playgrounds (and posers) galore!

Ravenscourt Park - 4 stars

You know sometimes when you just get bored of the same playground all the time, but can't be bothered walking for half an hour, or jumping on a bus to get to another one? Not a problem at Ravenscourt Park which has 3 playgrounds suitable for toddlers, PLUS a sandpit, PLUS (most times) a paddling pool PLUS, if you're a parent with children who are a bit older, there's lots of green space to kick a ball around.

We mostly tend to stick to the one on the south east of the park which has 4 baby swings (very handy for a toddler who struggles to wait) and a climbing frame with a fun slide. There is also a pretend jeep to climb and play in, plus a slide built into the small hill.

The downside of the park, in a way, is how good it is. It is mostly, very busy. On a nice day you could amuse yourself by counting Bugaboos. Or you can sit in the cafe grounds (there is also seating indoors with high chairs) at one of the picnic tables and watch the glam mums stroll by as you wonder why some people go to such effort just for a playground visit (heels, big sunglasses, full makeup), or somedays wonder why you don't go to that kind of effort yourself. It kind of depends on my mood :)

Though it gets busy, it is a big park, and i've never felt crowded there. There are enclosed grassy areas that are dog free, and there's also a pond with some lovely ducks and geese that are incredibly bread savvy.

The details - Ravenscourt Park, Hammersmith - entrances on all sides - see map below.

How to get there: Ravenscourt Park tube has steps (surprise surprise), but there are plenty of buses from Hammersmith Tube (step free for District and Picadilly lines) which run along all sides of the park except the western side.

Cafe: Well priced adult teas, coffees, cakes and small meals (such as baked potatoes). Also sell child friendly food and snacks. No baby change facility.

Where is it?


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this playground is a diamond in the rough

Springfield Garden Playground, Acton 3.5 stars

It's certainly not the most glam of locations - a playground within sight and all the noise of Horn Lane, Acton, but the Springfield Garden's playground sure is worth a visit - for babies, toddlers and younger children alike.

There was a lot of flooding in Acton in 2007, so Thames water decided that it needed to do waterwork, exactly where the Springfield Garden Playground was. Rather than just lose a playground, Ealing Council rebuilt it, in a different corner of the Park, and this time further back from the ever noisy Horn Lane.

(It must be mentioned though, that the noise from Horn Lane can be a good distraction at times. If your child is excited by vehicles that blow a siren... this is the place for you!)

Sorry, on to the playground...

It's split into 3 quite defined areas. The first has baby swings, a small little climbing frame (which unfortunately has steps that aren't the easiest for the smaller children) with a slide and some little roundabouts.

The next one has a more challenging climbing frame and some 'big swings'. Plus some extra different kinds of swings and equipment to climb and play on.

The third area has a really cool climbing frame with a BIG slide that looks like great fun. Each area provides great physical challenges for children, and each area is covered by that soft squishy flooring that provides a bit of protection should your child (or you!) need it.

The whole area is fenced and gated, and is a decent size that allows your child to have a good run around, and not feel restricted by the boundaries.

I love this playground because it has variety.

It is however let down by some aspects of the climbing frames - whoever designed them seemed to forget that children do need to be able to climb up safely in the first place. With close supervision though, they're fine.

There is also areas of shade most times of the day and seats for weary parents.

Access: no steps anywhere

Babychange: none

Cafe / Toilets : none, but Acton High Street and Churchfield road are within 5 minutes walk.

Where is it?

Horn Lane, Acton (nr the corner of Rosemont Road)

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How to get there: It's about a 15 minute walk from Acton Town station (steps) or Acton Central Overground station (step free!). Lots of buses go either up Horn Lane or to Acton High street.

a little tired.. but it's still worth it

Gunnersbury Park - 3 stars

If you want to get away from the crowds, and you're looking for a bit more space than usual, head to Gunnersbury Park. There's a lot of open space for you and your child to run around, kick a ball or simply just stop being just 1 foot away from the next person (okay, sometimes the amount of people in London does get to me!).

So - if you're feeling the need for a some personal space - this is the place to go.

There are a couple of playgrounds - one just down from the parking area (yes! you can park here - and it's free!). There's baby swings and other baby & toddler friendly equipment including a slide. There are also some 'big kids' swings and a climbing frame for different ages. It's certainly enough to keep your child happy for a while.

Mix this with dog walkers and their owners going past every few minutes, and my daughter is more than happy here for at least half an hour or so.

From here, head to the pond (not fenced off all around) where there are many ducks, geese and other fowl that I have no idea what they are - thank goodness everything at the moment is 'DUCK!' and i'm not asked to identify species.

Keep heading around the pond and you'll get to the little cafe which is somewhat tired, but that doesn't stop it serving great tea, coffees, cake and small meals. They're pretty relaxed about kids running around too.

There's also a little playground next to the cafe... the ratio of bird poo to swing / graffiti to equipment is however a little high, but i reckon you could gulp your tea down in time to trust your little one in this area.

It's a shame that it hasn't been kept a lot better - on this Wiki page here there's more information and pictures of when it looked glam!

Why go here? To feel like you're not surrounded by others and escape the bugaboo parades! It's a bit rough and tumble, but we like it!

Where is it?


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How to get there: to be honest, the novelty of driving and being able to park for free is pretty hard to refuse, but you can also get the tube to Acton Town (no step free access) and it's a 15 minute walk from there. Buses do go past.

Baby change: none - but plenty of privacy

Cost: Free entry, free parking... ah but wouldn't you know it they charge for the goodies in the cafe ;)