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One of our favourite things to do in the summer is to go fruit picking. Although we don't have any PYO farms in the Romford area, there are some that aren't so far away - perfect for a day out!
Lathcoats Farm - Great Baddow, Chelmsford. CM2 8LX (approximately 30 - 35 minutes from Romford)
Lathcoats have a great selection of fruit to pick at various times. You'll find strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, cherries, tummelberries, currants and more. Visit the website for daily updates on ripe fruit available for picking (it's best to check later in the day when the staff have assessed what will be available for the following day). Booking essential.
Cammas Hall Farm - Hatfield Broad Oak. CM22 7JT (approximately 45 - 50 minutes from Romford)
Cammas Hall is a very popular destination and they are operating a voucher system which is only available for pre booking. There are daily updates on their Facebook page with information about fruit availability. Booking slots are released a day or two in advance and must be booked on the website. You can check what produce is available here. During the week the Tea Barn will be open for breakfast butties, light lunches, homemade cake and sausage rolls, cream teas and refreshments. At the weekend there will be a BBQ, pizza oven, beer tent and cocktail bar. There is plenty of covered outdoor seating area to shelter you from the sun and plenty of ice cream and cold drinks to help you keep cool. Farm shop, play area, sandpits and nature trail are also open daily. Booking essential.
Parkside Farm - Enfield EN2 8LA (approximately 50 minutes from Romford)
Parkside has a great range of berries and some vegetables available at various times. You can check availability on their website. There is a farm shop on site selling local produce - honey, fruit and ice creams. Open Tuesday - Sunday, closed on Monday. Booking essential.
McLauchlins of Boxted - CO4 5RB (approximately 1 hour from Romford)
The is a selection of fruit available to pick - strawberries, raspberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants, dessert gooseberries, broad beans & gooseberries. Check the 'Pickometre' on the website for information on what's available. There is a shop on site selling produce. There is no need to pre book.
Bloomfield Farm - Chipping Ongar, CM5 0NB (approximately 35 - 40 minutes from Romford)
Planning to open mid July with Czar Plums to PYO - check Facebook page for up to date info.
Updated July 2022
On 17th July 2017 the Mum's guide to Romford website launched. In the five years that have passed the website has grown so much and I am so proud to be supporting local families in Romford and the surrounds. We have achieved so much.
Personally I have loved getting to know local business owners, meeting local parents and finding out as much as I can about the area that I call home. I have visited hundreds of local venues and places of interest, both for research purposes but also because I am a parent of an active little boy and we love to explore and find out what's going on!
None of this would have been possible without you, our loyal and trusty followers. I am truly grateful for the support you show me regularly online, via the website and the social media pages. Without you, Mum's guide to Romford wouldn't have anything to celebrate!
Huge thanks goes to our audience (that's you!), to the businesses who advertise with us, to the family and friends who support me personally in my quest to find out everything I can about the area I live in and to the lovely ladies at Mum's guide to Harpenden, who had an amazing idea and who are always on hand to support me.
Here's to the next 5 years!
Jane x
We all know that visits to the theatre in London's West End can be a pricey affair but every year we have a great opportunity to see some amazing shows throughout August where the kids can come along for FREE! Yes, I said it, my favourite word when planning a family day out.
Tickets are on sale now and you can check out the full list of shows and times along with the booking links here.
If you haven't been to a London theatre with your children before, don't worry, we have put together some great tips to help take the stress out of the event, and to help you plan accordingly. Read our Top Tips For Your First West End Theatre Visit with Children here.
Over 40 shows included in this great offer are listed below.
My Fair Lady
& Juliet
101 Dalmatians
Anything Goes
Attenborough And His Animals
Back To The Future
Disney's Beauty and the Beast
Blippi The Musical
Come From Away
Dear Evan Hansen
The Drifters Girl
Disney's Frozen
Get Up Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical
Grease The Musical
The Great Gatsby
Heathers The Musical
Horrible Histories - Terrible Tutors
Jersey Boys
Kinky Boots In Concert
Life of Pi
Disney's The Lion King
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Mamma Mia!
Mary Poppins
Matilda The Musical
Only Fools And Horses
The Phantom Of The Opera
The Pirate, The Princess And The Platypus
The Play That Goes Wrong
Room On The Broom
Sarah & Duck's Big Top Birthday
Sister Act
Six
South Pacific
Tiddler And Other Terrific Tales
The Tiger Who Came To Tea
Tina - The Tina Turner Musical
Tom Dick & Harry
Treason In Concert
Twirlywoos Live!
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show
Wicked
Witness For The Prosecution
The Woman In Black
Updated 15/06/22
We live so close to our capital city and I am guessing most of us don't make the most of what's on offer - I know I don't!
I've been doing some research to find family friendly places to go in London that are either FREE or don't cost the earth.
You won't find any of what I call the 'big ticket' days out here. This is more about making the most of the city and exploring the hidden gems!
We have found
And so much more.
The Dinosaur Trail at Knebworth
26th March
- 4th September
Knebworth House, Knebworth
Summer at Rainham Marshes
23rd July
- 31st August
Rainham Marshes nature reserve, Purfleet
We're Going On A Duck Hunt
(FREE)
26th July
- 3rd September
Valence House Museum, Becontree Avenue, Dagenham.
The Great Outdoors Garden Trail
(FREE)
26th July
- 3rd September
Valence House Museum, Becontree Avenue, Dagenham.
Paddlers Intensive Swimming Course
8th August
- 12th August
St Edwards Primary School, Havering Drive, Romford
Brentwood Family Fun Days Out
(FREE)
12th August
The Brentwood Centre, Brentwood
Nuclear Splash
12th August
Parsonage Farm, Brentwood
Inflatable Family Fun Day - Raphael Park
12th August
Raphael Park, Romford
Bouncy Fundays at Cottons Park
12th August
Cottons Park, Romford
Becontree Green Day
(FREE)
13th August
Valence House Museum, Becontree Avenue, Dagenham.
Just Get Over It
15th August
Parsonage Farm, Brentwood
Outdoor Theatre: Rapunzel
15th August
Hylands Estate, Chelmsford
Just Get Over It
17th August
Parsonage Farm, Brentwood
Inflatable Family Fun Day - Harrow Lodge Park
17th August
Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch
Children's Tote Bag Workshop
18th August
Thames Chase Forest Centre, Upminster
Nuclear Splash
18th August
Parsonage Farm, Brentwood
Why not browse through some of the listings we have recently added to the site...