London summer family fun: Polo in the Park

Summer in London is awash in festivals and outdoor parties, but there’s something quite special about Polo in the Park. The sport has real elegance, excitement and panache, and now it’s more family friendly than ever. (Scroll to the bottom for discount code for money off your tickets for the Friday or Sunday.)

The organisers have teamed up with Sharky & George, the cool, fun children’s entertainers and party organisers. I love these guys — instead of doing the usual kids parties things, they organise imaginative, energetic and silly activities that they themselves enjoy, which gets the kids excited too. We’ve used them a couple of times for my daughter’s birthday or big family get-togethers and the kids always come away pink-cheeked, laughing and exhausted.

That means amid the chukkers and mallet-swinging, there will be some very untraditional activities like water bomb catapults, space hopper polo matches (this I must do), a giant obstacle course, strawberry bootlace eating races, tug of war and other games galore.

Polo in the Park runs over a weekend — June 5, 6 and 7. Sunday is the day to go with your family, not least because of the great activities, according to  Rory Heron, MD of Polo in the Park. Fridays tend to be more corporate; Saturday is the party day, packed with groups of young singles.

When to go

Sunday 7 June will be a fabulous family party, with peak time 11:30 – 2pm. There will be a bright pink slide on the field before play starts and at 11:30 you’ll be able to take the field, as Sharky & George have convinced Polo in the Park to allow a family pitch invasion. Original Travel will host a parents’ zone, where you can relax in a deck chair with a glass of fizz while the children play in the “Little Hooves” kids club.

What is Polo in the Park?

Chestertons Polo in the Park takes place at Hurlingham Park, Fulham, South London. It features an adapted game that is more accessible and geared toward the spectators. The field is smaller than a regular field, so visitors are closer to the action, the teams play with a brightly coloured larger ball (the kind used on indoor arena polo games) that looks like a miniature football, and there are 3 rather than 4 members on each team so the action is easier to follow. There are 4 quarters of 7 1/2 minutes per quarter. You’ll even get to see some professional polo players — there is 1 amateur and 2 professionals per team.

 

5 top tips for attending Polo in the Park

1. Wear trousers so you can take part in the all fun activities and really muck in.
2. Don’t wear high heels — you’ll sink into the grass! Think sensible football and a hat against the sun.
3. Go on the Sunday and arrive early to take part in the fun family activities. Rory suggests arriving at 11:30 when the park opens, play and do the pitch invasion, watch the 1st game at 14:30 then you can trickle off when the kids start getting tired.
4. Take advantage of the grandstand to get a good view of the horses going past at 35 mph.
5. Bring a rug if you want to sit on the ground. Note: You can bring in bottled water but picnics are not allowed. There is a food market, bars, a Champagne Lanson Garden and Fentimans Botanical Bar and Garden.

Essential info

Depending on the day, adult tickets are £30-£35, child tickets are £10-£25. Family tickets on Friday and Sunday are £70, £130 on Saturday. Children 5 and under don’t need a ticket. Dogs are permitted but must be kept on a leash.

DISCOUNT CODE: Use the code ‘POLOSOCIAL’ to get £5 off the cost of tickets for the Friday or the Sunday.

Chestertons Polo in the Park
June 5, 6, 7
www.polointheparklondon.com

Pictures courtesy of Chestertons Polo in the Park.

Disclosure: I have received complimentary tickets to attend Polo in the Park. All opinions are my own.