Kokoro Newsletter
24th August 2026
Lost cost, local activities edition: The Who
HARTBEAT
After a season packed with heatwaves, the weather has finally cooled off - there's no better excuse to get out and enjoy what our local areas have to offer! This issue rounds up plenty of exciting ways to enjoy a day out without spending a fortune.
Enjoy!
A spotlight on places right under our noses...
We stumbled across an open day at the St Albans Signal Box last weekend and thought we’d pop in since it said it was free. It was really interesting to see how it all used to work - they have a full simulation where they show you what all the different levers and bells etc do, and you can interact with some of them, and do things like move a piece of track, which is always fun 😂 - Zoe
I managed to get myself onto two free "Introduction to Padel" sessions in July at Batchwood. I had been thinking about giving it a go for a while and so was really pleased to actually manage to do this - even better when it was for free! Needless to say I am not ready to take on Mike in a match yet but I have booked myself into another training session - so who knows, watch this space! - Alita
The Natural History Museum in Tring is such a great, free day out! Even as an adult, it’s still really fun and definitely worth a visit! 😊- Molls
A good day out is London fields lido then food at Maureen's kitchen in Brixton. It's Caribbean food, my recommendation is:
- 3 meats, 3 sides and rice and peas for £20
It was so good! - Alice :)
The beach is a free trip xxx
- Emily B
I went to a wedding at Chenies Manor House, which is a stunning Tudor house and gardens on the border of Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire - it was absolutely beautiful as a venue, but they also do open days, events and even an annual dog show (might have to take Kya one year). Worth a trip for some natural beauty and historic architecture! - Jaz
From the comfort of your own home, if you have kids! - Nat https://www.instagram.com/reels/DRLWMdpjY8l/
The H20 Rampage Aqua Park in Hertfordshire - Jess W
Rushmere County Park near Leighton Buzzard. Lovely walking routes and a free 'play pen' area for dogs to run around off lead! They also have a lovely cafe and picnic area :) - Cerise
Powered by AA - Abi & Ava; our recommendation queens
The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground: in Kensington Gardens reopened on 5 August 2026 after a £3m refurbishment, featuring a new galleon, treehouse, waterplay area and improved spaces for younger children
Electric Summer, Battersea Power Station: A free-entry summer funfair with a riverside setting, music, food and drinks. Pay-as-you-go activities include the Big Wheel, roller skating, pétanque, rides and games, so you can keep it cheap or spend more
Free outdoor cinema: Canary Wharf’s Summer Screens in Canada Square Park runs until 1 September, with films, live sports, quizzes and gaming competitions like Mario Kart
Notting Hill Carnival: A huge, completely free Caribbean street festival on 30–31 August, with colourful parades, costumes, live music, dancing, sound systems and Caribbean food. Sunday is more family-friendly, while Monday is the bigger party day
- Abi
Lee Valley Boat Centre - £30 to rent an electric boat for an hour, lots of duck feeding, poor boat driving, and hat-dropping fun to be had
Radlett Golf Centre - chilled driving range, £4 for 40 balls, tenner for 100 balls, and they let you borrow kids and adult golf clubs for free. Free lolly pops for kids too!
The Aerodrome Cafe, Elstree - parking £1 for an hour, otherwise a free activity to watch small planes and helicopters land and take off. A cafe there if you fancy some pretty low-tier food
- Ava
Birthdays this month
Pete C: 5th August
Sarah: 11th August
Alison: 16th August
Louise: 19th August
Molly: 19th August
Harry E: 22nd August
Gabriel: 29th August
Zoe: 30th August
Stuart: 31st August
Special mention
Steve's band won the finals of the 'Battle of the Bands' on Thursday!!!
