A Cheaper London – Diana Memorial Playground

We had a fairly frugal day this time, what with payday looming at the end of the week. A quick trip to the Natural History Museum, then a wander through Hyde Park to Kensington Gardens, where the Diana Memorial Playground lives.

We had to queue as it was busy and they don’t want it too overcrowded – but got in quickly. The actual playground? It’s fantastic. A massive wooden pirate ship lives in the middle with various rides and places – all designed for little ones (there’s even an under 3’s area which H quite enjoyed amongst some obviously over 3 children) and going up to the age of twelve.

Diana Memorial Playground

There’s swings, slides, teepee’s and pretty much anything you can think of. Near the pirate ship are a few fountains where your kids can roll up their jeans, take their socks off and splash around in water and do some water play safely.

There’s signs around the playground – which point out that while the playground does follow all EU safety regulations, that it’s recognised children need an element of risk to learn and progress – and that children should be supervised at all times (which is sensible enough information!) – but as one review I read said, if you lose your child, just head to the pirate ship in the middle – they’ll more than likely be in there.

I really liked how it was fenced off from the rest of the park – so you can’t just get in or exit – making it a safe envoironment and also how there were areas for everyone – you don’t have to be the best climber to enjoy your time there.

The Diana Memorial Playground is free of charge to get in – and is approximately five minutes walk from Queensway or Bayswater tube stations. For more information please visit the Royal Parks website.

Genes for Jeans day 2012

Jeans for Genes Day takes place on Friday 5th October 2012. The charity’s target for this year is £2.5 million, and it’s a simple idea – on Jeans for Genes Day people leave their suits and uniforms at home and wear their jeans to work or school in return for a donation. (hey, we did this in the Brownies in the 1970’s on non-uniform day!)

Jeans for Genes Day raises money for Genetic Disorders UK which aims to raise money to provide vital care and support for individuals and families with genetic disorders. In 2012, twenty three charities will benefit from the funds raised.

Elen Rivas and Ben & Holly Genes for JeansThis year, celebrity mum Elen Rivas joins Ben and Holly (from Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom, of course), as well as children from Peques 1 Nursery in Fulham to kick-start a nursery school campaign for this year’s Jeans for Genes Day. To help raise money there’ll be exclusive Ben & Holly zip pulls for sale in the UK. Elen is also going to be judging a nationwide competition with participating nurseries to find the best denim dress and denim trousers designed by pre-schoolers for Ben and Holly themselves.Ben & Holly denim for Genes for Jeans

The exclusive zip pulls come in four Ben & Holly related designs featuring Ben Elf, Princess Holly, Nanny Plum and Gaston the Ladybird. The range is now on sale at the official online store:  http://www.jeansforgenesday.org/webshop and will be available from selected UK retailers. All proceeds generated from the sale of the zip pulls will go direct to Genetic Disorders UK, the charity that brings you Jeans for Genes Day.

Ben & Holly zip pulls for Genes for JeansFor more information on Jeans for Genes Day or to request a free fundraising pack please visit www.jeansforgenesday.org or call Freephone 0800 980 4800. To find out more about Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom, please go to, www.littlekingdom.co.uk

A Cheaper London – Thames Ditton Miniature Railway Open Days

We’re on a definite train theme this year, and were tipped off by a friend about Thames Ditton’s Miniature Railway which is operated by Malden and District Society of Model Engineers who have open days for the public on the first Sunday of every month after Easter and until October (as well as Bank Holiday Sundays).

Thames Ditton Miniature RailwayWe’re on the August Bank Holiday weekend right now and its open today and tomorrow – Bank Holiday Monday.

Admission to the site is free, where you get an option to buy various tickets to ride miniature trains on their two tracks – both of which go around twice. The coolest part of all this is it’s run by volunteers – there’s zero commercialism here – no sponsorship, just trains, people restoring them and the public getting to ride on them.

Thames Ditton Miniature Railway

We bought two unlimited travel tickets at £6.50 each (there’s no parent or child fares) and swapped them between us so one of us got to ride with H (while I gossiped with a friend mostly).

There’s a buggy storage area, and they don’t allow bags or baby slings onto the trains – but you can store them at the station safely.

The trains run every few minutes on two separate railways – and are usually hauled by model scale steam locomotives. Some trains are hauled by diesel and electric locomotives.

Thames Ditton Miniature Railway

On site there’s refreshments, and a large grass area which is perfect for picnics. You can access this via a footbridge from the main entrance. The site opens from 1pm, trains run from 2pm to 5.30pm.

Every year the club runs Santa Specials – pre booked rides to see Santa at a cost of £10 per child. I’ve no idea what it’ll be like, but I’m liking the sound of it.

Thames Ditton Miniature Railway

How to get there – this is the slightly difficult bit. It’s on a trading estate type area in Thames Ditton – there’s not much parking, so park around the nearby park on the Portsmouth Road (A307) – it’s just off Claygate Lane – postcode KT7 0DL. We turned from the Tolworth Roundabout on the A3 and it took under ten minutes to get there.

A Cheaper London? Part 3.

The day before payday, the one where you try not to spend a thing. What better time to head to a trusty National Trust place, free as you’re a member – and take a picnic along as well?

Claremont Landscape GardensSo today we headed to Claremont Landscape Gardens – loads of grounds to walk around and explore, hills to roll down and loads more – and it doesn’t cost a penny (as we’ve already paid for our membership – do it via Quidco and get decent cashback as well as a reduced rate – it’s an excellent deal and you make your money back after visiting two or three places).

Claremont Landscape Gardens

There’s the thatched cottage with loads of John Crane wooden vegetables and costumes to play with, which occupied H for a good forty minutes or so…

Claremont Landscape Gardens

But yes, sun and space – today was a good cheap day – and we’re still within the M25.

Claremont Landscape Gardens

A Cheaper London, Part 1

So, the bit I didn’t get done. We have family over at the moment and we had a bit of a crisis – payday can’t come soon enough, basically… that and birthdays imminent (H and Shaun), and with the family over lots of daytrips, we’re having to watch that we don’t spend too much – so without doing the ‘We’re skint, we can’t do anything’ route, we’re trying to do the ‘let’s not spend too much’ one instead.

We’ll see how we go.

Kew Gardens

Day 1 was a trip to Kew Gardens – somewhere I’d never been but often intended to. I think in my head I thought Kew would be a massive garden full of flowers and not much else, but actually as National Trust members and having been to Wakehurst Place, you can see why the two places are linked so closely – they’re quite similar – even if it’s not the plants and flowers they have.

Kew Gardens

If you’re a member at Kew, or indeed plan to visit several times in the year a membership is worth it. Kew is just slightly too far away and in London for us – so I suspect we’d probably go once a year which means we wouldn’t use it. Alas being a National Trust member doesn’t count for anything at Kew, so there were no savings to be had there. In fact, it’s only now I found the 2 for 1 deal over here (sigh) which would save you £15 or so – you just need a National Rail ticket.

Kew Gardens

Having said that, we wouldn’t have qualified as we chose to drive – parking is £6.50 all day, but you’re close to the park – handy if you’ve a tired toddler. There was free parking around one side of the gardens (at least it looked free!) but we couldn’t get a space.

Inside you have fields, glasshouses with some fabulous plants and loads to look at. There’s a children’s play area which reassuringly is big enough for an adult when your toddler decides she’s stuck (cough, then does it again straight away and doesn’t get stuck), food wasn’t cheap, but I didn’t see signs that say you can’t take your own picnic.

Kew Gardens

There was plenty of wandering around to be done, lest we forget the terrifying walkway which I didn’t get on – it was too high for me and apparently does sway a bit so be aware of that if you’re not good with heights. My fearless child just lay down and looked at us on the ground, as you can see through the floor. It is free to go on and has amazing views.

Kew Gardens

There’s also an underground display which she liked, identifying all the creepy crawlies.

Kew Gardens

There was so much to do and I know we could go back and do a lot more – and we will. I wish there was a reduction for National Trust members (though understand why not!) as we’d definitely go back there a lot more.

Money saved? Not much this time although running and walking around large gardens doesn’t cost you a penny.

A Cheaper London? Part 2

Okay, I realise this is confusing being part 2, when part 1 hasn’t been written yet, but I’m trying to be chronological here and haven’t had time to do yesterday.

So – the in-laws are over from Australia and we’re sightseeing – however, I don’t agree in paying full price for anything if there’s a way you can get it cheaper, so this is essentially what this is about – especially when it involves kids.

Today’s trip was over to London’s South Bank – The London Eye, a wander along the river, a trip to Wahaca and loads of free things along the way (with more that we missed).

London EyeSo, the London Eye. At £18 each it’s pricey – but don’t let that put you off. If you head over here you can register and sign up for a 2 for 1 voucher – which for us was an almost £40 saving (4 adults, one under 3 went free). All you need to qualify is a Railcard travelcard (Oyster cards are no good, nor are Underground issued ones) – check the T&C’s for more information, but it’s worth it if you’re getting a travelcard anyway. You can also buy a ticket for the London Aquarium which is worth a visit as a combined price saving you a little more – and is only a couple of minutes (even at toddler pace) from the London Eye.

When the London Eye isn’t busy you can walk on, so we had our tickets and were on within  ten minutes which was good too – no waiting around or arranging a time to get on – which considering it’s the day after the Olympics finished, you’d expect it to be a bit busy. Save yourself some money too – get someone else in the pod to take a photo of you with a good London Skyline and avoid the ridiculously expensive ones you can buy there…!

Our World In Lego

After that we wandered along the South Bank – where the Festival of the World is going on (until the 9th September) – so you’ve crates you can climb into, rides (which cost £2 per person – the carousel would need an adult if your child is less than 1m30), a fabulous Lego World, and the utterly fantastic Rainbow Park – a huge sandpit which starts in plain until it works through the colours of the rainbow – it’s sand you can’t build a sandcastle from, but that doesn’t make it any less fun. Don’t leave it too late! It rained a bit today but we were fairly sheltered under the trees.

Rainbow Park, South Bank Centre
There’s so much to do that we missed the Amaze Me maze built from books, and didn’t get to explore properly really – it’s definitely somewhere to go back to – but best of all it only costs you the price of your travel (and food) to get there!

Food-wise, I tried a free trial of a Tastecard, but couldn’t use it anywhere for 5 people (and FourSquare let me down too) – so we ended up going to Wahaca who have a pop-up store – they’re not cheap, but there is also a small stand for street food which does all the same things as in the restaurant – and Wahaca are yummy (and have plenty of vegetarian choices) – and very filling. Plan in advance and Pizza Express often has good deals – and free WiFi, plus if you have an iPhone or an iPod Touch their app is extremely useful.

WahacaAll in all, our South Bank Trip did pretty well as far as not spending money goes! I’m not sure what’s in store tomorrow…

Ben and Holly Live on Stage!

BH_Logo_20x15-300x225 Quite frankly, if you don’t watch Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom, then you are missing out – it’s one of those rare cartoons that as an adult, I find myself laughing along to as well, so given that it’s now coming to the stage, and – and this is the best bit of all – there’s an unplanned JELLY FLOOD! (I’m dying to see how they do this) – how could you possibly miss this?

Ben and Holly's Little KingdomThe Little Kingdom – where everyone is very, very small – is home to Princess Holly and her best friend Ben Elf. Holly is a young fairy princess who is still learning how to do magic properly and sometimes her spells don’t work out quite right. Ben is an Elf. Elves don’t do magic but they are very good at making things. Ben doesn’t have wings like Holly but he flies on the back of Gaston the Ladybird.

In this exciting new musical adventure, Ben and Holly have fun and games helping Gaston clean up his messy cave; they go on a trip to The Big World with tooth-fairy Nanny Plum; and still have time to plan a surprise for King Elf’s birthday party, complete with an unplanned jelly flood.

Packed full of games, songs and laughter, this is an enchanting and magical visit to the Little Kingdom, live on stage for the very first time. This beautiful story of elves, princesses and childhood innocence will delight all the family.

Tickets are on sale now for all 2012 dates, with some 2013 announced – read on! We’ve bought our tickets for Wimbledon, and can’t wait.

BEN & HOLLY’S LITTLE KINGDOM UK TOUR 2012 – 2013
www.benandhollylive.com
@benandhollylive

FRI 26 – SUN 28 OCTOBER THE ORCHARD THEATRE, DARTFORD
Fri 26 at 4 pm
Sat 27 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 28 at 10 am & 1 pm

WED 31 OCT – THURS 1 NOVEMBER NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE
Wed 31 at 1 & 4 pm
Thurs 1 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 3 – SUN 4 NOVEMBER THE ANVIL, BASINGSTOKE
Sat 3 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 4 at 10 am & 1 pm

WED 7 – THURS 8 NOVEMBER YORK BARBICAN
Wed 7 at 1 & 4 pm
Thurs 8 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 10 – SUN 11 NOVEMBER PRINCES HALL, ALDERSHOT
Sat 10 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 11 at 10 am & 1 pm

WED 14 – THURS 15 NOVEMBER PAVILION THEATRE, WORTHING
Wed 14 at 1 & 4 pm
Thurs 15 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 17 – SUN 18 NOVEMBER THE GROVE, DUNSTABLE
Sat 17 at 4 pm
Sun 18 at 10 am, 1 & 4 pm

2013

WED 16 – THURS 17 JANUARY VENUE CYMRU, LLANDUDNO
Wed 16 at 4 pm
Thurs 17 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 19 – SUN 20 JANUARY THEATRE ROYAL, NOTTINGHAM
Sat 19 at 10.30 am & 1.30 pm
Sun 20 at 11 am & 2 pm

TUES 22 – WED 23 JANUARY ASSEMBLY THEATRE, TUNBRIDGE WELLS
Tues 22 at 1 & 4 pm
Wed 23 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 26 – SUN 27 JANUARY BECK THEATRE, HAYES
Sat 26 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 27 at 10 am & 1 pm

TUES 29 – WED 30 JANUARY NEW THEATRE, HULL
Tues 29 at 1 & 4 pm
Wed 30 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 2 – SUN 3 FEBRUARY CORN EXCHANGE, CAMBRIDGE
Sat 2 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 3 at 10 am & 1 pm

WED 6 – THURS 7 FEBRUARY CHARTER THEATRE, PRESTON
Wed 6 at 1 & 4 pm
Thurs 7 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 9 – SUN 10 FEBRUARY PALACE THEATRE, SOUTHEND
Sat 9 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 10 at 10 am & 1 pm

WED 13 – THURS 14 FEBRUARY G LIVE, GUILDFORD
Wed 13 at 1 & 4 pm
Thurs 14 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 16 – SUN 17 FEBRUARY WATFORD COLOSSEUM
Sat 16 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 17 at 10 am & 1 pm

TUES 19 – WED 20 FEBRUARY MILTON KEYNES THEATRE
Tues 19 at 4 pm
Wed 20 at 10 am, 1 & 4 pm

FRI 22 – SAT 23 FEBRUARY BELGRADE THEATRE, COVENTRY
Fri 22 at 1 & 4 pm
Sat 23 at 10.30 am & 1 pm

WED 27 – THURS 28 FEBRUARY WYVERN THEATRE, SWINDON
Wed 27 at 1 & 4 pm
Thurs 28 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 2 – SUN 3 MARCH RICHMOND THEATRE
Sat 2 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 3 at 10 am & 1 pm

More/
WED 6 – THURS 7 MARCH ASSEMBLY ROOMS, DERBY
Wed 6 at 1 & 4 pm
Thurs 7 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 9 – SUN 10 MARCH THE ALHAMBRA THEATRE, DUNFERMLINE
Sat 9 at 4 pm
Sun 10 at 10 am & 1 pm

WED 13 – THURS 14 MARCH PLAYHOUSE, WHITLEY BAY
Wed 13 at 1 & 4 pm
Thurs 14 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 16 – SUN 17 MARCH OPERA HOUSE BUXTON
Sat 16 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 17 at 11 am & 2 pm

TUES 26 – WED 27 MARCH ST ALBANS ARENA
Tues 26 at 1 & 4 pm
Wed 27 at 10 am & 1 pm

FRI 29 – SAT 30 MARCH MARLOWE THEATRE, CANTERBURY
Fri 29 at 4 pm
Sat 30 at 10 am, 1 & 4 pm

TUES 2 – WED 3 APRIL DE MONTFORT HALL, LEICESTER
Tues 2 at 4 pm
Wed 3 at 10 am, 1 & 4 pm

WED 10 – THURS 11 APRIL ST DAVID’S HALL, CARDIFF
Wed 10 at 1 & 4 pm
Thurs 11 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 13 – SUN 14 APRIL HALL FOR CORNWALL, TRURO
Sat 13 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 14 at 10 am & 1 pm

TUES 16 – WED 17 APRIL OCTAGON THEATRE, YEOVIL
Tues 16 at 1 & 4 pm
Wed 17 at 10 am & 1 pm

FRI 19 – SAT 20 APRIL KING’S THEATRE, SOUTHSEA
Fri 19 at 1 & 4 pm
Sat 20 at 10 am & 1 pm

TUES 23 – WED 24 APRIL CAPITOL THEATRE, HORSHAM
Tues 23 at 1 & 4 pm
Wed 24 at 1 & 4 pm

FRI 26 – SAT 27 APRIL MARINA THEATRE, LOWESTOFT
Fri 26 at 1 & 4 pm
Sat 27 at 10 am & 1 pm

WED 1 MAY KING GEORGE’S HALL, BLACKBURN
Wed 1 at 1 & 4 pm

SAT 4 – SUN 5 MAY HEXAGON THEATRE, READING
Sat 4 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 5 at 10 am & 1 pm

WED 8 – THURS 9 MAY GORDON CRAIG THEATRE, STEVENAGE
Wed 8 at 1 & 4 pm
Thurs 9 at 10 am & 1 pm

WED 15 – THURS 16 MAY BRISTOL HIPPODROME
Wed 15 at 1 & 4 pm
Thurs 16 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 18 – SUN 19 MAY GRAND THEATRE, SWANSEA
Sat 18 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 19 at 10 am & 1 pm

WED 22 – THURS 23 MAY GRAND THEATRE, WOLVERHAMPTON
Wed 22 at 1 & 4 pm
Thurs 23 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 25 – SUN 26 MAY THEATRE ROYAL, GLASGOW
Sat 25 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 26 at 10 am & 1 pm

WED 29 – THURS 30 MAY CIVIC THEATRE, DARLINGTON
Wed 29 at 1 & 4 pm
Thurs 30 May at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 1 – SUN 2 JUNE KING’S THEATRE, EDINBURGH
Sat 1 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 2 June at 10 am & 1 pm

WED 5 – THURS 6 JUNE LOUGHBOROUGH TOWN HALL
Wed 5 at 1.30 & 4.30 pm
Thurs 6 at 1.30 & 4.30 pm

SAT 8 – SUN 9 JUNE GRAND THEATRE, BLACKPOOL
Sat 8 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 9 at 10 am & 1 pm

WED 12 – THURS 13 JUNE HARROGATE THEATRE
Wed 12 at 1 & 4 pm
Thurs 13 at 10 am & 1 pm

WED 19 – THURS 20 JUNE CORN EXCHANGE, BEDFORD
Wed 19 at 1 & 4 pm
Thurs 29 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 22 – SUN 23 JUNE CORN EXCHANGE, KING’S LYNN
Sat 22 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 23 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 29 – SUN 30 JUNE FLORAL PAVILION, NEW BRIGHTON
Sat 29 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 30 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 6 – SUN 7 JULY HACKNEY EMPIRE, LONDON
Sat 6 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 7 at 10 am & 1 pm

WED 10 – THURS 11 JULY THEATRE ROYAL, BRIGHTON
Wed 10 at 1 & 4 pm
Thurs 11 at 10 am & 1 pm

SAT 27 – SUN 28 JULY PALACE THEATRE, MANCHESTER
Sat 27 at 1 & 4 pm
Sun 28 at 10 am & 1 pm

Sacrilege 2012 – an inflatable Stonehenge on tour – by Jeremy Deller

Fancy bouncing on a life-size replica Stonehenge for free?

Check out Sacrilege 2012 by Jeremy Deller quick – they’re touring parks all around the country, but it’s almost over.

We went yesterday in Cheam Park – and although it had to be deflated due to high winds for a while, it was soon inflated again (as it’s better for Stonehenge to be up).

Things worth knowing:

• Follow Sacrilege on Twitter (@sacrilege2012) – especially when the weather is bad, then you can get updates when it closes and reopens (if they have to).
• Even when it rains they’ll let you on – just in smaller batches so there’s more room – bear in mind it’s slippery though. We got a 10-15 minute bounce – though the second time was cut short due to high winds again (damn you weather).
• They said they can’t come back (if a showing is disrupted by weather), so persevere if you can – or find something else locally you can do if it is bad weather so you can get back quickly.
• There’s no secure storage for valuables, and you can’t take them on with you – so leave your most expensive stuff at home

I put together a little YouTube thing when it was being inflated the second time.

Check out their website too – there’s extra goodies – music and even a beard to print out and take with you.

Jeremy Deller is a genius. I’ve never seen so many happy laughing faces bouncing around on a huge great big bouncy thing. Apparently it’s available for hire too…

Sacrilege 2012 at Cheam Park

TOUR DATES
21 June – Carmarthenshire, Wales
24 June – Redruth, Cornwall
26 June – Exeter, Devon
29 June – Marlborough, Wiltshire
4 July – Southend On Sea
7 July – Flag Fen, Peterborough
11 July – Wakefield, Yorkshire
15 July – Gateshead – CANCELLED
20 July – Fishermead, Milton Keynes
21/22 July – Greenwich, London
25 July – Brent, London
28 July – Westminster, London
29 July – Sutton, London
31 July – Ravenscourt Park, London
1 August – Hampstead Heath, London
2 August – Clapham Common, London
4 August – Southwark, London
5 August – HIllingdon, London
7 August – Newham, London
9 August – Crystal Palace, London
10 August – Alexandra Palace, London
11 August – Christchurch Green, London
12 August – Lee Valley Park, London
18 August – College Green, Bristol
26 August – Belfast
9 September – Preston

Ben and Holly Star of the Week

We’re very much a Ben and Holly household as you may be aware – why just last weekend H and her friend went to a party as Ben and Holly – if only I’d got some video of them both and I’d be entering right now.

Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom

The Official Ben and Holly Facebook page has a competition running at the moment – you need to submit a video of something Ben and Holly inspired – and whoever submits the best video will win a Ben and Holly Magic Toadstool toy. At the end of this there will be one overall winner who will get a VIP package – including tickets to the Live Show – and getting to meet the cast.

Magical Toadstool Playset open with Holly and Strawberry upstairs

Head over to the Facebook Page and get your entry in – you’ve got until the end of September!

From 30th July, Nick Jr will feature Ben & Holly on their Star Of The Week slot, airing back to back episodes.