Escape It All at Morden Hall Park, Near Wimbledon
As you walk through the gates of Morden Hall Park you leave behind the hectic pace of South London and step into a peaceful country estate with a watermill
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Go Wild at Thatcham Nature Discovery Centre, Near Newbury
There’s lots to enjoy at Thatcham Nature Discovery Centre – two wooden play areas, Thatcham Lake and ducks galore, a cafe with indoor and outdoor tables and
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Visit the Snake’s Head Fritillaries of Cricklade North Meadow
There is no doubt that Cricklade North Meadow is a special place. Bordered by the River Thames and the River Churn, this old hay meadow is carpeted by flowers
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Discover Wizard Wix at Hatchlands Park, Near Guildford
Hatchlands Park is an ideal venue for a wild adventure with rolling parkland, hidden geocaches and a natural play area complete with a wooden tree house, fairy doors and an obstacle course.
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Explore the Gorgeous Grounds of Nymans, Near Crawley
The atmospheric ruins of Nymans overlook rolling countryside from the top of a hill. Beautifully manicured gardens surround the house and were
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Birdworld and Underwater World, Farnham
Birdworld and Underwater World is one of the largest bird parks in the UK. It was also a first for us – the first time we have visited somewhere that my children
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Conquer the Giant’s Castle at Binfield Wood, Basingstoke
Binfield Wood Play Area is a shady playground that doubles as the giant’s castle on the story trail called “Great Binfield, The Giant of Basingstoke”. This is one of
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Quest Along The Great Binfield Copse Story Trail, Basingstoke
Great Binfield, The Giant of Basingstoke is a story trail* that guides you on a quest to find Great Binfield, a giant who lives in a woodland castle
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Chineham Library, Chineham Town Centre, Basingstoke
Chineham Library has a welcoming children’s section, plenty of activities and is also the first stop on the Story Trail quest to find Great Binfield the Giant. We visited
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Catch a New Release at Bringing in Baby, South Hill Park
Just when I thought I understood all that South Hill Park had to offer I heard about Bringing in Baby – a baby-friendly film screening for parents and carers with a
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Meet the Animals of Ray Mill Island, Maidenhead
Hidden behind beautiful Boulters Lock is Ray Mill Island, an island in the Thames where the river forks and either thunders over Boulters Weir or pools in Boulters Lock.
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Play by the River at Riverside Gardens Play Area, Maidenhead
Located on the banks of the River Thames, with its own cafe and mini golf course and within walking distance of the beautiful Boulters Lock and Ray Mill Island, this
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Step Back in Time at Milestones Museum, Basingstoke
Milestones Museum is an indoor outdoor experience that recreates the streets of the past complete with cobbles and tramlines, workshops and stations, buses
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Take in the Views at Uppark House and Garden, Petersfield
The views at Uppark are beautiful, whether looking towards the house or away from it. The house has stunning symmetry and colour as well as spectacular views
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Stand at the Top of Hampshire on Butser Hill, Horndean
Butser Hill is one of the highest points in Hampshire with a story trail, kite flying and beautiful views that stretch out across the South Downs and onto Portsmouth
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Pilot a Helicopter at South Ascot Recreation Area, Ascot
South Ascot Recreation Area is bursting with play equipment, including: swings, toddler swings, a play shop and post office, a multi-play with net, climbing wall
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Splish, Splosh and Splash in Odiham Ford, Odiham
This pretty pool is actually a ford in the River Whitewater where you can paddle, splash and splosh. It is quiet, peaceful and muddy. From here you can easily walk along
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Help Forgetful Henry Along the Odiham Castle Story Trail
A ruined, medieval castle and the beautiful Basingstoke Canal seemed the perfect settings to try another one of Hampshire County Council’s Story Trails.
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Discover and then Lay Siege to King John’s Castle, Odiham
Today Odiham Castle is the ruined remains of one of King John’s strongholds. But during the 13th and 14th centuries, it witnessed a French seige
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Play Around at Odiham Recreation Ground, Odiham
Chinooks thumping overhead were all part of the fun when we visited Odiham Recreation Ground. RAF Odiham is nearby and helicopters were regularly taking
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Relax and Watch at Baby Club, Everyman Cinema in Winchester
A baby-friendly cinema screening of a new release film in a cinema with sofas? It sounded too good to be true but Baby Club was wonderful. I loved having
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Go Fossil Hunting at West Beach, Bognor Regis
The tide retreats remarkably quickly at West Beach, transforming it from a stone covered slope into a flat, sandy beach. We were there to try
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Crystal Palace Park Dinosaur Play Area, Bromley
Crystal Palace Park Play Area is a dinosaur-themed play area in Crystal Palace Park, an exciting London park which is full of things to do, including dinosaur
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Spot the Dinosaurs at Crystal Palace Park, Bromley
“There’s one, crawling out of the water!” shouted my daughter, looking out across the lake towards the statue. We had only been in Crystal Palace Park for a couple of
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Follow the Abandoned Riverside Railway Walk, Liss
Following the Riverside Railway Walk is just like riding a train. The route is fairly straight, passes old railway relics, crosses several sturdy bridges and gradually
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Meet Princesses and a Troll along the Fleet Pond Story Trail, Fleet
We went to Fleet Pond to try a story trail called “The Princess, the Pike and the Pond”, one of Hampshire County Council’s Story Trails. I love the idea of these trails and couldn’t wait
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Enjoy the Bridges and Boardwalks of Fleet Pond
Fleet Pond has plenty to explore – boardwalks, jetties, three different trails, a beach with a paddling area and lots of ducks, swans and waterbirds. The area is a
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Meet the Dinosaurs of the Natural History Museum
Our mission today was to show the children how enormous dinosaurs were before Dippy the Diplodocus skeleton leaves the Natural History Museum on 4th January 2017.
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Gaze at the Views from Denbies Hillside, Dorking
Denbies Hillside’s panoramic views sweep up and down the valley and across to Leith Hill Tower. We spent about an hour and a half walking the Denbies Hillside
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Enjoy Lantern-Lit Gardens at RHS Garden Wisley Christmas Glow
As soon as we arrived at RHS Garden Wisley, we knew we were beginning a Christmas tradition. The gardens were open late and we arrived after dark. Everywhere was pitch black except for the trails of fairy lights, illuminated trees, glowing reflections and massive flower sculptures.
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Explore and Discover at the Winchester Science Centre
Winchester Science Centre is packed with hands on exhibits exploring science, maths and technology including the chance to walk through a human colon
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Explore the Cosmos at Winchester Planetarium
“Blast off into space and help save Christmas!” promised the Space Mission for Santa write up. High stakes stuff! We had no idea what was going to happen but
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Meet the Animals of Manor Farm, Near Southampton
Manor Farm transports you back in time to a Victorian farm with costumed farm workers, historic farm buildings, free-ranging animals and antiquated tractors.
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Play Areas, Arts and Orienteering at South Hill Park, Bracknell
South Hill Park is a grand stately home turned arts venue, which is surrounded by gardens, lakes, woods, and three very different play areas. The grounds divide into
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Brave the Hedgehog at Hedgehog Park, Bracknell
Hedgehog Park (also known as Birch Hill Play Area) is a well-equipped play area nestled in the gorgeous grounds of South Hill Park. As well as varied equipment
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Make Music at South Hill Park Toddlers’ Play Area, Bracknell
This cute little play area sits in the grounds of South Hill Park, conveniently positioned next to the cafe, toilets and car park. The toddler-sized
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Climb About at South Hill Road Play Area, Bracknell
South Hill Road Play Area is a wooden adventure play area that blends naturally into the surrounding trees. There is a wide choice of play equipment including
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Pond Dip at Fox Corner Wildlife Area, Near Guildford
Fox Corner Community Wildlife Area is a tranquil, 14-acre wildlife area with a pond, meadow, woods and two brooks well as bridges, boardwalks and a pond dipping
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Tackle the Multi-Play at Rotherwick Play Area, Near Hook
Finding the well-concealed Rotherwick Play Area and Cricket Ground was worth the effort. It had unusual equipment, a peaceful atmosphere and a tranquil picnic
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Paddle, Splash and Play at Stoke Park Splash Pad, Guildford
Stoke Park Splash Pad is a large, shallow paddling pool decorated with sea creatures. Open during the summer holidays, this is somewhere children can
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Admire the Views from Newlands Corner, Guildford
Newlands Corner is one of the most spectacular picnic spots we have visited. The views are simply breathtaking. This is also the spot chosen by Agatha Christie
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Try Orienteering at Ambarrow Court NR, Sandhurst
Ambarrow Court’s circular nature trail twists through shady woodland, over bridges and past wildflowers. It also hides a permanent orienteering course.
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Explore the Wonderful World of Wisley Gardens, Woking
With beautiful scenery, cascading waterfalls, lovely picnic spots, buggy friendly pathways and even play areas, RHS Garden Wisley is wonderful. The gardens are
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Meet the Inhabitants of Thundry Meadows, Elstead
With its evocative name, connections to Thor and great online reviews, I was expecting a lot from Thundry Meadows. In many ways, I was not disappointed.
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Spy with Binoculars at Kingsway Play Area, Aldershot
The Kingsway Play Area is a well equipped playground built on a spacious plot, in a quiet, residential area. The equipment was varied and in good condition and included swings,
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Swing Around at Four Marks Playground, Near Alton
Four Marks Recreation Ground and Playground is fantastic fun. The choice of equipment is brilliant, the condition is excellent and the location is spacious with a rural
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Peer into the Mirror at Chestnut Pond Play Area, Woking
This is a play area suited to younger children and situated next to a pond. The play equipment includes a toddler swing, two springers, a slide that is reached by climbing
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Admire the Gardens of Loseley Park, Near Guildford
Loseley Park’s gardens are small but enchanting. When we visited they were awash with forget-me-not flowers, butterflies, ducklings and geese. We investigated the
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Dive the Oceans at The Bournemouth Aquarium
There can’t be many places where you can see creatures from the Great Barrier Reef, the Ganges and the deep sea all under one roof, but Oceanarium: The Bournemouth
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Marvel at the Animals of The Natural History Museum at Tring
The atmospheric Natural History Museum at Tring is jam-packed with animals displayed in original, floor-to-ceiling, glass cases. It’s a fascinating place to
