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

Original poster

Anyone from kew or thereabouts could give me some advice ?

25 replies

wheelybug · 11/04/2007 13:10

Hello

am meeting a friend tomorrow - the half way point being around kew or just north of river. Don't really want to do kew as we went at the w/e and its quite expensive (didn't renew membership this yr !). Considering Syon Park but just wondered if there were any other suggestions with 2, 2 year olds ??

Can you walk along river ? Is there a 'normal' children's park anywhere ?

Many thanks

OP posts:
fridayschild · 11/04/2007 13:13

You can walk along the river to Putney or Richmond, depending if you go left or right

I think there's a playpark on the east side of Kew Bridge, on the Kew side but wouldn't swear to it...

suejonez · 11/04/2007 13:19

yes there is a small playground under the arches of Kew bridge on the Kew side (not the Brentford side) - not sure I'd make an effort to travel to it though. Childs play cafe in Chiswick is OK - £3.50 per child and you can park in Chiswick house carpark off A4 and walk over

Original poster
wheelybug · 11/04/2007 13:22

thanks. Perhaps we'd better just go for syon park or kew then... hmm...

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suejonez · 11/04/2007 13:25

I'm told there is a nice play area in Cambridge park north of the river but I haven't been there.

TeeCee · 11/04/2007 13:26

Syon PArk is lovely though.

suejonez · 11/04/2007 13:32

or how about old deer park

suejonez · 11/04/2007 13:35

or north sheen rec has a paddling pool and is really in Kew

Original poster
wheelybug · 11/04/2007 13:39

The old deer park is an idea... is there anywhere easily walkable for lunch from there ?

At Syon - are there any ducks ?? Bizarre question I know but just trying to work out where would be best for teh children !

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TeeCee · 11/04/2007 14:12

I don't know about ducks but Syon Park has the Butterfly house, the repltile house and snakes and ladders as well as the stately home and lots of grounds.

TeeCee · 11/04/2007 14:16

Syon Parks Butterfly House

Syon Parks Snakes & Ladders Acitity thing for kids

Syon PArks Aquatic Experience

Original poster
wheelybug · 11/04/2007 14:18

Thanks Teecee - I was thinking snakes and ladders might be packed given it was still school hols but the butterfly house/aquatics might be fun.

Have emailed kew/syon to the friend I am meeting and she can decide which she likes the look of but if we don't go to syon tomorrow will go soon I think, it looks great (can't believe I haven't been before I'm only about 20 mins from it !)

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foxinsocks · 11/04/2007 14:21

we've just come back from Syon Park and it was fab. We only did the Reptile House bit but the kids got to have a python round their necks and stroke a hissing cockroach (ewww), bearded dragon, lizard, iguana, baby croc and feed lots of the animals. They have specific times for all of this.

Other option (not too far off the south circ and with lots of ducks) is the Wetland Centre in Barnes.

TeeCee · 11/04/2007 14:23

oh yeah, I've always wanted to go to the wetland centre in Barnes.

Syn Park truly is lovely. I've been a few times and loved it each time. Butterfly house can be very warm in this weather though so take water in with you.

Earlybird · 11/04/2007 14:31

I've never been to the Syon Park Kid's activity centre, but fwiw my old nanny vowed to never go there again as it was so dirty/smelly with dire food. That was a few years ago, so it may have improved now.

TeeCee · 11/04/2007 14:33

I found the activity park bit at Syon Park to be neither dirty or smelly, it just full of kids all being mad and having fun. I didn't eat in there though, we took our own picnic.

Earlybird · 11/04/2007 14:36

TeeCee - were you there recently? If so, maybe it has improved.

Old nanny had been a big fan of it for many years, but vowed not to go again (this was 3 years ago) after one too many dire trips. She even wrote to management to complain!

Original poster
wheelybug · 11/04/2007 14:36

thanks fox - I know the wetlands centre - I am meeting a friend coming round the north circular and kew/syon is probably a bit nearer me as it is so wetlands probably a bit too far. But, another one to add to the summer to do list.

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suejonez · 11/04/2007 14:54

if you do go to Old Deer park there are cafes on the main kew road to eat at.

TeeCee · 11/04/2007 14:59

EarlyBird, this would have been maybe a year and a half ago.

foxinsocks · 11/04/2007 15:02

TeeCee, I didn't know you were from this neck of the woods.

There used to be a nice cafe at Chiswick House too (but I haven't been there for ages so don't know if it is still OK) with loads of space to run around.

suejonez · 11/04/2007 15:33

oh yes fox - I hadn;t thought of that - its good if the sun is out and they don;t allow dogs in that bit of the garden. I haven't been there for ages though.

TeeCee · 11/04/2007 15:44

Foxy - I'm a sinner from Pinner

fridayschild · 12/04/2007 15:38

We took DS1 to the butterfly house when he was 2 and it was scary, all those things fluttering about unpredictably. He likes it now he's older.

DSs love the snakes and ladders place. I think it is overheated with overpriced unhealthy food and try not to go - Eddicatz in Putney does overpriced less unhealthy food, we go there instead.

kslatts · 12/04/2007 16:26

If you go to Syon Park they have a lovely garden centre with maidenhead aquatics which selld lovely fish (including marine fish), my dd's love looking round there and it's free.

Original poster
wheelybug · 12/04/2007 17:46

Just in case anyone has spent the wondering about what we did () - we did go to Syon. we decided to start off in the gardens and made the mistake of going in the house. The house was lovely but they didn't particularly appreciate 2 2 year olds in there (and they were both well behaved and my dd at least is quite used to being dragged around houses) - Makes me appreciate the NT's attitude a bit more !! Then had a run in the garden. Then decided to brave snakes and ladders - the girls loved it but I do agree fridayschild on your description of the place but it was better once we tempted them outside.

I know it probably doesn't sound like it but we had a lovely day - glad we went, so thanks everyone ! Think we will go back sometime to grounds (and maybe snakes and ladders if its quiet and not eat there but in the nicer looking refectory).

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