Great Day Out for little cost.

[Daddienet]

Hi, I would like to share a great day out I sometimes do with my children (6 and 4)and all it costs me is petrol, parking and a picnic..... and in return hopefully get some similar great ideas .

I live in Arborfield nr Wokingham, and we pack a simple picnic and drive down to Southsea nr Portsmouth for the day. We park near the beach (parking @4 pounds) and spend some time paddling and hunting for shells with the kids.

We then move down to 'Old Portsmouth' just past the Funfair and hovercraft port, and explore the ramparts and play 'hide and seek' (its great for it) and sit on the lookout and watch the Boats go by with a soggy sandwich. Southsea castle just as good for an alternative.

On the way home we stop at Butser Hill country park nr Havant (parking @1 pound), and sit and watch the rabbits play. It has a Massive valley that literally takes your breath away and my kids love the place.

Then the drive home, listening to two exhausted kids snoring!! Any other great days on a shoestring near berkshire would be greatly appreciated.

that sounds idyllic.

that sounds lovely

Mine is no where near as detailed as yours - we simply get DD's (3) football and frisbee and go to a local dene, run about the big field there, wave at the train going past on the viaduct and then play poohsticks

When the weather is nice, we take a picnic and have an ice cream on the top of the beach banks watching the sea.

I love it, as there is never anyone else there

oops, forgot i was supposed to say where

Tis the lovely Crimdon Dene in county durham. Not exotic by a long stretch, but very lovely

jetcat I love crimdon dene nature reserve!! I camp nearby.

Oh and just got dss wetsuits so they can body board at crimdon, redcar, seaton or saltburn.

Where is the best parking for Butser Hill? I've been to Queen Elizabeth Country Park before but not to Butser Hill. Guessing it's very close to the country park but is parking at the same location or is there a carpark nearer the hill?

A place to visit for a day-trip from Berkshire, which is also near Southsea... is Royal Armouries Fort Nelson. It is Free to get in unless they are having a special event Event prices vary... sometimes family tickets cost £5.

Next to the carpark is a grass hill which is a good picnic spot. Grass can be long... so take a picnic rug to help flatten an area out.