Category: Playgrounds

Playgrounds, Walks

High Lodge- Thetford

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We made two visits to High Lodge this week as the ‘Highway Rat’ trail was closed due to storm damage on Monday and I sillily had not checked the website. Both days were absolutely fantastic, the weather was sunny, clear and crisp- if a little bracing at times! High Lodge is a firm favourite with the boys, there is so much to do there for all ages.

 

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We visit at least once a month and while it does cost £2.20 per hour up to a maximum of £11.50 for 5hrs +  to park on the site; I think it is worth it for a really superb day out in the forest. There are lots of trails to choose from, we love the sculpture and play trail and the music trails. 

There are great facilities including plenty of very clean toilets, a cafe, bike hire, gruffulo sculptures and lots of play equipment and picnic tables to keep little ones happy on the visit.

The ‘Highway Rat’ has been a favourite in our house since it was first broadcast on Christmas day (2017) and so the children were really excited to explore the trail. It’s about a mile long and definitely aimed at younger children. The trail is focused on identifying all of the major characters from the story, finding food supplies (via crayon rubbings) and exploring key aspects of nature and the environment. We purchased the activity pack for £3.00, the pack definitely adds to the experience through enhancing the activities but isn’t essential to enjoying the experience.

There’s lots of work going on at High Lodge in preparation for the warmer months so some access to parts is limited, but on a clear winters day it’s always worth a visit to get some fresh air and enjoy the outside, even if you do end up having you picnic in the boot of the car!

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Gardens, Playgrounds, Stations and Trains, Walks

Eaton Park

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We absolutely love Eaton park at any time of the year. It has good bus connections from Norwich City Centre- number 25, great parking at both ends of the park, toilets and a fab cafe.IMG_5150

We love a good stomp around the paths which are super buggy, scooter or bike friendly. It’s a lovely, safe environment for the kids to practice on their wheels. There’s a miniature railway that runs on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays throughout the spring and summer months and at Christmas with a Santa Special. Even when the train isn’t running the children love looking at the station buildings and track. The boating lake is also a great source of entertainment with people regularly sailing their craft on it.

On top of all that there’s a skate park, band stand, tennis courts, table tennis, football pitches, basket ball court, crazy golf and probably lots of other things I’ve missed! The jewel in the crown is the fantastic playground suitable for all ages!

We visit the park almost weekly and always have a lovely time exploring and enjoying different events as the seasons change.

As Christmas is coming, I thought I’d make a particular note of the next event- ‘Carols at Eaton Park’ on 19th December starting at 7.30pm. It may be a little late for the younger ones but is guaranteed to get the family in the festive spirit!

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Beaches, Playgrounds

Happisburgh Light House Play Park

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IMG_9302Happisburgh Light House play park is a real favourite with the kids and I, discovered with thanks to Nanny and Grandad!  I think it should win the award for the playground with the best view (at least in the East of England category!).

IMG_9900The playground is set directly in front of the lighthouse with views of the beach and sea. There is good parking, if a little pricey should you wish to stay all day. Please see my photo for tariffs but also check the website as they may be updated from time-to-time. The toilets are excellent and there is a picnic area with benches just to one side of the car park.

I would just say from experience there is a slope going down to access the beach off the picnic area and this is a little prone to the elements so always best to make sure little ones are well supervised if you are picnic-ing as my two were drawn to this slope like moths! The beach is absolutely gorgeous, full of rock pools and beautiful sand for building with.

A day can easily be spent there in the summer for no more cost than the parking and even during the rest of the year this is a real staple for an hour or so on a fine day.

Playgrounds

The Reading Room Keswick Play Area

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This is a little gem; I stumbled across The Reading Room play area a couple of weeks ago when taking a diversion and looking for a postbox. Its a lovely play area with parking next to the Reading Room in Keswick just outside of Norwich.

IMG_5312The play area is just off Low Road, Keswick, NR4 6TZ- if you need sat nav directions; it has easy parking and is just a lovely location. The fields surrounding are full of cattle and the whole area feels incredibly tranquil.

We’ve visited several times now with the boys, I also use it as a pit stop if I’m running early for the pre school pick-up. It’s a great 30 minute diversion and a really well-considered play area with plenty to do. It’s always been really quiet when we’ve visited and this is also a bonus as it feels like our own private play area.

Definitely worth a visit if you are in the area.

 

Animals, Birds, Gardens, Playgrounds, Walks

Bury St Edmunds- Abbey Gardens

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E26D01C6-40F0-401F-8BB2-C8BD17E6CD10IMG_2957We really love visiting Bury St Edmunds; the Abbey Gardens are truly lovely to take a wander through, enjoy a picnic and play in the fantastic children’s play area.

We tend to park in Ram Meadow car park which is a 3 minute walk from the Mustow Street Entrance to the Gardens. All day parking is £2.30- 8am-6pm. There are lots of spaces, although no parent and child.

The kids really enjoy the playground, especially the sand and water play area in the summer. The water comes from a pump that creates a small & child safe river and is great fun to splash around in, but remember to bring a change of clothes! There is also an excellent tree house for slightly bigger children or toddlers with a helping hand. Just to note the pump only runs on certain days during the summer but everything else is accessible all year round.

The Abbey gardens are completely free and its easy to spend a day there. Along with the playground there is an aviary, sensory garden, riverside, water garden and lots of ruins to explore. There are excellent toilets, extremely buggy friendly paths and a small kiosk cafe.

Our favourite thing to do all year round is feed the squirrels, so remember to bring a big bag of monkey nuts!

Playgrounds, Walks

West Stow Country Park

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We stumbled across West Stow Anglo Saxon Village and Country Park a few years ago when the Grandparents were caravanning at a nearby site.

Saturday was a day out with Nanny & Grandad so we planned to stop there for a picnic on our way to Bury St. Edmunds and use the facilities. Parking is only £2 for the whole day and there are good toilets and a great playground catering for both smalls and slightly bigger ones. There are plenty of picnic benches accessed easily from the car park and some lovely circular walks. The benches are in the woods near the activity centre and cafe and its great to see the boys running about and finding pine cones and playing hide and seek behind the trees. The walks are between 1 and 2 miles and the longer of which goes round the lake and alongside the river Lark for part of the way and all are accessible for buggies.

If you have a slightly bigger budget there is also a museum, shop and cafe. I haven’t visited the Anglo Saxon Village museum with the kids yet, but from the reviews on Trip Advisor it looks to be a good day out and with content to suit all ages.

More to come about Bury St. Edmunds, squirrels and an aviary…