A royal visit to Hampton Court
The jewel of this suburb on the outskirts of south west London is Hampton Court Palace. With its famous maze and gardens, it makes for a great family day out. Built in Henry VIII's time for Cardinal Wolsey, its magnificent mix of Tudor and Baroque styles will please architecture buffs. And the Magic Garden adventure playground is lots of fun for the kids. If you want to go further afield, it's easy to get to central London from Hampton station - trains from here go to Waterloo. Richmond and Kingston-upon-Thames are just up the road.
Swim in Hampton Lido
Enjoy the fun of swimming in the open air at Hampton's lovely lido. No matter what the season, you can always take a dip - the 36-metre pool, one of London's few remaining lidos - is open 365 days a year. And don't worry about shivering - the pool is heated to 28�C, summer and winter. There's a shallow and learner pool for little ones and a grassy area for relaxing and enjoying the sun.
Take a stroll in Bushy Park
If you're lucky, you might spot one of the herds of fallow and red deer that roam this huge park. There's a water garden and woodland garden to explore, as well as waterways and the ornate Diana fountain. Stop off at the Pheasantry Care for homemade cakes and ice cream. Planning a trip to Hampton? The Travelodge London Teddington Hotel is on the edge of Bushy Park. Travelodge Kingston-upon-Thames Central Hotel, close to the river, is just a 15-minute train ride away from Hampton.