out and about
Make a day of it at local attractions Now the Summer holidays are nearly upon us we have some great ideas for places to go out for the day with the family. Hobbledown to open from July in Epsom Opening its doors in July, Hobbledown is the new farm park on the outskirts of Epsom. Hobbledown is a land filled with play areas, animals, good food and Hobblers–a bunch of curious fellows and creatures. Some of the highlights which families will be able to enjoy include: The Hobblings Play Barn, where you will be able to enjoy freshly prepared food and spend a couple of hours with the children playing in one of the two themed play frames. The Hobbledown Market, a place of mazes and role play areas, including a sand factory workshop. The Mining Village, an area of tunnels and mazes for the children to explore. Animals ranging from llamas to meerkats and goats to guinea pigs. Hobbledown Village, the largest area, containing curious-looking houses and towers to explore and tunnels under the village. Where the children can test their skills on the low ropes adventure course or brave the aerial walkways that link the towers. For the older ones, there is the aerial adventure course that will challenge even the bravest. To find out more, go to www.hobbledown.com
CHESSINGTON WORLD OF ADVENTURES RESORT Leatherhead Road, Chessington Surrey KT9 2NE Opens daily at 10.00am www.chessington.com
BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM Threadneedle Street, London EC2R 8AH 020 7601 5545 www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum
Chessington has nine themed lands with exciting rides and attractions plus a zoo with over 1,000 animals and a sea life centre. New for 2012 is Madagascar LIVE! Prepare to Party, which was launched to celebrate the park’s 25th anniversary. This is a brand new live show featuring favourite characters from the film and it’s free with your park ticket. From 25 July-18 August Chessington World of Adventures is holding the Moshling Hunt. Your favourite little Moshlings have escaped and Buster Bumblechops needs your help. Become a Super Moshi for the day and take part in the real life Super Moshi Mission in Wild Asia, then go on the hunt to unearth the Moshlings’ secret hiding places. Each Moshling is looking after a secret symbol, collect all eight to unlock the code-word for lots of Moshi prizes and giveaways, including a brand new Moshling in-game at www.moshimonsters.com.
BOCKETTS FARM PARK Open Mon-Fri 10am-5pm. Free. The Bank of England Museum tells the story of the Bank of England from its foundation in 1694 to its role today as the UK’s central bank. Examine intricately-designed banknotes, feel the weight of a genuine gold bar and see the pikes and muskets that were once used to defend the Bank. Children’s activity sheets provide fun for younger visitors.
Young Street, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 9BS www.bockettsfarm.co.uk
23 July–31 August
Bocketts Farm has also opened a Small Animal Village and Big Animal Barn where you can meet and feed the friendly farm animals. Finally, don’t miss out on panning for Gold in the Last Chance Mine to take home a souvenir medal.
A Golden Opportunity Visit the exhibition to learn about the Bank of England and gold, then make a gold-bar-shaped money box to take home. Enter the gold quiz competition with prizes to be won. There will be special lunchtime presentations about gold in the Museum cinema at 1.15pm.
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Enjoy a great day out at Bocketts Farm this summer with a full programme of fun activities. Children can enjoy the animal passport trail as they collect stamps from the various stations around the farm to take home. They can also meet ‘Fergie’ the real tractor and sit inside for a photo. Other activities include pony rides, tractor rides, animal handling, goat milking and the famous pig racing.
With two large indoor play barns, trampolines, Young Driver’s area, sandpits and a giant jumping pillow, there’s plenty to keep the whole family amused. The Old Barn Tearoom serves homemade hot food, drinks and snacks, and the new Gift Shop sells a range of gifts and toys and both are are open all day. See advert on page 17 (opposite) for a free discount voucher.
Please mention Families magazine if you contact these companies Families London-Surrey Borders
020 8669 5187
www.Families-LSB.co.uk
July-August 2012