30 places to visit with kids in and around Croydon this summer - part 2

Following on from my earlier post, here are the next ten places from my list of 30 places to visit with kids in and around Croydon this summer:


11. Croham Hurst Woods - a bit of a challenge but I think that the promise of a picnic at the top should be enough to lure my two up this hill, which has stunning views to the south from the top.

12. Beddington Park - this is a great park for scooting and riding bikes in.  It's a mixture of trees and open grassy spaces, with a river flowing through it.  It also has a lovely big play area and a cafe too. 

13. Wimbledon Park - this isn't in Croydon but it's not too far by car or by tram and tube.  And it might be worth the trip one hot day for its paddling pool.  It also has a lake with swans and ducks, a cafe, two play areas, a crazy golf course and beach volleyball courts.  Probably best avoided during the Wimbledon Tennis Championships though, as it's usually full of campers then.

14.  Emmett's Gardens - these National Trust gardens are a little over half an hour drive or so from Croydon but well worth it.  They have a glorious meadow for picnicking in, a play area, a cafe and lots of gardens to explore.

15. Chartwell - another National Trust property, again about half an hour from Croydon.  The woods are great to explore and boast some enormous tree swings which are wonderful for swinging (and singing) in.

16. Tandridge Leisure Centre - this leisure centre in Oxted has a great swimming pool for kids, with a wave machine, water features, slide and flume.

17. Library - Croydon has lots of libraries, many of which have events on for children over the school holidays, as well as regular weekly rhyme times and story times for younger children.  Plus of course the summer reading challenge.  Even when there's nothing on though, they're worth a visit to borrow some new books and maybe do a spot of colouring.

18. Priory Farm - this is also about half an hour from Croydon.  There is a cafe, two play areas, a "Discovery Walk" nature trail , a garden centre and a farm shop - plenty to keep everyone occupied.

19. WW1 exhibition at Whitgift School - this "Rembering 1916" exhibition is on until the end of August and looks quite interesting.  I think my five year-old would especially like the Edwardian house scenes and, of course, the Edwardian cafe.

20. Horniman Museum - this museum in Forest Hill is brilliant for young children with lots of interesting natural history exhibits, an aquarium, a lovely cafe and lots of outside space to explore.  It also has lots of special events on over the holidays.