The best family days out in London and beyond rated by kids and teens
Published: 2nd April 2024
Discover the ultimate in family fun with Alice Bhandhukravi’s Best Days Out!
Alice is a seasoned presenter and reporter for BBC London, renowned for her contributions to the One, Six, and 10 O’clock News, as well as BBC Breakfast. Born in Bangkok to a Thai father and British mother, she brings a distinctive blend of cultures to her west London home where she lives with her daughter.
A graduate of the University of Bristol, Alice’s journey from the world of international finance to journalism reflects her adventurous spirit. Fluent in French and Spanish, she’s a passionate traveler who enjoys exploring new cultures. In her downtime, Alice indulges in reading, cinema outings, R&B music (especially 90s tunes) and culinary pursuits, forever on the hunt for London’s finest Thai cuisine.
The Kyoto Garden, Holland Park
I grew up in West London, and lucky enough to have access to lots of parks and museums. My sister and I were taken to Holland Park, and loved the adventure playground there. It has recently been refurbished, and is much improved! It definitely looks less like an ‘adventure’ – it had been a bit ropey – but there are great facilities there now. Plus lots of fun things to climb on and swing from. A definite thumbs up for a Best Day Out.
Arts, crafts and gifts at Chine in Kensal Rise
My favourite shop when I was younger would have been on Kensington High Street. Because there was a toy shop in the 80s called ‘Young World’ where I spent my pocket money buying marbles for my collection.
Today one of my favourite shops is called ‘Chine’ – near me in Kensal Rise, I love plants and have bought way too many there. But they also have really lovely trinkets, gifts, candles and cards. I’m addicted!
Bluebelles at Portobello
I love Golborne Road and the very top end of Portobello. It’s an everchanging area, with at least half a dozen good restaurants, great shops and unique boutiques, and one of my favourite cafes Bluebelle’s.
A margarita pizza served fresh at Caccari, Portobello
My 3-year-old daughter LOVES the pizza from Cacciari, an Italian restaurant on Portobello Road. I personally think it is the best pizza in London (yes I said it). The rest of their menu is also classically Italian and excellent.
The added bonus about this end of Portobello is that there is a well-equipped playground there which we go to especially for the mini trampolines.
Since I moved to NW6, I’m a convert to the Overground. My favourite journey goes from Brondesbury Park to Kew Gardens, which only takes 21 minutes. That’s one of my favourite day trips with my daughter. Kew Gardens is so incredibly beautiful throughout most of the year, and their children’s playground is really fun and pretty – perfect for a Best Day Out.
Another favourite place we visit, is Battersea Park, especially since the development of Battersea Power Station which has meant lots of good places to eat and plenty of fun scootering possibilities.
I love Hyde Park. It’s not original, but I would choose Hyde Park on the basis of its size and diversity. There are so many different vibes, and different parts to the park, wide open spaces, meandering along the Serpentine, the formal royal parts and the various playgrounds. It’s the park to end all parks!
