Top Ten GRAN-TASTIC Days Out
The spiralling cost of living combined with high childcare fees have meant that more and more of us are turning to family members for help with looking after our children. Recent surveys highlight that as many as 50% of us are involving our parents in some aspect of childcare duties, and grandparents are often therefore a unique and highly valued part of our children's lives.
Even for those grandparents who do not play an active role in the day to day care of our children, nearly all enjoy taking their grandchildren for fun-packed days out when the opportunity arises.
There are endless places to head for in our local area beyond the usual parks and soft play areas that hold considerable appeal to grandparents - whether they are particularly accessible, reasonably priced, a ‘bit different', or have great child-friendly facilities.
Here's the Playground top 10 places as mentioned by a number of local grannies which might inspire!
1. Bedgebury Pinetum, Goudhurst
A year round favourite, Bedgebury is extremely popular with both children and grandparents - and rightly so! Great parking, well marked trails and a number of fun activity areas including the Pirate Ship play area, bike hire and ‘Go Ape!' high wire make this a top choice. Finish the day with home baked cakes before heading off.
www.bedgeburypinetum.org.uk
2. Tulleys Farm, Turners Hill
As the weather is starting to warm up, trips to local farm and animal attractions can be hard to beat for children of all ages. Tulleys Farm is in the pretty village of Turners Hill and features a lovely organic cafe, children's play areas and special seasonal events including a 4 day Easter spectacular.
www.tulleysfarm.com
3. Ashdown Forest, Forest Row
Ashdown Forest covers some 6,400 acres of the High Weald, and has endless possibilities for a great day out. Famous for its connections with Winnie-the-Pooh, visitors can play ‘Poohsticks' on Pooh Bridge which was fully restored in 1999. With over 50 car parks, numerous places to eat and drink (try the Duddleswell Tea-Rooms, the Hybrid Tea at Wych Cross Nurseries, the cafe at the Llama Park or the Ashdown Forest Garden Centre at Duddleswell). Or, visit Hartfield village and the Pooh Corner shop, home to the world's largest selection of Winnie-the-Pooh products. Christopher Robin and his nanny ‘Alice' used to visit the shop to buy bulls-eyes, a mint flavoured candy, which were their favourites.
www.ashdownforest.org
4. Victoria Shopping Centre, Tunbridge Wells
A surprising choice perhaps, but the Victoria Centre is repeatedly mentioned as a favourite venue by grandparents - in particular for younger children and when the weather is wet. The centre scores highly for the free car pushchairs provided for little ones, with large net baskets perfect for shopping and granny bits! Muffin Break sells wonderful coffee and cakes, the staff there are friendly and helpful and the loos are right next door.
www.westfield.com
5. Raystede Farm, Ringmer
Raystede is an animal rescue sanctuary where visitors can enjoy various walks and see over 1000 animals enjoying a happy and peaceful life. These include horses, donkeys, goats, sheep, rabbits, chipmunks, tortoises, terrapins, many different exotic birds and there is also a wildfowl sanctuary with several lakes for ducks, geese and moorhens. There is a visitor centre, gift shop, picnic area, parking and toilet facilities. It is situated in East Sussex on the B2192 between Ringmer and Halland.
www.raystede.org
6. Wilderness Wood, Hadlow Down
Never a dull moment at Wilderness Wood, this brilliant place offers countless special events each season. Coming up in Spring for example children can join in with the ‘Fairy Gardens' day, build a garden in the woods for the elves and fairies to enjoy, and receive a wand to take home. Join the ‘Woodland Monsters' day and go into the dark woods in search of the monster! Listen to his story, get camouflaged with masks to take home, then follow the clues to his hiding place. Or, how about the ‘Baby Bug' hunts (for 3-6 year olds)? How many minibeasts can they find hiding in the woods? For older children there are ‘Big Bug' hunts (for 7-11 year olds). Search in different areas of the wood for all sorts of creepy-crawlies and find out how they live. Investigate favourite bugs and make a bug book and a model from woodland materials to take home.
www.wildernesswood.co.uk
7. Groombridge Place, Groombridge
A real treat for everyone, Groombridge Place (particularly in spring and summer) is very special. Some of the many attractions we heard mentioned include "...camp fires, gypsy caravans, teepees and indians, boat rides and tractor rides. Discovering dinosaurs and their eggs, exploring pools with spiders and snakes and giant swings - perfect for grannies and children over 10 when no-one is watching...!"
www.groombridge.co.uk
8. Blackberry Farm, Nr Lewes
Blackberry Farm is situated in Whitesmith, East Sussex and is easy to find. Set over 18 acres of beautiful countryside, the farm has a great deal to offer the whole family - making it an exciting day out! As well as there being lots of fun activities, Blackberry is a working farm, which means there are a wide range of animals cared for on a day to day basis. Children will love to get involved with feeding and hands on care. A new play area, including a 30 foot inflatable slide and tuck shop makes this perfect for children and grandparents of all ages.
www.blackberry-farm.co.uk
9. Camber Sands, Rye
When the sun is shining we suggest heading for Camber Sands, just beyond Rye (about 45 minutes from Tunbridge Wells). With 7 miles of Blue Flag award winning beach, and white and powdery sand dunes, this is a perfect spot for a picnic lunch, kite flying and sandcastle building. There are a number of shops and cafes along the beach, including the famous The Place hotel and brasserie for top notch fish and chips. Visit the website for directions and further information.
www.camberlife.co.uk
10. Bewl Water, Lamberhurst
Bewl Water is a truly outstanding place, famed for being the largest area of inland water in the South East and easily the most picturesque. Bewl has lots to offer all ages including picnic areas, passenger boat trips, lakeside walks, educational visits, a woodland adventure playground, a family restaurant and gift shop, a visitor centre with interactive exhibition, events, cycle hire, watersports and flyfishing.
www.bewl.co.uk
Article written for Spring 2008 issue by Rebecca Honey
