From The Editor

What to do with kids this half term? Here are a few ideas....just work your way through these and half term will fly by!

Battersea Park Children’s Zoo
This friendly zoo is pitched just right for small children. Battersea Park Children’s Zoo, Queenstown Rd, SW11 (020 7924 5826/www.batterseaparkzoo.co.uk). Battersea Park rail.

Battersea Dogs and Cats Home
The world-famous welfare centre is open to casual visitors. There’s a souvenir and accessory shop, a café and a collection of tributes to dogs and their owners. Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, 4 Battersea Park Rd, SW8 (020 7622 3626/www.dogshome.org). Battersea Park rail.

Crystal Palace Park
A large landscaped green space that stretches down the hill from the site of the Crystal Palace, Crystal Palace Park also has a maze, a children's play area and a café as well as the famous concrete Victorian dinosaurs and enough open space to wear out the liveliest kids. Crystal Palace Park, Thicket Rd, SE20 (020 8778 9496/www.bromley.gov.uk). Penge West or Crystal Palace rail.

Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground
With its pirate ship, play sculptures and well-heeled facilities, this has become an established favourite, and can consequently get very busy. You could also wander over to the Serpentine to check out the once-notorious Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain (Near West Carriage Drive, Hyde Park).
Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Playground, Nr Black Lion Gate, Broad Walk, Kensington Gardens, W8 (020 7298 2117/ 2141/www.royalparks.org.uk). Bayswater tube.

Gorilla Kingdom
Gorilla Kingdom is London Zoo’s biggest project in 40 years, a £5.3 million home for three primates called Bobby, Zaire and Effie. The environment has been carefully planted and crafted to look as much like a forest clearing in Gabon as possible, with the addition of a moat, ‘enriching’ gym, and a crowd of Colobus monkeys zipping about.
London Zoo, Regent’s Park, NW1 4RY (020 7722 3333/www.zsl.org). Camden Town tube.

Gunnersbury Triangle Nature Reserve
This secluded natural habitat, cut off from the harsh realities of Chiswick by railway lines, is home to several rare species, including bats. Gunnersbury Triangle Nature Reserve, Bollo Lane, W4 (020 8747 3881/www.wildlondon.org.uk). Chiswick Park tube.

Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park
A more intimate atmosphere than the rolling acreage of Richmond Park in which it's set makes the Isabella Plantation a magical place for a family walk. Established during the 1950s, the ornamental woodland garden consists of clearings, ponds and streams and is planted with ferns, exotic trees and shrubs.
Isabella Plantation, Richmond Park (nearest gates Ham or Ladderstile), Surrey (020 8948 3209/www.royalparks.org.uk) Richmond tube/rail then 65, 371 bus.

London Wetland Centre
A 105-acre city wildlife area of lakes, reedbeds and marshes created by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust. A three-storey tower gives excellent views of the wild areas while six other hides offer more cover for watching the wetland wildlife, especially ducks and wading birds. Facilities include a café, theatre and the Explore children's adventure centre. Free guided tours take place twice a day.
London Wetland Centre, Queen Elizabeth's Walk, London, SW13 (020 8409 4400/wwt.org.uk). Hammersmith tube then Duck bus (283).

Horniman Museum
Set in 16 acres of landscaped gardens, the Horniman has a marvellous natural history gallery where the exhibits are displayed in traditional cases. There's also a wonderful collection of around 1,600 musical instruments. There are plenty of activities for families, including a nature trail, weekend workshops and a hands-on base where children can touch museum objects. The museum's aquarium, the original incarnation of which was the first free public aquarium when it opened in 1903, reopened in 2006 following a large-scale redevelopment.
Horniman Museum, 100 London Road, London, SE23 (020 8699 1872/www.horniman.ac.uk). Forest Hill rail.

Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum
A trip here is always worthwhile. Recently reopened, it now boasts a 200° camera which lets you experience a Centre Court match from a player’s point of view. You can also ogle the trophies close up and tour the players’ gym, the BBC television studios, and the iconic Centre Court.
Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum, All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, Church Rd, SW19 (020 8946 6131/www.wimbledon.org). Southfields tube.

Art classes
Dulwich Picture Gallery runs an award-winning education programme for budding artists of all ages and abilities. Classes for seven- to ten-year-olds are on Saturday mornings, 11- to 14-year-olds can head along on Thursday evenings, and 15- to 18-year-olds can take classes on Tuesday evenings. There are also free drop-in classes.
Dulwich Picture Gallery, Gallery Rd, SE21 (020 86935254/www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk). North Dulwich or West Dulwich rail.

Polka Theatre
Less sporty types can get their kicks in the sticks at the Polka Theatre, a beautifully designed kids’ theatre which puts on daily shows (10.30am, 2pm) and runs school holiday workshops.
Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, SW19 (020 8543 4888/www.polkatheatre.com). South Wimbledon tube.

Morden Hall Park
A green oasis in the heart of suburbia, beside the river Wandle. Rose garden, riverside cafe, parks, wetlands, bridges. Morden Hall Road, Morden, London SM4 5JD, 020 8545 6850 (General enquiries) mordenhallpark@nationaltrust.org.uk

For even more ideas, take a look at the Noticeboard under Events or Kid's Fun....

From The Editor

What to do with kids this half term? Here are a few ideas....just work your way through these and half term will fly by!

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