Last year when I began my maternity leave, I was surprised by the feeling of loneliness which I experienced in the first six months. I felt this despite my husband working from home. My NCT group met on a weekly basis and that was a godsend but I’ve put together a list of activities and places in South West London (Putney, Fulham, Chelsea etc) that new mothers can go with their babies or toddlers to meet others. (Please do check with each venue in case times have changed).
Fulham Library – holds a baby bounce and rhyme session every Monday 10:45-11:15. https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/libraries/library-events/whats-children-our-libraries
Putney Library – holds nursery rhyme sessions every Monday: 10am – 10:30am and 2:30pm – 3pm. There’s also a Saturday session for dad and baby at 10:30am-11am. https://www.better.org.uk/library/london/wandsworth/putney-library/activities
Fulham Central Children’s Centre – has Stay and Play sessions for babies on Mondays 1:45p-3:45pm. There are sessions for older babies (6 months+) on different days as well. Check days and times here:https://www.family-support.org.uk/activity-schedule?activity=1131¢re=All.
All Saints’ Putney – holds a Bay and Toddler Playgroup with singing and play every Thursday 10:30. There’s no need to book (£3 per family). http://allsaints.parishofputney.com/?page_id=145. Lots of other activities also seem to be held in the church but you need to check the posters on the front railings in front of the church to find details about them.
All Saints’ Fulham – There are baby and toddler events on Mon-Thur (10am-11:45am). A donation of £3 is requested. http://www.allsaints-fulham.org.uk/parentandtoddlergroups.htm.
Wiggle Waggle (Parons Green, Hammersmith) – These are music and movement classes which Keisha holds every Tuesday at 10am at Ray’s Playhouse, Thursday at 9:30 at the Sulivan Primary School and Fridays at 10:30am at Queen Caroline Community Hall (across St Paul’s Primary School). https://www.familiesonline.co.uk/local/hammersmith-and-fulham/listing/wigglewaggle-with-keisha. The cost is £5 per family and booking is requested as the classes get very busy.
Cuckoo Hibou (Parsons Green) – is a cute children’s cafe in Parsons Green with a soft play area downstairs. Various classes such as baby massage are also held here. http://www.cuckoohibou.com/
Ray’s playhouse (Parsons Green) – has Stay and Play sessions on Mondays to Thursdays (9:30am-12pm) and is £3 to attend. http://www.raysplayhouse.org/events/
Dorsets Wharf Playgroup (Fulham) – has views of the river and has activities on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays (9:30am-11:30am). It charges £3 to cover costs. https://www.facebook.com/Dorset-Wharf-Playgroup-Hammersmith-Fulham-452059678214626/
Gambados (Chelsea) – is another soft play centre for children. It gets very busy on weekends. £8.50 on weekdays and £10.50 on weekends. www.gambado.com
Fulham Palace (Fulham) – offers Palace Explorers on Mondays and Tuesdays geared specifically to 2-4 year olds and their adults. Each week offers the chance to explore and learn together through a specific theme, with arts and crafts, storytelling and dressing up, games, gardening, singing and whole host of other delights!” Booking is required. http://www.fulhampalace.org/events/
Victoria & Albert Museum (South Kensington) – hosts Family Art Fun events throughout the year. Free to attend. Check what’s on here: https://www.vam.ac.uk/shop/whatson/
The National Army Museum (Chelsea) – is a great spot for toddlers and there’s a soft play area (which must be booked in advance – £4.5 for an hour). https://www.nam.ac.uk/families/play-base
Purple Dragon (Putney, Chelsea) – is a members club offering play activities for children and a place to work/have lunch for parents. http://www.purpledragonplay.com/
Little Gym (Wandsworth)
Orange Lion (Wandsworth) – is another members club with a range of classes for babies, toddlers and children up to 12 years of age. They have a softplay area, a playhouse, a library and cafe for adults. http://www.orangelionclub.co.uk
We are so lucky to have so many opportunities in the area to meet other mothers getting used to their new role. Besides the places listed above breastfeeding support groups and the NHS baby clinics are other places to meet other mothers. The parks around the area are also great. I’ll write another post on that later.
