Going for a playdate with a friend somewhere new is always so much fun – as well as the joy that comes with spending time with a friend, there is also the thrill of discovering new places to play. One new place that we’ve discovered thanks to meeting up for a playdate is Pinner Memorial Park.
Pinner Memorial Park once used to be part of the West House Estate. West House, which now houses the café and the Heath Robinson Museum, was once home to the grandson of Lord Admiral Nelson and Lady Hamilton. The park itself has a large children’s play area, a bowling green, an aviary, duck pond and a quiet “peace garden”.
The weather wasn’t the best for an outdoor playdate – cold and a bit drizzly, but the girls weren’t going to let a bit of rain hold them back – and on the plus side, it meant that playground was much quieter than it would have been otherwise. It also meant there was no competition for the swings (the best bit of the playground) and as these were ones that went nice and high, the girls were in no hurry to try something else. Needless to say, my arms got a very good workout that day!
The playground was fabulous – there was so much to do – the only slight disadvantage being that it was so large that if the girls had gone in completely different directions, it wasn’t so easy to be able to keep an eye on both – but thankfully they (mostly) stayed together.
There were “binoculars” to peer through, a wobbly bridge to cross and a grassy slope that was much more fun that the slide next to it. I’m sure the girls could have spent hours happily playing in the play area but as Jessica was starting to go very blue thanks to the cold, we headed over to the café to warm up over some lunch, stopping briefly on the way to look at the budgies in the aviary.
Having warmed up again, we bought some duck food and headed outside to feed the ducks and chase the pigeons. I think the pigeons got most of the duck food but the girls had a wonderful time feeding them.
Once the ducks and pigeons had all been fed, we headed into the trees where there were branches to swing on, sticks to climb and a little natural den to hide away from the cold wind in.
Pinner Memorial Park is a little out of the way for us, but we had such a fabulous time there and will look forward to hopefully going back again soon.
What a lovely day out. Your girls always look so happy and well done on being shortlisted x
Thank you Karen 🙂
That does look like a park worth a visit and made all the more special with friends to share it with. You dress the girls so well to deal with the weather, those coats always look so warm, no wonder they were happy to stay out and play in the cold, though it does sound like lunch was well times. I love Sophie’s face feeding the pigeons, they really enjoyed that didn’t they. I hope you do get to return and perhaps enjoy a picnic on a warmer day, mind you I don’t suppose you will have it to yourselves then! Huge congratulations on your shortlisting, I was hoping you would be there. Thank you for sharing with me on #CountryKids
Thank you Fiona – I love those coats, they were such a good buy and so nice and warm. I love that photo of Sophie too – the look on her face was just magical. Thank you for the congratulations and huge congratulations on your shortlisting too – was so pleased to see you on the list, in two categories too and you certainly have my vote! 🙂
I love that park! We went quite a few times last summer with one of my close friends. Really close to home for me! So so happy you’re on the shortlist for the BiBs xxx
Thank you Mel – yes much nearer for you than it is for me. Really pleased to see you on the shortlist too – good luck for making it to the finals, you have my vote! 🙂
It looks a great park. Plenty to do. I remember the fun of children going different directions. We made rules after one park visit. Sweet photo of the pair of them feeding the pigeons. #CountryKids
Thanks Cheryl – thankfully they’re pretty good at mostly staying together! 🙂
Even if it’s a bit of a journey it’s always fantastic to find a perfect park for kids to enjoy. Your girls clearly had a lovely time.
Thanks Kriss – we certainly enjoyed ourselves! 🙂
That is such a fab park. My two would not be as well behaved as yours, they would bolt in opposite directions. They would love the slide and the swing and how nice to have the birds too. That looks like a good park for the summer too :- ) #countrykids
It was fabulous – I’m hoping we’ll repeat the playdate again when the weather is warmer 🙂
Looks a lovely park with lots to do. Love the sound of the cafe, wobbly bridge and museum.
It was a lovely park – we really enjoyed our day out there 🙂
What a lovely park, it looks like it’s got everything a little person could ask for. Those swings look epic! I’ve never seen any like that before. #countrykids
It was the first time I’d seen swings like that too – the girls loved them! 🙂
I really love seeing your girls out and about, they always look very happy. That looks like a good park, Olivia would love the wobbly bridge. 😉
Thank you Melody – it was a fab park to explore, we really enjoyed it 🙂
I love their matching coats! Well done (again) on the bibs nomination, you’ve got my vote! It’s always good to try new places. I’ve got heaps of leaflets stored up for when the Robot gets older for places to go. Glad you all had a good time #countrykids
Thank you Karen – I love those coats, they’ve been so lovely for the winter 🙂
Looks like you had loads of fun there Louise! I also adore the girls big coats they look so cosy! Xxx
Thanks Caroline – it was such a fab day out. Those coats have been lovely – they are so pretty and the girls loved them 🙂
A lovely day out. The sun can be deceiving so pleased to see you were all wrapped up warm. #CountryKids
It was really cold that day – those coats were definitely needed! 🙂
Looks like a lovely day. It’s nice exploring somewhere different and your girls look like they had a great time. #CountryKids
Thank you Karen, we all enjoyed it 🙂
That looks like a great park! It’s always nice to have a bit of company on little outings isn’t it 🙂
It is lovely to have that company and to visit somewhere new 🙂