I'm very fortunate to have black park backing on to the back of my work place - pinewood studios…read more Sometimes if I know there any scenes being filmed in the park, I'll definitely make the visit probably by cycle as it's quicker to get around. Any excuse to see a celebrity! I love that there is a lovely lake and a cafe so you can meet friends/family and catchup whilst surrounded by the great outdoors. A while ago they opened a "go ape" in the park so there's plenty of fun to be had.

Black Park is a favourite place for dog walkers and families. The park is mainly forest and lake…read morewith an area of open field. The park backs onto Pinewood Studios and we have watched a number of different scenes being filmed and loads of different film sets being made. It is quite fascinating and the children love to watch. However, it is just a matter of luck and no information is given out in advance. The woods at Black Park are quite eerie as there seems to be no wild life or bird song. I would not like to go to the woods on my own without another adult! The lake is lovely for fishing but there is no barrier between the path and the waters edge so might be a bit tricky for some parents with toddlers. There seems to be a vast number of dogs off the lead and consequently a large amount of dog waste. There is an adventure playground which gets very crowded. Black Park makes a change but is not one of my favourite places to visit. Parking costs £2 for 24 hrs.

Jurassic Kingdom Exhibition…read more My first tip, a big one, is arrive early. We arrived at 10.30 am to find the car park in Osterley Park filling up quickly. We had a few hours of wandering amongst the exhibits without be pushed from pillar to post. When we left, at 1.30 pm the queues at the entrance were long and the carpark almost full. Warning over, the reasons for this overcrowding will be explained in the following review. We were overwhelmed by this exhibit. Initially we wondered if it would be interesting for we 'oldies' and wondered where we could hire a couple of ankle-biters so we would not feel out of place. Our children being of the older age group. Even my grandchildren are 18+. However, those worries disappeared. Seeing those life size animatronic dinosaurs was, I hate the word, awesome. It was great seeing the reaction of the smaller members of each family. They were enthralled. An easy, well signposted, walk around with ample 'educational' signage at each model. We learned that the names had changed over our lifetime. Very interesting to see where in the world, as we know it now, each dinosaur was found. Half way round there was a refreshment area selling hot dogs, noodles, drinks etc etc. A very welcome break for a coke. But carrying on to see more of those wonderful 'models', I was getting to the point of thinking of them being real (think it was the sun and no hat, Sunday was a hot day). At the end there, again, was a watering area and we decided to something to eat. I decided to treat my partner to an al fresco meal. Least I could do. We sat on the grass eating our burgers LOL. I was pleasantly surprised at the prices. Not a fiddle for the captive audience but reasonable prices. Guys, this exhibition will be travelling the UK. Well worth a visit, especially if you have young ones. Prices are reasonable especially the family tickets. Make an effort but, REMEMBER, go early to avoid the rush and enjoy the exhibition. www.lovepopupslondon.com #lovepopupslondon www.jurassickingdom.uk

Osterley Park and House is a National Trust historic property situated near Isleworth about 30mins…read moreaway from Heathrow airport. This fantastic (originally Elizabethan) Georgian House and garden stand in a large parkland. The House was refurbished by the architect Robert Adam in the middle of the 18th Century and claims to be one of the finest examples of his work in the United Kingdom. The house still has original furniture, really amazing ceilings, objects d'art from China and Japan, a fine collection of paintings from the Venetian school. You can walk through the meadow at will or use the paths that have been mown through it and see butterflies, grasshoppers, beetles, etc.. it is very relaxing and particularly enjoyable on a sunny day, There is also a large area of parkland with a lake and some marvellous old trees. They have a cafe and shop onsite also. There is a small admission fee to see the house and the gardens.

Watford needs and deserves a nice park and Cassiobury hits the spot. As well as the plethora of…read morefootball pitches (none seem that big mind), tennis courts, netball courts and cafes there is a really cute miniature railway that the kids will love. The path around the park will take you through some nicer parts and out to the Grand Union Canal where you can watch various people struggle with the locks. If you a right at the toe path you can also wander the 1km or so down to The Grove Hotel which is worth checking out. Every year the park is also host to Watford's Firework display which is free and of a generally high standard.

Cassiobury Park is a really beautiful place and has something for everyone. There is a lot of open…read morespace with shady trees. In the summer the paddling pools are open and the children can paddle in the pools or splash in the fountains. This area is well staffed an supervised by qualified people. The cafe in this area offers a selection of hot and cold food and drinks at reasonable prices. At the far side of the park is a shallow river/ stream that is teaming with fish. This is simply perfect for children's first fishing experience. There is a miniature train and a traditional play ground with swings and slides. It's a great place to take a picnic. I feel safe going on my own with my young children. The parking and pools are free with a small charge for the train.

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.

This has to be one of North London's best kept secrets! I can't believe I had never heard of this…read moregarden (even my dad had not heard of it and he grew up near here.) I assume the lucky locals would like to keep this as a secret treasure, but it is too good not to share with yelpers!! The Pergola and Hill Gardens are hidden between Hampstead Heath and Golders Hill Park. The Pergola half of the garden is essentially a long raised walkway, under a long pergola made from wood and stone, covered in gorgeous smelling roses and other climbing plants. The other half of the garden has a large square pond full of lilies, sculptured hills and nice soft grass to sit on and have a picnic. I have a feeling it could be very busy on nice days...but when we visited it all seemed far quieter than Golders Hill Park - even though it is so, so much nicer. Practicalities: - If you don't want to walk, just take the 210 bus and get off at Inverforth House, you can see the signs to the garden. - It's free (!)

This place is beyond beautiful. I'm always surprised when I find places like this in London that is…read moreopen for the general public with no fee. Tucked away on the smaller side of Hampstead Heath, in between Hampstead Heath and Golders Hill Park is this little Gem. Because it's hidden away it's less busy than both the known green spaces. The pergola goes on and on with hidden entrances to the gardens. The gardens all have walk ways for you to meander through them. I can imagine that this place will get used for many photoshoots. You have to be careful you're not walking into someone else's shot. None of the photos or reviews will EVER do this place justice. Trust me and go see for yourself.

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.

This park offers a great area to get away for many occasions…read more In the center of the park is Summerhouse Lake with ducks and swans gracing the water. The southern end of the park is predominately open fields and the northern half is forested. Throughout the reserve are gates that are designed to not allow cattle to pass through as during certain times of year sheep and cows use some of the areas. In the northeast corner lies a private deer park which can be accessed via the main paved path that runs north to south. There are tens of fallow deer here. On a sunny February day many of them were lined up at the fence to receive the food offerings brough by various children and their parents. They seemed to really enjoy the carrots. If you drive to the park from the stanmore side you may find a place to park off of Old Lodge Way. This park also connects to Harrow Weald Common from the northwest corner. At the top of the Hill lies the the Bentley Priory buildings. The whole park makes a great place to take family for a walk and give the children a chance to really stretch out there legs. http://www.travelnwork.info/2008/02/bentley-priory-nature-reserve-walk-in.html Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZqgStu8OMY

Since moving to the area three months ago, I have made several excursions to the Nature Reserve,…read moreusing bus services to (or from) Stanmore. The most useful was the 142 route (a long route from Brent Cross in the south to Watford Junction in the north). I have tried the Aylmer Drive entrance (twice), the Embury Way gate, the Old Lodge Way entrance, and the Bentley Way Gate. For the Deer Park I initially found the route via Aylmer Drive to be the most interesting as it went through woods and suddenly arrived at the corner of the Deer Park that the deers seemed to find most popular, probably because it was where most visitors congregated to feed them On my second attempt, however, I landed mysefl in a lot of trouble as the ground was very waterlogged and boggy. One reason why my rating dropped a star was because there is a notable lack of signage in the reserve. Although all the maps I have seen show a clear path from Aylmer Drive to the Deer Park, there is no sign to warn walkers that the path may be impassable. Perhaps I took the wrong route, or the true path had become overgrown, but when I tried to find alternative routes back to the main Deer Walk, they all terminated in boggy ground. that small criticism apart, however, I anticipate returning to Bentley Priory Nature Reserve many more times in the future and thoroughly recommend a visit with children who will enjoy both the deers and the walks.