Toddle About Reader Recommendations

Cheap or Free family days out in Warwickshire

Nothing is better than a recommendation from a friend, and that is why we started our 'Reader Recommendations' feature. In every issue of the magazine we pick a topic and ask our readers to send in their recommendations to give other parents of babies and toddlers some tried and tested places to go with little ones. It's an idea that came from our readers themselves and we're really pleased to say it has been well received!

Thank you to all of you who sent us your recommendations of the free and cheap places that you love to go to with your children - we hope this gives you some new ideas for places to try out this Autumn! We picked Chantal, Tika and Cathy's recommendations as our Editor's Choice for this edition so they will each be receiving a set of Fold Out Floor Books worth £9.98, courtesy of Priddy Books as a thank you.




Chantal from Warwick says...
I love to take my 7 month old daughter Sienna here. There is a lovely play area with baby swings and climbing frames for older children, a sand pit and a paddling pool. We often meet friends there for a picnic, a play and to feed the ducks. It is lovely to walk the ‘measured mile’ path around the park which makes you feel like you’ve done some exercise because you know how far you have walked! There is a cafe where you can get an ice cream or a tea and cake and there is also a payable funfair, crazy golf and boat hire.

Cathy from Warwick says...
St. Nicholas Park is a brilliant place to go with children of all ages. There are some elements of the activities available at the park which do cost money, as does parking, but there is plenty of fun to be had for free. There is a large expanse of open grass which is great for ball games, pic-nics and general running around. There's a lovely paddling pool for the warmer weather and a river running by which is good for watching the ducks and swans. There is a really good playground area with a good variety of different swings, slides, climbing frames, roundabouts etc. For those with babies needing a snooze (or new mums just needing to see life outside the house for a while!) there's also a good footpath running around the outer edge which is great for prams and pushchairs.

Red Road, Kineton, Warwick CV35 0DH

Tika Jamaludin from Leamington Spa says...
I would love to recommend this Pick Your Own Fruit place! We went with our 8 month-old daughter over Summer and picked Strawberries, Tayberries, Gooseberries, Red Currants, Black Currants and Raspberries. During Autumn, you can pick Apples, Corn and much more. There is no entry fee - all you pay for is the fruit you have picked. During our visit, the price for Strawberries was cheaper than other places and they allow visitors to have a taste of their fruit (though not to have a feast!) Moreover, this place is not packed with visitors - you can enjoy picking fruit at a leisurely pace without having to worry that the good fruit is running out. You could even bring your own summer chair to have a rest and let your children pick the fruit and enjoy their day!


Jodi Varney & Miles (5 months) say...
Jephson Gardens is a beautiful, relaxing park with lots of space for impromptu picnics and the temperate house which is free to enter is always a hit with our 5 month old who loves looking at trees. It is only small but just enough to keep a baby/toddler’s attention, especially currently with its colourful paper mâché jungle animals on display amongst the greenery. The water feature also has koi carp to keep little eyes entertained for a few minutes! Attached is ‘The Restaurant in The Park’ which is very child friendly and a regular meeting place for new mums. It has great cake!

Sharon from Radford Semele says...
Jephson gardens in Leamington is also a really good place to visit with little ones. There is an indoor warm hot house/gardens to walk around and the library is close by and a park too. And it’s free!


Nicki Burton (Childminder) says...
I live in central Leamington Spa and am lucky to have both the River and Canal nearby, the canal walk between Tesco and Lidl is particularly lovely to walk along as you have the wild life, ducks and swans and moor hens, sheep in the fields and canal boats and if you cross over the railway bridge just before you get to Lidl, you might be lucky to see a train and receive a wave and toot!! Also on that particular stretch of canal there are some Alpacas and when they are grazing you can clearly see them from the opposite side of the canal. Enjoy!


Val with Jacob (3 yrs) and Thomas (5 mths) says...
This is a farm shop and restaurant with a lovely play area and chickens, sheep and pigs to look at - sometimes a couple of ponies too. We find it a lovely, relaxing place to go. You just pay for your food so can be as cheap or expensive as you like. They are very child friendly and their customer service is excellent.


Cathy with Archie (4 months) says...
There are a number of Children's Centres in Warwick, all of which run a number of different courses, groups and support networks which are mostly free. These include music groups, baby massage, chatter matters, baby life-saving courses and general groups for parents and children to get together to talk, play or get the support they need. The staff are always very friendly and supportive and we have gained a lot from the variety of groups we've attended to date - they've provided us with an excellent basis to move on to explore wider activities now Archie is older. I feel particularly fortunate that all of this is available to us on our doorstep free of charge as I know this isn't the case in other parts of the country.


Cathy with Archie (4 months) says...
Warwick Library run a great session called Rythm and Rhyme. It takes place every 2 weeks and is good for all babies and toddlers as they combine singing with actions and musical instruments which the children really enjoy.


Sharon from Radford Semele says...
This mums & tots group runs in the hall next to the small church in Lewis Road, Radford Semele on Tuesdays, 10 - 11.30 during term time. It’s a drop in group for babies up to pre-school age where they can play with lots of toys and enjoy a planned activity each week. It’s a nice group and it only costs a £1 to attend and this includes refreshments for the little ones and their carer.


Jodi Varney with Miles (5mnths) from Leamington Spa says...
Ryton Pools Country Park is another favourite of ours. Even when the car parks are full it never seems busy or overcrowded on the walks and you really feel like your getting away from everything. There are a variety og walks, most of which are paved so perfect for buggies or trikes. There is also a miniature steam train for little (or big kids!), a couple of playgrounds with good equipment & a sensory garden to stimulate some creativity! The cafe is minimal with most of the seating outside so you may want to take snacks with you, as it also closes around 4pm. £2 for the car park is the only cost.


Val with Jacob aged 3 and Thomas aged 5 months from Wolston says...
We have been to The Herbert many times and they have fantastic stay and play sessions that you can book into in advance. It suits all age groups and they have briliant exhibitions and things for children in the school holidays. It only costs the bus fare or petrol and parking to get there.

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