Let’s Get Out & About this May Half Term 2015
Welcome to the first edition of Let’s Get Out & About
Take the stress out of school holidays with this quick and handy guide to what’s on in Ealing and the
surrounding areas. This action packed newsletter contains useful ideas, suggestions and activities for
the whole family to enjoy during the school holidays (and after). We hope you have fun trying one
or all of them out this May Half Term. Enjoy!
Tell us about any activities you took part in or perhaps you have your own suggestions that you
would like to share with other families. Email us at sthompson@ealing.gov.uk
SPOTLIGHT ON….
Did you know the recent motion picture
“Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb” was filmed
on location at the British Museum. You can find out
more about the making of the film and the stories
behind some of the starring objects.
This May half term you can visit the museum and take part in FREE activities
throughout the week, offered daily from 11am – 4pm. You can discover the
history of Australia with a whole week of activities for all the family. Be creative and make
something to take home, help create a giant collaborative art work in the Great Court and listen
to stories with a storyteller. Activities run all week and each day has a different programme, so you
can go as many times as you like. The museum itself is open daily from 10am – 5.30pm.
There is also a FREE app. (The British Museum Lite) that you can download to your
smart phones / tablets with useful information about layout of the museum and
maps, ideas for tours and a fun quiz to get conversations going.
Where is it and how do you get there? The museum is on Great Russell Street,
London, WC1B 3DG (alternative entrance on Montague Place). The nearest station
is Holborn on the Central & Piccadilly Lines (approx. 30mins from Ealing Broadway
Station / 45 mins from Northolt/Northfields) and it’s a 5 minute walk from the station
(come out of the station and turn right walking towards Russell Square. Take the 2nd
left onto Great Russell Street and you’re there!)
How much is it? Entrance is FREE and so are the holiday activities. Kids travel free on the
Underground but adults will need to pay (see below). You can buy lunch at the cafes and
restaurants but you can also take a packed lunch with you – there is space for you to eat your
own food. There are additional activities and exhibitions which may carry a charge.Please check
the website for more details. http://www.britishmuseum.org/
Did you know… Children aged under 11 can travel free on buses and trams at any time. They can
also travel free on Tube, DLR and London Overground services at any time as
long as they are accompanied by an adult using a valid Visitor
Oyster card or Travelcard ticket.
A maximum of four children under 11 can travel free with an adult who has a
valid Visitor Oyster card or ticket on Tube, DLR and London Overground services.
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Across the borough…
Ealing Central
Busy Bees @ Walpole Park, W5
Walpole Park has just opened an observation bee hive. Come and see how brilliant and busy
bees are. Learn some amazing facts and join in with some fun activities throughout the day.
Tuesday 26th May 2015 Sessions are for children ages 5-11and their families.
Come along to The Rickyard (just behind Spencers Café, but the same building) at any of the
times below to have a go at some of the activities:
10:30-11:30am –Make a beeswax candle.
11:30-12:30am – Find the hidden nectar around the park on the bee trail.
1:30-2:30- Try local honey and find out more about beekeeping.
2:30-3:30- Plant a bee friendly garden to take away.
Full day £5 per child or £1.50 per child per session. Free for low waged/unemployed.
No need to book just turn up on the day, admission first come first served.
Getting there: On foot: Less than five minutes walk from the Uxbridge Road Bus: 65, 207, 427, 607,
83. Tube: Ealing Broadway (Central and District lines), the site can also be accessed from
Northfields and South Ealing tube stations (Piccadilly Line). Train: Ealing Broadway - overland
train routes from Paddington to Reading. Parking: No dedicated car parking but there is meter
parking on Mattock Lane adjacent to the park and non-resident parking on Culmington Road
(controlled parking zone restrictions apply).
Southall
For more information email hughesa@ealing.gov.uk
Southall Park Children’s Centre, Green Drive, UB1 3AZ
Activities for under 12’s including art, crafts, games, outdoor fun etc. Over 8’s can attend
without a parent/carer if registered. Facilities include toilet facilities, multi-use games area,
playground and adult exercise area.
Email: Adminspcc@ealing.gov.uk Opening Hours: 10am-5.30pm
Access: From Uxbridge Road, Green Drive and Boyd Avenue, Southall.
Getting there: Bus: 195, 207, 427, 607 with stops on the Uxbridge Road, and 95, 482, H32, 105, 120,
E5 with stops on South Road. Train: Southall mainline on South Road
Northolt
http://www.childrenscentres.org.uk/cc/southall-park-childrens-centre
Northolt Leisure Centre, Eastcote Lane North Northolt UB5 4AB
General swim from 9am onwards £1.60 per child.
NB if your child is over the age of 8 years and can swim 25 metres, they can attend
without an adult.
Getting there: Bus 282, 140, E10, 120, 90. Tube Northolt Station (Central Line)
Greenford
http://www.everyoneactive.com/centre/northolt-leisure-centre/
Greenford Library Oldfield Lane North, UB6 9LG
Greenford Library is on Oldfield Lane South, next door to Ravenor Park and easily
accessible from Greenford Broadway shopping area. The library includes dedicated
areas for children and teenagers, a quiet area for study and an ICT suite that can be
used for classes and courses.
Open: Tues and Thurs 9am-7pm; Wed, Fri and Sat 9am-5pm; Sun and Mon closed.
Getting there: Tube/train: Greenford Station, Central line. Bus: E6, E7, E9, E10, 282
Tel: 0203 700 1062 Email: ealing.greenfordlibrary@carillionservices.co.uk
Hanwell
Brent Lodge Park Animal Centre (The Bunny Park), Church Road, Hanwell W7 3BP
The FREE centre houses a wide variety of animals including exotic birds, mammals
including meerkats, porcupine, prairie dogs and mara domestic species including
rabbits, chickens and kune kune pigs.
The butterfly house carries a small charge of 50p for children and £1 for adults.
Opening hours: 1 April - 28 September 10am-6pm
Getting there Train: Hanwell Bus: E1, E3, 207, 83
http://www.ealing.gov.uk/info/200073/parks_and_open_spaces/628/animal_centre
Acton
Gunnersbury Park, Popes Lane, London W3 8LQ
Beautiful birds
Join community arts group, APPLE, for a fun and creative art workshop and create
beautiful birds for our nature trail installation.
Date: Wednesday 27 May Time: 11am – 3pm
Admission: £2 per child, payable in cash on the day. Advance booking essential.
Age group: 7 – 11 years
Minibeast safari!
Come on a walking safari with us through Gunnersbury Park and see what mini-beasts
you can track down!
Date: Thursday 28 May Time: 11.30am – 12.30pm and 1.30 – 2.30pm
Admission: Free. Advance booking essential.
Age group: Suitable for all ages
Make your own minibeast!
Join the ever-popular members of the Embroiderers’ Guild and make your own mini-beast using
materials and embroidery. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Please note
that younger children may need adult help to complete the activity.
Date: Thursday 28th May Time: 11.00am – 12.30pm and 1.30 – 3.00pm
Admission: £2.50 per child, payable in cash on the day. Advance booking essential.
Age group: 4+, but everyone welcome.
To book contact: gunnersburylearning@ealing.gov.uk Tel: (020) 8992 1612
Getting there: Acton Town station (District or Piccadilly line) Bus: E3, 65
Perivale
http://www.ealing.gov.uk/info/200073/parks_and_open_spaces/645/gunnersbury_park_and_mu
seum_improvements/7
Perivale Athletic Track, Stockdove Way, Perivale UB6 8TJ
4 day Athletic Camp for 8-15 year olds covering a variety of athletic activities including track,
throwing, jumping etc.
Dates: Tues 26th, Weds 27th & Thurs 28th 10.30-1.30pm Fri 29th 10.30 – 3.30pm Final &
completion day with certificates and medals.
£34.80 for the week £24.00 Junior Leisure Pass Price
Getting there: Train: South Greenford (Thames Trains), Bus: 92, 95, E2, E5, E6, E7, E9, E10, 105
Perivaleinfo@everyoneactive.com for booking form and payment details or call 020 8575 5776
FREE Children’s Film Screening: Walt Disney’s Fantasia
The Rickyard, Walpole Park, Ealing, W5. Saturday 23 May 2015
Doors open 2pm, screening at 2.30pm. No need to book.
Getting there: On foot: Less than five minutes walk from the Uxbridge Road Bus: 65, 207, 427, 607, 83.
Tube: Ealing Broadway (Central and District lines), the site can also be accessed from Northfields and
South Ealing tube stations (Piccadilly Line). Train: Ealing Broadway - overland train routes from
Paddington to Reading. Parking: No dedicated car parking but there is meter parking on Mattock
Lane adjacent to the park and non-resident parking on Culmington Road (controlled parking zone
restrictions apply).
http://www.pitzhanger.org.uk/whats-on/children%E2%80%99s-film-screening-walt-disney%E2%80%99sfantasia
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Osterley Park and House - Little Seedlings Gardening club
Tuesday 26 May 2015 Start midday and end 4pm
Get hands on with your kids at these drop in sessions in our kitchen
garden. Enjoy planting weeding and watering (or just digging!) with your little ones as you get hands
on in our kitchen garden. Booking Not Needed. This event is excellent for children. Assistance Dogs only
are welcome.
A National Trust Event - Gates open 12:00. £4.80 adult / £2.40 child - NT members go free.
The event takes place in our kitchen garden in the gardens. Entry via the garden kiosk and the garden
is signposted. For more details please phone the contact number below. Osterley Park and House,
Jersey Road, Isleworth, Middlesex TW7 4RB Parking, 400 yards (pay and display, £5.00 per car).
Contact telephone: 020 8232 5050 - Visitor Services. Call to check latest times or cancellations.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events
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Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL
The world’s greatest museum of art and design
Digital Kids- May Half Term - Create your own digital art with help from
experts. Recommended for ages 5 upwards.
Free, drop in – no booking required.
When: Sat 23 May 2015 – Sun 31 May 2015 10.30am – 17.00 Where: Learning Centre Reception
Getting there: By public transport: London Underground (The Tube): The V&A is a five minute walk from
South Kensington underground station (on the Piccadilly, Circle and District Line).
http://www.vam.ac.uk/whatson/event/4863/date/20150525/
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FUN AT HOME – For those rainy, lazy days.
Have an Indoor Scavenger Hunt
These entertaining indoor activities won’t let dreary weather dampen anyone’s
spirits. Children in the house? Keep their day lively with a scavenger hunt. For
younger children, perhaps you can use pictures of the item. If you have older
children, perhaps they can write the clues for the younger ones.
Time to make: approx. 10 minutes. How long will it keep them busy? Hopefully ½ hour!
You will need…
1. Paper, pen, and some imagination.
2. Make a list of 10-20 household objects (wooden spoon, toilet roll, pen, duster, a shoe, hairbrush
etc)
3. Give the kids the list and ask them to collect everything on the list within a time limit. You can
make it an individual competition with the winner being the one that collects the most items on
the list or a team activity where everyone’s the winner!
4. Make it more challenging by using clues, each clue leading to the item they need to find e.g. I
am made of wood and you can use me for stirring food. Answer: Wooden Spoon
5. Have fun!
For more ideas at home http://www.netmums.com/activities/fun-at-home
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What does a ‘family friendly school’ means to you? We have created a short online survey for parents
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ealingparentsurvey to find out your views. Please click the link to access
the survey. Closing date: 5th June 2015. Thank you! 
All the information in this newsletter was correct at time of publication. Please check all information before attending to avoid disappointment.