caribbean

Planning family days out made easy

The Great British Summer is here and the weather is brilliant, sunny and perfect for days out in the park , at the beach or out exploring with the family on a weekend. There are many brilliant places that you can go to on a budget even if you don’t drive and have a really fun day out in the sun with the family.

My top 5 places to visit in and around London in the summer

Last year my 5 favourite day out spots were places where we did one day trips using public transport and carried a few essentials, there is always scope to go in groups and stay overnight in one of the quaint English Bed and Breakfast places – O.D on the morning Full English for breakfast and generally have a blast .

Recommendations for family days out in summer, in and around London

So here’s my list of my Top 5 picks for best places to spend a day out in the Great British Summer 2014, not too far from London,easy on the pocket,family friendly options and easily approachable by public transport! Let me know what you think :

Pebbled Shores of Brighton

This is trip down memory lane for me now, seems like yesterday though. my very first spring in the U.K and on a fine morning we set out for Brighton. Sun, fish and chips and noisy seagulls yes, sandy beach – no! But there is nothing a comfy deck chair can’t solve.

Family days out - Top 5 spots around London - Brighton Pier — Family days out – Top 5 spots around LondonFamily days out – Top 5 spots around London

We hopped onto a 45-minute coastal cruise. The most enchanting view on the cruise was of the skeletal structure or what’s left of the West Pier. Something very fascinating and mysterious about this relic.

Family days out - Top 5 spots around London - Remnants of West Pier Brighton — West Pier Remnants – Brighton

Ideal for a family days out in summer

Walked past the Brighton Marina to admire the many beautiful yachts.Many bars and restaurants along the quayside we choose a rather cosy looking one and had a leisurely drink watching the yachts bobbing around on the water the bright late evening sunlight bouncing off yatch decks.

Family days out - Top 5 spots around London - Stunning Views — Stunning Views – Brighton

We stumbled upon the extraordinary palace the Royal Pavilion built for the Prince Regent, later King George IV. This royal ‘pleasure palace’ is remarkable for its exotic chinoiserie style. It was revered by fashionable Regency society and is still a distinctive landmark for vibrant Brighton & Hove today.

Family days out - Top 5 spots around London - Royal Pavilion, Brighton — Royal Pavilion – Brighton

Fishing, Sailing, or taking a journey on the oldest electric train from the smallest station I’ve seen yet – Marina Station, there are loads of fun activities to do with the family on a day out. Just after we hopped off our bus to the station and on an impulse we took another bus into beautiful the coastal village of Saltdean. Whatever you do, don’t go away from Brighton without seeing Saltdean if only you do it on a plus bus journey like we did, especially since there is a road called Marine Drive at Saltdean, reminded me of Bombay it did.

Day out for 2 at Brighton will cost you approximately under £65 if you had to really budget yourself ***

Train Tickets:£20 if booked in advance via The Train Line
Plus Bus:£3.30 adult ie.£6.60
Boat Ride:£8.50 adult
Fish and Chips: Approx £5 each at The Regency Restaurant
Sundry (Ice Cream, Water, using public loo’s): £15

Soft sandy beach at West Wittering

To me a beach always meant soft white -brown sands and warm waters to splash around in , well that was until I visited a pebbled beach of course. So after Brighton , I was aching to go to a beach where I could just spread a blanket ,lie down and snooze off with the sound of waves in the distant background- ermm yes yes that sounds lazy , but heck thats me! Just walking along the soft sandy beach of West Wittering in West Sussex is very calming and watching kids screaming as they run into the bearably cold water, dogs digging busily into the sand and people generally soaking up the sun and hoping to tan evenly 😉

Family days out - Top 5 spots around London - West Wittering Beach — West Wittering Beach

Sandy beachs makes for the perfect family days out

West Wittering Beach is one of these 4000 beaches and marinas in 48 countries across Europe, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, New Zealand, Brazil, Canada and the Caribbean that has cleared the strict criteria dealing with Water Quality, Environmental Education and Information, Environmental Management, and Safety and Other Services and is therefore a BLUE FLAG BEACH. So not only is this beach a highly picturesque place of natural beauty,wildlife and birds to enjoy but very safe too.

Family days out - Top 5 spots around London - West Wittering Beach during summer — Family days out – Top 5 spots around London – West Wittering Beach

With beautiful views of the Chichester Harbour and the South Down its a great place for adventure sports like windsurfing or kitesurfing.

After a long stroll along the beach and having clicked a few pictures especially the beautiful and colourful cabins at the back where we spotted a huge family gathering having fun around a tempting BBQ and lots of chilled beer – perfect! Ice cream at the beach is customary and after we got ourselves some at the beach cafe – braving a long queue we decided to just sit down n enjoy the sights and sounds. To find a quieter spot we walked past the area full of families and hyper excited kids and went to the area where pets are allowed, relatively fewer people and a spot just perfect to lay down a picnic blanket ! Before we knew it we were dozing and I think I dreamt I was part of Tintin’s adventures in Sussex- oh , well don’t you remember he snowy and he headed there in ‘The Black Island‘ .I have been a huge fan of Tintin ever since I first read Herge’s adorable imaginary whodunits as a kid ! I have spent endless summer holidays snuggled up in bed in the afternoon reading Tintin with my cousins or seated in a corner of my local library – such pageturners I tell ya!

How To get there: Train, Road, Bus, Cycle
Toilets Available: Yes
Food and Drink: Beach Cafe
Parking: Minimal charges ranging from £1 to £8 apply depending on what time of the year you visit.

Family days out - Top 5 spots around London - West Wittering Sandy Beach — Sandy Beach at West Wittering

Family days out - Top 5 spots around London - Beautiful beach huts at the Sandy Beach, West Wittering — Beautiful beach huts at the Sandy Beach, West Wittering

Trekking Near Box Hill

Have climbed the Snowdon last year with my husband it might seem that trekking up Box Hill amounts to no effort, but don’t be fooled! It is a fairly good exercise getting up to the top of Box Hill and people enjoy this as its makes for a good climb with breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. Salomons Memorial (viewpoint) offers views up to 26 miles away including Chanctonbury Ring and Devil’s Dyke, Sussex, also towards the Gatwick airport and the South Downs.

Family days out - Box Hill Trek — Box Hill

Family days out - Stunning View from atop Box Hill, Surrey — Stunning View from atop Box Hill, Surrey

If you are a trigger happy camera aficionado then this place offers huge scope for taking some great shots. If your a history buff then check out the Box Hill fort built in 1896 ,similar to 12 forts in the south east of England.There’s also an upside down grave where Major Peter Labellière was buried upside down in the belief that the world was ‘topsy turvy’.

Exercise and fresh air on family days out

Another interesting tidbit about Box Hill is that it was home to the inventor of the television!John Logie Baird, the inventor of television, lived at Swiss Cottage on Box Hill from 1929 until 1932. He carried out his initial experiments by sending a TV signal from the top of the hill to the valley below,he also conducted experiments using his Noctovisor an infra-red viewing device.

Family days out - Trekking up Box Hill, Surrey — Trekking up Box Hil

You do do one of the many walks around Box Hill, there is even a trail suitable for toddlers where you can be sure to fire their imagination and get plenty of exercise and fresh air ,who knows they might just discover some interesting flowers,birds or creepy crawlies! There is also a Butterfly trail but the most amazing walk is the superb stepping stones walk which we did.Its something out of a picture pop up book and there is great scope for me time as you walk past the River Mole on a 2 mile circular walk which will take you under 2 hours. Lined by Apple and Cherry trees the stepping stones dating back to 1841 were destroyed in WWII and reinstated in 1946.

Family days out - Stepping stones at Box Hill, Surrey — Family days out – Stepping stones at Box Hill, Surrey

This is Broadwood’s Folly – built-in 1815 for the piano maker Thomas Broadwood.

Family days out - Broadwood's Folly at Box Hill, Surrey — Broadwood’s Folly, Box Hill, Surrey

Due to its historic importance and stunning natural beauty Box Hill is a site protected by the National Trust. Once is not enough, Box hill is the kind of place that draws you in and you want to go back for more. One lazy Sundays when I don’t feel like walking too much we do a mini picnic tea with a thermos, a blanket and our imagination for company – the views are strangely relaxing and I suspect its the clean mountain air and the exercise that is relaxing.

Family days out - Sunset at Box Hill, Surrey — Family days out – Sunset at Box Hill, Surrey

Walk and relax at Richmond Park

The biggest enclosed space in London ,Richmond Park is largest of London’s eight Royal Parks.It is a National Nature Reserve, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation in south-west London. It is also where I saw first set eyes on freely roaming deer – something I shall never forget. We were dozing (again!) on our picnic blanket in a nice little woody nook in the park and I had dozed off over a book when hubster urgently jabbing his fingers into my rib – ouch in an attempt to draw my attention to a curious bystander – a huge Red stag! Its massive antler had us awestruck and a bit worried at once. It just gave us a stare and then settled down on a patch of grass munching on something -Phew! Wide awake now, we packed our things as quietly as possible and went for a stroll ….

Family days out - Richmond Park - Deer roaming freely — Family days out – Sunset at Box Hill, Surrey

Surrey’s best finds for family days out

With over 650 red and fallow deer roaming freely one must always bear in mind that though they are immensely beautiful they are wild and we must respect their space.

Family days out - Richmond Park — Family days out – Richmond Park

Entry: Free
Cafe: Yes
Toilets: Yes
How to get there: Interactive Map

Caves at Reigate in the Historic town of Surrey

Thinking of a fab day out with the family under £15? This is the place to go. Ammunition storage during WWI and air-raid shelters during WWII these caves have seen it all. Local folklore has it that the barons held a secret meeting at the Barons’ cave on their way to Runnymede to sign the Magna Carta.

Add some adventure to your family days out

These are actually old sand mines which include the Baron’s Cave in the Castle Grounds and the Tunnel Road caves in the Western Caverns.The castle which is now long gone is only a mound overlooking Reigate town centre and is composed of soft sandstone and has been mined over several centuries.Many excavations of the castle still remain.For as low as £ 2 per adult and £1.50 per child you can tour the caves with an experienced guide who will share details about the history of the caves. Disabled persons can be accompanied by upto 2 carers who go free of charge.

Visit the official website of The Wealden Cave & Mine Society, a charitable organisation here. Read more on the Reigate History website here.

Barons’ Cave. Castle Grounds, Reigate, Surrey

Image credit :Howard Walden from The Wealden Cave & Mine Society website

Image credit Nick Catford from The Wealden Cave & Mine Society website

If you want a more relaxed day out why not consider a trip to Denbies Vineyard? Read my post about my day trip here.

Also, check out my detailed guide to discovering the area around London Bridge with my insiders guide complete with suggestions for the best Foodie Finds around London Bridge.

*** All prices mentioned apply to the period of June 2014, check links for updated information and prices. Always check transport links and information relating to each tourist area before planning a day out to avoid disappointment later.

The first time I ate Jerk Chicken, was at a pop up Caribbean food stall near Haymarket Station, it was served with some tasty rice with red kidney beans and the most deliciously sweet plantain. Ever since I have been waiting to experiment and make this spicy chicken at home. Please resist the temptation of using a jerk sauce out of a bottle, it’s almost a crime because in the recipe I used from the BBC Good Food guide, it makes preparing the marinade a thing of joy. Not only will you learn how each ingredient lends its individual flavour but you can learn how to adjust the ”heat” in this amazing marinade. An advance warning, if you have sensitive skin PLEASE use gloves to marinate the chicken as Scotch Bonnet peppers are PACKED with heat. Ensure you THOROUGHLY wash your hands after you handle these ”hot babies” too! Humm now for the recipe, it’s essentially what was in the original but of course, I have added my own touches and I think they make quite an impact 🙂 So read on folks.

Jerk Chicken

Manjiri Chitnis

Caribbean Jerk chicken is an all-time favourite and tastes even better with a home-mademarinade

Print Recipe

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 45 mins

Total Time 1 hr 5 mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Caribbean

Servings 4 people

Ingredients

For Jerk Chicken:

12 chicken thighs with bone
1 garlic sliced through the middle to go in the oven
2 lemons halved to go in the baking tray
1 pair of clean gloves if you have sensitive skin – to marinate the chicken

For the Jerk marinade:

4 Garlic Cloves de-skinned
1 small red onion
1 bunch fresh spring onion roughly chopped
1 portion ginger size that fits inside your closed fist washed, skinned and roughly chopped
1 tbsp thyme – I had none so I used 1 tbsp of Mixed Italian herb powder
3 scotch bonnet chillies de-seeded if you cannot handle very spicy
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp oil – I used sunflower
4 heaped tbsp brown sugar – I used dark muscovado sugar
1 tbsp ground allspice powder
1 lime Juiced

Instructions

Blitz all the ingredients for the marinade in the mixer/food processor/blender and make a thick paste, do not add water as far as possible to ensure a thick puree like grainy paste
Wash and deskin the chicken thighs and make cuts using a knife
Then generously apply the marinade paste all over rubbing into the cuts made to ensure the flavour really seeps into the chicken
Marinate overnight in the fridge. Cover vessel with cling film
Keep about 2 tbsp marinade aside for adding in the baking tray
When you are ready to prepare the chicken pre-heat the oven to 180 – 200 degree Celsius, I have a fan oven
Prepare the baking tray by greasing with some oil, place the marinated chicken pieces and surround them with the lime slices and place the garlic halved
Cook in the oven for about 45 minutes or until juices run clear
When the chicken is in the oven start with the rice

Coconut Rice with Peas

Print Recipe

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 10 mins

Total Time 15 mins

Servings 4 people

Ingredients

200 g Basmati Rice
400 g Coconut Milk can
1 bunch fresh spring onion finely chopped
2 large sprigs of fresh thyme
2 large cloves of garlic skinned and chopped very fine
1 tbsp ground allspice
200 g green peas

Instructions

Wash the Basmati rice under cold running tap water
In a heavy-bottomed vessel, add the washed rice and coconut milk, chopped spring onions, thyme, garlic chopped and allspice
Add 300 ml water, mix and add salt to season
Cook with lid on a medium flame till water begins to boil
Stir with a wooden spatula and then add the green peas
Reduce flame and do not cover completely, leave a bit of space for the steam to pass
Cook until done

Although the recipe I followed, uses red kidney beans since I was already using them in my Caribbean Sweet Mini Pepper Salad, I choose green peas for my Coconut Rice. I made my own homemade replacement for allspice powder too, it’s very easy and I intend to make it fresh each time I need instead of the store-bought one, simply because it is so quick and easy to prepare! Actually allspice is a spice by itself but it tastes similar to a mixture of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and pepper.

Also Known as: Jamaican Pepper or New spice

Home made all-Spice Powder recipe

Home made all-spice seasoning

Manjiri Chitnis

Try myeasy to prepare and store home-made all-spice seasoning

Print Recipe

Prep Time 2 mins

Cook Time 5 mins

Total Time 7 mins

Servings 1 portions

Ingredients

1 tbsp Cinnamon powder or cinnamon stick – thumb-sized
1 small tbsp pepper powder
1 heaped tbsp of cloves
1 full nutmeg grated

Instructions

In a pestle and mortar mix the ingredients and grate the nutmeg into it
Then smash together to makes a grainy powder
Some bits of the clove you may not be able to grind fine, I wouldn’t worry about it unless you want a fine powder then the smallest attachment on your mixer. I have an Indian mixer which I use for my coconut chutneys and it has 3 jars I used the one with 3 blades. Or else just use the pestle and mortar it should work.
Store away the remaining homemade allspice replacement powder in a tiny airtight container

A note about the brown sugar vs. dark muscovado sugar

Dark Muscovado sugar is the unrefined form of brown sugar ,its stickier ,heavier,has a longer shelf life than refined sugars and adds a more intense flavour to marinades and since it is stable at high temperatures is great for baking.If you do not have brown sugar its ok to replace it with dark Muscovado sugar. Although as the water content dark muscovado holds is higher one should accordingly taper the use of water in the recipe.

Brown sugar is white sugar and molasses and hence the colour and soft texture. It has the light and dark brown sugar varieties and the lighter it is the milder the flavour.