An idyllic destination a short drive from London, Painshill Park is a great place to spend a day…read moreenjoying the beauty of the English countryside. Created by the eccentric Charles Hamilton, the park was created as a "romantic landscape". Both organized and naturalistic, the park offers many vistas, perspectives and experiences. Created with a variety of follies dotting the landscape, the park offers panoramic views and interesting scenes. Views from the Gothic Temple and the Turkish Tent are breathtaking. While exploring the man-made grotto (which is currently undergoing renovation) you can't help but be in awe of Hamilton's vision while at the same time thinking "This guy must have been totally out there to build stalactites with lathe and plaster and then cover them in pieces of crystal!". Whether walking the grounds, bringing a blanket and a book and enjoying the solitude, Painshill Park is a wonderful place to visit. Be prepared to walk, as the park is large and very hilly. It's a good climb to the top of the Tower as well. Would definitely recommend this if you need a relaxing afternoon away from the hustle and bustle of London.

A grade 1 listed park, much renovated over the last 25 years, by the trust that owns it…read more Created by Charles Hamilton ,in the mid 18th century, after his 2 (obligatory) Grand Tours, he wanted to create an idyllic natural setting, around a lake, with water diverted from the river Mole. He was very succesful in this, and created a number of follies, a Grotto, and the unusual Turkish Tent. Many of the plants are of American origin, and were just becoming fashionable at the time. It's worth remembering it's a park like setting rather than a garden like Wisley. Reasonable cafe near the entrance, and the ever present gift shop. Worth chcking their website for offers, currently free entry on Wednesdays in November, children free at weekends, and A special Santa event. The Grotto is only open at the weekends. A great place for a walk on a sunny day, great views across the lake and Surrey.

Woah! This park has it all! Also known as St Mark's Park…read more(after the street on which is located) Kensington memorial is brilliant and the perfect place for kids and adult to go crazy. This park has been recently refurbished and I am very happy because its like 10 mins away from mine. It is wheelchair accessible, has a adventure playground with colourful apparatus+ sand box, a larger play area for older children with space rockets climbing frames etc and a large water park that is an absolute blessing on these hot, hot day! And the best part?! It is all free!! There is also a small shop(open during the summer months) that sells hot/cold snacks and chairs and tables you can eat at. Lots of toilets, grass, shade etc. It also includes tennis courts, football, junior cricket classes and One O'clock club which is managed by Family and Children's Services. The park was opened in 1926 in memoriam to those who fell in the Great War.

I loved this beautiful set of lakes, they were absolutely magical. The springs that feed the Silent…read morePool (named so for how still, clear and beautiful it is) sit at the bottom end of the lake, and at the minute, you can't (aren't supposed to) go down to the end due to some subsidence on the path. I'm not saying I went down there anyway, but it's so amazing to see a natural spring. The water is a weird, blue colour and so crystal clear that you just want to dip your feet in, especially on a lovely warm day. It's an ancient, historic and oddly mythical lake. The only downside to me is that it's so small! It doesn't take twenty minutes to walk around it.

Everyone Far East as bricklane must have heard of Victoria park! If they haven't then I must…read moreenlighten briefly. It is a huge park, that if you were to traverse the outer path you'll have walked 5Km doing that one circuit. It was named in honour of our queen Victoria herself. It stands proudly in East London, underneath the fine borough of hackney and above tower hamlets! It's my favourite park in London, if not the world! It's not particularly crazy in design or has architectural or agricultural delights or even much elevation, however it's just perfect. On a fine sunny day, the park screams community, relaxation and escapism from the bustle of the city. I run around the park 2-3 times a week and never get tired of it. It makes me breath fresh air and the people there are lovely! Please go to the park and treat it some respect as it will certainly treat you with a wonderful experience, right back at ya!

After much construction over the last year, the park is starting to come into its own again. I…read morelove this place! Beautiful tree lined paths to walk down, lovely ponds and water features that attract wonderful wildlife, so many places to just...chill. Just about the only sizable park I know of east of The City. Tasty cafe's and shops to pop into on Lauriston Road after a nice walk in the park. Enjoy!

Arlington is a small reservoir, constructed in 1971 to supply water to Eastbourne, Hailsham,…read morePolegate and Heathfield. Built on the site of part of the Cuckmere River bed, the reservoir is an oval shape, with a long curving dam. The maximum depth is 37ft (11.3m) and its total capacity is 3546 million litres of water, all abstracted from the Cuckmere River in winter. The 49 hectare site was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1985, and is also a Local Nature Reserve. It contains a diverse range of habitats, which in turn support some 173 species of bird, including a winter population of 10,000 wildfowl. The site has hides for birdwatching, and also provides some of the best trout fishing in the South East of England (tel: 01323 870810). The water company also organises school nature trips, including pond dipping. The reservoir path also provides a reasonably level walking trail, which, as well as wildlife, also offers lovely views of the South Downs. A walking leaflet (http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/047A41DB-1684-4128-AADD-1C508D15F780/0/ArlingtonReservoirWalkWebversion.pdf) is available on the East Sussex County Council website or you can get a hard copy by phoning 01273 482250. Practicalities There is a car park at the main entrance on Station Road, just north of Berwick railway station (on the right hand side, going north). This has information boards, toilets and picnic tables. Swimming and boating are not permitted.

This reservoir owned by South East Water is a lovely place to visit on a warm summer's day. It has…read moretoilet facilities and a large car park both of which are useful for a day trip. The reservoir itself is huge and the area also contains a bird watching lodge and a wood. If you are going here, I recommend taking a pair of binoculars and a camera, as you can capture the beauty of East Sussex right here. It has picnic benches for in the summer. Overall, this is a wonderful place to visit if you want a day trip out or if you are touring East Sussex. I personally have recommended this place to people wanting to go to see some beautiful sights.

went to the park last week with our children and saw the new slide area which is absolutely…read moreterrible. To be able to get up to the slide, you have to crawl through small holes which are very dangerous if you step backwards and forget that it's there.. I'm surprised it's been allowed. Also considering it's near Great Ormond Street Hospital, you would think it was more of an SEN friendly park. Such a shame.

Wish the ground is soft neat foam like ground not dirt ground. Other than that seems more down to…read moreearth than US ones. Two bouncing crossing ropes" are extreme fun for 5 yrs n plus kids.

Home Park is the name given to the area of Hampton Court Palace park which is open to the public…read more It is a large expanse of parkland (over 550 acres) and a perfect place to get some exercise and fresh air, and escape the urban bustle of west London. I've always found it surprisingly quiet - less busy than adjacent Bushy Park or Richmond Park. It is easily accessible from either Kingston-upon-Thames (a 10 minute walk) or Hampton Court railways stations (5 minutes). The area has been a royal hunting ground for centuries, but it was Henry VIII who enclosed the area to form the park as it is now. In 1639 Charles I created the Longford river to bring water to the park, and in 1661 Charles II created the main feature, the "Long Water", effectively a wide ornamental canal, over half a mile long, flanked with a double row of trees on each bank. It was in the park that William III had his riding accident in 1702 (when his horse stumbled on a molehill) from which he died shortly afterwards. The park was opened to the public in 1893 and the golf course opened in 1895. The area south of the Long Water is mostly occupied by the golf course: the park is otherwise a mixture of small wooded areas, ponds and small lakes, and uncut acid grassland; this grassland is home to a wide variety of insects and attracts many different bird species as well as colonies of bats. The park also contains 7,000 trees (including a nationally important concentration of mistletoe, growing on lime trees) and a herd of 300 fallow deer. It is therefore protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Access is through various gates: the closest to Hampton Court is a 5-minute walk along the river bank from the end of Hampton Court Palace bridge. There are also gates along Hampton Court Road and close to Kingston Bridge. There are paths for walkers and cyclists: vehicles are only permitted for those members driving to the golf course. if you are walking in winter, the paths can get very muddy, so waterproof walking boots are advisable. Visitors are advised to stay at least 50 metres from the deer, and to keep dogs on leash when in their vicinity (it is an offence to let dogs approach or chase the deer, and the park noticeboards record a number of prosecutions of dog owners for this, as a warning). Fishing in the ponds and Long Water is strictly by permit only. The park is closed at sundown - closing times are posted on gates, and also on the park website.

A great family day out…read more The Leisure centre offers several swimming pools; a family pool ( with wave machine), an olympic size pool and one with high diving boards. The centre also has a childrens activity area away from the pools and offer crafts and play time while parents wait. The Leisure centre is within Mote park which has a variety of playground equipment to keep the little ones entertained.

Maidstone Leisure Centre is just located outside the town centre in Mote Park, which is about 5…read moreminutes away. The Centre offers several swimming pools, a great family pool with a wave machine and log flume, a brilliant olympic size swimming pool and another with driving boards. If you don't fancy swimming, and have small children, then polar adventure is a great place to take the kids to play, with a large soft play area and ice hill slides. Its also a great place for kiddies birthday parties. The leisure centre also has a large multipupose sports hall a great gym facilities, and a health suite with sauna and spa. Great place for a family day out!

Absolutely beautiful place for walk in the woods. Nice little food shack near one of the ponds…read more with sandwiches and cakes to enjoy if you get a little peckish on your walk. By far one of my favourite dog walks.

Penshurst Place evidently still resembles that which Sir John de Pulteney, a former Mayor of…read moreLondon, constructed between 1338 and 1341. it has a rich history. Penshurst changed hands between a few dukes after Sir John and, in 1483, was inherited by Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham. Edward was the son of Henry Stafford (the 2nd Duke) and Katherine Woodville, sister to Queen Elizabeth (wife of King Henry IV). King Henry VIII had visited Edward (whom he considered a threat to the crown) at Penshurst in 1519 and even though the king had been lavished with what today would be over £1 million as a gift, King Henry VIII had Edward convicted of treason and executed in 1521, at which point the king took control of the estate. Henry used Penshurst as a hunting lodge but it was also where he stayed when he visited nearby Hever Castle while courting his future 2nd wife and queen, Anne Boleyn. Fast-forward to the king's divorce from his 4th wife, Anne of Cleves and Penshurst became hers, for a short time, as part of the settlement. Sir Ralph Fane (also Vane), who was knighted on the field of combat, was granted Penshurst in 1550 by Edward VI, the 13 year old King of England. However, less than two years later, Fane was convicted and hanged for treason, at which time the manor was given to Sir William Sidney by Edward VI as a reward for Sidney's services as steward and tutor to the household. Penshurst has remained in the Sidney family since 1552! By the late 1700's, the estate had started falling into disrepair. Restorations began in 1818 and the estate did well until damage was sustained during World War II. As a means to assist funding restorations in 1947, Penshurst Place was opened to the public. The family's stewardship of the manor has resided, since 1991, with Philip Sidney, 2nd Viscount De L'Isle MBE, Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Kent. Though a fairly narrow building it is long and when one is touring through the various rooms you can glimpse much of the history that is held within the walls, from paintings that adorn the walls to mannequins wearing period clothing, from armor that had been worn to fancy lace and elaborate bedding. When visiting anywhere near Kent, England, Penshurst Place should be on the short list to tour. It doesn't take a long time but the history is worth your time.

Had a wonderful tour here while I was in England, beautiful gardens, and lots of history here.read more