Love the sound of the Chicago Rib Shack, Prufrock. I have a feeling my boys- including the big adult one- would be enamoured. Is it in the "Very Special Treat" price range or not too bad? I fancy checking it out soon as it's not that far from us really but slight alarm bells are ringing price-wise because of the Knightsbridge address!

It's closed
I just went to check out the website and it is no more. I know I hadn't been for about a year, but surely just the loss of my business couldn't shut it down? Although I did drink an awful lot of Margaritas...

Anyway, another alternative along the same lines is the Big Easy (Worlds End end of Kings Road). Again v. good with kids, great ribs,burgers, crab and chicken wings (and margaritas). Average spend is £25, but they do a special kids menu that is much cheaper (Kids used to eat for free at weekends!). That's in your area as well isn't it Scummymummy?

Big Easy number is 7 352 4071 - it's best to book at weekends

I've eaten (or drunk more to the point) at The Big Easy. Great for kids and great for margheritas as well. Had my purse stolen there one night but that's because I was right near the door and so drunk I couldn't remember a thing.

Food is great and I would recommend it for kids. Not too badly priced by memory but you will notice a lightness in your wallet at the end of it. No play area for young ones though.

For those of you that mentioned going to Hever Castle for the Easter Hunt can you tell me when that is. I've tried looking on their website but it keeps crashing on me. I want to take my ds and dh over Easter and am interested if he can participate in an Easter Egg Hunt or whatever it is they have.

Also, can you picnic there. I'm assuming you can. If so we'll be one of the millions on the grass.

Or Sticky Fingers off Ken High Street - again burgers, ribs etc... and full of kids.

Last time we went to Smollenskys was last June for a birthday treat - with four 7 year old girls. They LOVED it! This was because of all the 'visits' to our table from the clown and magician. I think it was a Sunday. If you do go, it's well worth saying it's for a birthday (we did and got extra attention as a result) as on a previous visit I felt our table was a bit ignored and we then had to cope with the disappoitment of our two at being missed out. The food is expensive and it's basically a jazzed up version of the normal pasta/burger/nuggets options, but the puddings were impressive for kids.
We're planning a return visit this year as my ds (who was 5 at the time) still talks about it, so we're going to combine it with a visit to The Lion King (which will prove an expensive between-birthday treat fro both dd and ds!).
If you do go, I'd be interested in your review.

Thank you all for the info. Shame about the Chigaco ribshack Prufrock, loved the sound of the margheritas! Think we probably will give Smollenky's a go on the strength of Pats review- don't worry I won't blame you if it's dreadful!Was going to combine with a Frogtour, but worried about the cost. Love to go to Lion King ,waiting until ds is a bit older.

We visited Groomsbridge Place (Nr Tunbridge Wells, Kent) yesterday and had a brilliant time even dp was very impressed and he's more into a night on the booze than a family day out. The enchanted forest was very magical with windchimes, hidden grottoes, pretty pools and streams, giant swings and beautiful views. Ds had the time of his life.
There was also a boat ride and birds of prey shows. There was a falcon who used peoples heads as a perch. Very entertaining but also very glad he didn't land on ds as he would've screamed like mad and flapped more than the bird.
We will definitely be visiting again but once dd is more sturdy on her feet. I knew it would be difficult but I didn't realise it would be near impossible to get around the enchanted forest with a buggy.
There was a cafe which was quite pricey and got very busy so I'd recommend a picnic. They have some special days over easter so if anyone with kids and no pushchair fancy a fun day out this is the place to go.

Meanmum, the Easter Egg Trail is on all four days and you can do it at any time during your visit - you get a map and hunt for clues, then get a reward at the end.
Angel78 - would you not recommend Groomsbridge Place for a 3.5 year old and a 17 month old - is it too difficult with a pushchair for the 17 month old? We have a three-wheeler. Thanks.

Sykes. I don't know how much easier a 3 wheeler is but we just had a small lightweight buggy because I knew it wouldn't be easy with our main pushchair. There were alot of steps we had to lift the buggy up and the steepness was a big issue in some parts of the enchanted forest. Lets say verging on vertical drops. Loads of fun for ds to scramble up and down but I was a bag of nerves trying to get dd down some of them.
There were alot of pushchairs there though so maybe I'm just a wimp.
Your 3.5 year old would love it though so try it anyway. There is a main path which isn't too steep but it's best to take someone with you to help with the pushchair if you need it or to take your older child to see some of the not so pushchair friendly attractions.

Ohhh we just had the most wonderful day at Hollycombe Steam Fair. It's an old style funfair all run by steam engines.
They have 3 real steam engine run trains (not all 3 working every day), and 10-15 rides (carousel, ferris wheel etc.). It's all run by volunteers and everyone is super nice. We went with my dd (9 mo.) and my ds (2.5 years) as well as my 2 step kids (9 and 10). Ds was in 7th heaven, it wasn't too bad pushing the buggy (small wheels) around and the older kids weren't bored either. I can't recommend it highly enough particularly for under 5's. Take a picnic and eat it on the lawn before hand (the rides don't start until 1pm). We didn't get to do half the things in the 4 hours we were there. And there are no lines!!!

hello everyone

not sure if it was this thread, but i know i've read on mumsnet before what a great day out the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden is.

I took ds (23m) there today and he loved it. he quite enjoyed looking at the buses and trains but what the little Thomas addict loved most was the soft play area and the adjacent plan toys railways abundantly supplied with Thomas character engines and trucks. we were there for over 2 hours and the tracks kept him amused for an hour plus.

It was much more interesting than I thought it would be, so I think there would be a lot to interest parents and older children. For example, the history of transport is explained in its historical context, the First World War, the outward expansion of London, the migration of workers from the Caribbean in the 50s/60s etc. I thought those exhibits looked very interesting but didn't get a chance to peruse them much, lol!

Another recommendation (in summer anyway) is Somerset House. It's just a short walk from Covent Garden and we spent a very enjoyable couple of hours there having lunch on the riverside terrace (ok it was a quick sandwich - not the posh cafe there), going to the Hermitage Rooms (free) and playing in the Fountain Court. Ds thought the fountains were amazing he had a lot of fun - bring swimming kit or at least change of clothes and towel. There are also the Courtauld Institute and the Gilbert Collection for those with older children or more docile toddlers.

Anyone looking for a night out without kids in London could do a lot worse than have a drink at either the Fountain Court bar or the Riverside Terrace before having dinner at The Admiralty.

There you go, fun for all the family!

Godstone Farm in surrey is lovely for any junior animal lovers. You can cuddle lambs and pet horses and rabbits and pretend to milk cows and all sorts. Plus adventure playground, tea rooms and the world's biggest sandpit.

Sundown Adventureland nr Retford in North Notts is brilliant. We spent the day there yesterday with nine 5-7yos who loved it. Everything is desgined for under-10s and there are also areas marked for under 5's.

Even though it was quite busy (we were there as a trip of around 250 Beavers) there weren't long queues and it was big enough that nowhere felt overcrowded.

I second Marwell Zoo near winchester.

Also I really enjoyed Caernarfon Castle in N Wales.