Following on last year’s post about the places we normally go, I thought it was time to update it a bit, since our circumstances have changed and the twins being older too makes everything very different.
In Basingstoke.
JJs (soft play)
JJs has gone from not being very high in my list, to being one of my most favourite soft plays in Basingstoke. The things that I didn’t like last year are still there: The place could still do with a massive clean up, I mean bleach everywhere. And some of the older kids sometimes can be a it of a nuisance. However, the twins really enjoy it and I have learnt to like it too. The slides are great fun (especially after they’ve been freshly waxed) and we always find plenty to do.
http://www.jjsplay.com/
In total I give it 4 out of 5 stars. (score +)
Playdays (soft play)
We have been back to Playdays a few times, especially since we get one free entry a month with our nursery. However, the twins don’t enjoy it anywhere near as much as JJs. We had the twins’ third birthday party there too and they were a bit taken aback, I don’t know exactly why, but they just don’t like it so much. I can’t really fault the place itself. It’s clean (cleaner than JJs, definitely) and the sofas/seating for parents are not bad at all, however, in order for me to rank it high, I need the twins to enjoy it, and sadly they don’t find it as fun as JJs.
http://www.playdays-basingstoke.co.uk/
In total I give it 3 out of 5 stars. (score -)
Manydown Family Fun
Our experience with Manydown has completely changed since my last update. When I wrote my first review, our experience had been less than favourable, however, as the twins have grown and become more independent, Manydown has been able to offer us more and more. So much so that this year we decided to get a season ticket at the beginning of the year. Just this summer alone we have been to Manydown three times, which has made the season ticket totally worth it. Plus we will be attending their Halloween pumpkin carving event, making the season ticket more than a bargain.
The twins have loved Manydown this summer. One particular day we arrived at 10:30 in the morning and didn’t leave until 4pm. And they didn’t want to leave!!! They love the bouncy castle, the jumping pillow, the trampolines, the tunnels, the sandpits, feeding the animals, the petting sessions, the walk in the wood area… We still haven’t done the maize maze or the crazy golf, but there will be plenty of time for that in the future.
So a massive improvement for this one!
In total I give it 4.5 out of 5 (score +)
The Vyne
(we have not gone back to the Vyne since last time)
Eastrop Park
We haven’t been to Eastrop much this year, but the couple of times that we have been, it has been a lot of fun. The only problem that I have about going to Eastrop now is that we stopped using a pushchair a long time ago, and whilst this has not been much of an issue generally, the walk from town to Eastrop is considerable. The two times that we have been to Eastrop this past year, both times we have had either tantrums or very tired children that then wanted to be carried all the way back to the car. I suppose this problem could be solved by parking at the park or nearby, however the parking in that area is always very busy. Plus we always eat lunch in town, making it a whole day out.
The twins still like it, though. They run from area to area and want to play with everything. We haven’t been to the paddling pool this year, but that’s because we have been to the proper swimming pool at the leisure park! (more below)
In total I give it 4.5 out of 5 (score =)
Aquadrome – NEW!
Since going swimming was such a success during our holiday in Cornwall this year, we decided to give the Aquadrome in Basingstoke a go. We have been only twice this summer, but we definitely have in mind going back at some point soon. We were very impressed with it. The facilities are very good, great value for money and the swimming pools themselves are great. The twins can’t swim yet, so Jon and I were carrying or holding them in the pools and it was very easy. The first time we went it was a total success, the twins (and us!) absolutely loved it. The second time the twins weren’t so comfortable, we’re not sure why, however it was still a very pleasant experience.
https://www.basingstokeleisure.com/aquadrome/
In total I give it 4 out of 5 (new score)
Near Basingstoke.
Active Tots (soft play) – Stratfield Saye
We no longer go there.
Wellington Country Park – Riseley
We have gone back to Wellington a few times since the last update. However, since we no longer have a season ticket, going there is something that needs to be planned, with family involved, to make the most out the day there. It is still a fantastic day for the kids, they always love it when we go there.
http://www.wellington-country-park.co.uk/
In total I give it 4.5 out of 5 (score =)
Finkley Down Farm – Andover
We have also gone back to Finkley a couple of times more and, once again, it has been a fantastic day out. They really enjoy the indoor play area, especially the ball throwing bit. Either Jon or I always get in the middle of the “fight” with lots of other kids joining in and throwing balls at us. They also enjoy seeing the animals, and the last time we went it was drizzling quite a bit but that didn’t stop them from wanting to still go to the outside area and try the big slides and trampolines.
In total I give it a 4.5 out of 5 (score =)
Miller’s Ark Farm – NEW!
We have only been once to this farm and the experience was quite positive (despite the fact that Eric wasn’t having any of it that day). First we had no idea what to expect when we got there, so when we went to pay for our entry tickets (which was a lady behind a fold up table, right outside a barn) we realised that we had no cash and they didn’t take cards. However, the lady was super friendly and understanding and gave us her bank details so we could do a transfer later that day! Isn’t that awesome?! The farm is a proper working farm that they open to the public certain weekends of the year, so it’s not fancy or even paved for that matter. However it is really authentic!
We had a good time overall, however Eric did not want to pet any animals that day. He was in a funny mood, so we only stayed there for about 45 mins to an hour. We have not considered going back, since so many of the other places that we go to have farms/petting zoos. However it is a nice break from the routine places.
http://www.millersark.co.uk/homepage.aspx
In total I give it 3.5 out of 5 (new score)
A bit further afield.
Marwell Zoo – Winchester
We have been once more since the last update and we really enjoyed it. We didn’t have a pushchair so there was a lot of slow walking, but the twins really enjoyed stopping at each enclosure and having a proper look at all the animals. They really love the penguins, which happen to be the very first animals that you see coming in. This time we didn’t take a picnic, so had to eat at one of the restaurants and we found that it was terribly busy (we ended up buying sandwiches rather than hot food) and quite expensive for what you got (my sandwich wasn’t that nice and it was quite pricey)
All in all still a good day out, but maybe a once-a-year type of thing.
http://www.marwell.org.uk/
In total I give it 4 out of 5 (score =)
Little Street – Frimley
We have gone back twice more to Little Street since the last update and both times the twins have had a good time. The last time we went was before the summer, and I think that the next time that we go they will enjoy it even more, as their pretend play is still developing.
As I mentioned last time, the sessions are timed so you have to leave by a certain time. Well, the last time that we were there the twins did NOT want to leave! We had major tantrums and I can’t even remember what we did to convince them to leave, but I wouldn’t be surprised if bribery was involved.
In total I give it 4.5 out of 5 (score =)
Alice Holt Forest (near Farnham) – NEW!
We visited Alice Holt forest for the first time just last weekend and we absolutely loved it. There was so much to do! First of all, though, we decided to ignore the satnav and we got a bit lost. It’s not difficult to find at all, just don’t ignore the satnav!
It is free to go in, however the parking is not cheap (we paid £6 for 4 hours). Thinking about it, £6 ENTRY for four people with free parking is a bargain, so I won’t complain.
We went straight to look for the Gruffalos. There is a statue of the Gruffalo and another of the Gruffalo’s child. I thought there was a bit more of a display, but that was all there was. Still, the kids really got excited when we saw the statues and the big Stickman.
The forest itself is really great, with lots of areas for you to go off track and explore. There was one area for people to build dens and the twins really enjoyed this.
All in all it is a fantastic day out, not too far away (35-40 mins from Basingstoke) and there is so much to do.
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/aliceholt
In total I give it 4.5 out of 5 (new score)
The Lookout Discovery Centre (Bracknell) – NEW!
We have only gone to the Lookout once earlier this year. We met Steve, Karen and cousin Olivia there for a play date and had a fantastic time. We did lots of playing in the adventure play area outside, where there is tons to do. We were there probably for two hours before we went inside to the actual Discovery Centre. You have to pay to go in the Discovery Centre, however under 4s are free, which is handy (for now!). Inside there are lots of science based activities for both kids and adults. Honestly there is a lot to do! When we went we had a difficult time getting the children out of there!
Definitely a great place for a day out and we will be coming back!
http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/thelookoutdiscoverycentre
In total I give it 4 out of 5 (new score)
And this is it for now. I am sure that we will be exploring lots of new places!
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