There’s a chill in the air but a fresh breeze, coat and woollies in hand, shouldn’t stop you from heading on an day trip from London to embrace the great outdoors.
The holidays are the perfect time for a day out in the fresh air. And there are plenty of places to explore as a family, come rain, shine – or even snow – just a short journey from London. Take in the Christmas lights at the former home of Anne Boleyn, search for harvest mice in the East Surry countryside, or try out some seriously good adventure playgrounds that kids will love.
VISIT Hever Castle
The former home of Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII, this historic castle in Kent is a treasure trove of fun for children in the winter months. It’s a fantastic place to visit all year round, but Christmas at Hever is incredibly popular with families when the stunning grounds become home to fairground rides, stalls and boat rides on the lake (from 17 November until 1 January). Explore the walking trails, visit the huge outdoor playground or check out the ancient Yew Maze. Don’t miss the magical Christmas Lights experience that starts from 4PM every day with a chance to marvel at the castle, gardens and lake festooned with fabulous colours and twinkling lights. Easily accessible by car, Hever is a perfect jaunt at this time of year.
EXPLORE Polesden Lacey
Twenty-five miles outside of London you’ll find Polsden Lacey, a beautiful Edwardian estate within the Surrey Hills. Labelled as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this spectacular estate has been designed by the architects behind The Ritz, and while the house is a historical gem, it’s the gardens that are the real draw for families. Kids can run free and explore the 1,600 acres of rolling downland, ancient woodlands and wildlife habitats that are home to rare birds and butterflies. You’ll find plenty of free worksheets to encourage little ones to explore, or pick up a copy of the National Trust’s inspiring book 50 things to do before you’re 11¾ which is packed with ideas for simple outdoor fun to indulge in on their properties. Of course, there is a great café (the National Trust are famous for these) and at Christmas the estate adopts a ‘fairytale’ theme with decorations, fairground rides and Father Christmas in residence.
VISIT Blenheim Palace
While Blenheim Palace is most famous for being the birth place of Sir Winston Churchill, this grand stately home is far from stuffy and very welcoming for days out with children. While adults will love the stunning architecture and gardens, kids will have to be dragged away from the huge super-cool adventure playground with its zip wires, climbing nets, slides, bridges and tunnels to explore. There is a special Toddler Zone and ‘Adventure Play Guides’ on hand to help and advise the best areas for different ages of children. A wonderful place to spend the day at any time of year, if you pop in before the 1st of January, you’ll see the marvellous Christmas lights and can book skating at Blenheim’s ice rink. There’s plenty of onsite parking, a great cafe, baby changing facilities, and its an easy spot to push a buggy around too.
LEARN The British Wildlife Centre
Have you any little conservationists in the family? Take a trip to the British Wildlife Centre, in East Surrey’s countryside, this special nature reserve is home to the most extensive collection of native wildlife in Britain. Explore the 26 acres of wood and marshland with over 40 different native species – from tiny harvest mice to magnificent red deer – before meeting some of the animals up close at one of the informative keeper talks that take place every half an hour. For a really special day out, book a private visit with a personalised, two-hour guided tour, as well as enjoying the centre to yourselves. A great way to introduce little ones to the amazing wildlife right on their doorstep.
EXPLORE Wakehurst
If you love Kew Gardens then you’ll really enjoy a trip to Wakehurst in Sussex – the country outpost of the famous Royal Botanic Gardens in London. Home to the Millennium Seed Bank, an underground collection of over 2.4 billion seeds from around the world that are being conserved for the future, this 500-acre site has several different gardens to explore. Elsewhere on the property, kids will love the Tree Trunk Trek, an adventurous log trail where they crawl, climb, jump and balance their way across the course. Hire one of their kid’s Explorer Rucksacks for £4.50 – it comes packed with goodies including binoculars, measuring tape and worksheets full of fun tasks for your children – and set them off on an intrepid journey through Wakehurst. There is also a Grade I listed Elizabethan Mansion on site, as well as some great restaurants and cafés, easy parking and a lovely gift shop.
DISCOVER Whipsnade Zoo
Whipsnade Zoo, the largest in the UK, is set in 600 acres of beautiful parkland on the Chiltern Hills, north of London. The zoo is home to more than 10,000 animals, many of which are endangered, and is a great place to show kids some of the most exciting and rarest species in the world. See everything from lions and penguins to zebras and chimps, even burrowing owls. There’s also a superb outdoor play area that spans 7,800 square metres and includes bridges, swings, climbing frames, sit-on crocodiles, tunnels, boats and mini safari jeeps. A ZSL conservation zoo, this is the place to learn about animals and their natural habitats, with daily talks from experts and keepers who explain the lives and importance of everything from elephants to red pandas.
PLAY Hobbledown Heath
This adventure park is the stuff of dreams for children. From the giant play castle with slides, tunnels and towers, to the high ropes, jumping pillows, and farm full of animals, there is plenty of family fun to be enjoyed here. Located in Epsom (though there is also one in Hounslow, London), Hobbledown Heath is open seven days a week and a great find for all ages. As well as the opportunities to burn off some energy, you’ll find outdoor, interactive storytelling sessions with a host of woodland characters such as Fern the Fairy and Professor Topperpot. Christmas activities are taking place through out December and early January so the place is feeling especially magical. With parking and a café, this place ticks the boxes for both kids and grown-ups. Book in advance, it gets sold out pretty quickly!
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