New to area - what is there to do during the weekends?

[poppy913]

Hi, as mentioned, me and little family (dh & 2 toddlers under 2) are looking to move out of London to the Bromley area targeting to be within 1 mile from Darrick Wood schools. As I have never lived out of the city so this may seem like a silly question, but what do people with toddlers do during the weekends out in the sticks?

I looked up Kent but the beaches and wildlife park are easily an hour away. Are there nice parks, cycling paths, active playgroups, pettings farms, etc at the doorstep? Am a bit nervous moving out of frantic bustling London to a land of sheeps and cows.

Also, can I confirm that there is only Sainsbury and M&S in our target vicinity and proper restaurants and shops are 30 minutes away in Bluewater?

Would love to hear from fellow mumsnetters.

Hi, you are only a short drive from Bromley town centre in the Darrick Wood area, and in the town centre there's a large shopping centre (used to be called The Glades, now called Intu Bromley) with lots of shops - massive M&S, Debenhams, Apple Store, White Company etc. I don't know what you mean by 'proper' restaurants - there are various chains in Bromley town centre, and also a place called Aqua Bar and Grill in East Street, Bromley, which I can recommend (steak/international food).

There are some lovely parks in the London Borough of Bromley - Darrick Common will be near you, and High Elms Country Park and nature reserve. There are also the usual little parks with swings and slides. I don't have little children any more, so not sure about playgroups, but most local church halls have toddler groups going on, and there are the usual Tumble Tots groups etc. You might find some more information here.

I wouldn't call Bromley the sticks - it takes me 20 minutes on the train to be in central London, but I live in a lovely green borough with the countryside a few miles away!

Bromley is great. Lots of pubs restaurants shops around and the new developmeny will bring more of those and a brand new cinema complex. Deff not the sticks ;)

101 things to do. In autumn there is the joy of walking in the woods and kicking leaves as high as you can, any time of year goFired up and painting pottery. Lots of Parks including the one at Poverest with a zip wire. London on your doorstep with museums and activities. National Trust properties with tons of events.. I couldn't imagine living anywhere else.