Last weekend we visited Kew Gardens which is just down the road from us. We love our walks and were hoping for some gorgeous Spring flowers. We were not disappointed. Kew Gardens, or to give it its proper name, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is the most biodiverse place on earth. It felt like a long time since our last visit, looking back the kids were tiny. So it felt like the right time to make another visit. You must pre-book tickets and some buildings are closed in line with national guidance. Children’s playground at Kew We entered Kew via…
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Last weekend we ventured out to Pinner Memorial Park, a lovely park right in the centre of Pinner. It’s a lovely large park with a pond, aviary, children’s playground and cafe. Exploring Pinner Memorial Park with kids Pinner Memorial Park is on land that was part of the West House estate, at one time the home of Lord Nelson’s daughter Horatia. In 1934 part of the grounds were acquired by Harrow UDC for public open space. Additional land was acquired in 1949 as well as West House, and the park opened as Pinner Memorial Park in 1950. Pinner Memorial Park…
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Last weekend we went off to explore Bentley Priory Nature Reserve in Stanmore, north London. We wanted to visit after we went to the Battle of Britain Bunker at Uxbridge last year. RAF Bentley Priory was the headquarters of Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain and throughout the Second World War. Bentley Priory Bentley Priory itself was the final home of the Dowager Queen Adelaide, Queen Consort of William IV, before her death there in 1849. Bought by the RAF in the 1920s The Royal Air Force station was closed in 2008 and the original house was turned into…
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Looking for somewhere new to take the children in west London? Have you been to Northala Fields in Northolt? It’s easy to get too with so much space for kids to run around. We’re going to tell you some of our favourite things about Northala Fields and why we think you should visit if you haven’t yet. Exploring Northala Fields with kids There’s a handy free car park at Northala Fields (but it fills up quickly so get there early!). The first thing you notice is the four huge artificial mounds. Although they look really old they are actually quite…
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Ok so Wembley Park Christmas Lights may be over but I’m all ready for next Christmas! Days out and activities have been a little thin on the ground during the Christmas holidays. One evening we decided to head over to Wembley Park to see the Christmas light installations. Wembley Park Christmas Lights We love to visit Wembley Designer Outlet but of course all the shops are closed at the moment. It’s still a fun place to go for a walk through though. We weaved our way around the shopping centre, past the back of the Stadium and towards Wembley Park…
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For the past few years I have enjoyed putting together a post about the best pumpkin patches near London. Living on the edge of London we are able to travel into Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey and more to find the perfect pumpkin patch. There’s just something wonderful about a walk (and a photo or two) at a pumpkin patch. I’m sure I would never have said this a few years ago but it’s something the whole family enjoys, and the perfect Autumnal day out. Pumpkin patches near London {updated for 2020} As pumpkin patches are outdoors I’m hopeful that the…
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Last weekend we were looking for somewhere new to take the children and the puppy. We ventured a little further afield than normal, yet still only 30 minutes from where we live, and found the delightful Ray Mill Island and Boulter’s Lock, Maidenhead, Berkshire. A pretty place on the Thames with a little cafe, perfect for a picnic and a little boat watching. Ray Mill Island and Boulter’s Lock This little island in the Thames is in Maidenhead. The island’s name dates from when the Ray family managed a flour mill there. There is no car park on Ray Mill…
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Now lockdown is easing we don’t seem to be exploring as much as we were. We can go further afield and more attractions are opening up, which means we are going further for our days out. On one of our many puppy walks/geocaching expeditions we came across Pynchester Moat in Ickenham. We went on a lovely sunny evening and it was the perfect length of walk for our pup. Exploring Pynchester Moat, Ickenham The moated site known as Pynchester lies in a bend of the River Pinn, behind houses in Copthall Road West and just within Harefield Parish. It’s a…
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We’ve been so excited, waiting for our favourite fruits and veggies to be ready to pick. It seems ages ago since our last visit to our local Pick Your Own farm in Iver, just down the road from Ruislip. You can now book a slot to visit, so we booked an early morning slot and set off to pick some delicious fresh fruit. Visiting the Pick Your Own Farm with kids A huge sign greeted us, letting us know what was available to pick. We showed our tickets and were let through to the fields. We picked up some buckets…