It's that time of year when the bluebells are in full bloom. They don't last for long so if you want to go and see them, take some photos and enjoy the woodland, we have some suggestions for you.

This is the list we used last year so we are hoping that this year there will be blue carpets in all the same places!

• Warley Place Nature Reserve, Brentwood CM14 5LN - free parking but the car park is very small
• Hartswood, King George’s Park, Brentwood CM14 5AE - parking is no longer free, pay via app.
• South Weald Country Park, Brentwood CM14 5QS - park by the cricket pitch enter woods on the left, pay for parking via app or at machines.
• Franks Wood, Cranham Brickfields, Upminster  RM14 1HR - park at Sunnycroft Gardens and walk straight past the play area and into the woods. Follow the path and turn left. Free parking but car park very small.
• Cely Woods, Aveley RM14 2TF
• Hanningfield Reservoir, Billericay CM11 1WT.
• Larch Wood at Bedford Park, Havering atta Bower RM4 1QH - walk down the hill with the play area behind you and car park on your right. Enter Larch Wood and turn left. Parking is free.
• Norsey Woods, Billericay CM11 1HA
• The Manor Nature Reserve, Harold Hill RM3 9XR - small free carpark.
• Belhus Woods, Aveley RM15 4XJ - pay for parking via app or at machines on site.

**Please be careful while you are out not to trample, sit or walk on the bluebells as they damage very easily and this affects their ability to rebloom. They can take between 4 and 6 years to rebloom again. Stick to the paths and clearings! 
**Please don't pick the flowers as Native English Bluebells are a protected species.

If you know of somewhere else in the local area where you can see bluebells contact us and we will add it to our list.

We have put together a great list of activities for those kids who crave something a bit more exciting! There's everything from zip-lining to paintballing, white water rafting to kayaking!

Check it out and let us know if you've already done any of these

Easter is almost here and it's time to get planning. We have hundreds of ideas on the website for days out, events, local places to visit and so much more. Check out our guide to Easter and get ahead of the game! 

Use these links to find everything you need.

Easter in Romford & Beyond - check out some of our favourite events. Don't forget our full and up to date What's on guide too!

Easter Activities at Home - activities to keep the kids busy at home including crafts, baking, free printables, physical activities, challenges and games.

Holiday Clubs - we have a great selection of holiday clubs running in Romford and the surrounds. Take a look here and book your child's place today.

Download our FREE Easter Holiday Planner to help you and your children plan your Easter Holidays. Just print it at home, fill it in and stick it on the fridge so everyone knows what's happening!

70 Free (& Cheap!) Things to do in London with Kids 2024

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!

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, it's about finding family friendly activities and planning days out that won't cost the earth.

We have found:

• Tips on public transport and how to make the most of it
• Interesting places that you might not know about
• Places to visit to see amazing views of the city
• Play parks - what's a day out without a chance to let off steam in a playground?!
• City Farms
• Museums & galleries with family friendly events and areas to explore
• Fountains and splash areas to cool off on a hot day - ok so you can save this bit for later in the year!
• Ideas for teens

And so much more.

Click here and start planning your next day out!

Wild World Heroes

Summer Reading Challenge 2021

We are very pleased to say that we are back with a physical Summer Reading Challenge this year – with a couple of adaptations to make it as safe as possible for families to take part.

Registration opens on Saturday 10th July at all 10 Havering Libraries.

Background

The Summer Reading Challenge is aimed at all children aged 4-11 years old.  The Challenge is for them to read 6 books over the summer holidays – a time when reading levels often dip.  It is a very successful national reading initiative that has been running for over 20 years.

This Year's Theme – Wild World Heroes

We have teamed up with the WWF to deliver a Challenge all about wildlife, nature and protecting the environment.  So a very topical theme.

How to take part

Children will need to visit their local library to register from 10th July onwards.  They will be given a pack that includes a collector's folder, six stickers, a book review sheet, a 'How to Take Part' leaflet and a couple of other surprises.  If they are not already members of the library they can join straight away.  On this first visit they can also borrow all 6 books or just take a couple to start them off. 

They can choose any books – whatever interests them - fiction, nonfiction, poetry, joke books etc.  But they must be library books.  They are welcome to visit the library to choose more books as many times as they want to over the holidays.  But they should be aware that on occasion they may have to queue due to social distancing guidelines.

They then go away and start reading their books.  This year we are asking parents/carers to talk to their children at home about the books that they have been reading and to hand out one sticker at a time after they have read each book.   Children will also need to fill in the book review sheet with a short piece about the book or draw a picture on the review sheet.

Unfortunately we won't be having library staff or volunteers in our libraries to talk to the children about each book they have read this year.  Hopefully we'll be able to return to doing this next year.

When all 6 books have been read, they should return the completed book review sheet to the library, where a member of staff will mark down that the child has completed the challenge and all children who have completed the challenge will receive a certificate and medal in school in the Autumn term (library staff will deliver the certificates and medals to each school).