What to do in London (and surrounds) in the summer

[Bonfire2010]

We've decided we can't really go on a holiday this year for one reason or another, so we've decided to spend our two weeks off taking our son (who will be 2 years, 9 months) out on day trips in and around London. We've thought of London Zoo, the Transport Museum, Natural History/Science museums and Leeds Castle but I would love some recommendations for other places to visit.

Any ideas welcome -thanks x

[RenF]

Kew Gardens

Crystal Palace dinosaurs

City Farms (Hackney, Vauxhall etc)

Aquarium on the southbank

London eye

Hampstead Heath ponds (weather dependent!)

The serpentine and water fountain/play area (princess Diana memorial) in Hyde Park

Southbank (don't they have water fountains outside the festival hall to play in during the summer, and the last couple of years a beach?)

Have fun!

[birnehelene]

Kent coast e.g. Whitstable, RAF Museum, Whipsnade Zoo, Legoland, Windsor Castle, Hampton Court Palace, Riover boat tour. There are some great websites if you google things to do in london with kids and there is plenty of free stuff too.

[fapl]

Coram's Fields http://www.coramsfields.org/

Hever Castle http://www.hevercastle.co.uk/

Drusilla's http://www.drusillas.co.uk/ is great for that age but a bit of a drive, could you get a Travelodge room for a night, and double up with a day at the seaside?

Bewl Water, playground, picnic and cycle path amongst other activities http://www.bewlwater.co.uk/

Strawberry (or other fruit) picking at a pick your own, lots of places in Kent

Hall place and the Beastly Hall exhibition http://www.bexleyheritagetrust.org.uk/hallplace/

Knole house in Sevenoaks, typical old NT house, might be wasted on a 2 year old but the number of deer is phenomenal, so just go for a walk in the grounds, and a picnic if you don't mind a deer sticking their nose in!

Bekonscot Model Village, short walk from Beaconsfield train station so a good day trip on a train http://www.bekonscot.co.uk/

Greenwich, so much to do, park, observatory, maritime museum, walk in the tunnel under the Thames, walk around the Cutty Sark (pricey to enter so I have not been in yet!), boat trip along the Thames.

Oxleas Wood, one of the oldest woods around London, approximately 8,000 years old. The caf has stunning views. There is also a small farm over the road http://www.thewoodlandsfarmtrust.org/about.html

Mudchute City farm http://www.mudchute.org/

Broadstairs for sandy beaches and icecream parlours

Swanley Park on a weekend for the miniture railway, paddling pool and playground http://www.swanleypark.co.uk/index.html

Come back and tell us what you did and what your son enjoyed :)

[Dodo1]

Go to Eynsford. It's just past Swanley and is a pretty village. On top of that it has an excellent Bird of Prey Centre and a Roman Villa!

[Bonfire2010]

Wow! Thanks for all of the suggestions - that's much appreciated.

fapl: we actually went to the Cutty Sark last weekend and it was ?12 per adult (kids under 5 were free), so no, not cheap!. I think it would have been great for older kids, but was a bit wasted on a 2 year old - although he did love runing around on the deck and pretending to be a pirate! I would take him back when he's a bit older and able to appreciate it all. If you (or anyone else) goes it's worth knowing that there is a buggy park on the bottom floor near the cafe. We weren't told this and ending up lugging the stroller up and down the stairs - along with numerous other parents.

[Chief Jeff]

Hastings is a good laugh - nice little aquarium, cliff railway, crappy attractions on the sea front!

[cazbee]

We were at Hastings sea front a few weeks ago and it was heaven for our almost 2 1/2 year old! Great areas for riding the scooter outside the new Jerwood Gallery, mini steam train, bouncy castle, cheesy amusement arcade (little boy and daddy were equally engrossed!). There is also a fabulous (free) pirate themed enclosed playground on the sea front itself just behind the crazy golf place. Definitely worth a day trip. And Hasting Old Town has great boutique shops if you want to leave the little one with your other half and go and browse!

Camber Beach not far away is also great for little ones (provided the wind is not too strong). Our little boy had endless fun digging with his ?3 bucket and spade and there is a second car park which is closed when it's not busy which is great for riding bikes/scooters.

[Beagle]

Another shout out for Broadstairs. We went with 2.5 year old bankholiday Sunday, what a revelation. Lovely beach, beautiful compact town.

Also Rye and Deal and really surprised recently by a trip to Chartwell as the little Marycot house had our girl entranced and nice grounds they are not overly precious about kiddies running round on. Wetherham nearby a lovely place for lunch and also a good stop en route to Godstone.

[canela]

Richmond Park to see the deer.