• Exploring the Thames Barrier
    days out - Greenwich - Local Review - London

    Exploring the Thames Barrier with kids

    October 25, 2023 - By 

    As it’s half term I wanted to share a fun day out we had recently in London. We went right across London to see the Thames Barrier on one of its monthly testing days. Exploring the Thames Barrier The Thames Barrier has been on our London bucket list for years. Earlier this year we saw that it was going to be raised for annual testing, so decided to go along. We went on public transport, getting the tube to North Greenwich and then a bus to Woolwich, from where it was a short walk to the Thames. As we approached…

  • The Grim's Dyke Hotel afternoon tea
    days out - Harrow - Local Review - London

    The Grim’s Dyke Hotel afternoon tea

    October 21, 2023 - By 

    A few weeks ago we booked a table at The Grim’s Dyke Hotel for afternoon tea. We were celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary so wanted to do something special. We last visited The Grim’s Dyke Hotel on an Open House weekend when the house was open to the public. It’s a gorgeous Arts and Crafts house designed by R. Norman Shaw for Frederick Goodall, and later the home of W.S. Gilbert. The Grim’s Dyke Hotel afternoon tea The house is now a hotel with extensive grounds. On the day of our visit there was a wedding party enjoying drinks on…

  • Best pumpkin patch near London
    days out - Local Review - London

    Best pumpkin patch near London

    October 18, 2023 - By 

    A couple of weekends ago we made our annual trip to our local pumpkin patch at The Pop Up Farm. The name is funny because it’s not a pop up farm, the pumpkins are planted and grown at the farm! We love going every year and picking a wheel barrow full of pumpkin and squash to decorate our home. As you enter the farm you can collect a wheelbarrow and head out to the pumpkin patch. The pumpkin fields are quite big and we found it was worth walking to the further end to get the best pumpkins. When the…

  • Exploring Ally Pally and The Knitting & Stitching Show
    days out - London

    Exploring Ally Pally and The Knitting & Stitching Show

    October 7, 2023 - By 

    It’s been a few years since I’ve ventured to the Knitting & Stitching Show at Ally Pally. It’s a biannual show which also takes place at Harrogate. Exploring Ally Pally and The Knitting & Stitching Show The Knitting & Stitching Show is a great show for people who love craft. There are exhibitions, workshops, demonstrations and lots of shopping to be done. I didn’t manage to book myself on any workshops (they sell out quickly) so I just went to look round the exhibits and do some shopping. I made sure to visit first thing on Saturday morning as the…

  • Java Whiskers Cat Lounge Marylebone
    days out - Local Review - London

    Java Whiskers Cat Lounge Marylebone

    September 19, 2023 - By 

    My son loves cats so, for a summer holiday treat, I booked a visit to Java Whiskers Cat Lounge in London. Java Whiskers is a Cat Cafe in London’s Marylebone and is a fun place to stop off for an hour. We’ve been to a few Cat Cafes including London’s first cat cafe, Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium, back in 2018. They are always fun to visit and we were excited to explore somewhere new, and meet lots of cats of course. Java Whiskers Cat Lounge Marylebone Java Whiskers Cat Lounge has two branches in London, the original one in Marylebone,…

  • {Exploring} Max Gate, Dorchester
    days out - Dorset - National Trust

    {Exploring} Max Gate, Dorchester

    September 6, 2023 - By 

    As I told you about our family visit to the pretty cottage where Thomas Hardy was born yesterday, today I’m going to share our visit to Max Gate. This was the house designed by Thomas Hardy (who trained as an architect) and built by his father and brother. Thomas Hardy lived in the house until his death in 1928. {Exploring} Max Gate, Dorchester Max Gate couldn’t be more different from Hardy’s Cottage which we visited. Built in the Queen Anne style we found it rather soulless and unwelcoming. We had booked our ticket online and were guided round the house…

  • {Exploring} Hardy's Cottage, Higher Bockhampton
    days out - Dorset - National Trust

    {Exploring} Hardy’s Cottage, Higher Bockhampton

    September 5, 2023 - By 

    Over the summer we spent a week exploring Dorset, surely one on the prettiest counties in England? The weather was pretty good to us and we were able to use our National Trust membership to explore some new properties, such as Hardy’s Cottage and Max Gate, the home he built in later life. Thomas Hardy was a British author, of poems and novels including Tess of the d’Urbervilles, Far From The Madding Crowd, Jude The Obscure and The Mayor of Casterbridge. {Exploring} Hardy’s Cottage, Higher Bockhampton You need to pre-book a visit to Hardy’s Cottage online and turn up at…

  • Exploring Seaton tramway with kids and a dog
    days out - Devon

    Exploring Seaton tramway with kids and a dog

    September 4, 2023 - By 

    Sometimes I forget how lucky we are to visit some of the beautiful places in the UK. This summer we spent a week exploring East Devon, especially the coastal villages of Lyme Regis and the surrounding areas. One place we really wanted to take the children was the Seaton tramway in Devon, this is a narrow gauge heritage tram which runs between Seaton, Colyford and Colyton in East Devon’s glorious Axe Valley, travelling alongside the River Axe. Exploring Seaton tramway with kids and a dog We first visited Seaton tramway back in 2005 and it was really lovely to be…

  • Bermondsey Foreshore Walk
    days out - Local Review - London - London Borough of Southwark

    {Exploring} Bermondsey Foreshore Walk with Thames Festival Trust

    August 31, 2023 - By 

    We love a guided walk. They are such a great way to learn new things and see things differently. Last year we were lucky to attend a guided walk along the Thames foreshore at Bermondsey. My daughter always seems to spot small things, and often comes home with a pretty feather or unusual stone from the beach. I knew she would enjoy a guided walk along the Thames foreshore. {Exploring} Bermondsey Foreshore Walk with Thames Festival Trust The Thames Trust is an annual festival of the Thames and features guided walks and events along the Thames. I booked the family…