Kew Gardens is an absolute dream for a day out with friends and children. It is packed with breath-taking landscapes, iconic glasshouses, and endless space for little ones to run, explore, and discover nature.
Rupert and Joy had the best time wandering through the Temperate House, spotting giant trees and exotic plants, and running wild in the Children’s Garden - which is designed for hands-on nature play. The Treetop Walkway gave us the most incredible views from above. The biggest hit was the train that takes you around the entire gardens. The gardens are incredibly family-friendly, with plenty of picnic spots, buggy-friendly paths, and excellent facilities.
📍 Richmond, London , TW9 3AB
👶 Suitable for all ages
💰 Adult £16.50 | Child (4-15) £5 | Under 4s FREE
🎟️ Pre-booking recommended
🕜 Open daily – 10am - 5pm
🚗 Paid parking nearby | Easy access via public transport
☕ Cafés and kiosks serving food & drinks
Ascot Race Course isn’t just for race days—it’s also home to The Heath, a fantastic family-friendly walking route right in the heart of the track! This 1.7-mile circular walk offers a smooth, tarmac path, making it ideal for buggies, scooters, and little ones on bikes or scooters. With stunning views of the grandstand and racetrack, it’s a unique and fun way to get outdoors with friends.
There’s even a lovely play area on The Heath with swings, slides, and climbing frames—perfect for a mid-walk stop to let the kids burn off some extra energy and have a picnic!
📍 Ascot Racecourse, High St, Ascot SL5 7JX
👶 All ages
💰 Free entry
🚗 Parking near Holloway Underpass (SL5 7LJ)
🕜Open to the public on non-race days (6:30am-7:30pm)
Frimley Miniature Railway is a fantastic experience for train-loving little ones and a fun family day out! Set in the beautiful Frimley Lodge Park, this charming miniature railway offers open day rides where kids (and grown-ups!) can enjoy a magical journey through the park on a real mini steam and diesel train.
The railway is run by passionate volunteers who create a welcoming and exciting atmosphere. Rupert and Joy absolutely loved riding the trains, waving to everyone along the way, and watching the engines in action! With affordable tickets and a lovely park setting, it’s a must-visit for families looking for a unique and fun-filled adventure.
📍 Frimley Lodge Park, Surrey
👶 Suitable for all ages (under 3s go free)
💰 £1.50 per person per ride
🎟️ Open day events—check their website for dates
🕜 Typically runs once a month (weather permitting)
🚗 Free parking on-site
☕ @frimleylodgecafe available for food and drinks
🚽 Toilet facilities available
We had the most magical morning at Mini Explorers Stay, Explore & Craft—a wonderful outdoor adventure set in beautiful location in the heart of the woods.
Lydia and Jade, both mums themselves, have created a dreamy, nature-filled space where little ones can run free, create, and explore. Rupert and Joy had an absolute blast getting stuck into mud kitchen fun, potion making, bug hunting, painting, and crafts, all leading up to a lovely nature-inspired story time.
A really special touch is that each child gets a bag to take home their crafts, making the experience even more memorable. And for us grown-ups? Hot drinks are available (a total win!). The setup is super family-friendly, with a huge bell tent for rainy days, toilet and baby-changing facilities, and plenty of space to roam.
If you’re looking for a beautiful outdoor adventure where kids can connect with nature, play freely, and get creative, this is the place to be!
📍 Chawton Park Rd, Farm, Alton GU34 1SW
👶 1-8 years old
💰 £10 per child
🎟️ Book in advance
🕜 Mondays, Thursdays & Fridays. 10:00am – 11:30am
☕ Hot drinks for grown ups!
🚗 Free parking available (Off-road buggy or carrier recommended for walk to camp)
Step into a storybook adventure at Painshill - Where fairy tale magic meets breath-taking landscapes! This award-winning 18th-century garden is the perfect setting for little explorers to discover beloved fairy tale characters along a scenic trail.
With winding paths, picturesque lakes, and stunning architectural gems like the Gothic Temple and Turkish Tent, there’s something enchanting around every corner. Rupert and Joy loved spotting the ducks, running free, and making the most of the natural play area! Plus, dogs are welcome on short leads, making it a fantastic day out for the whole family.
You can easily spend 2-3 hours here, but if you're short on time, there are shorter route options too. Don’t miss Mr. Hamilton’s Tea Room for a delicious break – we had a tasty lunch, coffee, and cake! And if you love unique finds, pop into the Painshill Garden Shop for lovely gifts and even their very own sparkling wine!
📍 Portsmouth Rd, Cobham KT11 1AG
👶 All ages welcome (Under 5s go free)
💰 Tickets: Adult £12.50 | Child (5-16) £7.50
🎟️ Book online for discounted prices or pay on arrival
🕑 Feb 8 – March 2, 2025 | 10am - 4pm (last entry at 3pm)
🚗 Free parking
☕ Food & drinks available
We LOVE Sunbury Garden Play. It is an outdoor creative garden in Lower Sunbury! 🌼 It’s open from Spring to Autumn, and every session is filled with opportunities for exploration and fun whatever the weather. There is so much to explore which means we just have to return to spend more time enjoying everything.
The vegetable patch was a hit, Rupert & Joy were thrilled to pick fresh veggies, wash them, and eat them! Watching them discover where and how food grows is always a special moment! They loved bouncing around on the giant trampoline, which brought endless giggles as they bounced around with the giant balls. The mud patch was so fun, where the kids dove right in LITERALLY! It’s always great to see them getting their hands dirty and embracing the joy of messy play! The chalk-covered car was another highlight, serving as a canvas for their creativity. The woodland area was equally enjoyable, complete with swings, a tree house, and a music section. It’s such a great space for them to connect with nature and each other. Of course, they couldn't resist the sand pit boat – playing and pretending to row! To wrap up our adventure, we enjoyed a delightful pretend teatime in the orchard. Days like this remind me of the simple joys of outdoor play and the wonderful memories we’re creating together.
📍 The Creek, Sunbury-on-Thames TW16 6BY
👶 All ages
💰 £10 per child (1 adult included), £8 Additional Child, £4 Additional Adult
🕜 Monday (first of the month), Thurs & Fri, 9.30-11.30am
🎟️ Book online
🚗 Parking available at a small charge only a 4 min walk away
We were blown away with the care and attention put into every single part of this amazing journey. Discovery land is set amongst 40 acres of the most beautiful countryside.
It is a family nature trail with surprises around every corner! Venture along their marked walk through of ancient woodland, green pastures, meadows and around their lakes to feed the friendly fish & ducks (watch the reel till the end - feeding the fish was our favourite part!!!)
📍 South Nutfield, Redhill RH1 4EJ
👶 0-100 years old
💰 Off Peak (£5pp) Peak (£7pp), Under 2s go free!
🕜 Mon - Sun 9am - 2.30pm (timed entry slots, last entry 2.30pm)
🎟️ Book online
🚗 Free parking onsite
☕ Restaurant & snacks hut on site
ℹ️ Toilets are at the start of the trial
I can genuinely say I think this has been our favourite adventure we have done so far.
Little Forest Adventures provides relaxed sessions for children to explore the natural environment through a wide variety of activities, at their own pace and interests. Within their private woodland they have a mud café, water play, den building, bug hunting, arts and crafts, a woodland puppet theatre, campfire and campfire cooking plus loads more! I was so impressed with how much there was to do for all ages. The sessions are totally child led so they can explore & play in their own time.
Liz is so lovely and so helpful if you have your hands full with assisting you toasting your snacks on the fire to holding a baby. Included in the entry price is free drinks, snacks and marshmallows!
📍 Warren Heath Woods, Eversley, RG27 0PY
👶 All ages up to 12 years old
💰 £6 per person (children & adults need a ticket) under 18 months go free
🕜 Mon, Wed, Thurs & Fri - 10am - 11.30am
🎟️ Must book online before
🚗 Free parking available
☕ Free drinks & snacks included in ticket price
It is definitely well worth the visit. You won't be disappointed!! We had so much fun we didn't want to leave. There is much to see and do from the toddler zip wire to the many different slides, the interactive woodland projector to the musical instruments and water play. The toilets are so clean and have great facilities for families including cubicles with two toilets. One for big humans and one for small people! Rupert also loved the fact that the baby chinos were free!!
Adventure Play is a unique, hand-crafted adventure playground at Windsor Great Park. Hidden within the woodland next to The Savill Garden, you’ll discover a fascinating world of walkways, slides, sculptures and treehouses. But this is not just for the children.
Whether they want to climb among the trees or explore the amazing giant acorns, you can be right there, feeding their imagination and watching their confidence grow. Because this is play like you remember it – getting close to nature, challenging the body and stimulating the senses.
📍 The Savill Garden, Wick Lane, TW20 0UJ
💰 Adults £12, Children £16, Under 2s Free.
🕜 Play sessions are 2 hours long & start 15 past the hour
🎟️ Must book in advance
🚗 Available onsite & parking cost included in entry free
☕ Cafe available on site