Places to go with 2 year old, within 20 miles of Farnborough, Hampshire

[nannynick]

Hi all,

I am getting bored of my usual places to visit with children, so thought I'd ask for your suggestions.

Tomorrow (Wed 11 April) I am caring for a 2 year old boy. I would like some suggestions on places to visit, ideally within 20 miles of Farnborough, Hampshire... though can be a little over that mileage if necessary.

Would like to avoid Indoor softplay type places.

Would like suggestions for outdoor locations - as looks like it may be a nice day.

Many thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Legoland at Windsor? Quite expensive tho.

I have season pass for Legoland so it is an option, though I do go VERY often at the moment.

we are going to go there sometome soonish - it's v. v. good, so much to do, isn't it?

How about Wellington country park

see here

Leogland is great... I love it, as do the children I care for. Gets a bit busy at times. Off peak (weekdays during school term time) is really nice. The children can spend ages in the playground by theatre.

Pasta Patch has changed the sauces this season, haven't yet found a sauce the children will consider eating. Doughnuts at Papamoles are their favourite of course!

Haven't been to Wellington Country park for years... good suggestion, one to consider.

Bird World just outside Farnham. Also Farnham park to run around an let off steam for free.

Alas I dislike Birdworld, I used to work in Rowledge (village very near Birdworld) so maybe I got sick of the place. Alice Holt forest I still go to though, older children like climbing in the Owl, up the tree etc. Not so great for a (small) 2 year old though I feel.

Watercress line was on my list of places - as he likes trains, but alas it's Thomas at the moment, so can't use my membership card and unlikely to get tickets at short notice.

Keep the suggestions coming... got to go to work soon, back later though.

what about the Thomas the Tank Day, on the Watercress Line - Believe Me, it is Totally FAB. We went last year with ds (then 2) and are going agian , this august - it was THAT GOOD.

thomas

Sorry, doidn't see post about watercress.

nannynick,i don't live there anymore as there wasn't much for the kids to do. Im in North West now, so much more fun he he.....

Not sure if it is near enough but Longdown dairy farm in the new forest is lovely and my 2.5 year old loves it.

Marwell Zoo probably a bit further than 20 miles - but well worth a trip down the M3.

The Lookout at Bracknell is fab.

Milestones museum in Basingstoke.

Aqauadrome pool with flumes and slides etc in Basingstoke.

California Country Park near Wokingham - if he has a little trike or something the path around the lake is beautifully smooth - my dd used to love doing that and feeding the geese there - and it is free and has a playground and cafe !

Trilakes country park in Yateley.

Must be more - will be back if I think of some !

This weekend I am caring for a 4 year old, so we are going to check out Marwell as he has been saying animal names over recent days. There is a thread about this over in Special Needs: Marwell if any of you would like to give tips for how to Survive Marwell.

What about Bocketts Farm near Leatherhead. May seem like a long way away, but we live in Godalming and it only takes us about 35 minutes to get there.

Or there's Fishers Farm Park out on the Surrey/Sussex border. Again not too far, i.e. only takes us about 25 minutes max from Godalming.

Would also vote for Alice Holt - great place to go. Wellington country park is also good but I think it's really expensive for what it is. I've been there twice in the past year or so and it never fails to amaze what a rip off it seems!

Ooh - just realised that you've probably already had your day out! Oh well - consider my tips for next time!!

I go on lots of trips out, so all ideas are appreciated. Especially ideas for unusual places to visit, those of the beaten track as it were.

Can't think of any great examples of that, though perhaps a John Cale Canal boat trip on the Basingstoke Canal from Mytchett Canal Centre would qualify as being a more unusual trip - did the 45 minute boat trip earlier this week.

oooh that sounds good - my dd is desp to go on a barge ! might give that a go !! thanks !