Erith Playhouse

The Erith Playhouse sits on the banks of the Thames in what feels like proper South London - a mid-sized theatre that punches above its weight with a genuine local following. It's the kind of place where you'll catch anything from pantomime to new writing, comedy nights to children's theatre, and the audiences are always lively. The building itself is nothing fancy to look at from outside, but once you're in the auditorium the intimacy becomes the whole appeal.

This is squarely for people who want actual theatre without the West End prices or the tourist circus. Families with older kids will find the pantomime season brilliant - the sort of proper, daft fun where the cast clearly enjoy themselves as much as the crowd. Theatre geeks love a venue like this because it still does risk-taking productions you won't see at bigger houses. If you're just after a night out, the bar's decent and the staff know what they're doing.

Check their website for what's on - programming changes constantly - and book ahead for anything that sounds busy. You're looking at a couple of hours all in. If you're staying at Abbey Wood Experience Freedom Glamping nearby, it's an easy drive or bus ride into Erith town centre. The theatre anchors a modest but functional cultural scene in the area, so it's worth factoring in if you've got an evening to fill during a park holiday.