Ten rainy day ideas around Croydon

When it rains, it's often a challenge figuring out how to keep the kids happy and cabin fever at bay.  Here are some ideas of places to take your kids around Croydon this summer when it's wet out but you just have to get out of the house.

1.  Most kids seem to absolutely love soft play.  They can climb and jump and crawl to their heart's content.  The only trouble when it's raining is that everyone seems to have the same idea, so it can be a good plan to get their early to avoid the crowds.  There are quite a few options around Croydon, including Kidspace on the Purley Way (good for older kids too), the Phoenix Centre in Wallington, Antics in Warlingham which has a bouncy castle, toys and outdoor play areas for if the rain stops, the Kidplay Cafe in Addiscombe, Little Lambs in Sutton, Henry's in Caterham, Layhams Farm Shop in Keston and Mother Kitty's in a park in Coulsdon.

2.  The Horniman Museum in Forest Hill is great for kids and has plenty to see indoors including an aquarium, a natural history museum, a "hands on" base and a music gallery.  It also has a lovely outside area with an animal walk, gardens and nature base.

3.  Croydon has libraries all over the borough and they are always a good option when it's wet.  As well as being able to read and borrow books, there are lots of events on over the summer and kids can sign up for the Big Friendly Read summer reading challenge.  They even get a badge just for signing up!

4.  Swimming is a great option when it's wet outside as it still involves plenty of exercise.  Plus, swimming at any of Croydon's pools is free for kids over the summer holidays.

5.  Garden centres are often a good option for when it feels a bit too wet or drizzly for a park but some fresh air would be good.  Woodcote Green in Wallington is a great option as it has a lovely farm shop, a fish section which my kids love to see, two cafes and, if it's dry enough, an outside play area.

6.  Going to a cafe is another fun way to get out of the house.  There are quite a few nice independent cafes around Croydon now (although, in my opinion, there's still plenty of room for more!) including eBear's Attic in Hamsey Green, which is also a charity shop with a lovely selection of kids toys and books, Priscilla's Tea Room in Sanderstead, the Tram Stop Cafe in Addiscombe and Amano in Warlingham.

7. Little ones love to use public transport and there are lots of options around Croydon.  Why not take them on a bus, tram or train trip?  Or combine a couple of these for a fun round trip, possibly involving a cafe stop at the Tram Stop Cafe or London Victoria?  Under 11s can travel free on London buses and trams.  Children with a 5-10 Zip Oyster photocard can travel free on most National Rail services where pay as you go is accepted.  However, they are charged child-rate pay as you go fares on Southern and Thameslink services between Coulsden South and Gatwick Airport.

8.  There's nothing quite like live entertainment and the Polka Theatre in Wimbledon is a brilliant option for kids shows, even for the very young.  This summer it has on James and the Giant Peach for children aged 5-11 and Chester Tuffnut for children aged 2-5.

9.  The Remembering 1916 exhibition at Whitgift School in South Croydon has received great reviews and could be an interesting place to take school-aged children.  For younger visitors and their families, Reynard, a ‘flying’ fox, can guide them around with a series of trails, hands-on displays and special activities.

10.  Put on your wellies and waterproofs and get outside anyway!  There are heaps of parks and woods to choose from around Croydon and, if it's raining, you'll most likely have the place to yourself.  There will also be no need to worry about sun cream.  Why not go and feed some ducks at one of Croydon's ponds?

Ten places for kids to see animals around Croydon

Have you got a little one who loves animals?  Here are ten great places to take them to see animals around Croydon.

1.  Beaver Water World is a short drive from Croydon, just outside Biggin Hill, and it has loads of animals to see including snakes, lizards, beavers (if you're lucky!), birds and meercats.  It's great for little ones as it's not too big and it also doesn't cost much.  It has a small play area and cafe too.

2.  Deen City Farm in Wimbledon is also a short drive, or tram trip, from Croydon.  It is free to visit (although they are happy to accept donations!) and has loads of farm animals to see including pigs, goats, cows, horses, chickens, ducks, owls, rabbits and alpacas.  There are lots of different activities on over the summer holidays.  It also has a riding school and cafe.  It can be nicely combined with visit to Morden Hall Park as the two are linked by footpaths.

3. Godstone Farm is also a short drive from Croydon and is a large farm attraction with heaps of farm animals to see, great indoor and outdoor play areas and a cafe.  There are lots of different events on over the summer as well.

4.  The Horniman Museum in Forest Hill has a lovely aquarium and also an Animal Walk where you can see lots of different animals including alpacas, goats, sheep, guinea pigs, rabbits and chickens.  The Horniman Museum also has gardens and a natural history museum to visit, as well as a great cafe.  It's a short train ride from East Croydon Station.

5.  Battersea Park Children's Zoo in Battersea Park is a great place to take small children as it's not too big but still has a great selection of animals to see, and a wonderful play area.  It can of course be combined with a visit to Battersea Park itself as well.

6.  Bockett's Farm Park near Leatherhead is another big farm attraction with loads of animals to see and some fantastic indoor and outdoor play areas.   There's always lots on and not-to-be-missed is its famous pig race!

7.  Hobbledown Farm near Epsom is yet another big farm attraction but this time with the emphasis being on "mysterical" adventure, with its amazing adventure play area and indoor play space.  It too of course also has loads of animals to see. 

8.  Chessington Zoo has some wilder and more exotic animals compared with other places on this list, including tigers, gorillas, monkeys, penguins and sea lions.  It can be combined, of course, with a day a the theme park as well.

9.  Crystal Palace Park Farm is a small, free farm in Crystal Palace Park, run by Capel Manor College.  It has farm animals such as goats, chickens, Shetland ponies and pigs, rodents, such as rabbits and guinea pigs and exotics, such as reptiles.

10.  The British Wildlife Centre on the A22 in Lingfield is home to over forty different species of British wildlife, including snakes, minks, owls, moles, badgers, voles, otters, rats, rabbits, birds of prey, deer, foxes, stoats, weasels, wildcats, mice and hedgehogs.

A summer's day at Cliveden National Trust

Last Sunday we spent a wonderful day out with friends at Cliveden, which is near Slough.  

Setting off from Croydon, the satnav said our journey should take 1 hour and 3 minutes.  In the end, due to traffic on the M25, it took just over an hour and a half (and nearly two hours on the way back) and our two girls were definitely ready to get out of the car by the time we arrived.  However, it was well worth the trip and next time I think we'd just set off a bit earlier in the morning, to try to avoid the congestion.

Cliveden is a really big National Trust property, so there is heaps to do and lots of different areas to explore.  We were there for around five hours and there was still plenty of bits that we didn't manage to see, so we will definitely be back.

We arrived at lunchtime so we started our visit with a picnic in the field next to the overflow carpark.  This was handy because we could then put all our picnic paraphernalia back in the car before heading off to visit the rest of Cliveden.

The adults were in need of a cup of tea so after a short walk through some woods, where we stopped for a while for the kids to explore some dens that had been built around the trees with sticks and branches, we arrived at the Doll's House Café which overlooks a small, shady wooden play area called the Storybook Play Den.  The kids enjoyed playing on the various bits of play equipment and we enjoyed our drinks.

Next, we headed over to The Water Garden, which was fun to explore with its birds, fish, stepping stones and bridges, and then The Maze, which was actually surprisingly difficult!

Our visit then continued round to the house where we saw this beautiful fountain.  

The kids enjoyed standing next to it and getting wet from the spray when the breeze blew it towards them, and were enchanted when a mummy duck swam past followed by five little ducklings.

It was getting late by then so we walked back to the car park through some woodland and set off on the drive home.

However, as I mentioned earlier, we didn't have time to see all of Cliveden by a long way and next time I would especially love to do the Woodland Play Trail through the woods and also see more of the beautiful gardens.

A cheeky summer picnic at Coombe Wood

Last Tuesday we were all packed up for picnic and I was planning on taking the girls, by foot and by tram, to Wandle Park.

However, a last minute check of the ever-changing weather forecast showed that heavy showers were due in an hour or so.

This threw us for a little while and we debated having an indoor picnic.  However, as it was still relatively sunny outside we decided to drive up the road to Coombe Wood where, when the rain arrived, we would be able to quickly rush back to the car and return home in a not too soggy state.

We were so pleased we went.

On our arrival the flower beds were looking bright and colourful in the sunshine and we had fun spotting plenty of fat fish in the pond.

The weather couldn't quite make up its mind and while we ate an (early, the girls couldn't wait) lunch on the lawn the weather kept changing from cloudy one moment...

to sunny the next..

 

Having finished our lunch, it was still dry so we set off to explore the woods.  The girls spent quite a while climbing onto and jumping off of some tree stumps and logs.

Our stroll then took us round past the summer house (re-named "The Lovely Cafe" by the girls) where we enjoyed some imaginary ice cream, pasta and Earl Grey tea..

..whilst taking in a rather lovely view over the real Coach House Cafe.

After that, the first drops of rain were starting to fall and it was getting close to little one's nap time, so we headed back to the car, and home.

In the afternoon we made some rather yummy fairy cakes while the rain poured down, and we felt smug about having managed to squeeze in a cheeky picnic before the downpour.

Seeking the shade: where's good to cool off in Croydon?

With the heatwave upon us this week, twinned with my fair skin, my natural reaction in this kind of weather is always to seek the shade.

Here is a list of five shady spots around Croydon, just right for cooling down in.

1.  Coombe Wood.  I seem to be mentioning this place again and again at the moment but it has to be one of my top places to go to in any weather.  The shade provided by the woods makes is a wonderful place to chill out in this heat.  For more details about it you can see my earlier post here.

2.  Kelsey Park.  A short tram ride from Croydon, this lovely park has a mixture of open areas, play areas, flower beds, plus some lovely wooded shaded areas.  At its centre is a beautiful lake.

3.  Oaks Park.  Near Carshalton and Banstead, this park is another place with large wooded areas which provide some great shade.  It's also just opposite Mayfield Lavender so would make a great place to cool down in after a visit to the lavender field.

4.  Heathfield.  These tranquil gardens near Coombe Lane tram stop include a pretty wooded area complete with small streams and stepping stones, which is great for small children to explore in the shade.

5.  Beddington Park.  This park has wooded areas so it should be easy to find a shady spot to cool down in.  The large lake with its elegant swans also makes a great place for a relaxing stroll.

Of course, this is far from an exhaustive list so if you have any other ideas do please post below in the comments.

Beetle-hunting and ice cream at Mayfield Lavender

We moved to Croydon three years ago and each year since moving here we have paid a visit to the stunning Mayfield Lavender field near Banstead.  This year was Croydon Daddy's first trip and it was also the first time we'd been on a weekend.

The field is, unsurprisingly, much busier on a weekend.  So my top tip would be to go on a weekday, if this is an option for you.  However, the lavender field is vast and there was still plenty of space for all, although taking "unspoilt" photos was a little trickier.

Last year, as we wandered around the field, we kept spotting small shiny metallic beetles of a kind I had never seen before.  When we reached the cafe, we saw signs informing us that these beetles were, in fact, the "rosemary beetle", a pest which has arrived in England from either South America or Southern Europe and is steadily munching its way through lavender and rosemary plants of southern England.

To help stop the beetles from eating up Mayfield's organic lavender, you can ask at the shop for a jam jar to collect thems in and, on returning a jar of collected beetles to the shop, you can claim a small, edible prize.

Last year, by the time we saw the signs, it was too late for us to embark on a beetle-collecting expedition, despite the pleas of my four year-old.  So we said that the next time we came, we would be sure to collect a jam jar first, before setting out on our wander around the field.

And that is what we did.

Unfortunately, however, it seems that so had plenty of other keen beetle-catchers and it took us quite some time before we managed to spot our first beetle.  In the end I think we had amassed about eight beetles between us (three adults and two children, although one child wasn't really spotting) but thankfully it was still deemed sufficient to warrant a prize.

We then treated ourselves to some yummy lavender ice cream from the cafe and I bought a jug and bunch of lavender from the shop.  The helpful assistant advised that I should lay out the lavender to dry for five days, before putting it back in the jug, so the bunch spent most of last week laid out on a sheet of newspaper on my dining room table.

It is now happily back in the jug and looking and smelling rather lovely.

Just the two of us - a quiet Friday afternoon at Sanderstead Recreation Ground

I've been a bit behind on my posting this last week or so, what with my older daughter having just broken up for her school holidays so please bear with me as I try to catch up a bit!

Last Friday was my older daughter's last day at school and she went to a friend's house after school finished so it was a rare opportunity for the two year-old and I to go on a post-nap excursion which wouldn't be cut short by the school run.

She opted, as she does every time when given the choice, for the park and we chose Sanderstead Recreation Ground as she fancied a bit of a scoot.

She got her scooter at Easter and has come on remarkably well since then for a two year-old (in my unbiased opinion, of course).  Sanderstead Rec has a lovely little scooting/skating circuit which is just right for her and she had a great time "zooming" around.

We then headed over to the play area which was all but deserted.  We savoured the peace and calm for a bit until all the big kids from school arrived.  In a few days, of course there won't be any of these quiet times to enjoy for a few weeks, so it was really a nice time, just the two of us.

Croydon Libraries' Summer Reading Challenge

My little girl is coming to the end of her first year at school year, and what a year it has been.

One of the most important things she's learned this year has, of course, been to read.  She's always loved books and has really enjoyed the books her teacher has sent home for her to read with us, so I'm keen to continue reading with her over the summer.

The other day I mentioned Croydon Libraries' Summer Reading Challenge to her.  This year it is called "The Big Friendly Read" and is celebrating 100 years since the birth of Roald Dahl.  As she's a huge BFG and Roald Dahl fan, this immediately caught her interest and she can't wait to start.

The Challenge is open to all children aged 4-11 and you can sign up at any of Croydon's libraries.  Once your child has read six books then they get a medal and a certificate.

The Challenge opens on Saturday 16th July and runs until Saturday 10th September, so there is plenty of time for those six books to be read.

Over the summer, the libraries are also running a whole heap of different activities related to the Challenge, to keep your little ones busy.  Some you have to sign up for so it's worth having a look now to see which ones take your fancy.

If you have an older child, aged 13 years or older, then they are also invited to help run the Challenge at the local libraries.  They can pick up an application form at a library, or download it here.

30 places to visit with kids in and around Croydon this summer - all in one post!

I've realised that my earlier posts here, here and here about "30 places to visit with kids in and around Croydon this summer" might not be the easiest to read as I split the 30 places up into three groups of ten.

So I've now created this post consolidating all thirty ideas into a single post.  I hope it's helpful!

Here you go:


1. Coombe Wood - we'll probably go here quite a lot as it really is so so nice.  For more details see my earlier post here.

2. Lloyd Park - this park is big, great for flying a kite on a windy day, has a good play area including a zip-wire.  The cafe closed recently though, so you'd need to take your own refreshments.  It's right by the aptly-named Lloyd Park tram stop.

3. Littleheath Woods - not been here before but they look very pleasant and fun to explore.

4. Woodcote Green - this garden centre in Wallington has two cafes, one right next to a small play area with a sandpit which my two can happily spend an hour or so playing in.  There is a great farm shop and lots of fish to see.

5. Kelsey Park - this is a fabulous park in Beckenham.  It has a large lake with tarmac paths around it which are great for scooting on.  There are lots of lovely areas to picnic and it has a huge play area, with a small cafe right next to it.

6. Wandle Park - this is in Croydon.  We've not been here before but I'm keen to try it out for a change.  It's on the tram route too which should make it easy to get to.  I hear it has a good sandpit and also a bandstand.

7. Park Hill Recreation Ground - this is close to the centre of Croydon and has a play area and a walled garden which is fun to walk around.  It has lots of flowers but is on quite a steep slope so not such a safe place for the two-year-old (who has no fear) to scoot.

8. Sanderstead Recreation Ground and duck pond - the Recreation Ground has a good play area, which is all in one enclosed rectangular area (good when you're trying to keep your eye on two kids at once).  It also has an enclosed skating/scooting area which my two love scooting around.  There is a path around the perimeter of the Recreation Ground which is great for riding a bike around, and Priscilla's Tea Room, which is just next to the play area, is lovely for a drink or lunch.  Priscilla's often runs crafts activities for children too (good for a rainy day). The duck pond isn't in the recreation ground but is just a short walk further down Limpsfield Road.  There is usually a good number of ducks to feed.

9. Morden Hall Park - this isn't in Croydon, but it's not far and is also very easy to reach by tram.  It has lots of grass and woody areas, a play area, a river (good for Pooh sticks), a cafe and also a garden centre.  It's a National Trust property but is completely free to visit and often has activities on during the holidays for children.

10. Addington Hills - as these wooded hills don't have toilets or a cafe, we haven't made a trip to them yet.  However, they are high on my "to do" list (another of my lists..) and look like fun to explore with the girls.  There is a viewing point which might be a good spot for a picnic.

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.

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.

 (Photo from Wikipedia)

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.

 

(Photo from Richmond Park website)

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.

Strawberry picking in the sun, rain and hail... and ice cream

If you saw my earlier post, you'll know that I had a few different ideas of places to visit last weekend, and I said that the final decision would be based on the weather.

One of my dry-weather plans was to go strawberry picking at Flower Farm, near Godstone.

On the way back from the park on Friday afternoon, my five year-old was begging me to buy her an ice cream from the ice cream van.  It was nearly dinner time so there was no way that was going to happen.  But she was getting a bit upset about it (it had been a long week) so, in an attempt to cheer her up and get things moving again I said "What about if we go strawberry picking tomorrow and then Daddy can make strawberry ice cream in his ice cream maker when we get home?".  Fortunately, those words did the trick and we were happily off on our way again, heading home for tea.

However, it now meant that no matter what the weather, we really had to go strawberry picking on Saturday.

Luckily, it was a sunny morning and I felt pretty optimistic as we headed off on the short drive from Croydon down to Godstone (taking in some lovely views of the Surrey hills and countryside on the way).

When we arrived at Flower Farm, we were all a bit peckish so we decided to have lunch first.  Flower Farm has a really lovely little cafe with a fantastically large selection of teas.  We opted for a pot of one of the three kinds of Dajeeling and it was a really good cup of tea.  We also had sandwiches:  the girls both chose ham, and Daddy Croydon and I shared one beef sandwich and one cheese and pickle sandwich between us.  They were really nice sandwiches, freshly prepared, and were served with a little salad and a few crisps.  Lovely.  The only trouble was the wait, which did seem quite long, although a bookcase of children's books and toys did keep our two happily occupied. 

Unfortunately, however, by the time we'd finished lunch, dark clouds were rolling in.  We'd only managed to pick a couple of strawberries before we felt the first drops of rain.  We hastily picked a few more and in the end had nearly a whole punnet (well, maybe half a punnet).

By now the rain was getting heavier and we did a quick run back to the shop to pay, and dove into the car.

Driving back to Croydon the rain was torrential and we even had hail.  However, by the time we'd got back to our house, the sun was shining again!

(If by chance you're reading this but haven't been to England before, this is actually fairly typical English weather.)

Daddy Croydon got out his ice cream maker and proceeded to turn the strawberries into strawberry ice cream, much to our girls' (and our) delight.

It was scrummy and, despite this picture looking a bit funny in colour, a really bright pink.

Oh, and the two year-old's new favourite game is serving us all imaginary ice creams!