Museum of Croydon
Croydon Clocktower, Katherine Street, Croydon.
www.museumofcroydon.com
0208 253 1022
Wednesday, July 31 – Circus finger puppet craft; Wednesday, August 7 – Make a Celtic Bookmark; Saturday, August 10 – Exotic fan making; Wednesday, August 14 – Dragon Jigsaw at the Riesco Gallery; Tuesday, August 20 and Wednesday, August 21 – Make a Victorian card (see website for more activities).
Visit the Museum of Croydon, based in the Croydon Clocktower, on the first floor, there are plenty of free craft events and activities for children. For family workshops all children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by a responsible adult and all adults must be accompanied by a child. All events take place from 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm and are free.
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Whitgift Weenies Summer Fun, Croydon
Whitgift Centre (next to Starbucks), Croydon.
www.thewhitgiftcroydon.co.uk/ weenies; 0208 686 0297
Summer holiday activities from 9.30am-5.30pm. Tuesday, July 30 and Wednesday, July 31 – punch and judy, summer crafts and face painting; Tuesday, August 6 and Wednesday, August 7 – Bog and Boogie, face painting, summer crafts and fun.
School's out for summer, pop along to the Whitgift Centre and become a member of Weenies for children aged 3-10 years, join in with fun filled events and wicked workshops. Book online or by telephone. There are four sessions per day, which include face painting, crafts, shows and dance.
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Kidspace, Croydon
The Colonnades, 619 Purley Way, Croydon, CR0 4RQ.
www.kidspaceadventures.com/ croydon; 0208 686 0040
Open daily Monday-Thurs 9am-7pm; Friday and Saturday 9am-8pm and Sunday 9am-7pm. Children £6.50-£9.50, adults £2.95. Special clubs run throughout the holidays from July 29 to August 30, from £35 (per day).
Kidspace is Croydon's ultimate indoor adventure play area. There is plenty for all ages with a sky trail, the orb, climbing zone, thunderball city, go-kart track and toddler village. On offer also are various clubs and classes throughout the summer. The Pod Pizzeria offers a wide variety of food and drinks. Check out the website for special offers.
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Crystal Palace Park and Farm
Crystal Palace Park, Ledrington Road, SE19 2BS.
www.capel.ac.uk/crystal-palace-park- farm; 0208 659 2557
Monday-Sunday, noon-4pm, Closed Wednesdays. August 11 – Conservation Area workday in the park, ivy weeding and butterfly count 2-4pm.
Come and see how a city farm works. Set in the 200 acre grounds of Crystal Palace Park, the farm contains Kune Kune, pigs, chinchillas, goats, parakeets, rabbits, snakes, small lizards, amphibians, alpacas, degus and Shetland ponies. Or take a walk in the park and look for the famous dinosaurs. Admission is free, best check opening times before visiting the farm.
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Beaver Water World, Tatsfield
Waylands Farm, Approach Road, Tatsfield, TN16 2JT
www.beaverwaterworld.com
01959 577747
Open daily from 10am-5pm. Adults £4, children £3.
Beaver Zoological Gardens and Reptile Rescue Centre is a registered charity, who rescue reptiles and other animals. In the grounds you will see Canadian beavers, deer, owl, parrots, macaws and other aviary birds. There's also rabbits, guinea pigs, chicken and ducks.The reptile house contains iguana, two Caimans, common boa, pythons, bearded dragons, skinks, lizards, chameleons, basilisks, water monitors, tortoises, turtles and marmosets – all of which are rescued.
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Craggy Island Climbing and Caving Centre
Oaks Sports Centre, Woodmansterne Road, Carshalton, SM5 4AW.
www.craggy-island.com/sutton
0844 880 8866
Open Monday-Friday 10am-10pm and Saturday-Sunday 10am-7pm.
Craggy Island Sutton is the most exciting dedicated bouldering centre in the south east. Renowned for both the quality of the facilities and also the friendliness of the staff and customers, you're sure to enjoy your visit. They also have one of the largest indoor caving systems in the country – ideal for a really challenging treat for children.
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Tandridge Leisure Centres
Tandridge Leisure Centre, Hoskins Road, Oxted, RH8 9HT and de Stafford Sports Centre, Burntwood Lane, Caterham, CR3 5YX.
www.tandridgetrust.co.uk
01883 344355/716717
Monday, July 29 and various dates – Bake and Bounce; Tuesday, August 6 – storytelling workshop; various dates Toddler Trampolining and gymnastics; Soccer - Wednesday, July 31, August 10, August 14; Creative crafts, Thursday, July 29, Wednesday, August 7.
Edenbridge & Oxted Agricultural Show
Ardenrun Showground, Tandridge Lane, Lingfield, RH7 6LL.
www.edenbridge-show.co.uk
01737 645843
Open August 25 and August 26, 8am-6pm. Adults £17, OAPs and students £13, under 16's free when accompanied by an adult.
The Edenbridge and Oxted Agricultural Show is the most spectacular August Bank Holiday day out in Surrey for the whole family. At the heart are close-up encounters with animals of all sizes – more creatures than you can see at almost any attraction in the south east this summer. The massive two-day countryside event is held on a showground the size of ten Wembley Stadiums and this year children can visit for free. The Edenbridge and Oxted Show combines all the favourites of a traditional agricultural show with 21st century family entertainment; rides, experiences and shopping. Parking is free, it is best to arrive early.
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Hobbledown Children's Farm, Epsom
Hobbledown, Horton Lane, Epsom, KT19 8PT
www.hobbledown.com
0843 289 4979
Open Monday-Thurs 9am-7pm; Friday & Saturday 9am-8pm and Sunday 9am-7pm. Prices vary according to term-time (maximum ticket prices between £7-12.50)
Hobbledown is a unique farm park adventure based on a mystical and magical fantasy tale. Based on a 50-acre site, the all-weather attraction is home to more than 200 animals and a multitude of indoor and outdoor adventure play equipment.You are welcome to explore the Hobblers' houses and towers, check out the underground tunnels, test your skills on the Low Ropes Adventure or brave the Aerial Walkways.The Hobbledown Barn houses two themed play areas with an indoor maze. The Hoblings Play Village has mazes and roleplay areas as well as an Interactive Sand Play Zone. Visit the website for special events taking place through the summer.
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Mayfield Lavender Farm, Banstead
Mayfield Lavender, Croydon Lane, Banstead, SM7 3BE
www.mayfieldlavender.com
07503 877707
Open every day until the end of August, 9.30am-6pm.
Fancy a touch of Provence in Surrey? Mayfield Lavender Farm is a perfect place to visit on a sunny day. With the lavender flowers now starting to bloom, why not take a trip to the family-run, 25 acre lavender farm in Banstead. Families are invited to wander through the fields and enjoy a relaxed picinic at one of the tables among the flowers. There is also a shop, selling locally produced lavender products.
