Archive for baby activities

who needs the beach when you’ve got Brentford?

October 20, 2008 at 6:42 pm · Filed under baby activities, brentford, free london, paddling pool, swimming baby, swimming pool, swimming toddler, toddler activities, toddler london ·Tagged , , , , ,

Swimming at Brentford Fountain Leisure Centre – 3.5 stars

 

A pool is a pool is a pool? Not to me and my daughter. She had not been exposed to swimming until only a month ago, and on her first experience of a ‘hotel pool’ was pretty unsure. Let’s face it – being taken into somewhere that you can’t touch the ground is pretty daunting… and she’s a girl who loves a bit of messy play with the water.
Step up Brentford Leisure Centre! Not only does it not cost a fortune to simply get in (£1.80 off peak on a weekday), but it has a wonderful sloped ramp entrance into the pool that made it incredibly less daunting to enter the pool itself. 

There’s also a mini paddling pool which is a nice place to sit and have a splash. For the older children there is a twisty 40m slide, plus there’s also a ‘fitness’ pool if you’re there on your own (or with another adult!).
Why just 3.5 stars then? It’s a little bit tired, and could do with a bit of a facelift… the outside of the building is a wonder of concrete! It cannot be described as luxury, but for £1.80 to swim and parking for 40p I’m not complaining!
Facilities: 
The changing rooms have a playpen where your toddler can wait whilst you get changed, or take advantage of the family room with change tables, which makes things a whole lot easier with a little one. Take a 20p piece for the lockers.
There’s a little cafe which overlooks the pool, selling tea, coffee and basic snacks.
Where is it, how do I get there, and when is it open:
658 Chiswick High Road 
Brentford
TW8 0HJ
As mentioned, there is parking for just 40p (maximum of 3 hours). Some buses run along Chiswick Road. Check out the Transport for London site for more details. 

Opening hours:

Mon, Tues and Thurs: 9am to 10pm
Weds and Fri: 9am to midday (excluding pools and health suite) 
Midday to 10pm

Sat and Sun: 9am to 6pm


View Larger Map

Leave a Comment

A playground where I nearly had tears when it was time to leave.

September 24, 2008 at 12:10 pm · Filed under Diana Memorial Playground, baby activities, bush babies, pirate ship, playground, sandpit, slides, swings, toddler activities, toddlers

Diana Memorial Playground - 5 stars

This incredible playground in Kensington Gardens was built in the memory of the late Princess Diana, and is quite a tribute to one who loved children.
It has so much to offer. It is free, and open to children up to the age of 12. The policy of adults only allowed if accompanying adults is reassuringly well ‘policed’.
The many attractions are dominated by the huge wooden pirate ship. Without stumbling over too many adjectives, the ship isn’t just a ship. It offers an amazing climbing frame, a big wheel to turn in the captains cabin, and you can even jump below deck and play in the sand, and peer through the portholes.

The ship is surrounded by a beach (read one BIG sandpit) and provides a good opportunity to play with the little ones whilst watching those slightly older, clamber and climb to their hearts content.
Wander through the playground further and you’ll find tepees, wooden playhouses, a sensory trail (jumping on the big pavings that play different notes is lots of fun for all), and so much to climb on, run around and generally discover. Oh – there are slides and swings too.
Nothing is ignored here and it certainly isn’t overly kid-gloved. There’s a great rocky area that frequently has water in it – don’t be surprised if shoes are off for

the majority of your stay. There are some little taps and fountains to play with… so a change of clothes might be advisable too.
Practicalities -

Pram Access: Excellent. Prams are ‘parked up’ throughout the playground. No secure parking for them or any bags however.

Cost: it’s FREE. Park opening times are available at the website here.

Cafes: The Diana Playground cafe serves up sandwiches and hot food for all ages. The food’s a little pricey. I’d suggest bringing your own, and indulging in a nice cup of tea or an ice-cream!

Where is it & how to get there?
Queensway, Lancaster Gate, High Street Kensington tubes are all nearby, however none are step free. Many buses run along Bayswater Road and Kensington Road.

Leave a Comment

this playground is a diamond in the rough

August 16, 2008 at 3:57 pm · Filed under acton, baby, baby activities, playground, slides, swings, toddler activities

Springfield Garden Playground, Acton 3.5 stars

It’s certainly not the most glam of locations – a playground within sight and all the noise of Horn Lane, Acton, but the Springfield Garden’s playground sure is worth a visit – for babies, toddlers and younger children alike.

There was a lot of flooding in Acton in 2007, so Thames water decided that it needed to do waterwork, exactly where the Springfield Garden Playground was. Rather than just lose a playground, Ealing Council rebuilt it, in a different corner of the Park, and this time further back from the ever noisy Horn Lane.

(It must be mentioned though, that the noise from Horn Lane can be a good distraction at times. If your child is excited by vehicles that blow a siren… this is the place for you!)

Sorry, on to the playground…

It’s split into 3 quite defined areas. The first has baby swings, a small little climbing frame (which unfortunately has steps that aren’t the easiest for the smaller children) with a slide and some little roundabouts.

The next one has a more challenging climbing frame and some ‘big swings’. Plus some extra different kinds of swings and equipment to climb and play on.

The third area has a really cool climbing frame with a BIG slide that looks like great fun. Each area provides great physical challenges for children, and each area is covered by that soft squishy flooring that provides a bit of protection should your child (or you!) need it.

The whole area is fenced and gated, and is a decent size that allows your child to have a good run around, and not feel restricted by the boundaries.

I love this playground because it has variety.

It is however let down by some aspects of the climbing frames – whoever designed them seemed to forget that children do need to be able to climb up safely in the first place. With close supervision though, they’re fine.

There is also areas of shade most times of the day and seats for weary parents.

Access: no steps anywhere

Babychange: none

Cafe / Toilets : none, but Acton High Street and Churchfield road are within 5 minutes walk.

Where is it?

Horn Lane, Acton (nr the corner of Rosemont Road)

View Larger Map

How to get there: It’s about a 15 minute walk from Acton Town station (steps) or Acton Central Overground station (step free!). Lots of buses go either up Horn Lane or to Acton High street.

Leave a Comment