Since starting this series of posts, I have (unfortunately?) thought of more places which I could have included. However, since these posts all say "30" now, I will have to leave those for later!
Here you go:
21. Crystal Palace Park - I've mentioned lots of parks in this list, but this one is the only one with dinosaurs! It also has a maze, a lake, a play area and a cafe, so it makes a great day out.
22. Mayfield Lavender - I love Mayfield Lavender (the background photo for this blog is from there) and I can't wait to go back again this summer. Located near Banstead, it's a short drive from Croydon. It is utterly beautiful and so much fun to wander around. Last summer they offered tractor rides around the field and the cafe, with lots of lavender-flavoured treats (ice cream, cakes, biscuits..) was lovely. Kids are invited to take a jar from the cafe to collect the beetles which are harmful to the lavender (but harmless to kids!).
23. High Elms Country Park - I've not been here yet but have driven past a few times and it's one of those places that I've always said we should go to to see what it's like. It is a nature reserve with a cafe (yay!) and visitor centre. It's in Farnborough, near Bromley (not the other, larger, Farnborough).
24. Oaks Park - this is just next to Mayfield Lavender (see above) and has a great mixture of gardens, trees and open grassland to explore. It also has a cafe!
25. Heathfield - no cafe here, but the walled garden is a lovely calm spot for a picnic, with great views. Perhaps due to the lack of a cafe, I've always found Heathfield to be pretty quiet (a good thing!). It has some great gardens to explore and small streams to cross over via stepping stones. This is in Croydon.
26. Kenley Aerodrome - a great open space for scooting or riding bikes.
27. Reigate Priory Park - a bit further afield but worth it as it's so attractive. It has a super play area with a large sandpit and water play area. There is a cafe and the rest of the park is made up of gardens, a lake and woodland.
28. Richmond Park - a bit of a drive away, especially in traffic, but this is a great option for a more "wild" park, with its deer. Although it does still have a cafe! It's also a great park to cycle round and bikes can be hired here too if you don't have your own.
29. Deen City Farm - this free City Farm makes a lovely visit with heaps of animals to see including sheep, cows, pigs, horses, rabbits, ducks, chickens, owls... There are often opportunities for kids to touch the animals.
30. Pottery cafe in Purley or Wallington - OK so this is really two places, but it's the same idea and so you'd probably only want to visit one. Purley pottery cafe is called Get Fired! and Wallington's is Glazed all over.
So, that's it, my suggestions of 30 places to go in or around Croydon this summer with kids. I'd love to hear from you if you visit any of them, and what you think. Also if you have any other suggestions of places that could be added!
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