon & Tues with her Grandma. Needs to be accessible with public transport. I think DD could do with a bit more than the park and High Street! Any ideas will be appreciated.

Hi SweetP, there isn't a great deal to be honest. The Heathrow Gymnastic Club playgym is good and is close to a bus route. When I had a broken arm and had to use public transport I used to take DS to the Childsplay Cafe in Chiswick as I could get there directly on the H91 bus. Also the Redlees Centre in Isleworth has a play session for under 5s from 1pm to 4pm and I should think you would be able to get a bus there.

SweetP, forgot to mention Gymboree in St Margarets - a bus ride from Hounslow. They've got lots of classes suitable for a 13 month old.

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I meant Here

decaff - Lemonaid is right - we're not as old (in MN years) as we sound and we were all new once! I haven;t known some of the MN crew very long but they have become good RL friends and becuase there are a few of us and a mixture of SAHM and WOHM and single vs parntered there is often someone around to meet up with if you need company.

Lurk on the thread and join in a daytime meet if you prefer first, it is easier to break the ice with DC's around.

I second what SUe has said. I have only been in that group since the beginning of the year but have been made very welcome indeed. Been to a fair few meet-ups already (both day and evening). It is a bit scary at first but plunge right in and you will be fine.

and there are a gazillion meet ups at Kew over the summer! So you have probably met half of us already wihtout knowing it!

cov has only been welcomed because she makes cakes and quiches.

Ohh hello Sue and Lemonaid - see someone else has mentioned Ruislip! At long last I'm getting the message across.

We really are a friendly bunch and please don't feel as though you are imposing - it would be nice to meet a few new faces seeing as the "old" ones are no longer around during the day . Okay, I know I'm one of the "old ones"!!

Hi CoV - cross posting again!!

There is also Funky Monkeys next door to ASDA in Hounslow