Archive for toddler london

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


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it’s free and right under our noses… london’s secret is out!

October 5, 2008 at 7:55 pm · Filed under animals, cafe, coram's fields, free london, ideas for children, paddling pool, playgrounds, run around, sandpit, slides, swings, toddler activities, toddler london, toddlers

Coram’s Fields – 4 stars

Who would have thought that right in the centre of London there would be a large enclosed area for children that will keep your children entertained for a good few hours, and that it is FREE.
Coram’s Fields is just that. It’s a funny mix of enought bits and pieces that put together make it a great experience.  
I love the fact that it is a great, safe environment. There’s not a lot of places in London where you can let your children roam, and not feel like you have to be no more than reaching distance behind them.

Adults can only enter if they are with children. The whole area is securely gated. So sit down and watch your toddlers go walkabout. The only worry might be that they get a little too excited and friendly with the sheep that are wandering about. 
The animal area is great, and feels like a real added bonus. On our visit we saw sheep, goats, hens and ducks. There is also a large grassed area which is great for a picnic, or just fun to run around and play.

There’s a good range of playground equipment in different areas, for different age groups/skill levels.  There are swings, slides, sandpits, a paddling pool – basically there is a lot to keep your little ones entertained. They regularly have organised activities there too – on one of our visits they were doing singing and movement sessions.
Practicalities -

Pram Access: Excellent. Because of the enclosed surroundings parents tend to leave their prams parked in different areas. There is no offical parking area for them.

Cost: it’s FREE. It’s open every day except Christmas and Boxing Day. In Summer: 9am – 7pm; Winter: 9am – dusk 

Cafes: There’s a good little vegetarian cafe, but this place really is made for picnics.
Where is it & how to get there?
93 Guildford Street, London.
It’s so close to Russell Square tube – which unfortunately is not step free. BUT, it’s central location does mean that there are about 10 buses which stop nearby.

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