Lambeth - What's on for the family - January 19th-20th 2013

It's the weekend! Hooray! Time for some family fun. Except it's possible the snow is going to change what we can do this weekend. Anyway lets see what's on!

SATURDAY  (19th January)

Lambeth is rather quiet this weekend. Winter seems to lack one-off events in the area. If you don't fancy traveling too far, then take a visit to the library - get some books and films out and settle down at home as the weather gets cold.

Otherwise let's take a bus ride to get a bit of south London culture and head on the P4 to the Horniman Museum in Forest Hill. They have two different family sessions on today - one which allows you to handle objects (free) and another which is about having a go at art (£3 a child).

Or head in the opposite direction to Bankside to visit the Tate Modern. Seek out the Clore Learning Centre where they have an open studio so the children can explore and create. It's open from 11am to 4pm.

To get to the Tate Modern on bus, the 45 which passes through Brixton stops at Blackfriars Bridge Road. Alternatively, there is always the tube to Southwark.

SUNDAY (20th January)

The Victoria and Albert Museum has a drop in design event about creating costumes. This is on all day in the lunch room.

The museum is located in South Kensington. The number 345 bus will take you there; alternatively take the train or tube to Victoria and catch the District Line.

Get involved in a family activity at the National Gallery. They are also doing regular Sunday events for the family. Under fives have the Magic Carpet Storytelling at 10:30am and 11:30 am; and five to eleven year old children have a hands-on art workshop called postcards from Arcadia running at 11am to 12:20pm and 2am to 3:20pm.

The National Gallery is located in Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN. Hop on the number 3 bus or 159 to get there.

Head down to the  British Museum for a free medieval animation workshop for kids age 7 +. There are two sessions - one starts at 11m and one at 2pm.

The British Museum is located at Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG. Hop on the 59 bus to get there.

If the snow does arrive, then Brockwell Park is a good place for a bit of sleighing. However it gets very busy. If you can get out of the house, check out Spit-spot blog for some ideas of things to do.

Have a lovely weekend!

A visit to Hampstead Heath (or What I did at the weekend)

When I start thinking about traveling from my area, Brixton, I think about the places that are easy to get to and not the ones that will take an hour or more with lots of changes on the underground and buses. So I had written off  the idea of popping to Hampstead Heath for the weekend.

How wrong was I? Using the Thameslink, it's pretty easy to get there. In fact the journey between  Herne Hill and West Hampstead station is 30 minutes- yes you heard me correctly - 30 mins!! North London here I come!!!

So lets start at the beginning, the other Sunday we decided to enjoy the changing shades of leaves in one of London's top tree hot spots, Hampstead Heath. From Brixton we walked to Herne Hill as this is the Station with a lift that takes us swiftly north of the river. On our travels we took the opportunity to peruse the new Herne Hill market -it's a goody - lots of foods and crafts, well worth a visit. Boo-boo even met a dinosaur (and was pretty unimpressed).

The dinosaur was terrified of Princess Boo-boo of Brixton.

After having a nose, we headed off to the station, up the lifts and waited for the next Thameslink train. Now this train isn't the best for buggies - the aisles aren't wide enough for you to push the buggy through so you need to find a seat where you got on. The back carriage tends to have seats along the side rather than facing forwards or backwards which does leave room for the buggy.

So quickly we travelled through London zipping through the south, the city and then into the north. We decided for the West Hampstead stop as the station has a lift and a bus would take us to the Heath. However, I didn't read my bus map properly and we ended up at the bottom of the Heath with a big hill ahead of us. But the sun was shining so with determination we trundled up the hill, stopping at the top to take in the breathtaking view of London although this wasn't really a moment for quiet contemplation as there was about a hundred people up there all doing the same thing.

Golden leaves

 On we ambled through the red, brown orange and gold leaves laid on the path to lead us to warmer pastures of cakes and hot coffees. Yes, we were heading to Hampstead via the trees and plants, listed buildings, little cottages and old churchyard.

Autumn Reflection

Upon arrival we had a look at the shops - the place was heaving and the tea shops were full! However a poor consolation was the fact that the place with the best looking cakes wasn't buggy friendly anyway. We need a babysitter too visit that cake shop or just wait til the child grows up!

Boo-boo enjoys the art

After a hot beverage and a sugary snack we found an art exhibition located in a local church. So we had a wander, took some photos and generally enjoyed what felt like a grown up experience. Then slowly we pottered back to West Hampstead Station as the sun set on our little adventure. All in all, it was a lovely day - great views, sugary snacks and a swift and pleasant journey across into the North of London.

The Thameslink (First Capital Connect) train from Herne Hill to West Hampstead cost £1.80 each way with pay as you go Oyster card. The journey takes 30 minutes.

From West Hampstead take the C11 to Gospel Oak where you will get off at the bottom of the Heath - there is a cafe and toilets near by.

Go visit!

Lambeth - What's on for the family - August 24th -26th 2012

It's the bank holiday weekend - time to raise our glasses, plastic baby cups/bottle and toast the end of the summer. Here's to the end of one season and the beginning of the smells and sights of Autumn.

So what to do, what to do? Well, we are not sensing any major free local events to go to! Perhaps I'm missing a trick. So I'm just going to have to suggest some general local free things and some other events a bus ride away!

SATURDAY (24th August)

So Saturday, if the sun is out head to Slade Gardens, Robsart Street, SW9 in the Stockwell/North Brixton area (Bus 159, 3 133 and 59). It's a rather small flat piece of land with several playgrounds, from a recently added one for the under-fives, to the big adventure playground next door.

It certainly suits a family with kids of different ages who want to let off some steam. It lacks a bit of shade and really can't compete with the big parks, however, take a picnic and unleash the children and it might keep everyone happy for a couple of hours.

Parents, you can always stop in the new pub the Crown and Anchor, by the exit onto Brixton Road. It's children friendly so you can get some lunchtime food for the kids, and for the grown ups, they have a wide range of beers, ales and ciders for you to try (not that I'm encouraging you to get drunk whilst parenting!). No baby changing facilities and the toilets are downstairs, however they are probably the nearest set of loos if the children are doing the "I need a wee" hop.

Of course, this is very much an outdoor activity and we know what the British summer is like, so for something in doors, take a visit to the Tate Britain. A number 2 or 88 bus ride across the river takes you to view some art. Fabulous.

And they cater for a wide range of ages! Liminal is a family event every weekend betweeen 11 til 3pm. Go to the information desk for details. Website says it " invites families into a physical, material and social experience of sculpture through touch, interaction and collaboration" so basically a chance to not have to tell the children not to touch the artwork. Sounds good. I'll check that out soon and properly review it!

SUNDAY (25th August)

If you don't do local and want to travel, this weekend is the Leonard Street Party at Shoreditch... yes, I know it sounds mile away but it's only a bus route from Brixton or Clapham. Yes, the 35 takes you to the home of the hipster. From 12pm to 8pm, there'll be music, DJs, food and games. Not specifically aimed at children, it probably works better for parents with buggies rather than a gaggle of toddlers. So whilst the little one is locked in her baby wagon, you can bop around the pushchair like it's a handbag and stuff your face with streetfood. Cool!

Of course, if you in the area, check out the Hackney City Farm or Spitalfieds City Farm - both a walk or bus ride away. I'm not going to write them up as, well, we are starting to spread out of the realms of local. So links included and you can make your own mind up.

What if you want to be local, well one for parents with buggy bound children is the Streatham Society local history walk - an opportunity to learn a few local stories and meet some of your neighbours.  The walk starts at 2:30pm at Streatham Station. Buses to Streatham include the 109, 50, and 159.

MONDAY (26th August)

We mentioned farms earlier and a not so local but not too far away farm is Deen City Farm near Colliers Woods. So from any of Lambeth Tube stations, make your way on the northern line to Colliers Wood. Then follow the signs to Merton Abbey Mills which sits on the River Wandle. You can stop there for a bite to eat or look at the shops and the water wheel.

But on, on, find the Wandle, and take a walk up it, heading away from Wandsworth and up towards Carlsharlton. The farm isn't too far away (though alternatively if you drive that might just be easier....) Anyway, on Monday, the farm has a summer extravaganza with a BBQ, stalls, games and a bouncy castle as well as the usual farm animals to look at. On the couple of occasions I've been, they have had a white peacock - very impressive (probably more for the grown ups than the kids). And the adults get to make funny noises at the animals, something that isn't so easy to get away with when one is childless. This outing works best for the littleuns in buggies or with older children. There is probably a bit too much walking for toddlers.

Usually I try to list the free and cheap however I thought I'd throw this next event in here. It is free for under 15s however does cost £14 for adults. It is the Festival of Flowers at Southwark Cathedral (from 23rd to 27th August). This is probably a nice thing to take a little one to as there is opportunity to see and smell  a variety of flowers in a beauiful setting whereas the older child might just find it all rather boring! Buses to Southwark Cathedral are the 133 and 35 - get off at London Bridge.

Have a good bank holiday and let me know if you visit any of these places!

Lambeth - What's on for the family - August 18th -19th 2012

Actually I thought I'd be helpful and throw in something interesting for this Friday.

So Lambeth folk, heard of Archbishop Park? Well you north Lambethers will probably be aware of it but for central and southern residents, we are unlikely to have come across it. Situated near St Thomas's Hospital, it has tennis courts, cafe and a nice kids playground. It's a good little space!

And this Friday 17th August 2012, they have a Summerfest between 12pm and 8pm. There will be a bouncy castle, outdoor gallery, music and sports. Dr Bike will be there if you need anything checked (not sure he can do buggies), make artwork with Block 336 and visit the pop-up Cinema Museum. Nearby bus routes are 3, 12, 53 and 159. Check out the space - it might be somewhere you would like to re-visit.

SATURDAY (18th August)

 

Any parents who have ventured into central London will have spotted the painted Olympic mascots, Wenlock and Mandeville, dotted all over the town. I'm sure some of you have taken a pic of one - either on it's own or with yourself, the kids, the baby's buggy or random tourists climbing all over the poor thing.

These figurines are all part of the Stroll Discovery trails - 6  different walks to take you around London's sites and to visit the different games mascots. These walks can be downloaded online.

For Lambeth folk, the red trail starting at Westminster (bus route 159) is our local walk which at 4.8km (2.9 miles), it's not too bad a distance - works for parents with kids in buggies. For parents with walking children, you can always put in lots of stops. Of course, the main point of doing this, apart from seeing London sites and getting exercise and fresh air, is to take photos with the mascots! And you can enter them into a competition. Let me know if any of you win!

SUNDAY (19th August)

 

So if the weather is going to remain good , lets head for the park. As the summer starts to come to an end, we know that means only a month or two left to get around to visiting the miniature railway at Brockwell Park.

A brief experience but a  novel one and great for fans of Chuggington and Thomas the Tank Engine. The Railway is open on Sundays from 11am to 4pm til the 28th October. A return ride is £1. Brockwell park  can be reached by bus route 2, 3, 68, 37 and 196 as well as the Overground at Herne Hill.


Now if you want to see the real thing or rather the big version, steam engines regularly leave Victoria station. The next is due to leave Victoria on Thursday 23rd August at 9:44am  Get to the station early to join the train spotters getting excited about steam!

If trains aren't your thing, perhaps you like a little bit of art. West Norwood Cemetery has an art instillation in its Greek Chapel. The Streetscape Carousel are London cityscapes cut into three metre high steel drums. These can be turned by hand which creates large silhouettes inside the building. Not only is it an opportunity to muck about with shadows but a chance to see inside this chapel located in one of the more beautiful parts of the cemetery.

The art exhibit is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday til 9th September between 12:30 to 5:30. Bus from Brixton to West Norwood are 2, 322, 196 and 432. Have a stroll around the rest of the cemetery; it's a rather beautiful place.

STILL ON:

 

As mentioned last week, AMAZEment at the South bank (catch the 59 bus) is still on. We did a test drive of the the piece. It's buggy friendly and about ten minutes of entertainment for a parent with a baby. Plenty of places to sit and feed the small one.

 For bigger kids, there are inflatable pillows for them to jump over and part of the maze wall is kids books, so you can read them a story.

Also outside, as you head towards the Hayward gallery, there are structures they can wander into and crawl over. Check out the you tube film about how they were created.  And don't forget to visit the big Lego map!!

Have a great weekend!

Lambeth - What's on for the family - August 11th -12th 2012

Wondering where to take the kids this weekend? Here's a few suggestions:

SATURDAY

This Saturday 11th August,  Foyles bookshop on the South Bank is hosting the Vintage Children's Classic Family Fete, an opportunity to discover some new stories. Kids can get their face painted, make a mad hatter's hat for mum or dad (or themselves, of course!) and be a pirate for a day. The event runs from 11am to 5pm. To get there, you can brave the tube to Waterloo or from central Brixton, get the 59 bus.

Everyone, old and young, loves a maze so if you have headed to the South Bank, pop into the Clore Ballroom, located in the Royal Festival Hall, to see aMAZEment, a labyrinth of books. A quick win- win of family entertainment, this maze should surely offer ten minutes of bafflement. Open from 10am to 11pm, until 26th August.

SUNDAY

Today is your opportunity to get the family into a little bit of art! The Friends of Windmill Gardens have organised an event at Windmill Gardens, Brixton Hill, SW4. Art in the Park encourages all ages to exercise their arty side. There will be t-shirt painting and mask making for the kids and the grownups can have a go at their artistic interpretation of the windmill with support from a professional artist. Find your inner Van Gogh (famous local arty resident!)

Also there will be an opportunity for the kids to have a go with spray paints - is your child the next Banksy?

Event runs between 1pm to 4pm at Windmill Gardens, nr Blenheim Gardens, SW2. Map here

Alternatively,  if your kids love to press buttons, hop on the 37 bus from Brixton to East Dulwich (catch this bus on Acre Lane opposite the Town hall) to visit the Cabaret Mechanical Theatre at Space Station 65, located off Lordship Lane at 65 Northcross Street.

So what is it you ask? Lots of automata usually with buttons to press to make them work. You'll all head home trying to figure out how to make one! Open on Tuesday to Sunday between 11pm til 6pm. Showing til the 7th September.

Any events you think we should know about local to the Lambeth area, drop me a mail (see my profile for contact details!)