Richmond Park
Holly Louise Eells has compiled fifteen of the best free, and also entertaining activities that everyone can get enjoy this 2019. Scroll below:
1. Walk through the gardens
Jason Ingram
RHS Wisley, Wisley Lane, Wisley, Woking GU23 6QB
RHS Wisley is one of the world’s greatest gardens, housing one of the largest plant collections in the world and packed with horticultural inspiration. Enjoy a beautiful walks full of seasonal scents, colours and textures, through the frosty landscape and perhaps spot some wildlife too.
With architectural outlines softened by modern mass plantings, there are many views to enjoy in these spectacular gardens in Surrey, including the exotic and rock garden, Howard’s Fields to the conifer lawn.
2. Get lost in the forest
Alice Holt Forest, Bucks Horn Oak, Farnham, GU10 4LS
Come rain or shine, Alice Holt Forest really offers a great day out for all the family. The large woodland offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy free fun, including safe-road family cycling trails, play areas, and exploring as you can discover the ever-popular Gruffalo sculptures scattered around the forest.
Children will love the Timberline play trail with its adventure climbing units, challenging balance beams, wobbly bridges and exhilarating slides. Or the Habitat Trail, an exciting children's route which features an array of forest creatures, a spiral staircase inside a tree trunk, and a network of tunnels. Also, stay tuned for its brand-new Activity Centre, which will bring even more exciting activities and events to its forest in 2019.
3. Be closer to nature
WWF UK The Living Planet Centre, Rufford House, Brewery Road, Woking GU21 4LL
One of the greenest buildings in the UK, The WWF Living Planet Centre in Woking is not only the heart of a charity but also a beautiful education and visitor centre, great for everyone to enjoy and learn from. It hosts a huge range of wonderful activities to inspire and educate, behind the scenes tours and inspiring public talks. Find out more about the secrets of the natural world, the work of WWF and its fascinating home. Explore the four interactive zones and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of nature. Also, look out for its range of hands-on and engaging family workshops in the learning zone too.
4. Experience wildlife
WWT London Wetland Centre, Elizabeth's Walk, Barnes SW13 9WT
Who would have thought that just 10 minutes from Hammersmith station there could be an urban oasis for wildlife and people? Take a beautiful stroll in the fresh outdoors among the lakes, ponds and gardens, and let nature take its course. Enjoy the children’s play areas, daily walks and talks and observe the huge variety of wildlife. With so many things to discover, from RBC Rain Garden, wetlands of the world, the otter family and Adventure Area, Discovery Centre and Pond Zone, it comes as no surprise that it's an award-winning day out! This breathtaking Wetland Centre definitely offers an unforgettable experience for all.
5. Get outside
Box Hill, The Old Fort, Box Hill Road, Tadworth KT207LB
It may be a National Trust site, but entry is free. It offers a range of activities for everyone to get involved in, including biking up the hills, participate in a 10k run of the woodland trails and steep slopes or enjoy a family stroll. (Dogs welcome, but keep them on leads when livestock are grazing). For family ideas, take part in the Box Hill Natural Play Trail, ideal for kids and adults alike to play in the woods; it can take anything from an hour to a whole day.
6. Spot the bird
Frensham Little Pond, Priory Lane, Frensham GU10 3BT
Calling all birdwatchers, discover the National Trust's Frensham Little Pond amidst stunning heathland and abundant wildlife. Experience the wide range of birds that visit or inhabit, with its mix of freshwater lake, conifer woodland and the open heath habitats. Attracting many different species that can provide hours of pleasure for those who enjoy watching birds.
Bring your binoculars and see how many species you can spot, including fieldfares and redwings, both members of the thrush family, seen moving through the trees or feeding on the open ground. Out on the heath, keep an eye out for any visiting great grey shrikes, which love to perch on the bare branches of dead trees.
7. Visit an exhibition
Lightbox, Chobham Road, Woking GU21 4AA
Whether you're passionate about the arts and history, looking for children activities or would just like somewhere quiet to relax, you will find it all at the Lightbox for free. It is a great chance to discover Woking's story, get interactive and divulge into the town's history from the 19th century to the present day.
There are two spacious galleries that host a huge range of exhibitions, and as well as art and history, there is often the chance to explore science and the natural world, usually with a family-friendly theme.
8. Step back into the past
Virginia Water GU25 4PT
Located on the edge of Windsor Great Park, enjoy a waterside stroll around the lovely lake at Virginia Water and look out for the many amazing curiosities it has to offer. Such as the 100-foot totem pole, a cascade, an obelisk raised by George II, part of a ruined city imported from North Africa, an 18th-century ornamental cascades, a Roman temple as well as the Leptis. Also, with many different trials and routes on offer, Windsor Great Park inspires walkers to come back and visit time and time again.
9. Get creative
Grayshott Pottery, School Road, Grayshott, Hindhead GU26 6LR
Calling all creatives, Grayshott Pottery offers a free weekday ‘Journey of the Clays’ tours around the studio to give you the opportunity to experience their working environment. Discover the process from clay through to the final beautifully crafted plates and the secrets of fettling, slip casting and jollying. It's a fantastic and unique day out to see great British pottery in action and witness the finished masterpieces in its beautiful Emporium. (It is advised to book in advance for the behind the scenes tour).
10. Be active
Stoke Park, Greenark Hall, Lido Road, Guildford GU11HB
Green Flag award-winning Stoke Park is Guildford's largest park. Offering a great bundle of free activities to enjoy this season, including an equipped children's playground, skate park and boating pond.
Skate for free in the skate park with its great mix of ramps, handrails and bowls, which caters for beginners and experienced skaters, or head to the children’s playground to enjoy a multi-play, swings, slide, springers and see-saw.
Did you know Stoke Park fitness trail has also been refurbished? The solid timber frame now includes newer versions of the equipment and signs explaining how each piece of equipment should be used.
11. Take a trip to the park
Richmond Park
Richmond Park, Petersham Road, Richmond, Surrey, TW10 5HS
What better way than to escape the house and embrace the great wild outdoors than a visit to one of London’s eight Royal Parks, Richmond Park? Covering an area of 2,500 acres, it provides beautiful wide-open spaces, grasslands and a chance to see deer herds.
The park is aa top site in the UK for ancient trees and supports a range of rare species, including fungi, birds, beetles, bats, grasses and wildflowers. Also, the beautiful spacious grounds provide ample space to try your hand at power kiting, horse riding or some off-road cycling along the Tamsin Trail.
12. Give back to your community
Did you know Wandsworth Council hosts a huge range of free activities for everyone to get involved in with local charities and community groups? There are all sorts of exciting things happening over the next few months, including computer sessions, exercise classes, bowling, and choir groups. You can find audio book libraries, home delivery library services, places to take part in games and much more. Also, if you want to give back to your community and volunteer, there are a variety of things to do for particular groups, including people with dementia or learning disabilities.
13. Take a trip to Clapham
Clapham Common, Windmill Drive SW4 9DE
Enjoy a little slice of heaven on earth and embrace the beautiful grounds of Clapham Common. One of London’s largest open spaces, the common boasts an infectious character of scenic views of the area’s lakes, trees and flowers. It offers other activities including, fishing, running tracks and numerous athletics areas, and facilities for anyone to get involved in. Clapham Common is the perfect way to get fit or spend a beautiful day out with friends, family or just some alone time.
14. Do something good
Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, 4 Battersea Park Road, London, SW8 4AA
Do you have some free time and looking to volunteer this year? Battersea Dogs and Cats Home is always looking for help. It's an organisation that is supported and enhanced by the efforts of its dedicated volunteers, from animal welfare roles to office duties and events staff.
Or perhaps you are interested in having a dog or cat at home, but can’t commit long-term? There are lots of opportunities for fostering too. They are always looking for volunteer fosterers who can provide temporary care for their dogs needing a break from kennel life, or their cats, most often pregnant mothers and their kittens, who need a safe and calm environment.
15. A day full of adventure
Swinley Forest, Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell, RG12 7QW
Bored of playing games at home? Head to Swinley Forest, situated in more than 1,000 hectares of Crown Estate woodland for the ideal place to play the ultimate hide and seek! But head to the Look Out Discovery Centre first as it's the perfect starting point for a wide variety of walks, trails and bike rides suitable for adults and children of all ages and abilities. At the Look Out Discovery Centre, they love hands-on science and boast more than 90 activities, which children of all ages can enjoy and learn from. For example, you can launch a hydrogen rocket, play with boats in the indoor stream or build a house with your friends.
