Day Outings From London - Ideas Please!

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The (other) kids are finally in school! This is not to say that every child does not deserve the same excellent educational choices we've made for ourselves. I'm glad that schooling works for their family. But - finally - we have places to our selves again!

Today, I had the lovliest day trip from London to Groombridge... (outside of Tunbridge Wells.) Total cost of the outing was £30.00. Now, I don't drop £30 pounds lightly. But, Groombridge was an outstanding experience. The Enchanted Forest was so stimulating for my dear boy. (Age 3) And! I was able to access it via public transportation. That £30 pounds went far - it covered rail, entrance tix and the occaisional foodstuff I'd forgotten to pack.

This is exactly what I thought I'd be doing once I hopped down the British home ed path. I thought, we'd pop out of London for the day and see cool things. But, once I got here - everywhere I know about is always a £30 pound rail ticket....not to mention any entrance fees or other expenses. I had no idea popping around the country would be so expensive!

So, does anyone know of any day outings from London which have lovely places for young children which could give me roughly the same value?

Thanks!

Do you have to leave London? There are countless free educational and fun things in the capital. Get yourself an oyster card, and a packed lunch and some brilliant days will be yours for under a fiver I'd say!

How about the Cotswolds, e.g. Bourton on the Water - several places suitable for children such as the motor museum, model village, bird land. Could get the train direct from London Paddington to Moreton & then the local bus. Reasonably priced entrance if I remember correctly. The train can cost up to £30 for an adult, but if you don't go on business trains & have a railcard it can be cheaper.

I'd be inclined to look at attractions & then see if you can get to them easily by public transport.

Bristol has some interesting things to do for children. Or Birmingham. Although have no idea how long a journey these are from London.

Hello,
Slightly off-thread, I know, but I'm hoping that I might find some London families who are interested in reducing the cost and parental time commitment of home education whilst also increasing the opportunity for friendships/socialising by pooling resources (ie. communal/cooperative home education, sharing the cost of tutor(s), helping to educate/have fun with each other's children). Sorry about that long sentence!

I'm a single, working parent living in Camden, London, with a 7 year old daughter who currently goes to private school.

If any of this is of interest to you, please contact me!