FREE! Splash-tastic fun at Ravenscourt Park
Many a time have we whizzed past and overlooked Ravenscourt Park whilst on the Piccadilly Line tube on our way in to Central London - but today we made this beautiful park our destination. Once the grey clouds had passed and with the sun finally coming out to play, we headed off into Hammersmith. We started with a bite to eat from our picnic lunch on the massive open green space at the heart of the park. Having suitably refuelled, we walked along the permiter of the park first stopping for a short while to watch members of the resident Bowling club play a match on their Green before looping around the pretty lake and heading over to the gated adventure playground located in the north of the park. There are timber framed play structures, slides and swings, roundabouts and ropes to keep the kids busy, with plenty of free space around for parents and carers to sit and supervise. With the sun now spoiling us, we headed back to the south west corner of the park, past the football pitches, tennis courts and basketball courts to where the sand and water area sits. The large paddling pool was a firm favourite with the kids today. They literally spent hours splashing around and really enjoyed it. Benches and a low level wall provide seating around the pool and a taller wall to one end separates the water area from the large sand pit - an excellent idea to ensure the water doesn't get too sandy nor the sand too sludgy. A further playground aimed at younger children is also located in this section of the park. There is plenty for kids to do here and we will definitely be returning here for more fantastic free fun soon! Remember to pack some shorts or swimmers, a change of clothes and a large towel not only to dry but to cover up as there are no secluded changing areas and the park toilets are situated quite a way away near the cafe. Please also be aware that the surrounding roads fall within a CPZ so parking is charged at £2.20 per hour however the CPZ only operates from Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Alternatively, several bus routes stop near the park and Ravenscourt Park tube station is a matter of minutes away.
