Outdoor Fun

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Prior to moving to Surrey, we lived in a London flat* for the first six weeks we were here. While in London, my goal each day was to find places for the kids to burn off some energy before having to have quiet feet in the evenings.  There are a few places that still keep my kids happy and entertained so they will visit another historical building, garden, museum, etc.
(ice cream doesn’t hurt either).

Dulwich Park (London)

These three-wheel ‘banana bikes’ are available for hire at this park. You sit in a chair with handles on either side of you and pedals in front of you. The paths are not very long, but they are wide and well travelled. The vendor also hires out adult and children’s tricycles, and tandems among other types.  Bikes for one person range from £8-£10/hour and those that

Meal Deals

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Having grown–up with ‘buy one get one free’ and ‘buy one and get the second at half-price’, it is rare to see these types of offers in the UK. We have, however, been to a few places that share the spirit of this concept

Albion (Multiple)

Tried this café, bakery and food store on Southbank after visiting Tate Modern. We enjoyed a tasty soup, goat cheese salad and filling steak sandwich with mushrooms. As a neighborhood restaurant, the cafe is open all-day, seven days a week. They make their own ice cream (chocolate, vanilla, caramel and lemon sorbet and offers seasonal flavors too). If this wasn’t enough, they offer a Sunday Supper Club of fish, chips, mushy peas and glass of wine or bottle of craft beer for just £10 after 6 pm.
www.albioncaff.co.uk

Bodean’s BBQ Smokehouse (Multiple)

If you’re in the mood for Kansas City barbeque ribs in London, here’s your place. Other smoke pit specialties include chicken and pulled pork. Their Soho location also has American sports playing on giant screen TVs. Kids eat free everyday from Noon to 5 pm and eat for just £5 after that.
www.bodeansbbq.com

Launceston Place Restaurant (London)

It was a pleasant surprise to find a Michelin-rated restaurant offering a moderately priced three-course set lunch menu. Service and food are both top-notch in this intimate restaurant. Sign-up for their e-mail list to hear about special offers they have. We lucked out and had a two-course meal and ticket to a V&A exhibition for just £26/person.
www.launcestonplace-restaurant.co.uk ✆ +44 2079 376912
1a Launceston Place, London W8 5RL

Not your typical day (or night) out

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If you are not into theatre, tired of just going out to eat or getting a drink at a pub, here are some fun outings that just take a bit of pre-planning and booking.

Bisley Shooting Ground (Multiple)

Set within 3,000 acres in Surrey, Bisley Shooting Ground is Europe’s largest sporting clay ground and one of the top shooting schools. Though I am not a fan of guns and the closest I have come to holding one was at amusement park shooting galleries, I decided while in England to give the sport a shot, literal. Being a complete novice, it was a bit intimidating to walk up to the Clubhouse and see women dressed in shooting vests and carrying their own shotgun holsters. We

For the Actively Inclined

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As varied as these activities are, they are suitable for all levels of fitness. 
Getting the nerve to try them out though is another story.

AirHop (Guilford)

Imagine 50 trampolines connected together with padded walls and pits of foam and you have AirHop, the first of its kind in England.  You can now practice slam-dunking like Michael Jordon, play a game of dodge ball or practice moves you have only dreamed of.  This place is a great place for kids to burn off energy or 1,000 calories an hour for £10/person.