A few weeks ago, long before the weather turned, we were having a lazy Sunday at home. Well at least we were trying to. Beans was bouncing off the walls and Sprout was restlessly crawling around the lounge. Neither BeanieDad nor I were feeling particularly ambitious and didn’t really want to head too far, but an outing was desperately required. So after lunch we decided to go for a walk to South Norwood Country Park.
I’ve been meaning to head to this park since we moved to the area a year ago. We live less than a mile from it and the website made it sound wonderful. I made us walk there too, just to make sure my darling 3 year old burned off as much energy as possible.
The park is made up of several acres of woodlands and meadows. There’s also a lake and wetlands. The playground is new and extensive. There was lots of different equipment for all age groups, as well as a two small wooded areas perfect for hide and seek and exploration.
It’s also a foragers dream. Most of the paths are lined with blackberry bushes and we also spotted apples, plums, rose hips and elder flowers. I’m sure there was much more that my untrained eye missed.
There’s a great lake, with lots of wildlife, as well as streams throughout the park. The pathways are perfect for wondering and talking your time, and the city seems far away. It was lovely to have a little bit of the country so close to home.
On the way home I described it as the hidden jewel of South London, but Beans insisted that she was in fact the hidden jewel of South London. So there.