The Chiswick House & Gardens is a beautiful little garden in west London that many people don't…read moreknow about. I have been here during the fall when it is completely quiet, and during their magical lantern festival at night when it is packed with crowds. The grounds are well kept, and the lanterns are most amazing. The lanterns along the little lake are especially stunning thanks to the water reflection, but it's also extremely cold thanks to the water. There are three "rest stops": the cafe upon entrance, the marshmallow roasting station in the middle of the tour (but no warming huts which is desperately needed as it's humid and bone chilling in London), and a small fair ground at the end of the tour with hot food, hot drink, and a ferries wheels. The only problem is that it is so freezing cold, and their inadequate toilets especially for women created a huge problem: long queues, chilling cold temperature inside the loos, and generally uncomfortable dirty conditions. It is to be expected with any festivals but still the organizers could have done a better job at regular cleaning and providing directions.

We just headed here this weekend for the Magical Lantern Festival. Hence my rating and review is of…read morethe festival. However, we did see some gorgeous marble statues and the gardens (what we could see of them in the dark) and Historic House, looked like this place definitely merits another visit. The Magical Lanterns are stunning. After the London Lumiere festival, I was a bit skeptical of what would be on offer. But I was blown away by the displays. Budget 2 hours for the walk itself, especially if you are visiting on a night with crowds. We picked up hot coffees and churros at the entry. Feasted on hot chocolate and hot toddy from Beltane and Pop and roasted marshmallows on the firepit at the midway stop. And there was a good selection of meals at the exit point with a covered marquee to enjoy it in. We however decided that we wanted a proper sit down restaurant that was well warmed for dinner and hence walked across to Chiswick high street for a meal. Do note, that these are all pop ups and food trucks - I assume they are only here during the festival. They do have a permanent coffee shop on the premises that was open. But the number of wailing children on this occasion, kept us away.

What a beautiful park…read more I went for the enchanted woodland walk, and it was just lovely. The 2 mile walk takes in some of the highlights of the ground, all decorated with beautiful lights. It was just gorgeous. I did think they should have limited the number of people walking around, perhaps to hourly slots, as it was so busy it kind of changed the atmosphere a little bit. All of the lights and scenes created were so creative and well thought out. Magical for both adults and children. The cutest things were seeing little fairies and pixies dotted around, and little doors at the bottom of trees where little elves must live. I loved it and would highly recommend you visit next winter. I'd really like to go back to the park in the day time for a nice sunny walk!

A lovely park, one of those where you forget you're in London. It's a bit built up and a bit out of…read morethe way, but once you get there, it's really nice. There's a garden centre and a Hilton hotel, as well as lots of park land, grazing cattle, and a fly fishing pond, just to name a few things. Oh, and Syon House, of course! It is, unfortunately, in the flight path - which might be good if you like to look at big planes! It's also near to Kew so while it might not be a place to go for your final destination, it's worth passing through.

Dulwich Village is best enjoyed on a sunny weekend afternoon, when you can saunter around and take…read morein the quaint charm of this relatively unspoiled part of middle class London. Take a stroll in the manicured environs of Dulwich Park, with its beautifully tended flower beds, boating lake and rentable reclining bicycles and just avert your eyes from the estate agents as you crunch up the gravelled pathways towards an inviting stretch of restaurants and shops, with the quintessential village pub, the Crown & Greyhound, in the centre. It's best to eschew the chain eateries for the gorgeous Italian deli and take a bag full of picnic supplies back to the park but I have to admit enjoying a big glass of white wine and a Pizza Express pizza outside on a sunny day in Dulwich Village is pretty great too. Then it's back to reality with a bump!

I love Dulwich Village. It's a lovely quaint oasis of quanitness.It certainly does have a nice…read moresmall villagey feel. There are lovely independent boutique clothing shops, a very nice handbag shop - the owners are very friendly and nice. There is also a superb organic food shop - I picked up two tubs of delicious organic olives,which were ever so tasty. Just around the corner you have the stately Dulwich College. It's boasts amazing architecture. There is also a good range of places to eat,drink or simply have a refreshing cup of tea. Dulwich Village is definitley worth a visit and make sure you have your camera phone ready - it' beautifully picturesque

Unless you're a member of the Goldsmith clan, or a favoured friend, it's unlikely you'll get a…read morefrequent opportunity to visit this wonderfully impressive listed, Queen Anne house, in its glorious setting - a stone's throw from Richmond Park's Ham Gate. I was invited along, by a friend, to attend a special weekend afternoon opening here, in late June. Disappointingly though, we were only able to visit the sizeable gardens as part of the Gardens Open for Charity event. There was, however, plenty to explore: including a traditional English country walled garden, a sweetly-touching pet burial ground, impressive wildlife statues, a fabulous outdoor swimming pool, tennis court, an aviary with happily chirping inhabitants, a resplendent fruit and vegetable garden with thriving climbing loganberries and courgettes. I particularly enjoyed the wilderness garden with its stunningly colourful displays including masses of vivid blue cornflowers and vibrant red poppies. There was plenty of room, and time, for adults to wander at their leisure, to imagine life there; also for accompanied children to run-around and expend their energies playing on the swings and trampoline. A very English summer afternoon's delight.

Nymans was one of the highlights of a recent country walk (part of walk 16 in Time Out's Saturday…read moreWalker's Club) and definitely worth a return visit in its own right. As a lunch time stopover for hungry hikers the cafe is a bit of a let-down, though. We had a sandwich and ploughmans which were both OK but rather overpriced. After a walk around the grounds which include romantic ruins, stunning views and beautiful gardens, we returned to the cafe for afternoon tea. Just to be even more disappointed - they have a problem with their water which makes hot drinks taste disgusting (apparently, we aren't the first to notice and something is being done about this - to their credit, we did get a refund, but a nice cup of tea would have been more welcome). If it weren't for the lacklustre catering this place would definitely deserve a full five stars. The garden centre looked outstanding, even for the National Trust's high standards.

This is a good day out. There is something round every corner. You are greeted by the cafe which is…read morealways a good start and this one has some good outside seating as well as inside. There is plenty of room to picnic in the wooded car park. You can then meander through the wonderful 20th century gardens, the Rose Garden, The Walled garden with it's amazingly colourful herbaceous borders (this must be one of the most photographed in England !), by which time you've almost forgotten about the house ! But not for long. Through an arch in the wall, there stands the Majestic house. Turn another corner and there is the most wonderful, Romantic, Gothic like ruin. It is hard to believe that it was only in 1947 that a fire ripped through the building and this part was left standing & unrepaired. An amazing back drop for the gardens & a golden photo opportunity. The knot garden & the sunken garden are set around the house & ruins then lead on to a beautiful wooded estate , over 200 acres, with wonderful views across Sussex. Although a frequent visitor I still find walks & paths that I have never found before. The rooms on the ground floor of the house contain fascinating day to day artifacts of the family and the NT Stewards are friendly and informative. I see different things every time I visit. There is a good sized shop & small plant area. There is good access for the disabled.

Jurassic Kingdom Exhibition…read more My first tip, a big one, is arrive early. We arrived at 10.30 am to find the car park in Osterley Park filling up quickly. We had a few hours of wandering amongst the exhibits without be pushed from pillar to post. When we left, at 1.30 pm the queues at the entrance were long and the carpark almost full. Warning over, the reasons for this overcrowding will be explained in the following review. We were overwhelmed by this exhibit. Initially we wondered if it would be interesting for we 'oldies' and wondered where we could hire a couple of ankle-biters so we would not feel out of place. Our children being of the older age group. Even my grandchildren are 18+. However, those worries disappeared. Seeing those life size animatronic dinosaurs was, I hate the word, awesome. It was great seeing the reaction of the smaller members of each family. They were enthralled. An easy, well signposted, walk around with ample 'educational' signage at each model. We learned that the names had changed over our lifetime. Very interesting to see where in the world, as we know it now, each dinosaur was found. Half way round there was a refreshment area selling hot dogs, noodles, drinks etc etc. A very welcome break for a coke. But carrying on to see more of those wonderful 'models', I was getting to the point of thinking of them being real (think it was the sun and no hat, Sunday was a hot day). At the end there, again, was a watering area and we decided to something to eat. I decided to treat my partner to an al fresco meal. Least I could do. We sat on the grass eating our burgers LOL. I was pleasantly surprised at the prices. Not a fiddle for the captive audience but reasonable prices. Guys, this exhibition will be travelling the UK. Well worth a visit, especially if you have young ones. Prices are reasonable especially the family tickets. Make an effort but, REMEMBER, go early to avoid the rush and enjoy the exhibition. www.lovepopupslondon.com #lovepopupslondon www.jurassickingdom.uk

Osterley Park and House is a National Trust historic property situated near Isleworth about 30mins…read moreaway from Heathrow airport. This fantastic (originally Elizabethan) Georgian House and garden stand in a large parkland. The House was refurbished by the architect Robert Adam in the middle of the 18th Century and claims to be one of the finest examples of his work in the United Kingdom. The house still has original furniture, really amazing ceilings, objects d'art from China and Japan, a fine collection of paintings from the Venetian school. You can walk through the meadow at will or use the paths that have been mown through it and see butterflies, grasshoppers, beetles, etc.. it is very relaxing and particularly enjoyable on a sunny day, There is also a large area of parkland with a lake and some marvellous old trees. They have a cafe and shop onsite also. There is a small admission fee to see the house and the gardens.

Ham House was built in 1610 and was lavishly remodelled in th 1670s when it became the centre of…read moreRestoration court life and intrigue. Today the house is thought to be the most haunted in England. It still has a large portion of rare original furnishings and paintings as well as its lavish interior. Coupled with this there are extensive and beautiful 17th century gardens.

Beautiful House! You will be amazed by the paintings and…read moresculptures that are both in/outdoors of the house which was built in 1610. I really enjoyed that peaceful place.. P.S Dolphin chairs are another things to be checked in the House :)

This is a pleasant place to be!!! Midhurst is one of our favourite spots in Sussex, especially for…read moreeating out. There is so much going on..polo, golf and just plain soaking up the atmosphere here. Plenty of free parking. Don't forget to have a look at Cowdray Hall!!!

Went on Heritage Day so was free to enter. Access is about 0.5k from the main car park & bus stand…read morealong a straight path (The Causeway) across marshy grassland. This early Tudor courtier's estate & house is or more accurately, was palatial or lets just settle on huge! A very large inner gatehouse with an enormous courtyard then main house beyond. There was an exhibition of the 2nd World War from a Naval perspective in the main cellar which had a rather fine vaulted roof, the Buck Hall & chapel were open to the elements but the hexagonal Kitchen Tower had been partially restored with an open hearth fire with Tudor cooking being demonstrated. The kitchen could also be viewed from half way up the spiral stairs that lead to the roof. You get a great view of the ruins & the adjacent Polo park. The tops of the walls were protected by red tiles which made them look a bit odd but will probably keep frost damage to a minimum - just an unsympathetic colour when seen from above. There is a visitor Centre with toilets & a formal garden beyond. I think tea & cakes were also available. The house was built in 1520-29 & was partially destroyed by fire in 1793.