Image of a woman looking through a microscope at insects in a jar. Two children are to her right.

Discovery Days: Spring Surprises

Key information

8 - 10 April, 11am - 3pm

Free

Hyde Park

Family

Nature

Free, educational holiday activities celebrating the signs of spring!

Join us for another series of FREE Discovery Days, as we celebrate the fact that Spring has finally sprung at the Hyde Park Learning Centre, our safe, fully enclosed site with toilet and baby changing facilities.

The activities are suitable for the whole family to enjoy, allowing you and your children to connect with nature together (and giving you the chance to find your inner child!).

Drop in anytime between 11am-3pm to take part in a variety of activities including:

  • Investigate the new life lurking beneath the water's surface during pond dipping sessions
  • Learn about spring and explore our wildlife garden while doing our spring nature trail
  • Make a seedball to plant at home
  • Find out about the fabulous pollinators in the parks with an interactive game
  • Listen to a springtastic story
Discovery Day_Spring_Children

Please note:

  • Our Discovery Days: Spring Surprises are free to attend
  • Location: Hyde Park Learning Centre, Hyde Park (please see map below).
  • Times: 11am-3pm 
  • Storytelling sessions will take place at 12pm, 1pm, and 2pm.
  • All activities are suitable for the whole family to enjoy, allowing you and your children to connect with nature together.
  • For more information please see our FAQ's below or email us at publicprogrammes@royalparks.org.uk.

FAQs

Filter by

The Hyde Park Learning Centre is in the centre of Hyde Park but is well hidden and so can be difficult to find if you haven’t visited before. Please use this map to navigate to The Lookout https://goo.gl/maps/yWdmM6eZU4uznhdj6.  Our “What three words” location is cabin.areas.urban.

Discovery Days are designed for families. The activities are aimed at children from approx. 3-11 years of age. We aim to have a sensory activity suitable for under 3's and some more challenging activities that are suitable for 11 years + (Including the grown-ups!)

Everyone is welcome, our grounds are accessible. Some events can be busy but there is always a designated quiet space, please ask staff for its location. 

The activities will run from 11am - 3pm, you do not need to arrive at a certain time. We recommend arriving before 2:30pm so you have time to explore before closing time. 

No, Discovery Days are free drop-in events. We appreciate if you register your interest online, as this helps give us an idea of how many people are coming so we can resource the event. You’ll also receive a reminder email in the days leading up to the event. Please note that this is a drop-in event, so the email is not a ticket. Pre-registering does not guarantee entry. We are usually able to welcome you as soon as you arrive, however on our busiest days, so that everyone can enjoy the experiences, we may run a “cheese counter” ticket system to enter the Hyde Park Learning Centre grounds to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable visit. If we are doing this, we will always run additional activities outside the gates that your children can take part in while they wait.

No, you do not need to let us know if you can no longer come.

Most families spend 1-2 hours at Discovery Days but you are welcome to join for the whole event or as little time as you wish. 

Only assistance dogs are admitted.

You are welcome to have a picnic outside the Hyde Park Learning Centre grounds in Hyde Park. The Serpentine Bar and Kitchen is about 5 mins walk from the Lookout and you can purchase food and drinks here. Please use this map to navigate there: https://goo.gl/maps/xkJpXxFkV6dd5q1SA. We ask that you don’t consume food within the Hyde Park Learning Centre grounds. 

All ages are invited to join us for Discovery Days. Most of the activities are designed for age 3 and up, but we will always include some sensory activities for toddlers.

Yes, all children must always be supervised by an adult during Discovery Days.

Everyone is welcome (our grounds are accessible) but we do ask for no more than three children per adult. Please contact us in advance by email publicprogrammes@royalparks.org.uk if you’d like to bring a group of more than 10 people. We want to make sure that everyone has a brilliant time at our Discovery Days. To ensure that we have enough resources for your group to fully take part, we ask you to book in advance and make a donation to The Royal Parks of £5 per person. If you are bringing a non-profit or charitable group, please contact us to discuss your needs. Large groups who don’t book in advance may be refused entry. 

What else is on...

  • Landscape image of a bridge with a lake view
    Paid
    11 April, 11am - 12:30pm

    Hidden Stories of Hyde Park Walking Tour

    Join us for a walking tour around Hyde Park, with exclusive access to the hidden Pet Cemetery.

  • bug hunting at Hyde Park discovery days
    Free
    15 - 17 April, 11am - 3pm

    Discovery Days: Marvellous Mammals

    Free, educational holiday activities learning about Marvellous Mammals!

  • Bat walk Hyde Park
    Paid
    24 April, 8:15pm - 9:45pm

    Bat Walk

    Use bat tracking equipment to learn about the different bat species that call Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens home.

  • Italian Gardens in Kensington Gardens in spring
    Paid
    25 April, 11am - 12:30pm

    Hidden Stories of Kensington Gardens Walking Tour

    Join us for an introduction to beautiful Kensington Gardens including exclusive access to the Albert Memorial.

  • TCS London Mini Marathon
    Free
    Saturday 26 April

    TCS Mini London Marathon 2025

    The TCS Mini London Marathon invites schools to bring their children and young people to run, jog, walk, or wheel one mile or 2.6k in the heart of London.

  • Time travellers discovery day at Hyde Park Learning Centre
    Paid
    26 April & 3 May, 10am - 3pm

    Nature Adventurers

    Join The Royal Parks this spring to explore and learn about the parks through immersive outdoor adventures.

  • TCS London Marathon
    Paid
    Sunday 27 April

    TCS London Marathon 2025

    The event first took place in 1981 and has become one of the most popular marathons in the world.

  • Crowds sitting at Taste of London food festival
    Paid
    Wednesday 18 to Sunday 22 June

    Taste 2025

    Taste returns to The Regent's Park from 18-22 June.

  • BST Hyde Park 2024
    Paid
    Friday 27 June to Sunday 13 July

    BST Hyde Park 2025

    American Express presents BST Hyde Park returns with a stellar line up for 2025.