The best places to enjoy Spring in London

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Full bloom: Kew Gardens

New born: Watch ducklings hatch

Face off: Get close to Spring animals

Watch ducklings and chicks hatch, stroke baby bunnies, explore the forest and even camp in the open air as Spring arrives in the capital.

Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens boasts the biggest display of seasonal flowers in Britain. Enter through the grand Victoria Gate and you will be greeted by two million blue, white and mauve crocuses. A little later in Spring thousands of deep blue, starry Glory of the Snow flowers carpet the White Peaks.

Check what's flowering on the Bulb Watch section of Kew's website. This is also your last chance to see the magnificent exhibition of Henry Moore sculptures.
Where: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, TW9 3AB.
When: Daily 9.30am-6.00pm. Henry Moore exhibition until 30 Mar.
Admission: Adults £12.25, under 17s free.
Info: www.kew.org

Whipsnade Zoo
There is a new baby elephant and a White Rhino calf for visitors to coo over at Whipsnade Zoo, which is home to over 2,500 wild animals on its 600 acres including lions, tigers and giraffes. Enjoy the Jumbo Express, a full-size steam railway or drive your own vehicle through the parkland.
Where: Whipsnade Zoo, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU6 2LF.
When: Daily 10am-5pm.
Admission: Adults £14.50, children, £11, family £45.50.
Info: www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo/

The Isabella Plantation
Richmond Park's stunningly beautiful woodland garden, houses one of the country's finest collection of azaleas and rhododendrons. Each year in late spring, the ground is carpeted with a mist of bluebells and the air rings with birdsong and the drumming of woodpeckers.
Where: Richmond Park, Surrey, TW10.
When: Daily.
Admission: Free.
Info: www.royalparks.org.uk/parks

London Wetland Centre
Mr Heron and Sir Rabbit will be making an appearance over the Easter weekend and during the school holidays (5-20 Apr) meet the new arrivals, a family of Indian Runner Ducks and watch ducklings hatch.
Where: WWT London Wetland Centre, Barnes, SW13.
When: Daily 9.30am-6pm.
Admission: Adults £8.75, children £4.95, family £21.95. Free to WWT members and under 4s.
Info: 0208 409 4400 or www. wwt.org.uk

Wilderness Wood
Signed trails take you through the best of the spring flowers, from starry anemones in late Mar to the bluebell carpets of Apr and May. Adventure playground, picnic and BBQ areas, tea room and garden spread over 61 acres.
Where: Wilderness Wood, Hadlow Down, East Sussex TN22 4HJ.
When: Daily, 10am-dusk.
Admission: £3.25, under-16s £1.95, family £9.25, under-3 free.
Info: www.wildernesswood.co.uk

Birdworld
Take a safari ride to get a better look at the larger inhabitants including vultures, cranes, emus and ostriches. Visit the Heron Theatre, take the owl prowl, watch the penguin feeding and marvel at the 26 acres of aviaries.

At Jenny Wren Farm youngsters can stroke the new Spring arrivals including chinchillas, chipmunks, bunny rabbits and pygmy goats.
Where: Birdworld, Farnham, Surrey, GU10.
When: Daily 10am-6pm.
Admission: Adults £11.95, children £9.95, family £39.95.
Info: 01420 22140 or www.birdworld.co.uk

Arundel
Apart from the magnificent ancient castle and stately home, you can hire boats on the beautiful fast running River Arun and visit the Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre where you can enjoy free safaris on quiet, electric boats which glide along the waterways amongst wild flora and fauna in their natural environment.
Where: Mill Road, Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 9PB.
When: Castle: not open until 21 Mar, closed Mon except Bank Hols, 10am-5pm. Wetland Centre: daily 9.30am-4pm (5pm from 26 Mar)
Admission: Castle: adults £12, children £7.50. Wetland Centre: adults £8.45, 4-16s £4.15.
Info: Castle: 01903 883 136 or www.arundelcastle.org. Wetlands: 01903 883 355 or www.wwt.org.uk

Carry On... Camping
It's just about getting warm enough to enjoy the ideal green holiday, camping - which is also now incredibly cool. For those who want a few home comforts tents on the various Featherdown Farms (which still have a few vacancies for Mar and Apr) come with flushing loos, master bedrooms and a cooking stove (www. featherdown.co.uk). To find the perfect pitches in the best locations, with stunning views, good facilities and that are far from the crowds invest in the Cool Camping Guide for £14.95 (www.coolcamping.co.uk).

 

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