1. Holland Park, Ecology Centre
Bring your kids to take part in fabulous activities where they explore nature, play games and make a quality craft and keepsake. There are sessions that run 10-noon and 2-4pm, for 5-10 year olds (£4.10 for RBKC residents and £5.20 for non-residents). There are also four hour sessions for 8-12 year olds, (which are drop-off). ( £7.70 for RBKC residents and £9.20 for non-residents). Bookings need to be booked and paid for in advance.
Making the trip to Barnes, amongst the beautiful houses, and smart cars will bring you to London’s premier bird and nature centre. When you arrive you can choose from a range of activities like pond dipping, butterfly counting, bird feeding, meeting otters, and guided tours. This is a sanctuary for nature lovers, and they have a fun adventure playground that the kids wlll never want to leave.
3. Hyde Park, Isis Education Centre
This new, amazing centre is Hyde Park will be hosting a session of pond dipping, craft making and newt-spotting. It is worth the trip simply to see the building, it’s an ingeniously designed nature centre. Free, drop-in, all ages.
The experienced education team lead full-day expeditions for 7-11 year-olds to the Sunshine Pond, taking nets, jars and pooters to our Water World. They will learn how to spot minibeasts and the secrets to catching even the shy ones. Then examine our finds with microscopes, play outdoor games in the Park and get creative to end the day. There are also Underwater Family Explorer! Family Workshops. Use nets, trays, microscopes and magnifying glasses to learn about the world in water. (Adults £10, children £6). Bring a packed lunch for a picnic, and be ready to explore Hyde Park, learn about nature, and have fun!
Tuesday Kids’ Activity Days will run through school holidays, looking at Beetles, Bugs and Bees and ‘Summer Sense-ations‘. Our school holiday programmes also include ‘discovery days‘ on Wednesdays for families with children to drop in and try out child-focussed wildlife and crafting activities, and family workshops on Thursday mornings, where the whole family can take part in activities for everyone to learn and explore the natural world together.
Make bookings here.
4. Highgate Woods, Highgate
One of our very favourite family nature spaces, with a lovely cafe (ice cream for the kids, and haloumi salads and burgers for the big kids), all the activities are free, and you meet at the Information Hut. There are lots of events, check the link above.
AUGUST : Fri 2 Strawberry Jam Clown Storytelling (10.30-12.30) & Fri 9 Be the Bug (12-4pm) & Wed14 BirdsofBray (birdsofpreydisplay) (11-3pm)
5. Burnham Beeches & Stoke Common
Burnham Beeches and Stoke Common are located in Buckinghamshire to the west of London. They combine the role of being scenic green spaces, with providing internationally important wildlife habitats. Burnham Beeches is a National Nature Reserve. Walkers should come prepared for wet weather and wear stout shoes or walking boots. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
Join the Burnham Beeches Rangers for children’s activities and games – the perfect start to the holidays (check online). These activities are aimed at children over 5. All children must be accompanied by an adult for the entire walk. There is no charge, but a donation per child will be welcomed.
Getting there by Bus : Access to Burnham Beeches on public transport is via buses numbers 74, X74 and 583. These services are provided by Arriva, Carousel, First and Redline buses. If travelling by train, bus connections are available from Beaconsfield and Slough (but not Burnham). By car : From the M4 (junction 6) follow the A355 north or from the M40 (junction 2) follow the A355 south until you reach Farnham Common. In Farnham Common, turn down Beeches Road. Drive to the end of this road and at the junction go straight ahead into Lord Mayors Drive. Parking is available in several large bays on your left.
Parking conditions apply to all areas of Burnham Beeches, please see details on the car parking and season tickets page.
Creative Bus Stop 