Lambeth - What's on for the family - February 9th-10th 2013

Feeling a bit warmer out there? When will Spring start to show it's pretty face? Hopefully soon.

Let's see what's on this weekend:

SATURDAY (9th February)

Today is National Libraries Day and some of the  libraries will be holding family activities.

 West Norwood Library, situated at14-16 Knights Hill, SE27 0HY, has the following activities:

 10 - 10:45am      Fun with Newspaper (6 months - 4 years) 
 11am - 1:45pm   Badge making and crafts

To get to West Norwood, you can catch buses 2, 68, 315 432 and 322.  The area is also served by the overground at West Norwood Station.

 

Carnegie Library, located at 188 Herne Hill Road, SE24 0AG, has a special Storytime at 2pm with free tea, coffee and biscuits afterwards! 

Hop on the P4 bus to get to the library.
 

 Brixton Library, off Windrush Square, SW9,  will be holding crafts, activities, treasure hunts and storytime starting from 2pm.

If you are down Brixton way, pop into Art Nouveau, 77 Atlantic Road, SW9 for some bric-a brac, cake and tea.

Buses through Brixton include P4, P5, 188, 196, 59, 159, 3, 133, 333, 45, 345, and 37. Alternatively you can catch the tube or the overground into the area.

From Art Nouveau to Arts and Crafts, Tuesday saw the opening of a new exhibition at the Cuming Museum about ceramicists, the Martin Brothers. Many pieces of their work are full of strange creatures and funny faces which will be curious to children.

The museum always has lots of things to encourage children to interact with the exhibitions. It opens 10am to 5pm, Tuesday to Saturday, and is located at the Elephant and Castle end of the Walworth Road.

To get to the museum, you can catch a 35 or 45 along the Walworth Road or go to Elephant and Castle on the 133, 155 or 415 and it's a short walk from there. 

SUNDAY (10th February)

For classical music fun, head to the Southbank Centre and have a go at a musical instrument or join the Human Orchestra workshops from 10.30am to 2.30pm in Royal Festival Hall foyers.
The 59 to Waterloo will take you there.

And this weekend sees the beginning of the Chinese New Year and it's the year of the Snake! Visit Trafalgar Square to catch the entertainment on the stage from 1pm followed by fireworks at 5.55pm

Best view is from daddy's shoulders!

Also time to mentioned that if you head to Trafalgar Square you can pop to the National Gallery for family events. 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 running at 11am to 1pm and 2am to 4pm.

Found the magic carpet! Now when's the story time?

For both activities, meet in the Pigott Education Centre Foyer. The National Gallery is located in Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN. Hop on the number 3 bus or 159 to get there.

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

Lambeth - What's on for the family - February 2nd-3rd 2013

The weeks are sailing past much helped by my return to work and being busy away from my job. I can’t believe we are in February already!

So what’s on this weekend?

SATURDAY (2nd February)

Yep, it’s still a slow winter season however there are things on that only take a bus ride for everyone to get there.

The weather is looking bright for Saturday so head out to Vauxhall City Farm to see how the animals area faring! It is open from 10:30 to 4pm (same times on Sunday too!)

Not too impressed by the hens,

The farm is located off Spring Gardens, Vauxhall, SW8. To get to there, catch the 88, 36 , 2 or 196 bus.

Looking for something indoors? Then the Southbank Centre is showing an animated family-friendly film called the Cunning Little Vixen  at 3:30pm in the Foyer spaces. The 59 to Waterloo will take you there.

SUNDAY (3rd February)

Cross the river to 2 Temple Place and create an indoor seashore as part of an exhibition about artists in Cornwall. Craft workshops are at 12:pm and 2pm. To get there, cross Waterloo Bridge and head right along the river front. 

Want to take a walk in the fresh air? Then head out to Sydenham Hill Woods and Cox's Walk. Enjoy a bit of countryside on the city. The P4 will take you to the entrance to Cox's Walk (which is near the Horniman museum).

Enjoy!

Lambeth - What's on for the family - December 15th-16th 2012

Oh my! December is going past too quickly. Is your tree up? Have you sorted out the Christmas food? Are all the pressies bought?

Not sure I can say yes to any of those. Anyway, lets crack on with what's on this weekend!

SATURDAY (15th December)

Tis the season to hold fetes so first up is a Christmas Bazaar at the Coin Street Neighborhood Centre (108 Stamford Street, SE1) from 12pm to 3pm. There will be craft stalls, festive singing and Father Christmas will be there. It's £2 in advance for kids and £3 on the door (adults go free). Tickets include a gift from Santa. Money raised will go to new outdoor play equipment!

To get there, catch the 59 to Waterloo. Get off by the Imax. Stamford Street is off the roundabout.

Staying festive, do you want to sing some carols? Then head to the Brockwell Lido for a Singalong Carol Concert. Tickets are £3 for adults, £1 for 6-16 year olds and under 5s go free! It starts at 4:30 and finishes at 6pm.

Brockwell Lido is situated off Dulwich Road on the edge of Brockwell Park. Catch buses 3, 196 and 37.

Less Christmas, more winter? Then visit the Oasis Nature Garden's Winter Celebration from 11am to 3pm. Buy pressies, drink spiced apple juice and go on a treasure hunt!

The Oasis Nature Garden is located at Larkhall Lane, SW4 6SP. To get there, head for Stockwell. Bus 196 and P5 takes you past Larkhall Lane.

Just want to spend sometime catching up with Santa? Then hop on board the First Capital Connect Santa Special Train. Father Christmas and his elves will be travelling from Bedford to Brighton. Gifts and entertainment for the children! The southbound train calls at Blackfriars at 11.20am and London Bridge at 11.27am. Northbound, the train is scheduled to stop at London Bridge at 1.45pm and Blackfriars at 1.54pm.

To get to London Bridge station hop on the 133 or 35. To get to Blackfriars, catch the 45.

Staying by the river, head to the Southbank Centre and at 2pm, catch power-wheelchair dance troupe Rhinestone Rollers do a free performance in the Clore Ballroom. The 59 to Waterloo will take you there.

Follow the river around to Lambeth Bridge and pop into the Garden Museum for a free family event  making a snow globe. Join the morning session between 11am to 12:30pm or the afternoon session of 1:30pm to 3pm.

The nearest buses past the museum is the 3 and 344.

 SUNDAY (16th December)

Well, that was a busy Saturday so I have just a couple of things for you today.

Pop down the road to Balham which has a free ice skating rink this weekend. Located on Bedford Hill, next to Sainsbury it's open from 11am to 6pm.

Balham is served by buses 249, 315, 355 and 155. It can also be reached by the underground and the overground! 

Alternatively, take a visit to Market Row in Brixton as Seven and Casa Morita are fundraising by offering hot chocolate, mulled wine, churos and children's activities.

Buses through Brixton include P4, P5, 188, 196, 59, 159, 3, 133, 333, 45, 345, and 37. Alternatively you can catch the tube or the overground into the area. 

Don't get too cold! Have a lovely weekend!

Lambeth - What's on for the family - December 8th-9th 2012

First week of December has already gone past. Have you done your Christmas shopping yet? I think I've sorted all the pressies out! So what's on for the weekend?

SATURDAY (8th December)

Dads, want to give mum a break? Then take the kids to child-friendly pub Manor Arms for Punch and Judy Brunch. Doors open at 10am, show starts at 11am.

Manor Arms is located at 13 Mitcham Lane, SW16, 6LQ.You can catch the 333, 201 and 57 to the pub. It is also served by Streatham overground station.

And while dad is at Manor Arms, mum can pop out to the Railway on Greyhound Lane and check out their Christmas Craft and Farmers Market from 12 to 6pm. Free Santa's grotto from 2til 3:30pm so get dad to bring the kids over for that time!

To get to the Railway, catch buses 109,118, 250 and 50. Currently the road is closed so get off on Streatham High Street.

Want to do something together as a family than head to Vauxhall City Farm Open Day. meet the animals, watch some demonstrations, visit Santa and have some mulled wine! Events run from 11am to 4pm.

The farm is located at 165 Tyers Street, SE11 5HS and can be reached by buses 2, 88 and 196. The area is also served by the Overground and Underground.

Or head over to Clapham and visit the Christmas Fun day at Under the Greenwood Tree shop. Events include storytime, writing a letter to Santa and face painting and run from 11am to 4:30pm. Some events need to be booked so call them on 020 7627 4557.

The shop is located at 11 The Polygon, SW4 0JG. The area is served by Clapham Common tube stations and buses 37, 345, 322, 35 and 88.

And finally pop to Brixton market for the  monthly Brixton Market Heritage Walk led by the Brixton Society. This is a good walk for parents with buggy babies. 

Ready for a walk around Brixton

The tour starts at 2:30pm - meet at the corner of Beehive Place and Brixton Station Road. It cost £3 each and includes a free booklet.

Buses through Brixton include P4, P5, 188, 196, 59, 159, 3, 133, 333, 45, 345, and 37. Alternatively you can catch the tube or the overground into the area.

While you're in the area, pop into the Crafty Fox market at the Dogstar, Coldharbour Lane, SW9. Open from 11am til 5pm Saturday and Sunday!

SUNDAY (9th December)

Staying Lambeth local? Then head up the hill in Brockwell Park to the Brockwell Greenhouses to build yourself some Christmas Decorations with a Difference. The workshop is from 10:30 to 12:30 and a donation of £5 is welcome.

And whilst in Herne Hill, take a look at their Sunday City and Country Farmers Market from10am to 4 pm - foods and crafts. Buses into the area include 3, 196, 322, 68 and 37.

 Happy to hop on a bus, then head to the Southbank for a Chocolate Festival. A chance to let the children nibble lots of chocolate. It runs on Sunday from 12pm to 6pm. Also check out the Christmas Market while you are down there. Travel here on the 59 or catch the Underground to Waterloo.

And finally, travel a little further to the Horniman Museum's Christmas Fayre! Do some more xmas shopping, lets the kids do some activities and listen to a choir sing carols. Head out on the P4 bus to Forest Hill.

 Happy weekend everyone!!

Lambeth - What's on for the family - October 20th-21st 2012

Right, it really has got cold. I'm still searching for some kind of mitten option for the Boo-boo whilst spending my spare time in TK Maxx trying on winter coats!

Boo-boo gets to try on hats!

 Forecast for the weekend so far - Saturday is cloudy, Sunday is cloudy!!

So lets see what's on offer in the local area!

SATURDAY (20th October)

It's harvest time and places are celebrating by holding harvest events and apple days. Ruskin Park will be holding a tree planting day on the site of the Old Bowling Green. From 11am to 3pm, there will be a chance to hear live music from Dulwich Ukelele Club, plus face painting, arts and crafts and Apple Day activities to keep the little ones entertained!

Ruskin Park is located at Denmark Hill, SE5 8E. Buses in the area are 35, 42, 45, 68, 345 and 468.

Looking for more harvest time festivities? Then in the late afternoon, head to Landor Road to the Edible Bus Stop between 5pm to 7pm to celebrate their harvest festival. They ask that you bring food to share and good vibes! Landor Road is on the 322 bus route.

For something completely different, head to Cathedral Square for the RNIB Literary Wonderland. Based on Lewis Caroll's Alice in Wonderland, it is a multi-sensory experiences set  in five magical realms, including the Mad Hatter's Story Corner and The Forest of Talking Mushrooms.

The event is from the 18th to the 20th October, 9 to 6pm at Cathedral Square, Hibernia Wharf, London Bridge, London SE1 9DA. Buses 133 and 35 head up that way.

SUNDAY (21st October)

The harvest festivals and apple days continue into Sunday! Hop on the 133 or 35 and head up to Borough Market (by London Bridge) to celebrate the apple harvest. From 12pm to 4pm learn from the market traders about the different types of apples and have a taste of the various flavours.

Loving the celebration of apples?  Then pop along the way from Borough market to the Globe Theatre where there is an Autumn harvest celebration called October Plenty which mixes ancient seasonal customs and theatre with contemporary festivity. There is a Corn Queen and a Berry Man (Autumn's Green Man) who will be part of a play performed outside the globe. There is an apple orchard created for children to decorate the trees and listen to stories. Events start at 12pm.

Want to do a bit more learning? Then Morley College (located on 61 Westminster Bridge Road in Waterloo on the 59 bus route) has a day of Family fun learning. From 11am to 4pm families can decorate cupcakes, make fruit kebabs, listen to storytelling, learn circus skills, pot a plant and many other things. Plenty to do here!

To enrol on the workshop you need to get there from 10:30am to register for the things you'd like to attend. A donation of £1 is suggested. For information, telephone 020 7450 1929.

And down the road from the college, head to Funharmonics at the Southbank Centre for some more educational fun! Between 10am to 2:30pm in the foyers at the Royal Festival Hall, have go at playing a musical instrument or join the family Orchestra workshops. The Clore Ballroom at Royal Festival Hall will be hosting a free ceilidh  at 1pm. Travel here on the 59!

So that's lots of apples and learning fun to be had! Drop us a line if there are any events in your area you would like listed! Have a good weekend!

Lambeth - What's on for the family - October 6th-7th 2012

The heating has been put on at home, an extra blanket on the bed and the search is on for a good winter coat for baby Boo-boo. So I was hoping for a few events indoors however it looks like we will be getting out hats, gloves and scarves because this weekend's offerings are outdoors!

So lets take a look.

SATURDAY (6th October)

Now it's all gone a bit arty this weekend as it is the Lambeth Open, an opportunity to poke one's nose into the studios of the local art community. Unfortunately it's not necessarily a child friendly event though if you have a baby in a sling, I'm sure this event is accessible to you. Anyway, I thought I'd put it out there for those who want to brave it! Let us know how it goes.

Neighboring borough Wandsworth also have a similar event with their Wandsworth Artist Open House. They have a couple of arty trails mapped out in Battersea and Balham/Tooting area so fairly easy for Lambeth folks to get to!  Again probably not on for those with toddlers who might run riot around valuable art works!

However these events also coincide with the Big Draw. YAY! say the parents, because this has some things that children of all ages can get involved with!

First up, the Brixton Windmill is holding a Big Draw event. Travel up the hill on buses 159, 109, 133, 45 and 333 to Windmill Gardens and get involved in their Flour Power event from 1pm to 4pm. This involves helping create a large participatory Rangoli drawing, "a traditional folk art from India, involves creating large designs on the floor using bright colourful materials such as flour, seeds and pulses". There will also be chalks around so kids can chalk the paths with pictures and patterns. There will be tea, coffee and cake available and the gardens has a kids playground so this makes a good opportunity to let the children have some fun and mum and dad eat cake!

If that doesn't do it for you, make sure you factor in some time to pop down to Brixton Library where they also have a Big Draw event from 2pm to 4pm. This will be a reading and art workshop based around the theme of children in Victorian times. Open to all of the family and a great chance to do something and stay very local. Lots of buses run through Brixton including the 3, 2, 195, 415, 133, 59, 159, 37 and 345.

Now I reckon some of you don't mind a bus ride into central London so just to let you know the Big Draw is also on at the National Gallery which is only a bus ride away being served by the 159 and no. 3. This event is on between 11am to 3pm in room 9 and consists of working on a collaborative art installation, drawing the pics in the gallery with different materials and learning new skills. The event is repeated on Sunday.

So we've finished indoors for today. But we're off outdoors again tomorrow!

SUNDAY (7th October)

Coats still on? Couldn't let you get to comfortable! We are off to visit the West Norwood Feast, a selection of markets selling local items whether that be printed illustrations, hand made jewellery to home grown veg and cooked on the spot burgers and burritos! Yummy! We certainly enjoyed it last month. There seems to be a hub of activity around St Luke's church where the hot food is served and where the children can go mental in their own little area. It really has provided a children friendly space! The feast runs from 10am til 4pm every first Sunday. Buses into the area are the 2, 68, 432, 196 and 322.

Boo-boo enjoys eating outdoors at the West Norwood Feast!

Heading from deep south Lambeth into North Lambeth, we can take a moment and try a  bit of gardening with the Elefest Mobile Gardeners on Wansey Street and be part of creating a jigsaw pavement mural, help plant a sofa (?!) or adopt a box for seed planting.This event runs from 12pm to 5pm and is located on Wansey Street which is just around the corner from the Cuming Museum. Local buses to the Elephant are the 133, 415, 155, 35 and 45.

Whilst we are at the Elephant we can either make a choice to head to Camberwell or the South Bank. Now what's on where? Well, one for buggy parents is the free Camberwell Radical History Walk featuring stories of anti-fascists, rioters and squatters! Meet at 2pm, on Camberwell Green, by the corner of Camberwell Church Street, London, SE5. Transport through Camberwell is buses, 36, 45, 185, 35 and 68.

Not for you? Then perhaps head to the Southbank Centre for the Real Bread Festival! Yes, it's all about bread but more importantly there is an opportunity for the family to get their hands dirty and have a go at making bread. Check out the Brockwell Bake arena (yes Lambeth folk, our Brockwell as in park) and have a go at making pizza. There is an opportunity at 11am, 1pm and 3pm to learn about the best methods of baguette making. Travel here on the 59!

And while you are down the Southbank don't forget to check out the great playground in Jubilee Gardens next to the London Eye!

Ok folks, I think we have had food, gardening, art viewing, art creating and a spot of radical history. Hopefully you have found something that either yourself or the little one can enjoy!

Happy weekending!

Lambeth - What's on for the family - September 15th -16th 2012

Well, folks, it finally here. The weekend which half of Lambeth has been waiting the whole summer for!  That's right, it's the Lambeth Country Show weekend. For those who don't know what that is, over the last 38 years, Lambeth has run what it calls a country show: a large event in Brockwell Park, which has food stalls, craft stalls, funfair, music stage, farm animals, vegetable growing competitions...the list is endless. When I use to go as a kid, they had steam engines! I seen people sky dive into the event! It's that good!!!

But before we have a look at the country show, what else is on?

SATURDAY (15th September)

For those children who like boats, there is a chance to watch lots of them race down the River Thames.  Saturday is the Great River Race which starts at Docklands at 10:40am. According to information, the  boats will go past Westminster Bridge (Bus 159) at 11.30am and  Lambeth Bridge (Bus 3) at 11.35am. So either find a place on a bridge to watch them go past or along the embankment - take a small flask of a hot drink for the parents and some nibbles for the kids. And just remember to wave at all the boats as they go past!

If the kids don't like boats but like a bit of gardening then this is the thing for your family, the Big Dig Edible Open Gardens 2012. As the title of the event suggests this is all about creating spaces to grow your own food. There are several sites in Lambeth which will be doing workshops with children on the day.

Myatts Fields, Cormont Road, SE5 9RA (Buses 36, 185 and 436 to Camberwell New Road, Buses 3, 59, 159  and 133 along the Brixton road. A ten minute walk from there.)

Opening times from 10 til 4pm.

There will be an opportunity to visit the greenhouse, participate in a cooking session (10.30am-1pm), try the amazing food made at our Little Cat Cafe. There is also a vegetable trail that children can paint which goes from the greenhouse to the cafe

Cowley Estate, Gosling Way, SW9 6LZ (Buses 3, 59, 159  and 133 go along the Brixton road, past the Cowley estate)

Opening times from 11am til 4pm

They will be holding a harvest fun day with a BBQ, apple pressing, bird box building and wheat harvesting.

Colonnade Flats 8 Wren Road, Camberwell Green,  SE5 8QS (This is located behind the shopping centre in Camberwell. Buses 35, 45, 345, 36, 185 and 436 to Camberwell.)

Opening times from 11am til 4pm

There will be a BBQ at 2pm, tile-painting, art workshop, seed swap and a plant swap.

Looking for something less serious, perhaps a bit more fun and games, well maybe Hide and Seek Weekender at the Southbank is for you. Hide and Seek invent lots of new games for adults, children and families.I've been to an event before where we played a giant pass the parcel game and made a balloon disappear into the night sky by answering quiz questions! They have events all through Saturday and Sunday - not only are they fun to get involved in but they are often curious to watch.

SUNDAY (16th September)

As Saturday looks very busy with events and Sunday is quiet, I'll put the country show in here. What a lot of fun is to be had. I don't even know where to start.

Visiting the farm animals is fun. Last year I learnt all about the different types of sheep and was very excited to see St Kildas breed, which is a very rare sheep, in our city! I also love the owls and birds of Prey on display and still haven't got round to holding one yet. These creatures can all be found in the Farm Zone.

Another animally thing I like to do is watch the sheepdogs get the ducks into a box. This is in the Main Arena. And this years stars are some racing pigs which sounds great! They also have a Lurcher Falconry and Ferret display. What a combination - I wonder what that involves?

Asides from the animals, another event which many people seek to see or be involve with is the vegetable character competition in the Flower Zone. This competition has involved taking vegetables and turning them into famous people. Examples that spring to mind are AmyWinehouse and the Muppets.

Other stuff for the kids is in the Cultivate zone which has children's entertainments, workshops and taster classes.

And of course there is the funfair - lots of rides for older children. And there are plenty of food stalls to meet the demands of hungry big and little people.

To get to Brockwell Park, you are served by the overground at Herne Hill or Buses 3, 37, 196, 68 and 322 or on the other side of the park, 2, 415 and 432.

Here's a map of the site to help you out on the day. Print out and put in your handbag!

So fingers crossed for a good sunny weekend. Enjoy!!

Lambeth - What's on for the family - September 8th -9th 2012

It's looking like September is the month to enjoy many fun filled weekends. There is lots of free entertainment for the children and the parents, and plenty of things to choose from. Not forgetting the excitement of the Paralympics and all it brings.

And on that note, I'll mention that the 8th is the the last day to take a stroll around the Olympic Mascots  which I mentioned in a previous blog post. We have spotted a few as we have visited the city and have entered the corgi competition to win lots of little model mascots.

Suitably unimpressed baby!

Another event finishing this week is the wonderful carousel at West Norwood Cemetery.  Visiting information is here and the last day to view is Sunday. We popped in last week and got to learn a bit about it. It is located in the Greek chapel which does have steps up to it so is rather buggy unfriendly ( but not awful!). The images on the carousel are all about the magnificent seven cemeteries - seven large burial grounds built in the early Victorian period. There is a man on hand who will tell you the stories. Plus you get to crank the handle of the carousel which makes it turn and changes the illumination which is projected onto the wall!

Boo-boo was delighted with the examples of Neo-Classical architecture.

SATURDAY 8th September

This weekend sees the Friends of Kennington Park mark their tenth anniversary by holding a  fun day  for the family. There will be live music, children's entertainment and nature trail safaris. If you haven't been to this park, they have a lovely cafe! Check  it out! Buses passing near Kennington Park are 185, 36, 133, 159, 59, 3, and 155.

Travel a bit further down the road and we have the fabulous Thames Festival. Yes, lots and lots of different ways to be entertained.  A couple of South Bank things to see is the weekend lineup at Watch this space at the National Theatre. Acrobatics, Circus entertainment. and theatrics are to be had in this area from 1pm to 6:30. There will be juggling, sword swallowing, acrobatics, and hula hooping all performing over the space of the afternoon. So pull up a pew, bring some snacks for the family and prepared to be entertained. A timetable of events can be found here. And this is all repeated again on Sunday!

Another treat at the South Bank is free performances of a play call the Garden, described as gravity defying outdoor theatre. The main player perform on swaying poles which were featured in the opening ceremony of the Paralymics. I saw this play the other year and was very taken by the movements and the stories. Do go and watch. There are performance at 1pm and 6 pm on the Riverside Terrace on both Saturday and Sunday. The best buses to the Southbank is the good old 59, or the 159 and walk along from the London Eye.

If you fancy getting involved with the creativity instead of just watching, the National Theatre runs The Pop-Up Workshop located up a set of stairs to the left of the Theatre Square. You can design a set, make a sock puppet or create a costume. It is free but you do need to book (Tel: 020 7452 3388 for more information) and it's suitable for kids age 6 and upwards! There are workshops on Saturday and Sunday from 1 til 5pm.


SUNDAY 9th September

Lets take a short break away from the South Bank to see what else is happening on the Sunday.

Today sees the Bandstand Marathon - live music performances between 1pm to 5pm.
on bandstands and other outdoor performance spaces across the UK. Lambeth has two spaces involved.

From 11am to 2pm, there will be bands playing outside the Herne Hill Train Station. This is also part of the Herne Hill Music Festival and marks the official opening of the Herne Hill Sunday market. Buses passing through Herne Hill are the 3, 196, 322, 37 and 201.

Clapham Common Bandstand also has a couple of bands playing. Some details here. Buses stopping by the common are 35, 37, 88, 322, 155 and the 345.

If you aren't quite in the mood for live music, then you can always learn a little bit of local history by coming on the free Brixton Mural Walk led by the London Mural Preservation Society. Now admittedly I'm a bit biased because I will be leading the walk. However, it's quite doable with a buggy or with older children. My daughter has been on the walk 4 time (twice in the womb and twice in her pushchair) and she is just 6 months! Meet at Stockwell Tube Station at 11am. Buses going near the tube station are 2, 196, 88,155 and 345.

And finally back to the South Bank for the Thames Festival Night Carnival. Perhaps a little late for the little ones but alright for slightly older children. It's a visually delightful illuminated evening spectacle of dancers, drummers and lantern-carriers. The parade starts at 7:15pm with performances starting at the beginning of Blackfriars bridge. The procession goes over the bridge and along Victoria Embankment. Probably best to catch a bus (No. 59) or tube it to the south bank and then a quick walk to Blackfriars Bridge.

So whatever you do this weekend, have a good one!

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!