Wet and dry weekend plans

The weather is decidedly changeable at the moment, which really doesn't help with plan-making.  However, I'm considering a few options for a day out this weekend, and the final decision will of course come down to whether the weather is wet or dry.

Here's what I'm considering:


Dry-weather options

1. Strawberry picking at Flower Farm.  Flower Farm, near Godstone, is open 9am - 5pm for strawberry picking.  The two year-old has recently decided that she does, in fact, like strawberries but has yet to experience the joys of fruit picking so this weekend might be the time to do it before the strawberry season is over.  The cafe here is lovely too, and it has a huge selection of teas, so it would be great for a spot of lunch or afternoon tea afterwards.

(Photo from Flower Farm website)


2. Reigate Festival - this is running in Reigate Priory Park from 10.30 am - 10.30 pm on Saturday and has an enormous list of fun and family-friendly things going on, including a "Kidzone" with lots of different activities for children such as an obstacle course, wet sponge stocks, peg-shooting tin can alley, giant Jenga, quoits, climbing wall and a 'Get a Gory Shakespearian Wound' photo opportunity. Looks like it would be a brilliant day out.

3. Mayfield Lavender - the lavender is out and blooming, and we will definitely go at some point this summer.  This weekend might be the time.  My five year-old loves creepy crawlies and is very keen to do some beetle-collecting with the jars that they provide as well.  These lavender fields are near Banstead.

Wet-weather options

1. Whitgift School's Remembering 1916 Exhibition - this local exhibition has had some great reviews and is only on until the end of August.  This weekend there's half-price admission on Saturday and Sunday (and it's free on Friday) so it could be a good time to go.  There is also a nice-looking Edwardian cafe which could be fun to try.

(Photo from Remembering 1916 Exhibition website)

2. Croydon Airport - this is open on the first Sunday of every month, 11 am - 4 pm and is completely free.  They are also giving out free stickers for kids.  I've never been before but would love to find out more about this fascinating part of Croydon's history.

(Photo from Croydon Airport website)

3. Shirley Windmill - this is also only open once a month, and this Sunday is its day for July.  It's open from 1 pm - 5 pm.  It's free to enter (but they accept donations) and a guided tour is provided.  We drive past this windmill quite often but have never been inside so this could be the time to do it.

(Photo from Shirley Windmill website)