{"id":2701,"date":"2022-04-28T16:31:12","date_gmt":"2022-04-28T16:31:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/hub\/?p=2701"},"modified":"2023-02-06T14:31:37","modified_gmt":"2023-02-06T14:31:37","slug":"family-day-out-at-hobbledown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/hub\/things-to-do\/family-day-out-at-hobbledown","title":{"rendered":"Family Day Out at Hobbledown"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Looking for a detailed review of a family day out at Hobbledown, Epsom<\/a><\/strong>? Let’s introduce you to our brilliant guest blogger Suburban Mum<\/a>, who can tell you all about it…[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”]\t
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\n\t\t\t\"kids\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t[vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]My name\u2019s Maria and I\u2019ve been a Family & Lifestyle blogger for over 7 years. My blog,\u00a0Suburban Mum<\/a> started as an outlet for me to write about my two boys. They are now aged 9 and 11! My blog has evolved into a place where I shared our days out and adventures.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]Day Out with the Kids<\/a> is the go-to place for getting inspiration on the best places to take your kids in the UK. I\u2019ve been a long-term user of their site since my boys were little! I am delighted to be working with them on a review of Hobbledown, an attraction local to us.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]We are very lucky to live close to Hobbledown although it\u2019s been a good few years since we last visited so we were excited to be heading back over the Easter holidays to see all the new additions.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”25px”]\t
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About Hobbledown…<\/span><\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]A multi-award-winning adventure<\/a> farm park and zoo,\u00a0Hobbledown<\/a>\u00a0is based in Epsom, Surrey<\/a> (just 30 minutes from central London) and is ideal for children aged 2-13. Tickets have to be pre-booked online before your visit and include a 45-minute session in the indoor play barn.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][vc_column_text]\n

What is there to do on your family day out at Hobbledown?<\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]There is SO much to do at Hobbledown! With a huge outdoor play area including Fern\u2019s Castle with slides and tunnels, a maze, jumping pillows, dual zip lines \u2013 the list goes on! There are animals to see and feed, including a Raptor Centre where you can see different types of birds they also have twice-daily demonstrations (weather permitting).[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”]\t
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\n\t\t\t\"Hobbledown\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t[vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]For younger kids, there\u2019s The Imaginarium which combines hands-on, messy play with live animals in a themed building with caves, tunnels and pools galore! For older kids who are taller than 1.3m, there\u2019s the High Ropes course (an additional \u00a34 fee per person)[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]\n

Things to do at Hobbledown at a glance:<\/h3>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]\n
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  • Indoor and outdoor play areas<\/li>\n
  • See and feed Animals (you can even book Experience Days)<\/li>\n
  • Birds of Prey at The Raptor Centre<\/li>\n
  • Storytelling sessions<\/li>\n
  • Animal demonstrations<\/li>\n
  • The Imaginarium<\/li>\n
  • Zorbing<\/li>\n
  • High Ropes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]\n

    Our day at Hobbledown<\/span><\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]\n

    Visiting the Hobnosh Bar<\/span><\/h3>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]We were booked to visit at 1pm and with two hungry boys in tow. Our first stop was the Hobnosh Bar which is located in the play barn area so we could grab some lunch. There is a good selection of food here \u2013\u00a0 from hot food and sandwiches to snacks and drinks and it\u2019s reasonably priced. M (aged 9) decided to have Chicken Nuggets and chips while E (aged 11) was feeling extra hungry that day so he went for the Sticky Chicken and chips.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”]\t
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    \n\t\t\t\"Hobnosh\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t[vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]Seating is outside but it\u2019s undercover so you are sheltered if it\u2019s rainy or windy. There is also seating inside the play barn but this area is reserved for those who have a play session in place.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]\n

    Seeing the animals<\/span><\/h3>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator][vc_empty_space height=”25px”]\t
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    \n\t\t\t\"kid\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t[vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]Once our bellies were full, we decided to head off to see some of the animals. There are lots to see! From Rabbits, Lemurs to Meerkats, Wallabies Otters and more. Hobbledown is so<\/em> great because everything thing is well spaced out \u2013 you never feel like you are on top of other people even though it was busy as it was the Easter holidays during our visit.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]The boys were given an Easter Trail to do where they had to write down the initial of each signposted animal. Once complete, the letters would make up a word and they could claim a small prize in the gift shop on their way out.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”]\t
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    \n\t\t\t\"kid\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t[vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]Handwashing stations are available after each dedicated animal area as well as hand sanitiser pumps dotted all around, making it easy to keep hands clean throughout our day.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”]\t
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    Indoor Play Barn<\/span><\/h3>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]The indoor play barn gives the parents (of older kids at least) a bit of a chance to sit down and enjoy a cuppa while the kids head off into the multi-storey play frame to run around and play to their heart\u2019s content. For kids under 3, there is a gated toddler area where they can play safely away from the older kids. This area is sensory with lights and mirrors as well as a mini play-frame for them to enjoy.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]Other than stopping by briefly for a drink, I didn\u2019t see my kids for most of the 45-minute session. The tables are solely for those who have a slot in the play barn so you should be able to find somewhere to sit easily. Once at your table, you can scan a QR code to order any food, drinks or snacks. These can either be brought to you or collected at the Hobnosh bar.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”]\t
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    \n\t\t\t\"view\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t[vc_empty_space height=”25px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]\n

    Outdoor play area<\/span><\/h3>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]The boys were desperate to head into the play area once they spotted the Jumping Pillow. There are lots of different types of play equipment suitable for a wide range of ages. When they were younger, the boys loved the Crystallite Mine area where they could dig around for crystallite. Now, they prefer to run around flitting between the climbing areas, slides and zip lines. There\u2019s plenty of open space at Hobbledown, we didn\u2019t get to the dual zip lines until later on in the afternoon (around 4pm) and had it to ourselves \u2013 much to the boy\u2019s delight.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”]\t
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    Final thoughts on our family day out at Hobbledown<\/span><\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]We had a fantastic family day out at Hobbledown, it was most definitely fun-filled and packed with all the things my boys enjoy about being on a day out \u2013 animals, an outdoor space to run around in and play equipment.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”]\t
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    \n\t\t\t\"kids\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t[vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]Hobbledown is a great family day out for kids especially when the weather is nice as you can take full advantage everything they have to offer, like seeing the animals and enjoying the outdoor play areas. There\u2019s fun to be had on a rainy day too of course but your options are reduced as you are limited to the indoor play barn area. It\u2019s hard to show you the sheer size of Hobbledown \u2013 my photos don\u2019t it justice but rest assured your kids will have a whale of a time here.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]\t
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    Useful information for your family day out at Hobbledown…<\/span><\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]\n
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    • Onsite car park<\/li>\n
    • Rainy day policy \u2013 50% off next visit<\/li>\n
    • Sanitisers dotted all around<\/li>\n
    • Handwashing areas by the animal sections<\/li>\n
    • Card payments only but you will need \u00a31 coins to purchase Animal feed<\/li>\n
    • Toilets are located near the entrance so you will need to bear this in mind if you are over the other side of the play area.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”]\t
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      Info & Pricing<\/h3>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator]\t
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      • \n\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\tLocation<\/strong> Hobbledown. Horton Lane. Horton. KT19 8PT\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      • \n\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\tPrice<\/strong> Tickets from \u00a317 per person\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      • \n\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\tOpening Times<\/strong> From 9am - 6pm (varies depending on time of year)\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      • \n\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\tNearest train station:<\/strong> Epsom\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t