Review on the Run: Hyde Park (4 of 5)

This is the first of many reviews that I hope to be writing.  All of which will have a focus on family friendly things.

Day 2 brought on an adventure to the famed Hyde Park, which when combined with the adjoining Kensington Gardens, forms a massive green space in the core of London.  Hyde Park dates back to the 1500s when it was first used a royal hunting ground.  We took the Circle Line from South Kensington to Bayswater and Hyde Park is only 2 blocks due South with a total commute time of 15 minutes.  The reason for our visit besides attempting to tire Chloe out?  To visit the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground.  Opening in the year 2000, the playground boasts a pirate ship, a water play area (which didn't have much water), tee-pees, tree houses, bridges, slides, see-saws, you name it. 

Sounds massive doesn't it?  Well it is and it isn't.  I don't know but I just expected it to be a monster playground a la Disney.  The best description would be that it is 5 playgrounds that are co-located together with distinct themes paying homage to Peter Pan.  It wasn't crowded at all and everything was well thought out with each area being purposely secluded from one another to give a more intimate setting.  One thing that we immediately noticed was the gates surrounding the whole playground that has a guard controlling entries and exits to serve two purposes: 1) To keep your kids in; and 2) To keep the bad guys out.

The star of the playground was of course Captain Hooks Pirate ship in actual sand!  What a nice change from the recycled tires we get back in Cowtown.  This structure was a real hit with Chloe and Isaac.  It's amazing to see how kids can relate to one another so fast.  They don't care how you look or where you are from - all they care is if you want to help find the lost key to the missing treasure and you are good in their books.  Chloe has been here a day and she's made more friends than Mommy and Daddy.  She met Charlotte from N.Y. and they became best buds - which is why she is in so many of the pictures.

The next major play area we were in for a while is what is supposed to represent the fortress where all the kids in Neverland stayed.  Here there is a labyrinth of bridges, slides, poles, springboards, and totem poles that is really quite neat.  Chloe and Charlotte must've ran a good 2km here.

Three hours at the playground went by fast - well worth the visit.  I'm sure we'll come back latter on in the week.

Cleanliness: 4 of 5 [for a playground this is saying something]

Fun Factor: 5 of 5 [a lot of variation for all age groups]

Appropriate for: All Ages [Sweet spot is 2-8]