Coram's Fields

Coram's Fields is a large children's playground area in central London. The field contains various playground equipment which is good but not spectacular compared to many other playgrounds, it also houses a number of animals including sheep, goats (which were free to roam when Bug and Buggies visited) and birds. A cafe provides coffee and food (Bug didn't visit so no comment) and finaly there is plenty of space.

Generaly the bigger Buggies found the playground fun, imediatly zooming in on the bigger childrens play ground; there were not many people arround so only the hurdle of climbing up something they couldn't reach got in the way of a great deal of fun. We also looked at the birds
which are housed in a very dated aviary and sheep in an enclosure on one side of the fields. The littlest Buggie slept.

Over all the history of the fields seemed far more exciting to the Bug than the fields themselves but that shouldn't take away what is, after all a large free play area walking distance from King Cross, The British Museum, and various shopping areas; nothing short of an oasis.

What: Coram's Fields
Where: Between Russel sq and Kings Cross; map
Cost: Free
Again: When I'm in the area.

Discover - story trail

Let Hootah lead you through a world of stories in one of most creative children's centres I have ever seen. Outdoors an playground of themed climbing frames were put to waste by the miserable weather, however indoors the fun really started.

The permanent facility includes various zones each with things to do; D and B set to work acting out the adventures of various dinosaurs across a crocodile infested river and a lions den; elsewhere children can turn a wooden spoon into a spoon puppet (despite my best efforts I did this on my own); draw on mirrors with mirror pens, act out stories in a puppet theatre.

Downstairs a temporary exhibition (City of Stories) contained various zoned rooms each with a recording of a story; D & B continued the adventures of their sparasauruses in a middle eastern tent.

As part of their eastern European week we listened to a telling of the Dragon of Krakow (B aged 2 1/2 didn't find this engaging and played elsewhere although he usually enjoys stories but D aged 4 listened intently); this was followed by a make your own dragon puppet but the lure of the rest of the centre was too much for my two.

Children as young as mine will find much of the story element little more than a slight distraction but I would imagine older kids would find this very exciting.

What: Discover - story trail
Where: Near Stratford tube station
Cost: Child/Adult £4; children under 2 are free; family ticket up to four people £15
When: Permanent with activities and temporary exhibitions
Going again: Yes; probably to other events
Try: Many play facilities exist but I have not found anything this creative or engaging.
Top tip: Take lunch, 20p for a locker and a lot of energy to get the best out of this place