Day trip ideas

[EmilyPie]

As a way of staving of rain-induced cabin fever I'm starting to think about day trips I can do with my 2 1/2 year old and 6 month old. I'm thinking of getting in the car, driving for around an hour, having a few hours of toddler exhausting outing then back into the car and home for peppa pig, bath and bed. I've done a big of Internet research and come up with a few castles, the bluebell railway and digger world, but it would be great to have ideas and recommendations from people who've been there and done it. In my head it is all sunshine and picnics but some ideas that are relatively wet weather proof might be more realistic! Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

[acb2013]

If you don't mind staying in London for your day trip, how about Kew Gardens which, as well as beautiful grounds and a playground if the weather's good, also has a great indoor play area plus various conservatories, a small aquarium (take sling as it's downstairs with no lift) and a family friendly cafe.

[Pickle]

Hall Place is brilliant - they often have really unusual exhibitions, which tend to be child friendly, and a great kids activity area where they can dress up, open drawers, explore etc. It has never been busy when we've been, and that's usually in school holidays. Nice caf?, and lovely gardens if the weather is clear. The greenhouses are interesting for little ones too.

http://www.bexleyheritagetrust.org.uk/hallplace/

We drive there, and it takes about 30/40 minutes or so if you get a clear run, with free parking at the other end.

[Threadhead]

Are you a member of the National Trust? If so, Surrey offers Polesden Lacey and Claremont for free - they were favourites of my kids when we lived in SW London, but still within striking distance from here. Morden Hall Park is nearer to home. All offer walks,cafe, wildlife, woods... Also Wimbledon Park is an alternative option to Peckham Rye, Dulwich Park etc when the weather is better, as is Cannizzaro Park off Wimbledon Common - a wonderful, relatively undiscovered gem of a park/woodland walk/pond (it's behind a posh hotel so looks private but is actually a park run by the council).

Into Kent, how about the north Kent coast? Broadstairs/Margate/Ramsgate are a bit if a trek but could be fun (avoid tidal surges though)! Broadstairs is the furthest and is 1 hr 30 from here but a nice day by the seaside - lots of ice cream, beach etc. Botany Bay is a quieter place to stop off on the way for a small beach perfect for toddlers.

In London, Tate Modern is free and fun for little ones - lots of crazy exhibits and also a lovely younger kids' play area on level 5 (?). 176 bus takes you close (and an adventure in its own right!). My daughters loved it there as toddlers and there is a pizza express nearby or the Tate cafe is child friendly.

Hope that helps! Enjoy dreaming of picnics and adventure!

[colababe]

Transport museum is amazing. Has loads of transport your toddler can club all over and in and wear himself out then a great cafe for you and the L/O, or book the national army museum soft play? It's always half empty so he'd love to run around and the soft play has an area for younger ones! Brilliant!

[EmilyPie]

Thank you for all the great suggestions. Very exciting! All I need to do now is perfect my getting out of the house technique so it doesn't take all day!

[Mellors]

Also Chatham Docks - masses of space to run about and a small soft play (plus you get to ge in a submarine - cool).

Museum of London Docklands (at Canary Wharf) has a cool soft play and interesting exhibitions (free)

Museum of London is v interesting (actually my favourite) and free

Kensington Palace Gardens when the weather is nice

Whistable for the seaside and chips on the beach

Dungeness Railway (but further away)

Tons of National Trust - I love Scotney Castle (they did a cool murder mystery there for kids last year) and Chartwell (Winston Churchill's old home).

Leeds castle (fab but expensive)

Hever Castle

Ooh, can you tell I've been at this game for years ;)

[bawdy-nan]

Hampton court good - lovely gardens and a maze

Beaconsfield miniature village very good fun

richmond park - for the deer

seconded all the National Trust recommends

[EmilyPie]

Thanks Mellors and bawdy nan. More great ideas. Looking forward to exploring the coast once the weather is less dicey. Also had forgotten about Richmond park. Used to go when I was little. Looking forward to a return trip.

[bluesuperted]

We just did Lewes today, was gorgeous and v easy on public transport from FH.