We LOVE this place. Set in the Surrey country side, Priory Farm has everything you’d want for a young family.

In the summer months there is a beautiful sunflower maze just big enough to get lost in, but not forever!

Great place to take photos too!

For an unusually very reasonable charge there is a trail that meanders around the whole farm with puzzles and physical challenges to complete as you walk around. There are seasonal trails and quizzes you can take part in too with little prizes at the end. The views are beautiful.

The kids love feeding the fish in the lake at the end of the trail. They gather in literally hundreds waiting to be fed. The noise they make is fascinating and boy are they hungry! You can buy fish food as you enter the trail for a small additional charge.

Kids can enjoy adventure and discover all sorts here. There is also a little water activity, like a mini water canal, where they can purchase a little duck to float down the canal. Be prepared though, they will get wet!

Before you enter the trail area and totally free of charge is a lovely pirate ship play area surrounded by picnic tables where you can tuck in to your own goods. There is also a coffee counter here selling hot and cold drinks, ice creams and snacks etc.

The toilets are also located in this area.

If you like a good garden centre you’re in luck. There is a lovely one here with a fab restaurant that backs on to another outdoor play area. There is a fabulous farm shop just across the road from the main car park too.

The only downside in the summer months was the number of wasps. There were several, but only seemed to bother people sitting and eating at the picnic tables. I did see several wasp deterrents and catchers located all over seated area so they are working on removing these.

My advice would be just avoid sitting near the central waste bin areas as they seemed to gather there mostly and remember to take a hat and sun cream if visiting in summer months. They do autumn and winter based activities too so take a look at their website below.

Well worth a visit and I can guarantee you’ll go back again. We have, a few times now!

Priory Farm, Sandy Lane, South Nutfield, Redhill, Surrey RH1 4EJ

https://www.prioryfarm.co.uk

We often find ourselves heading to this park so that our boys can run off their energy and get some fresh air. It is particularly popular with local families mainly due to its excellent facilities. It has the following for all to use free of charge:

• Recently fully refurbished pirate themed play area and sand pit
• 4 tennis courts
• 8 touchtennis courts
• 2 table tennis tables
• Paddling pool (seasonal)
• Basketball
• Skateboard/ scooter park
• Churchfields Wildflower Meadow

The park is even lovlier in the summer months when the sun is shining and the paddling pool is open. There is an ice cream van too that has a pitch on the green opposite the playground.

As well as the play area, basketball court and skate park there is a large area of parkland for ball games and chilling on a rug.

This park is just off of Weybridge High Street so only a 5 minute stroll to grab a coffee from the numerous coffee shops along the high street.

The car park is directly next to the park so you just walk straight through. There is a charge to park but it is free on Sundays as many other council car parks are.

There are toilet facilities at the entrance to the park.

Whether you want to take the kids for a quick spin on their bikes or spend the whole morning/ afternoon here you’ll have fun I’m sure. It’s a fabulous park.

The only thing I would stipulate is that you bring a helmet for your child if using the scate park. Preachy I know, but I’ve experienced too many times now kiddies hurting themselves with no helmets on to protect them.

If heading there in the summer take hats and sun cream as there are several benches to sit on but very little shade. The splash pool can get busy so if you want to grab a spot near the pool to supervise your little ones I’d advise you get there earlier rather than later.

Churchfields Recreation Ground
Churchfield Road, Weybridge KT13 8DB.

http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk

People are starting come from further and further away to visit Crockford’s Pumpkin Patch in October.

It has grown in popularity over the last couple of years and been developed in to an activity based event where you can choose, purchase and carve your pumpkins on site. Face painting is available and there is a small play area with slides and a swing and in addition at this timd if year a makesshift playground made out of straw bales. Ours love throwing themselves around this.

The main patch has a wide variety of pumpkins on offer. This is why we go as I love my bizarre, often inappropriate, pumpkins. Most though go for the whole experience and to capture this with a photo on the purpose built pumpkin mound large enough for groups and families to get a photo of them all together surrounded by piles of beautifully ripe, brightly coloured pumpkins displayed on stacked straw bales. It makes for a fabulous photo!

Like Christmas time here, there is a performance based story telling session in the ‘Wonder Wood’ that you can purchase tickets for seperately on their website. This takes place in the woodland backing on to the farm. Depending on the time of day, it can be quite eerie and Halloweenesque, if you like that sort of thing. It is aimed at families though so no blood and gore Jason style!

Check out our pumpkins from Crockford, pretty reasonably priced too.

Due to the time of year, you do need to be prepared for puddles and possibly mud! There is the added incentive for me though ……. a cabin serving hot drinks and Halloween treats!

If you are always looking for fun things to do with the kids in October half term maybe head along and see what you think for yourselves.

There is a charge just to enter the patch even before you buy anything, but if purchasing tickets to the woodland performance, I think this charge is included in that.

The patch is adjacent to the garden centre where you can grab lunch or have a mooch. It has a fab aquarium shop with lots of tropical and marine fish. My boys love looking at these. There is a pet supplies store too, a farm shop, coffee shop and the tiniest soft play area you’ve ever seen. Only suitable for your toddler’s at best I think.

The patch has its own ‘posh portaloos’ on site so you won’t get caught short and plenty of additional parking so you never have too far to walk with your little skeletons.

Crockford Bridge Farm, New Haw Rd, Addlestone, Surrey. KT15 2BU.

http://www.crockfordbridgefarm.co.uk

This is one of our favourite places to go to brush away any cobwebs. It is always beautiful whatever the time of year.

You can take your bikes, your scooters, your dogs and we’ve even seen cats on leads here, although I very much doubt this is recommended.

More importantly, you can grab a take out coffee as you come in from the cafeteria to fuel your stroll and the toilets are located here too which is handy at the start and at the end of your walk.

There are several options for walking here. You can head to the 100ft totem pole, to The Valley gardens, through to the woodland walks, to the ruins or to the waterfall. You can also walk to Savill Gardens from here or park at Savill Gardens and walk through to Virginia Water from there.

The only downside to walking here is the cost of parking. You pay £2.50 for up to an hour. People visiting often spend up to 3hrs here, 2-3 hrs is £7.50 and 3 hrs or more £10 so it adds up if you are a regular. However, if you visit here or Savill Gardens often, you can purchase an annual car park pass for approximately £70. Whilst this does seem rather pricey I know, if we totted up how many times we have visited here over just the last year we will certainly have spent more than this on our parking.

It is particularly stunning here during the autumn months. If you love your photography or simply want a couple of nice family shots then this is your place. There’s also several areas for a quick game of 40/40, hide and seek or open spaces for the odd family Olympics 100m sprint!

Sat nav postcodes – GU25 4QF for Virginia Water car park and SL5 7SB for Virginia Water South car park. Virginia Water lake is 6 miles/20mins from Windsor town centre and 2 miles/5 mins from Egham town centre. Accessible from J13 of M25 via the A30.

http://www.windsorgreatpark.co.uk

This is one of those places that unless you know it is there you wouldn’t know it is there. It’s all on a pretty small plot really but cleverly laid out to create different paths to follow. Yes it is all about art and sculpture, but combined with the outdoors as you walk through the woodland.

I wasn’t sure the boys would like it, but the mixture of being outside wandering along the winding walkways and across some well hidden bridges mixed with hundreds of sculptures really engaged them. They loved it.

You do need to be prepared for a little nudity in the sculptures, but despite us giggling lot at the numerous willies and boobies on show, the novelty soon wore off as our attention was stolen by the several fabulous sculptures situated around the park.

There are over 800 pieces on display and whilst most are for sale for a higher price than the majority of visitors would ever be likely to pay for them, it was fun seeing how much they were and guessing which was worth the most etc. My 8 year old was particularly taken with everything there. It’s cultural, thought and discussion provoking and it’s physical for the kids!

You’ll need approx 2-3 hrs unless you’re running round at 100 mph and whilst there are no refreshments on site, there are little log houses overlooking the park where you can stop for a snack and a drink that you bring yourselves.

If you fancy it, there is a pub adjacent to the entrance to the sculpture park, ‘Belle and the Dragon’. We haven’t been so I can’t recommend from experience.

The park is dog friendly too, as long as they are kept on the lead.

Obviously the FIRST thing my eldest needed when we arrived was a wee! I was dreading the cold, damp toilets but OMG…… some of the nicest lavatory facilities we’ve ever had the pleasure of using. All warm, cosy and decorated beautifully with various crafty techniques and sculptures. Impressive for such a ‘take it as you find it’ kind of place.

The only thing that might be a struggle would be a pushchair or a wheelchair. If taking your bubbas then I’d certainly recommend using your toddler back carrier or baby papoose.

Parking was limited with about a dozen spaces, but as few seem to know bout this park, we parked easily in one of those.

So, if you fancy it, be sure to head straight to reception ( wooden cabin signposted from entrance) to get your tickets and collect your exhibit guide.

There is definitely something for everyone.

https://www.thesculpturepark.com
Corner of Jumps and Tilford Road, Churt
Farnham,
Surrey,
GU10 2LH

This weekend we visited the Devil’s Punch Bowl in Hindhead. It is a National Trust area but free for all to access. It is a fab place for a walk with clearly marked trails offering a description of each route on the map you can pick up before you set off. However we accidentally opted for the yellow route (Highcombe Hike) which was described as ‘a more challenging walk with gradient climbs’ we discovered aftetwards and our little ones ended up walking 2.8 miles. They did it though, troopers!

We passed Exmoor ponies grazing at the top and several beautiful trees. Lots of view points on route from which to stop and admire the Surrey Hills. If going on a winter’s afternoon make sure you give yourselves long enough to get back before dark! We were very nearly heading back by moonlight.

There is a National Trust cafe in the car park area serving refreshments and the much loved kids’ snack boxes as well as several other food and beverage options.

Directly opposite this site is a pub/hotel called Devil’s Punch Bowl Hotel. Here you can eat or drink and it has its own car park. Despite its somewhat dilapidated exterior, it is perfectly pleasant inside and does a lovely carvery on a Sunday. I can vouch for the vegetarian carvery too!

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hindhead-commons-and-the-devils-punch-bowl

GU26 6AB

A giant’s pencil!

So, if you are fond of the odd romantic period property this might tickle your fancy. I thought it utterly breathtaking as a building with its golden walls and fantastical turrets.

You could absolutely spend the most part of a day here as there are several walks you can take around the extensive grounds and the site is split into different sections that you can either walk to or hop on the free bus service that runs throughout the day stopping at each area of interest.

You can walk from the car park to the house, about a 20min stroll on a slight gradient, or hop on the free bus that takes you to each stop on the tour route.

We chose to visit at Christmas time to see the light show we’d seen advertised online. If doing this I’d recommend getting there slightly later in the day. We got there at about 10.30am, but by the time it was dark, which it needed go be to appreciate the light show at its best, the boys had seen and done most of it and were ready to go home. However, we persevered and did get to appreciate the lights that were embedded in the trees, shrubs and the gardens in general. The House itself is also beautifully lit with fairy lights all over the place creating a beautifully Christmassy atmosphere.

There is a stable area a short walk from the House where you can enjoy a variety of refreshments from coffee and cake to a sit down meal in the restaurant. Just around from the court yard by the stables is an outdoor play area situated on various levels through the woods. As you reach the top there is a rather charming teepee cafe area decorated with twinkly fairy lights and housing a fire pit with an open fire heating the teepee. All benches were covered in sheep skin rugs making it all very cosy inside on a chilly day.

The House itself is stunning to look at. I was desperate to go inside but sadly I wasn’t well organised enough to book tickets in advance, especially at Christmas when the house is decorated. I did peep inside to see a huge Christmas tree in the entrance hall dressed in all its Christmas glory.

This is National Trust property and grounds so parking was free for us as was access to the grounds due to our NT membership. The one thing you would need to be prepared for though is an additional charge to visit inside the property even if you have NT membership due to it being a Rothschild House. It looks magnificent so I imagine it is well worth the additional charge. Let me know if you’ve been in to see it and whether I missed out and should return to tour the House.

We found all toilets and other amenities all as expected and you can take buggy if you need one. They are happy to accomodate buggies on the free bus too. The one thing I would say is the toilets in the car park were portaloos and a little make shift, but good to have them there so you’re not caught short.

Check it out for yourselves if you like a stately home. If you do, be sure to check out the water feature in the centre of the Victorian Aviary. …… I was a little taken aback by the choice of organic forms! Maybe it was intentional?

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/waddesdon-manor

December 2018

I don’t know about where you guys live, but here in Surrey it seems by Oct 1st everyone is already panicking about where to book to give their kiddies the best Father Christmas/ Santa experience possible.

I’m always asking everyone what they do and how was it last year. I’m Christmas mad and desperate for my kids to believe, although I’m pushing it now with the 8 yr old!

I’m sure you all already have your favourites, but just in case you don’t, this one is usually great. Book early though to avoid disappointment.

Christmas at Crockford is held at Crockford Bridge Farm in Addlestone, Surrey. It is an outdoor event so you do need to wrap yourselves and your kiddies up. Lasts around 30 minutes and is an interactive, story telling walk around the ‘Wonder Wood’, a woodland area full of real Christmas trees they have there. Live actors take you from festively decorated sections of the forest where the children meet the different characters from a story.

We have a 4.5 year gap between our boys but both still love this. We have been 3 years running now. This year they have increased the prices so that they can offer smaller group experiences which I must say was better as in previous years it was becoming so popular you could barely all squeeze in to see the big man himself. This year though we all sat very comfortably and each child had a 1:1 conversation with FC and received their present whilst plenty of room for their doting parents to capture the preciousness on camera.

The event itself us held on the farm directly next to a lovely warm garden centre. This has a lovely farm shop, a large cafeteria, separate coffee shop and a (rather tiny) soft play area (honestly tiny) so if you fancied a spot of lunch afterwards (they do the much loved by mummies and daddies ‘lunch boxes’) or a coffee to warm up it is right next door.

Check out their Halloween pumpkin patch event too. I’ll pop a quick post about that too as also worth a visit and more and more people I know are travelling from further away to visit Crockford at Halloween/ October half term.

Crockford Bridge Farm, New Haw Rd, Addlestone, Surrey. KT15 2BU.

http://www.crockfordbridgefarm.co.uk

December 2018

Thanks for checking in. This is my very first blog so don’t judge too harshly!

I’ve thought about writing a blog for some time. I find myself following several others on social media and am always interested in the experiences of others, especially in the areas of interest to me such as places to visit for a family day out, home interiors, design and decoration, DIY, art and photography.

So, now that I’ve decided to risk it for a biscuit, who am I?

Most importantly to me I am a mum to my two young boys and wife to my husband Matt. We have two cats, Ozzy and Flash and a couple of Hermann’s tortoises, Betty and Flo. Oh… and I am soon turning 41! Any crisis I had turning 40 has passed and I’m happily embracing my 40s journey. I work in education and I love it, despite often wishing I didn’t these days. It is becoming quite impossible to balance the job with being the mum I’d like to be and the teacher I want to continue to be. Brain space. I need brain space to grow and be the person, mum, friend, professional and daughter I want be. Not sure embarking on this blog will help with this in particular but hey ho, you never know!

What can I share with the online community?

I hope to share our own experiences so that others can follow in our footsteps if they like the look of a place. We are out and about on adventures all the time and we’re always looking for new things to do with our boys. Creating memories and recording these is important to me. Not just for the boys to remember, but for me too. We won’t have these opportunities forever so we like to make sure we do it now while the boys actually want to come with us. It won’t be long and they will be opting to stay and hang with their buddies instead of exploring with us I’m sure (sob!). So, by sharing our experiences of visiting these places as a family, others can then choose whether to do the same. Of course others will then need to make their own minds up, but we can certainly help in letting people know whether we think somewhere is worth paying a visit to or not. We are certainly more inclined to head outdoors in the fresh air than we are inside, but variety builds interest and creates different experiences so anything goes.

I’m in love with homes, mine and the homes of others. We are gradually doing up our victorian property, the second renovation project we’ve embarked upon, but this one is certainly slower due to everything else life with little ones throws at us in between trawling the internet for inspiration, painting and decorating, sourcing old and forgotten items once loved by others and creating a home we dream of.

My kids are animal mad. They can’t help that, it was enforced every day by their animal obsessed mummy who is equally pleased to give in to the frequent begging requests to visit the zoo, a wildlife centre, a farm or anything remotely linked to the animal kingdom or the natural world. Look out for my son’s natural history documentary footage…. he wants to be the next David Attenborough! More like an 8 year old Attenborough on performance enhancing drugs, but fabulous all the same.

And that’s me/ us in a nutshell. So if you would like to come along and join us on this crazy ride juggling life and parenthood or simply pop in here and see us once in a while then please do.

I thought others might like to know about the places we go, the things we do and what we think of these from a family perspective

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