Gem's New Blogspot

There are so many parks we are lucky to have so much open green area nearby but here are a few reviews on some local ones...(I think I will add to and update this one as there are lots more!) Kelsey Park Manor Way, Beckenham BR3 Kelsey is somewhere I always used to go as a child a lot.  There is a huge lake in the middle of the park with lots of ducks, geese and swans.  There are also loads of squirrels, so take monkey nuts with you to feed them with, they are very tame and often come right up close for a nut.  Its a great place to go for a walk as its a large park and the kids love feeding/spotting the wildlife.  There is also a very good play area with a small café, although the play area does get quite busy at weekends, we usually just do the park itself as its a lovely walk.  I'd highly recommend visiting this park.  I don't know if there is an actual car park, but we have always parked on the road somewhere near one of the entrances, you can usual...

Natural History Museum Cromwell Road Kensington SW7 5BD     I remember going to the Natural History Museum when I was at school, the things that stuck in my mind where going on the escalator up through the world sculpture, the earthquake simulator and the huge diplodocus skeleton as you walked in through the front door.  I hadn't been for years and then earlier this week we took Oliver.  Jay had taken Oliver last Sept when he was feeling brave - deciding to take him on his own (crazy man).  When they went Oliver was desperate to see Andy's clock. Andy is a character from his favourite program 'Andy's prehistoric Adventures' and the clock is his time travelling machine which takes him back to the time of the dinosaurs he wants to visit.  Andy works in the Natural History museum, hence that's where the clock lives.  In Sept the clock wasn't there, probably being used for filming but this week it was! He spotted it straight away, ...

Hobbledown Adventure Farm Horton Lane Horton KT19 8PT I've been to Hobbledown twice now, the first time Oliver was only tiny and not yet walking so it was mainly just to see the animals.  They have a good variety of animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, goats, llamas, birds, sheep, chickens etc.  The second time, I went back was a few weeks ago and it was fantastic for Oliver's age! There is so much to do outside, lots of play areas, including a huge one for much older kids.  Oliver's favourite thing was the giant jumping pillows, that kept him entertained for ages with his friend bouncing about.  There are several slides (one quite high large wide one) lots of tunnels and play areas to explore with sand.  We found a little quiet area with a pretend shop, which they also loved! Lots of outdoor space to run around and of course the animals to see as well!   At lunchtime we headed to the main building where the café was, as w...