Days out by Train

[nunheadmum]

Anyone got good suggestions for a day out by train for a 4 & 7 year old? Monday sounds like being perfect day out weather but don't want to be stuck in a car. Not looking for anything too complicated - somewhere nice, outside London, near the station at the other end and suitable for a bit of a run around and a picnic.

I'm sure there must be tons of options but my brain just isn't working.

[Ellie78]

Hampton Court Palace.

Lots of lovely grounds for picnicking, feel of the country but only 30 mins from Waterloo.

Lots of activities for your ages- trails, costumed characters & performances included in ticket.

And for what you get it's a reasonable (though not cheap) price

Could easily spend a day there, even if the weather wasn't great- and if it is its glorious.

[Ellie78]

Just looked at the website actually...http://www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace/HamptonCourtPalaceActivitiesforfamiliesaspx

There's more than I remember on for families.

I'm sure there are other options too though, which the wise EDFites will come up with.

[canela]

Virginia Water. About 45 mins from Waterloo, then walk/taxi from station to big park and lake. Absolutely gorgeous.

[OverTheRainbows]

Hi canela - Virginia Water looks nice...do you know how long it takes to walk from the station? Thanks!

[canela]

without kids it used to take 10 minutes, can't really remember. there might be a bus from the station - let me know as I fancy the trip myself. I used to go years ago. or would be worth a taxi ride as it absolutely wonderful.

would also recommend Richmond Park. you feel outside of London, and is easy to get to. there's a thread about it in the last few days.

[OverTheRainbows]

Great, thanks - will let you know about the bus (or lack of) if we try it!

[Nunheadfamily]

Virginawater is bautiful. The other place my friends have raved about is a park near Sevenoaks http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/knole/things-to-see-and-do/

[katgod]

Knowle is nice but quite far from Sevenoaks station. Very easy by car, about 45 minutes from here.

[oimissus]

a word of warning about Knole and it's beautiful deer park. Deer like crisps. Especially cheese and onion. The despair I felt when a deer nicked my crisps is still fresh in my mind. I recall my sister laughing at said despair. Then another deer nabbed her bag. AAAAAHAHAHAHA!!!

(This was at about 30 years ago. This things stay with you.)

[nunheadmum]

Thanks for the suggestions. In the end we had a sick dad and only went as far as the park! But look forward to trying some of the suggestions in future - so do feel free to add any more you think of!

[LVWT]

Chislehurst caves are great...not sure it's a whole day out though, more an afternoon thing.

As far as I remember you go into London bridge, then train out (maybe 20 mins) and caves are two mins walk from station.

I went with kids younger than yours about three years ago and they still talk about it!!!

http://www.chislehurst-caves.co.uk/

[canela]

Are there woods in Chislehurst too?

[fapl]

I wanted to travel somewhere different for a day out by train a few weeks ago and looked at the days out website http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/

We decided to go to Bekonscot Model Village http://www.bekonscot.co.uk/ Beacpnsfield is 30 minutes from Marylebone station and the model village is a few hundred meters away. We had a great afternoon there.

[OverTheRainbows]

...so Virginia Water was very pleasant and child-friendly as promised! - no bus, unfortunately, and about half an hour's walk from the station (VW itself; don't know if there is a better route?)

[James Barber]

We took the bikes to Denmark Hill station - train to Clapham junction then train to Guildford. Cycled along off road cycle path (Downs Link) and then train back from Christ's Church Hopsital station via Clapham Junction to Denmark Hill.

Next time we're planning to finish the Downs Link from Christ's Church Hopsital stationto Shoreham on Sea. Good day cycling for 9 year old. At 7 they could have done this and if 4 year old on a tag along they would probably be fine.

[Carbonara]

oimissus Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> a word of warning about Knole and it's beautiful

> deer park. Deer like crisps. Especially cheese and

> onion. The despair I felt when a deer nicked my

> crisps is still fresh in my mind. I recall my

> sister laughing at said despair. Then another deer

> nabbed her bag. AAAAAHAHAHAHA!!!

>

> (This was at about 30 years ago. This things stay

> with you.)

The deer of Knole are very feisty. Our recent picnic was quickly abandoned as deer snatched sandwiches from small hands, bit one child, and generally created panic. Quite unpleasant.

It's the fault of people feeding them, of course. Despite the big notices saying 'Do Not Feed the Deer'.