Go green this summer

CHELSEA PHYSIC GARDEN
In the heart of bustling Chelsea you'll find the Physic Garden, an oasis of serenity near the Thames. Founded in 1673, as the Apothecaries' Garden, it features acres of healing herbs, rare trees, medicinal vegetables and the botanical superstar Meadowsweet, from which salicylic acid was originally derived to make aspirin.
Where: Chelsea Physic Garden, Swan Walk, London SW3 4JJ. When: Wed noon-dusk, Thur & Fri noon-5pm, Suns & Bank Hols noon-6pm. Tickets: £7, under-16s £4. Information: 020-7352 5646; www. chelsea physicgarden.co.uk

RAINHAM MARSHES
The nature reserve at Rainham Marshes is one of the largest remaining expanses of wetland bordering the upper reaches of the Thames Estuary. On Bank Holiday Sunday the reserve is holding a Family Fun Day with pond-dipping, birdwatching and bug hunts. It also has an award-winning Environmental And Education Centre (with a cafe serving locally sourced food).
Where: Rainham Marshes Nature Reserve, Purfleet, Essex RM19 1SZ. When: Daily, 9.30am-5pm, Tue from 7am, Thur until 7pm. Fun Day Sun 26 Aug, 11am-1pm, booking advised. Tickets: £2.50, child £1, family £6. RSPB mems and Havering & Thurrock residents free. Information: 01708 899840; www.rsbp.org.uk

RUN BY THE WILDFOWL AND WETLANDS TRUST The London Wetland Centre is a paradise for twitchers. On the banks of the Thames in Barnes, this 43-hectare wildlife sanctuary is also a favourite with families - it has an excellent interactive discovery centre and an outdoor playground. Arundel, a beautiful town set in the middle of the South Downs and overlooked by its historic castle, is also part of the WWT. You can take a free safari on an electric boat that will glide along the waterways while you enjoy the plants and animals in their natural environment.
Where: London Wetland Centre, Queen Elizabeth's Walk, SW13 9Wt. When: Daily, 9.30am-6pm, Thur until dusk. Tickets: £8.75, under-17s £4.95, family £21.95. WWT members and under-fours free. Information: 020-8409 4400; www.wwt.org.uk
Where: Arundel Wetland Centre, Mill Road, Arundel, West Sussex BN18 9PB. When: Daily, 9.30am-5.30pm. Tickets: £8.45, under-17s £4.15, family £18.75. Information: 01903 883 355; www.wwt.org.uk

FARMS
They usually combine animal petting and feeding areas with fantastic play facilities -trampolines, play barns and sandpits. There are three excellent farms worth visiting in Surrey: Bocketts Farm (www. bockettsfarm.co.uk), Godstone Farm (www.godstonefarm.co. uk) and Horton Park (www.hortonpark.co.uk). In Essex there is Barleylands (www. barleylands.co.uk) and in Kent, the Hop Farm (www.thehopfarm.co.uk).

WILDERNESS WOOD
Just over an hour's train ride from London you can find yourself at Wilderness Wood, 61 acres of beautiful and peaceful woodland that has won a Green Tourism Gold award. There is an adventure playground, picnic and BBQ areas, tea room and garden.
Where: Wilderness Wood, Hadlow Down, East Sussex TN22 4HJ. When: Daily, 10am-dusk. Tickets: £3.25, under-16s £1.95, family £9.25, under-threes free. Information: 01825 830509; www.wildernesswood.co.uk

GROOMBRIDGE
Step into the Enchanted Forest at Groombridge Place Gardens, where goats and giant rabbits roam. Huge swings form exciting play areas, and the forest also boasts quiet seats, beautiful plants and flowers, and shy deer. On Sun 26 and Mon 27 Aug there is a Scarecrows, Shires And Sheepdogs event (50p added to ticket price).
Where: Groombridge, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 9QG. When: Daily, 10am-dusk. Tickets: £8.95, under-13s £7.45, family £29.95, under-threes free. Information: 01892 861444 or www.groombridge.co.uk