Days out - recommended by mumsnet members

[Marina]

Following on from Tigermoth's suggestion about festivals, fetes etc, how about recommending your "grand days out" for families here?
We had the nicest time yesterday with our two year old son. We drove to Tenterden in Kent (easiest via M20, but a prettier route via Goudhurst from A21/A262) and rode the Kent and East Sussex Steam Railway to Bodiam Castle (National Trust). The line was only extended to the castle last year with Millennium Fund money and parking is much easier in Tenterden. The railway has little stations crammed full of memorabilia and gadgets and is run by child-friendly steam fans. It travels along the Rother valley which is full of waterfowl, reed beds, BIG cows, etc. You can even have lunch, tea or a drink on board.
Tenterden has a cafe, a children's play and picnic area, baby changing facilities and a station cat. Bodiam has ruins, a moat with tame carp in it, a river and lots of spiral staircases and dank little holes to explore, plus the usual NT facilities of proper loos for everyone, picnic space, tearooms etc. There is a lovely-looking Shepherd Neame pub on the riverbanks and, although we didn't have time, there is also a river barge running between the castle and nearby Northiam (close to one of the stations). All of it could be managed with a pushchair. What did you all get up to?

[helenmc]

nexus - you're spot on, that's where we went last year. Robinw - I also thought of Cadbury's World but the web site said (I can't do links either !!!)it was a 3 hour visit, and Birmingham is 1 1/2 hours from here , unless we stop off shopping some-where, um, now that's an idea. Mabs - what's at the commonwealth institute??
it gets difficult in the winter cos a lot of the parks close.

[cos]

Went to sundaown this week and really didnt like it. Because of the layout its really difficult to keen track of more than one child at a time.
Also very close to Rampton.
How about Warick castle?

[johnshe]

What about Wickstead park? I used to have fab times there as a youngster.

[Lollypop]

If anyone is going to Cornwall with a toddler I highly recommend Lappa Valley Steam railway near Newquay. DD loved the trains, boats and play ground. However I think the over 7's would be a bit board.

[percy]

We recently went to Sorley Tunnel near Kingsbridge in Devon and had a fantastic time with 3 kids aged between 2 and 6. It is a working organic farm with lots of activities too - trampolines, horse riding, playground, indoor sand room etc. Lots to do if it is raining and if it is sunny. Really grumpy and non-childfriendly man in the cafe though, which was my only complaint.

[musica]

Cotswold Farm Park, near Cheltenham is fantastic for children and adults. They have rare breeds of cows, pigs, sheep, goats, horses, rabbits, and you can really get close to the animals. There's also a 'kids corner' where you can cuddle little animals, and feed lambs, and you can sometimes even see lambs being born.

[robinw]

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[bossykate]

the ideas here sound really good, i can see us checking out a number of the places mentioned in the south east.

however, excellent as they are, there is nothing - unless the summary descriptions don't do everything justice - that exactly matches my requirements for next sunday! will need to change my name to "fussykate"

dh has just been away for the weekend, and i was away the weekend before that. we would like to have a really nice family day out next sunday, which is of course also mothers' day.

in the ideal world, we would have a day with someting all of us would enjoy. wonderful as many of the ideas here sound for kids, i couldn't see myself going without one - hope that makes sense.

to give you an idea of what i mean, a while ago i took ds to the london aquarium in the am till just before lunch, we then walked along the river to tate modern. he fell asleep long enough for me to have a leisurely coffee and cake in the cafe. We went round the galleries and then i was able to let him rampage around the turbine hall for a while.

this is a long winded way of saying it was a day both of us could enjoy, and that is what we are aiming for next sunday, if at all possible.

key aspirations are:

• something for a 20m old to enjoy (e.g. animals, trains)
  
• a nice lunch with a child friendly atmosphere that is not "happy meal" or "whacky warehouse"
  
• something for adults to enjoy (gallery, museum, gardens, nature, stately home?)
  
  ideally within 90 mins of inner london...
  
  as i type this, i realise it sounds like too much to ask...
  
  any ideas gratefully received.
  
  TIA

[bossykate]

the ideas here sound really good, i can see us checking out a number of the places mentioned in the south east.

however, excellent as they are, there is nothing - unless the summary descriptions don't do everything justice - that exactly matches my requirements for next sunday! will need to change my name to "fussykate"

dh has just been away for the weekend, and i was away the weekend before that. we would like to have a really nice family day out next sunday, which is of course also mothers' day.

in the ideal world, we would have a day with someting all of us would enjoy. wonderful as many of the ideas here sound for kids, i couldn't see myself going without one - hope that makes sense.

to give you an idea of what i mean, a while ago i took ds to the london aquarium in the am till just before lunch, we then walked along the river to tate modern. he fell asleep long enough for me to have a leisurely coffee and cake in the cafe. We went round the galleries and then i was able to let him rampage around the turbine hall for a while.

this is a long winded way of saying it was a day both of us could enjoy, and that is what we are aiming for next sunday, if at all possible.

key aspirations are:

• something for a 20m old to enjoy (e.g. animals, trains)
  
• a nice lunch with a child friendly atmosphere that is not "happy meal" or "whacky warehouse"
  
• something for adults to enjoy (gallery, museum, gardens, nature, stately home?)
  
  ideally within 90 mins of inner london...
  
  as i type this, i realise it sounds like too much to ask...
  
  any ideas gratefully received.
  
  TIA

[bossykate]

oops

[sb34]

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[LIZS]

BossyKate

What about looking into a National Trust or English Heritage place such as Chartwell(nr Sevenoaks) or Penshurst Place in Kent, both lovely at this time of year. If the weather is good there would be plenty of space for kids to run around plus at Chartwell they offer kids meals and back packs to tour the house. There is a playground at Penshurst too but may be too advanced for a little one.

Do check their website first though in case opening is later this year due to Easter being so late.

hth

[jemw]

BK
Can second bells2 suggestion on Sheffield Park Gardens and Blubell railway - we have combined the 2 for a mix of adult and child friendly day, not sure of opening hours, sorry...

Or someone further down the thread mentioned Christmas tree farm in Downe - also in Downe is Charles Darwins house which was v interesting, ds aged 2 at the time liked looking at the pictures and animal exhibits, also nice cafe and grounds to run around in, think it an English Heritage place, couple of pubs in the village, one we went to had garden and did good food.

Both fairly easy to get to from se london

[bells2]

Second the recommendation for Chartwell and Penshurst and would also recommend Hever. All these are located close to nice villages with a variety of pubs etc. Leeds Castle is also very good for small children although the restaurant there is nothing special. Alternatively, we have had some lovely days out on the Bluebell Railway in East Sussex and normally picnic in the National Trust grounds over the road. Lewes isn't too far away and is a lovely town to visit. We have also enjoyed a day out in Brighton which has the added advantage that you can get the train there easily.

[Marina]

Wimpole Hall in Cambridgeshire (SW of Cambridge and accessible by M11/A505). An 18th century home farm stocked with rare breeds (including lambs at the mo), lovely old barns etc. House is not one of the NT's more distinguished or historic but is elegant and has the usual excellent NT catering facilities. Not major formal gardens but nice parkland walks.
How does that sound, fussykate? Better check they are open on the 30th but in previous years the farm has opened early for special lambing days.

[tigermoth]

definitely second the suggestion of Hever Castle. It has a playground and,(if it's open), a fantastic water maze that even little children enjoy (pack lots of spare clothes and a towel). The cafe is good, especially on the home made cake front, and the gardens and castle interior provide lots to look at. There's also a great plant shop.

The villages nearby are very pretty and have numerous good-looking pubs and restaurants.

If you visit somewhere like this, bossykate, I would definitely phone first to check what's happening. Some places might not be fully open till Easter.

Have a nice day, as they say!

[bells2]

You beat me to it Marina. We were there last Sunday and everything is open and I think this coming weekend is a lambing weekend. The play area in the Home Farm is excellent for children.

[sykes]

Do Godstone Farm/Brockett Farm a lot. My sister is over from hte US and we'll have done one of the above so thinking of either Hever Castle/Legoland. The children are 3.5, 2, 16 months and ten months. Any recommendations - think Legoland may be a bit ambitious/only worth it if you're there for the whole day?

[Angiel]

What about Port Lympne? You might not want to visit a zoo but it has got a mansion you can look around as well.

I went to Leeds Castle last weekend and that was really nice. I've got a 5 yo, 2 yo and 1 yo and they all enjoyed it. The grounds are lovely and they have got a duckery, aviary and a new playground for the under 5's. We've actually bought membership now so I can pop down there all the time, its only 5 mins from where I live.

[sykes]

Thanks. I've been to Howelett's and although not v in favour of zoos think at least it's in the spirit of conservation etc. I must say Leeds castle appeals so may try that - we're in Godstone in Surrey so it's not too far.

[titchy]

What about driving down to the coast for the day. Wittering on the south coast has a sandy beach that kids love, or Portsmouth which has a good shopping centre, plenty of historical interest and lots of boats which children love.

[megg]

Portsmouth have a good shopping centre? Titchy where do you live? It is one of my biggest gripes about living here, the shopping centre is terrible but then I'm used to Newcastle. The dockyard is very expensive to get into and there are hardly any child friendly places to eat. I would suggest Marwell Zoo for a great day out or Beaulieu if thats within distance.

[LIZS]

I'd second Bocketts Farm nr Leatherhead, especially at this time of year with all the littl'uns. Great play area, part of which if I recall correctly is indoors and a tea barn. There are also Clandon Park and Polesden Lacey nearby if you fancy NT facilities, but the houses may yet be to open. Also Box Hill with its panoramic views!

I could go on but will get more homesick !! I think we'll just have to make do with the Alps!!!!!!

LizS

PS The weather here is glorious - sunny & warm, hope it is the same for you all over there.

[titchy]

Megg

I actually live about 10minutes drive from Bocketts farm, and agree that it's great for kids. dh is from portsmouth area and friends have said there's a good centre for cheap designery type goods in or near pompey, or maybe I'm thinking of somewhere else!

The Watercress line could also be an option, or RHS Wisley off the A3/M25 interchnage. Nice for adults as well as children

[willow2]

I love Bocketts too. Went the week before last. Was meeting a friend so called to see how long she was going to be - told her: "It's lovely, there are so many babies here". She replied, "Aah, are you getting broody?".
"Baby lambs, you daft cow" I replied.