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The Capital's Top Things to do with Kids as Nominated by YOU in the Time Well Spent Awards 2025 London excels at banishing the "I'm bored" groan from the mouths of its children, with a gaggle of extrardinary attractions - many of which are free. But which are your top picks? It's a tough job, but our readers have boldly taken on the challenge with the following nominations. The ultimate winner of London's best attraction for 5-12 year olds will be announced in August. ____________________________ Paddington Bear Experience Read our review There is no greater escapism than leaping into the perfect, joyous London of The Paddington Bear Experience, where the biggest life troubles revolve around a lack of oranges for the Marmalade Festival. The immersive, theatrical experience is forensically faithful to the three much-loved Paddington films, with a series of actors, special effects and magical sets inspired by the franchise’s iconic locations, across 26,000 square feet of Southbank’s County Hall taking you on an adventure from Paddingto Station, through the Brown's iconic house, onto Peru and culminating in the big Marmalade Festival. The Paddington Bear™ Experience,  London County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7PB The Science Museum Read our review There’s a huge difference between reading about the world and experiencing  it. And that’s what the  Science Museum  does so powerfully - big and little guests can see, smell, hear and touch these wonders, leaving the museum to head back into a world that feels bigger, more extraordinary and worth caring for. It's brimming with free (and paid) galleries, events, activites, and exhibitions and particular hits are the excellent Wonderlab and Power Up interactive galleries. Science Museum , Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD Natural History Museum This world famous museum is free and bulging with 80 million specimens, from dinosaur skeletons, to a jaw-dropping life-sized blue whale model, giraffes and gorillas. Kids love its interactive learning opportunities, from earthquake simulators, an animatronic T-Rex you can stomp with and the extraordinary Visions of Nature, Mixed Reality show, to explore the natural world in 2125. Natural History Museum , Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD The Young V&A The UK’s first museum designed by and for 0-14 year olds is FREE (woo) and packed with interactive and hands-on activities for kids and families.Highlights of the £13m revamp include colourful, sensory playscapes, including an ‘Imagination Playground’ construction zone, a performance and storytelling stage and sandpit. The museum has been shaped around childrens' interests to encourage playful learning and spark their imaginations. Three galleries, Play, Imagine and Design, help children build the skills and creative confidence they need to thrive, alongside inspiring exhibitions, like the current Making Egypt show. Young V&A, Bethnal Green, Tower Hamlets, Cambridge Heath Rd, Bethnal Green, London E2 9PA Madame Tussauds A stalwart of the capital, this destination was particularly popular with our parents of older children, who recognised most of the celebrities and political and historical figures. Highlights for kids include Shrek, Tinkerbell, an ET you can sit on a bike with, the animatronic King Kong and Star Wars and superhero sections. Older children (8+) can also have their hand made from wax, as a fabulous memento. Madame Tussauds , Marylebone Rd, London NW1 5LR Warner Bros Studio Tour London This received a gaggle of nominations from parents of little wizards and witches, who can explore original sets, animatronic creatures and breathtaking special effects. Along the way, you’ll enjoy interactive activities, like the opportunity to ‘fly’ a broomstick, try a frothy cup of Butterbeer, board the Hogwarts Express and step into iconic locations like Diagon Alley and The Great Hall. Warner Bros Studio Tour London . Studio Tour Drive Leavesden, WD25 7LR Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue Read our review The European premiere of the new Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue invites fans of all ages to team up and become heroes, rescuing a village under siege from zombies, in an interactive adventure through seven Minecraft zones. Adventurers are given glowing, vibrating and colour-changing orbs to gather vital ingredients for a life saving potion to save villagers; battle blocky Creepers, and craft buildings. The high octane quest has made quite the impression on our readers, with a highlight being a real-life “the floor is lava” game, leaping across molten magma to reach the fort. Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue . Corner Corner, Maritime Street, London, SE16 7LL Kedi Studio Our review This innovative art studio welcomes all ages and skill levels to enjoy the thrill and freedom of creative expression in their colourful Splat Room. They provide the protective smock and shoes, stretched canvas and paints and kids provide the creativity - splashing, splattering, spraying, and throwing paint - in exactly the way they’re not allowed at home - to create their masterpiece, ready to take home in a custom box. Kedi Studio , Arch 91 Tiverton St, London SE1 6FX Chislehurst Caves There are 22 miles of subterranean history and mystery for families to explore, in this labyrinth of tunnels. Kids enjoy the thrill of grabbing a lamp for an underground adventure, learning about its amazing past, from the Stone Age, Romans and Saxons right up to the Second World War when the caves became one of the largest air raid shelters in the country. Chislehurst Caves, Caveside Cl, Old Hill, Chislehurst BR7 5NL Horrible Histories: Terrible Thames This fabulously revolting, hour-long trip up the Thames omits the dry, boring bits of London's history, and brings the infinitely more fun, dark, gory and naughty bits to life. There are fart jokes, singing and tales of historical characters like King Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn, Julius Caesar, Queen Boudicca, and Jack the Ripper which delights kids from five and up. Terrible Thames , Tower Bridge Quay, St Katharine's Way, London E1W 1LD Centre of the Cell Deliciously disgusting and sneakily educational centre in a futuristic, light-studded pod suspended above the laboratories of the Blizard Institute in Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry. Children can learn about the heart, teeth or senses, see scientists at work and enjoy their delightfully vile ‘Snot, Sick and Scabs’ session. Centre of the Cell,  4 Newark St, London E1 2AT Like what you've read? Please keep in touch!

The Capital's Top Children's Events of the last 12 Months, Nominated by YOU for Time Well Spent Awards 2025 The past year has whizzed by in a kaleidoscopic blur of dinosaurs, LEGO, bears, Pharoahs, and Caped Crusaders. But which London kids' event in the past 12 months stands out as the best and most memorable? YOU decide in this year's Time Well Spent Awards - your top children's London events nominations are below, and the ultimate winner will be crowned in August. ________________________ Imagine Festival One of our favourite children’s events - and yours, judging by your nominations - turned 23 in February, but it has no intention of growing up, and entertains children each year with a gaggle of events, many of which are FREE. Southbank Centre’s annual arts festival for children aged 0-11 explodes with events, spanning theatre, dance, music, poetry, literature, art and trails. Highlights this year included a 10th birthday party for much-loved supermarket superhero Supertato; beloved book There’s a Bear on My Chair being brought to life for the first time, and the first opportunity in a decade to spend a magical morning with Dog Man creator, Dave Pilkey; Imagine Festival. Southbank Centre,  Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition   It only opened in March for a limited 14-week run, but this immersive show has already cemented its place as event of the year for many of our readers. Created to wow all ages, visitors are invited to discover the legend of the Boy King, by stepping into ancient Egypt with stunning 8 metre high video mapping, a 360º VR journey, an interactive Metaverse, authentic artefacts from Cairo, and a world-first hologram, unveiling the secrets of the Pharoah’s mummification. Guests will also be able to discover a selection of original ancient Egyptian artefacts from as far back as 4000 B.C, as well as high quality replicas and facsimiles from Egypt. T utankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition , Immerse LDN, Excel Waterfront, ExCel, London E16 1XL Paddington Bear Experience Read our review There is no greater escapism than leaping into the perfect, joyous London of The Paddington Bear Experience, where the biggest life troubles revolve around a lack of oranges for the Marmalade Festival. The immersive, theatrical experience is forensically faithful to the three much-loved Paddington films, with a series of actors, special effects and magical sets inspired by the franchise’s iconic locations, across 26,000 square feet of Southbank’s County Hall taking you on an adventure from Paddingto Station, through the Brown's iconic house, onto Peru and culminating in the big Marmalade Festival. The Paddington Bear™ Experience,  London County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7PB Children’s Puppet Festival 2024 Little Angel Theatre's award-winning puppet festival returned last August, across both Little Angel venues with a programme that was brimming with shows from the most exciting UK and international companies currently making theatre for young audiences, from the Zoo that Comes to You , full of extraordinary puppet animals, to the beautiful Lottie, The Living Doll. There were fabulous workshops to get involved with as well, like making ice cream puppets to take home, a Monster Circus Workshop or making walking, cardboard dinosaurs. Little Angel Studios, 132 Sebbon St, London N1 2EH and Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, London N1 2DN Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue Read our review The European premiere of the new Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue invites fans of all ages to team up and become heroes, rescuing a village under siege from zombies, in an interactive adventure through seven Minecraft zones. Adventurers are given glowing, vibrating and colour-changing orbs to gather vital ingredients for a life saving potion to save villagers; battle blocky Creepers, and craft buildings. The high octane quest has made quite the impression on our readers, with a highlight being a real-life “the floor is lava” game, leaping across molten magma to reach the fort. Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue . Corner Corner, Maritime Street, London, SE16 7LL Batman Unmasked: The Exhibition A colony of you followed the Bat Signal to explore a collection of the Caped Crusader's original props, vehicles, and costumes. The Batman exhibition made a big impression on readers, who nominated it for its nine themed rooms, including the famous Wayne Manor library (and secret bookcase door) The Joker's Room and The Batcave. Batman Unmasked . 45 Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 7BN The Art of the Brick The Art of Brick (which aptly lived on Brick Lane during its run) brought Lego masterpieces to London, following tours of more than 100 cities in 24 countries. The exhibition featured artist Nathan Sawaya's Lego recreations of some of the world’s most famous artworks, from Michelangelo’s David to Van Gogh’s Starry Night and Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. Kids (and big kids) could also make their own masterpieces at the play and build area. The Boiler House , 152 Brick Lane, London, E1 6RU. Until 9 June Replay: A Limitless Recycled Playground Part installation, part adventure playground, REPLAY is a space built entirely out of waste materials repurposed for fun by The Herd Theatre, which children can transform in any way their imaginations lead them. Everything here can be moved, changed, combined, worn and reimagined, for kids to build their own worlds, invent games and leave ideas for players to come. It’s designed for all ages, with designated sessions grouped by age. Replay . The Royal Festival Hall. 21 Jan – 1 June Brigit's Bakery Halloween at Hamleys Afternoon Tea Bus Tour Read our review The world’s oldest toyshop Hamleys and afternoon tea alchemists, Brigit’s Bakery created a delicious monster in the shape of the Halloween at Hamleys Afternoon Tea Bus Tour. Children enjoyed a deliciously spooky adventure through London, with entertainment from Hamleys Halloween guests and a Halloween-themed afternoon tea, specially crafted by Brigit’s Bakery. It included pumpkin tarts, finger sandwiches, cupcakes, while fun fiends provided tricks and treats and kids left with a gift plus a Halloween at Hamleys travel cup.  Brigits Bakery Bella the Tower Bridge Cat Trail Our review Two and four legged guests enjoyed the feline trail at the London landmark, meeting character from the popular Bella the Tower Bridge Cat books and tottering across its astonishing glass walkways, 42 metres above the Thames. The cat trail is open all year, for people (as well as pets) and is a fabulous adventure for little ones, filled with fascinating history, as they get their Apprenticeship Records stamped by characters along the way. Keep your eyes peeled for the famous feline's birthday celebrations, when they turn up the meowsic and get the pawty started. Tower Bridge,  Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 2UP Like what you've read? Please keep in touch!

The Top Children's Festivals in the Capital - as Nominated by YOU in the Time Well Spent Awards 2025 From technicolour foam engulfing London's streets, robot building, kaleidoscopic labyrinths full of musicians, giant planets and monster circuses, nowhere does a family festival like the Big Smoke. You have nominated London's best family festivals - below - and there is no way we could choose the cream of the festival crop from these titans, so it's over to you. The ultimate winner will be announced in August. ________________________ Greenwich + Docklands International Festival From death-defying vertical dances on St Paul’s Cathedral, to engulfing the streets with technicolour foam and sinking a house for a rooftop dance,  Greenwich + Docklands International Festival (GDIF) never disappoints. And last year was no exception, with THAW, an eight-hour, aerial performance on a suspended 2.5 tonne block of ice in Newham; a synchronised pram party, plus 50 theatre, circus, dance and performance art shows across the the Royal Borough of Greenwich, Newham and the City of London across 17 days. Greenwich+Docklands International Festival . Multiple locations across Royal Borough of Greenwich, Newham and the City of London The Great Exhibition Road Festival South Kensington’s FREE, annual celebration of science and the arts has inspired your little ones with a mind-boggling range of events from cultural titans including Imperial College London, the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, V&A. Our readers' highlights included extracting DNA from a strawberry, learning about guts by taking on the inflatable bungee run, building a robot, creating an earthquake, and taking on a tour of the human body. There is also a Family Fun Zone and interactive storytelling on the Family Stage. The Great Exhibition Road Festival Exhibition Road and around South Kensington. Imagine Festival One of our favourite children’s events - and yours, judging by your nominations - turned 23 in February, but it has no intention of growing up, and entertains children each year with a gaggle of events, many of which are FREE. Southbank Centre’s annual arts festival for children aged 0-11 explodes with events, spanning theatre, dance, music, poetry, literature, art and trails. Highlights this year included a 10th birthday party for much-loved supermarket superhero Supertato; beloved book There’s a Bear on My Chair being brought to life for the first time, and the first opportunity in a decade to spend a magical morning with Dog Man creator, Dave Pilkey; Imagine Festival.  Southbank Centre,  Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX Children’s Puppet Festival Little Angel Theatre's award-winning puppet festival returned last August, across both Little Angel venues with a programme that was brimming with shows from the most exciting UK and international companies currently making theatre for young audiences, from the Zoo that Comes to You , full of extraordinary puppet animals, to the beautiful Lottie, The Living Doll. There were fabulous workshops to get involved with as well, like making ice cream puppets to take home, a Monster Circus Workshop  or making walking, cardboard dinosaurs. Little Angel Studios, 132 Sebbon St, London N1 2EH and Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, London N1 2DN The Islander Festival A mini island has been fizzing away on London's Leamouth Peninsula, in the shape of the Good Luck Hope  neighbourhood, brimming with creatives, from  English National Ballet ’s HQ to galleries and lightship recording studios. With so many cultural titans bursting from this riverside retreat,  Goodluck Hope ’s Islander Festival  has not disappointed, with a packed series of alfresco summer events for all ages, from sunrise yoga and drag bingo to ballet, Shakespearean walking theatre and wine tastings. The Islander Festival,  Goodluck Hope, Orchard Pl, London E14 0JZ Colourscape Music Festival The brilliantly bonkers Colourscape Music Festival captured our readers' imaginations, with a gaggle of votes. It invites guests to head through a kaleidoscopic labyrinth of 70, brightly coloured tunnels and discover deliciously eccentric performers in various chambers and corners. Intrepid, neon tunnel explorers might find people making music with amplified tree branches, tuned flower pots and aquaphones, among other wonderfully weird encounters. Colourscape Music Festival Totally Thames Festival The annual festival celebrating the River Thames brings a month-long program of art, theatre, music, film, tours and cruises along the 42-mile stretch of the river. It includes a gaggle of kids’ events, like children’s choirs and art workshops, pop-up performances, boating events, installations, river clean-ups, live performances, talks, and workshops. Totally Thames Festival. Multiple locations along the River Thames Kensington & Chelsea Festival With giant planets, swings and flying machines over the past few years, Kensington and Chelsea Festival cemented its place as one of your top London family festivals. The culture festival has a bulging programme of theatre, circus, opera, dance, music, outdoor arts, family shows, participatory activities, talks, walks and public art pieces across the borough - most of which are free or pay what you can. Kensington & Chelsea Festival. Like what you've read? Please keep in touch!

Discover London's finest purveyors of beef , as selected by you in our Time Well Spent Awards Ever since humans discovered fire, we've been chucking great chunks of meat over the flames and delighting in the result. But let's be honest, not everyone has used the past two million years wisely and there are still people churning out steaks that'll leave you crying ugly tears of disappointment. Praise be, then, that you have the good readers of Time Well Spent to guide you towards the greatest beef in our capital city. Don't make a reservation until you've perused this, the ultimate list of London's Best Steak Restaurants, as nominated by YOU. MEET BROS Paddington You'd be forgiven for not knowing Asian steakhouses were a 'thing' in London, but we can't forgive you for not wanting to give it a go now we've put it on your radar. Meet Bros started out as a collaboration between a premium Halal butchers and the Malaysian Serai Group, who've been in the hospitality game for the best part of three decades. The result is Meet Bros, an Asian-Fusion, Halal steakhouse in Paddington. The restaurant itself is a gorgeous, stone-clad arch with soft lighting and Asian-influenced decor, while the menu includesPremium Gressfed Ribeye; Black Angus cuts and even Wagyu beef, with small plates such as Sauteed White Prawns with Chilli Jam Oil and Fried Mantao. Meet Bros 29-31 Craven Rd, London W2 3BX HAWKSMOOR WOOD WHARF Canary Wharf We fully expected Hawksmoor's name to come up in your nominations for best steak, given that it's been at the forefront of London's culinary scene since it launched nearly 20 years ago. But it was their newest restaurant - the floating beef palace of Wood Wharf - that earned itself a spot on the nominations list. Perhaps it's because it manages to combine that Mad Men aesthetic with the feeling of being on a yacht (complete with a row of sunloungers surrounded by skyscrapers, which seems a little ambitious, if you ask us). Or maybe it's just because their steak is perfect. Either way, the Hawksmoor is a welcome addition to the nominee's list Hawksmoor Wood Wharf 1 Water St, London E14 5GX TEMPER Various locations This highly-styled eatery looks like a modern brasserie, save for the huge fire-pit that takes centre stage - and that's where the magic happens. In fact, the only criticism we have of Temper is that spending half the evening completely entranced by the sight of steaks sizzling over those dancing flames, doesn't exactly lead to a riveting conversation for date night. But you're not here for the chat, you're here for the MEAT! And Temper does meat very, very well. They'll cart in whole carcases, butcher them on site and then lay them over that fire right in front of your eyes. Wait, we should be clear that only the cooking bit is before your eyes. The rest happens in a back room somewhere far away from your conscience. Even the vegetables are meaty here: Corn in lamb fat butter and Beef fat potatoes will sit next to your plate of meat and quite possibly a side of meat, like the delicious Pork belly bites or Bone Marrow with Chimichurri. To put it lightly, you'll eat a lot of very good meat here, and come home smelling of smoke and feeling like a caveman. Temper Our favourite location: 25 Broadwick Street, London, W1F 0DF SOPHIE’S Soho & Chelsea Sophie's deserves its spot on this list, if only for its custom-built fire pit, which not only takes centre stage in the restaurant, but also sends the scent of flame-cooked meat through the full-length bi-fold windows and onto the breeze along Soho’s Windmill Street. That’s a better investment than an A-board any day of the week. As you make your way past the opulent, horseshoe shaped bar to your seat, you’ll catch sight of the fire, where large cuts of meat dangle from a metal frame and fresh cuts sizzle over the coals. The menu includes native breed beef by Philip Warren, which is dry aged and butchered in house - expect Chateaubriand, Axehandle Ribeye and Porterhouse cuts to share or single cut steaks for those who want their own dish. The Smoked Brisket Croquettes are a winning small plate here, as is the Grilled Red Prawn Skewer, and for mains there’s also plenty of fish and barbecue classics including Ribs and Chicken. Sophie's Our favourite location: 42-44 Great Windmill Street, Soho, W1D 7NB THE COAL SHED Tower Bridge As the name suggests, The Coal Shed cooks over fire, and for our money, that makes all the difference . Situated in the shadow of Tower Bridge, the restaurant seats 120 diners, who can choose between charcoal-grilled Wagyu Striploin, Rump Cap Steak or Flat Iron amongst a smorgasbord of other cuts. There's fish cooked over fire too, and if you're really looking for something special, order cuts from the restaurant's own Himalayan Salt Chamber. Coal Shed One Tower Bridge, 4 Crown Square, SE1 2SE ZOILO Marylebone Argentinian beef hits different, and nobody knows that better than Zoilo's Chef-Patron, Diego Jacquet, who started his kitchen career in Buenos Aires in 1993. After a stint at three Michelin-starred El Bulli, a spell at Casa Nicolasa in San Sebastian and a period at New York's Aquavit, he brought a wealth of international experience to London to launch Zoilo. This is all about modern dining with traditional, old-school hospitality. Expect an impeccable wine list packed with Argentinian reds, starters including crab croquettes and Grilled chorizo with Chimichurri and, of course, more Argentinian beef than you could feasibly eat in one sitting. Sirloin with sweetbreads, Bife Ancho with Chimichurri sauce, Flank steak with bone marrow... choose carefully, friends, because food envy is real at Zoilo. Zoilo 9 Duke Street, London, W1U 3EG BLACKLOCK Various locations If you're heading to Blacklock, we recommend skipping breakfast. It's the kind of place that encourages feasting , and when the food's this good, that's pretty easy to get on board with. The steaks are, of course, excellent. Denver, Sirloin, Rump Cap, Sixth Rib-eye, Pork Rib-eye and Blacklock Fillet are your choices here, and paired up with Beef Dripping Chips or the delicious 10 Hour Ash Roasted Sweet Potato, they'll fill an em,pty stomach with ease. But if you're like us, you'll eye the 'Big Chops' and the words 'fit for two to share' and see it as a personal challenge. The 'All In' offer is a deal worth your attention - Pre Chop bites, followed by a heady mix of beef, pork and lamb skinny chops piled high on charcoal-grilled flatbreads with a choice of side each. All that for £27pp? Winner winner, beef steak dinner. Blacklock Our favourite location: 24 Great Windmill Street, W1D 7LG FLAT IRON Various locations How to sucessfully create a steak empire: Take one cut of beef, cook it until it's absolutely perfect and then offer it at a bargain basement price with no other choices. Pretty simple, huh? Well, it's served Flat Iron pretty well over the years. In fact, we'll go as far as to say that there isn't a better bang-for-your-buck meal in London. We're not ashamed to say we've finished a steak here and immediately ordered a second. The simplicity is Flat Iron's beauty. No stressing about what all those cuts mean. No prior knowledge needed. Just roll up, order 'the steak' and choose your sides. Oh, and the sides? They're pretty special, too. Crispy Bone Marrow Garlic Mash; Truffled Macaroni Cheese; Homemade Beef Dripping Chips. It's worth reiterating: You'll pay less than £20 for steak and a side. Majestic. Chances are, there's probably a Flat Iron opening near you soon. If there isn't you need to start petitioning for it. Flat Iron Our favourite location: 112-116 Tooley Street, London SE1 2TH MANTECA Various locations Manteca doesn't market itself as a Steak Restaurant, but that's not to say it doesn't serve incredible steaks. In fact, the mere mention of its co-owner, David Carter (he of Smokestak and OMA fame, and one of the nominees for this year's Hospitality Hero award, no less) is enough for us to sit up and take notice. You see, nobody knows his way around a flame quite like David Carter. Manteca's focus is on nose-to-tail cooking which, for the uninitiated, simpley means very little waste, which is excellent news if you'd like to eat cattle while still hoping to save the planet. For the purpose of this award at least, you're not concerned about the nose or the tail, but that juicy big bit in the middle, and for that, there's plenty of choice. Go for the Denver (a well marbled cut from under the shoulder), the Flat Iron (a highly marbled cut from inside the shoulder blade), the Chateaubriand (the end of the fillet rucked into the rump) or any other number of cuts you've probably not heard of, but will definitely want to try. Manteca Manteca, 49-51 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3PT Like what you've read? Please keep in touch!

The Capital's finest sky-high drinking spots as Nominated by YOU in the Time Well Spent Awards 2025 There's nothing us Londoners like more than basking in the sunshine for that... er... one weekend of glorious sunshine every year. But let's not get bogged down in weather chat - our fine capital has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to rooftop boozing, and YOU have spoken to nominate your very favourite destinations. Here they are, in all their glory... London's Best Rooftop Bars. Radio Rooftop The Strand The tenth floor might not be the highest roof top venue on this list, but Radio Rooftop's location on The Strand means it's got some of the best views around. From the corner spot it enjoys, you'll be able to sip drinks while looking out across the River Thames towards the Royal Festival Hall and London Eye in one direction, The Shard in another, and the whole of the city and Canary Wharf on the horizon out east. It's a beautiful spot atop the equally swish ME Hotel, and the cocktail menu here is first class. 336-337 Strand, WC2R 1HA, www.radiorooftop.com Jin Bo Law Skybar Aldgate No, Jin Bo Law isn't a firm of barristers with such a penchant for cocktails that they've opened their own bar on the roof (though we're claiming copyright on that sitcom right here and now), it's actually the golden wine cup in the dynasty of imperial China, and a term used today to describe children who are cherished by their families. With that in mind, leave the kids at home and head to this golden wine cup in the centre of town. You'll be greeted by the awe-inspiring sight of the bar, shrouded in a golden metal lattice wave that points towards the terrace outside. As the name suggests, this is an 'East meets West' bar, which in simple terms means cocktails you know, infused with ingredients you probably don't. Pushing the boat out? Go for the Expense Me - a sharing cocktail featuring Hennessy Vs Cognac, Moët Chandon Brut champagne, Strawberry Puree, Lemonade, Apple juice and Cranberry juice. Is the name a little too on the nose? It's £88.88 - so perhaps they just know their market. 14th floor, 9 Aldgate High Street Dorsett City, EC3N 1AH, www.jinbolaw.co.uk Sabine St Paul's Who is Sabine? We don't know! But she's got a view of St. Paul's Cathedral that's so good, she had to share it. Take a seat on her rooftop terrace and once the old God-palace over the road gets lit up, you might just be looking at the most Instagrammable location in London. If you look the other way, you'll be treated to views over to the Shard, but seriously, who looks the other way? Nobody, that's who! The small plates menu here is reassuringly fancy: Baked Camembert, pulled jackfruit tacos, smoked salmon tartare and the like all make an appearance, and the cocktail list doesn't get left behind. Take a long hard look at the view and then suck down on a Negronito. Trust us on that. 10 Godliman St, EC4V 5AJ, www.sabinelondon.co.uk Coq d’Argent Bank A long-time favourite of the city bankers whose offices overlook the rooftop gardens, the Coq D'Argent is old-school, French glamour in the heart of London. It's certainly not cheap, but if you're looking to impress a date or laying the business card down on the table, then order some crustaceans, caviar and champagne and kick back safe in the knowledge that you're enjoying the high-life in every way. Such is the design of the terrace here, that for much of your visit you might not even realise you're up on the roof - dining areas enclosed with decorative hedges and umbrellas give the feel of a Parisian street restaurant rather than a rooftop terrace - but make sure you take a stroll through the gardens, where you'll see the city skyline looming over the deceptively large green lawns. No.1 Poultry, EC2R 8EJ Madison St Paul's A stroll through the One New Change shopping centre isn't the most likely entrance to one of London's best rooftops, but the views from Madison make it all worthwhile. What you'll get from the 6th floor is unobstructed views of St. Paul's Cathedral which, when the sun begins to drop and the landmark's lights switch on, is one of the finest sights in the city. The food - heavy on the meat with a long steak list - is excellent and fairly priced and the bottomless bubbles at the New York Rooftop Brunch are always popular. Rooftop Terrace One, New Change, EC4M 9AF, www.madisonlondon.net Frank’s Cafe Peckham When Frank's opened in 2009, it became an instant hit with locals and word soon spread to outsiders who'd never even considered the idea of a night out in Peckham. But most of all, it sent shockwaves through the hospitality industry, when people who'd spent millions on their luxury roof terraces watched as a car park - literally just a car park - became the bar of the summer. It's moved on in parts since then, with wooden structures and bars added here and there and other operators taking over the floors below, but the charm of Frank's will always be the Berlin-style, industrial feel it exudes. The sunsets are beautiful, the views across London are far reaching, and the atmosphere is always on point. 7th-10th Floor Multi Storey Car Park, 95A Rye Ln, SE15 4ST, Frank's Cafe Seabird Southwark What happens at Seabird? Well, you eat stuff from the sea while hanging out with the birds. See what they did there? Good, then let's move on. The tiled terrace of this Southwark restaurant sits atop the Hoxton Hotel, and follows the New York-style chic of the hotel chain's venues. The tall, foliage-covered brick pillars that run along the length of the space give the venue a Manhattan feel and the place feels buzzy and relaxing at the same time, which is a tough job to pull off. Inside, the modern warehouse feel continues with cozy, garden-furniture style chairs interspersed with bright sofas - all of which will point you in the direction of floor-to-ceiling windows. If you need any more convincing, there's a happy hour from 3-5pm Monday to Thursday, when oysters are £2 a go and Martinis are £7. The Rooftop, The Hoxton Southwark, 40 Blackfriars Road, SE1 8NY, www.seabirdlondon.com No 32 The Old Town Clapham Boasting enviable views across Clapham Common, the terrace at No. 32 The Old Town is a glorious place to be. It's an all-day venue, meaning you can stop by for coffee and brunch from 9am or party late into the evening, and the fairy-light 'wall' that separates drinkers from the road make even a cloudy evening feel like it's lit by the stars. The food menu is a delicious smorgasbord of home-made dishes, from pancakes through to Sunday roasts, pasta and burgers and the bar tip-toes the tightrope between 'brilliant party place' and 'somewhere you can plug your laptop in and work,' which means there's really no reason to leave. Ever. 32 The Pavement, SW4 0JE, www.no32theoldtown.co.uk Netil 360 Hackney You know what rooftop bars need more of? Saunas. Yep, that’s right. Sweaty, steamy, boiling hot saunas. If you need a steer on the sort of place Netil 360 is, you should know that up until recently there were four Finnish saunas up on the roof, which you could hire for a little sweat-session. They’re currently out of action (presumably due to Covid), but the bar is open and it’s such a sun trap that you’ll probably get just as hot out there on the roof. There’s precious little shade up there, save for an ‘indoor’ section around the bar, so if you’re of a pasty persuasion, you’ll need to pack sunscreen. But Neil360 is effortlessly cool, achingly fashionable and frequented by a mix of people from city-boys to students and creatives who head up to the roof for the regular DJ sets under the pink sunsets of East London. 1 Westgate St, E8 3RL, www.netil360.com Queen of Hoxton Shoreditch Give me a rooftop, but make it Shoreditch. The annual theming of this large terrace is the stuff of legend and in recent years has included Lost Vegas, Alice in Winterland, WigWamBam and Las Mexicanas. And the QoH goes BIG on its themes - we’re talking storylines (Lost Vegas was based in the year 2030 when nature has reclaimed Vegas following an uprising by eco-warriors), crazy props (Las Mexicanas had an actual wrestling ring) and cocktail menus to match. What's the theme this year? Cherry Blossom - expect a sea of pink, Instagrammable backdrops in every direction and a banging party every night of the week. It’s never quiet at Queen of Hoxton, but it’ll be a night you’ll remember for a long time. 1 Curtain Rd, EC2A 3JX, www.queenofhoxton.com Roof East Stratford Stratford’s Roof East is like a bizarre summer fète, with a couple of foliage-filled cars and plenty of booze thrown in. There’s picket fences, miles of bunting zig-zagging overhead and games. Loads of games. They’ve got baseball batting cages, carpark karaoke, archery, crazy golf, lawn bowls, Jenga, cornhole, beat the bar and ping pong, so you’ll never get bored waiting for your mate to return from the bar. Food comes from a variety of street food trucks and the bar will keep you lubed up with a long list of cocktails, wines, craft beers and spirits. It’s not the kind of refined boozing you’ll find in other rooftops around London, but it’s way more fun. 7 & 8 Stratford Multi Storey Car Park, Great Eastern Rd, E15 1XE, www.roofeast.com TT Liquor Hackney If we were to choose the ideal roof-terrace set up, we’d be hard pushed to find something better than a secluded, green hideaway atop a booze shop. Step forward, TT Liquor, which offers all that  plus one, essential extra: If you fancy going ‘off menu’, you can head downstairs, pick up beers or wine from their extremely large collection, and take it back to your table under the stars (for a small corkage fee). The terrace is gorgeous and homely, with a perfect mix of greenery, old wood and exposed brick and the covered and heated booths will have you protected in all weathers. The kitchen turfs out Neopolitan pizzas and charcuterie boards and the drinks menu serves up only the finest booze - as you’d expect from a much respected liquor store. 17B Kingsland Rd, E2 8AA, www.ttliquor.co.uk L'Art Otel Battersea On the face of it, building a rooftop bar with a swimming pool overlooking London's biggest power station doesn't sound like a particularly good business plan. But this isn't any old power station, it's the iconic Battersea Power Station, of Pink Floyd fame. The regeneration of this area is a masterclass in modern architecture and what was once a stinking old industrial beast is now a high-end shopping outlet packed with restaurants, bars and penthouse apartments. And - in no small part thanks to the aforementioned band's famous album cover - those towering brick chimneys are iconic. Lay back around the gorgeous infinity pool (does it count as an infinity pool when there's no sea behind it? We're not sure) and sip cocktails as the sun sets. And if you're lucky (or you have enough of those cocktails), maybe you'll see a big inflatable pig floating past... L'Art Otel, 1 Electric Blvd, Nine Elms, London SW11 8BJ www.artotellondonbattersea.com Like what you've read? Please keep in touch!

The best Indian Restaurants in our capital, as nominated by YOU, our loyal readers There's nothing more quintessentially British than going out for a good Indian. And while there's plenty of curry houses on offer in our capital city, some stand head and shoulders above the rest. Here, we salute the nominees for London's Best Indian Restaurants, as chosen by our readers. Congratulations to all who made the list, there are Naan better than you . Dishoom Various locations First there were the cheap curry houses. Thousands of them. All serving up bland, beige sauces over unidentifiable meat. Then came the high-end experiences, taking the stories and spices of India and crafting them into wallet-bothering adventures through the subcontinent. Then came Dishoom. Somehow it sat in the middle of it all, offering top-class Indian food at a price that sat just on the right side of affordable. For a while, it became the benchmark for modern Indian restaurants and boasted queues around the block thanks to its genius (and infuriating) no-reservations policy. Is it still the best? You can decide that, but it's certainly a trailblazer. Locations in Battersea, Canary Wharf, Carnaby, Covent Garden, Kensington, King's Cross, Shoreditch Chourangi  Marble Arch Celebrating the flavours of Calcutta, Chourangi is named after one of the Bengal city's ancient districts and promises "unexplored flavours of India." It certainly delivers on that claim, with a menu that pulls from the port City's centuries of trade and the remnants of Colonial rule to offer dishes influenced by Europe, China and India itself. Traditional Calcuttan dishes aren't all that's on offer, but they're the highlights of the menu and every one is worth your attention. 3 Old Quebec St, London W1H 7AF Colonel saab Holborn and Trafalgar Square Created by Roop Partap Choudhary as a "love letter" to his father (the original Colonel Saab), the Holborn branch of this restaurant burst onto the scene in an explosion of family artefacts, priceless antiques and a lot of chandeliers. The menu closely follows the restaurant's theme, too, exploring the many different postings Colonel Saab and his family enjoyed during his illustrious career, cherry-picking the flavours, recipes and techniques from each region of India as a result. It's a wonderfully well thought-out restaurant offering top-class dishes, and the newer, Trafalgar Square location builds on the success of Holborn with a larger and more ambitious venue. 193-197 High Holborn / 40, 42 William IV St Bibi Mayfair Part of a new tribe of contemporary Indian restaurants, Chef-Patron Chet Sharma draws on years spent cooking and sourcing ingredients for Michelin-starred restaurants to create the award-winning Bibi. You won't be overwhelmed by the menu here, as onlhy two set menus are on offer at lunchtime, with a further two Chef Selection Tasting Menus available in the evenings. Sit back, place your dining experience in the capable hands of Chet Sharma and bask in the rich flavours of India. 42 North Audley Street, Mayfair, London W1K 6ZP Veeraswamy Regent Street If practice makes perfect, then you won't get closer to perfection than Veeraswamy - London's oldest surviving Indian restaurant. The opulent interiors might bear little resemblance to the eatery that opened 99 years ago, but the same attention to detail and passion for the rich flavours of the Indian continent still remain strong. The decor still nods towards the Art Deco splendour of the 1920s and the menu, too, still offers glimpses of the past: Try t he Mulligatawny soup and Hyderabad biriani, which are salwarts of the original menu. If it's good enough for Winston Churchill and King Edward III, it'll do for us. Victory House, 99 Regent St., London W1B 4RS Pahli Hill Fitzrovia Technically, this venue is called Pahli Hill Bandra Bhai, but it's the upstairs dining room named after the Pali Hill neighbourhood in Mumbai that's made this list (the Bandra Bai cocktail bar is worth a visit, too). Like many of the restaurants on this list, it's difficult to pinpoint the exact location of influences - such is the way with India's nomadic culinary culture - but Head Chef Avinash Shashidhara hails from Bangalore, so that's a good place to start. The menu is divided into small and large plates, all of which are joyous concoctions of fresh ingredients, vibrant spices and playful flavour combinations - all served up in a delightfully laid back atmosphere. 79-81 Mortimer St, W1W 7SJ London Kricket Various Locations There's nothing traditional about Kricket, London's chain of small-but-powerful Indian restaurants. With exposed brick walls and polished brass furniture, Kricket could just as easily pass as a modern bistro until the menu arrives at your table. Mind you, there's no Chicken Jalfrezi on offer either - think Karnakatan Port Neck and Claypot Baked Cod with Burnt Garlic Tarka Dal. Spaces are limited at all locations, with around 15 reservations available at each, allowing for a handful of walkups. Locations in Brixton, Soho, Canary Wharf, Shoreditch Gymkhana  Mayfair Two Michelin Stars and a claim to be inspired by the "elite clubs of India where members of high society socialise, eat, drink, and play sport" should tell you all you need to know about Gymkhana. It's high-end, luxury dining in the heart of Mayfair. Set menus are the order of the day here, but each come with plenty of choice and as those coveted stars suggest, every dish is a punchy winner. 42 Albemarle Street, London W1 Tamarind Mayfair  Mayfair has its fair share of high-end Indian restaurants, but none manage the laid-back feel of Tamarind. Perhaps it's the open kitchens or the banging playlist (90s R&B, anyone?), but there's something about this basement venue that just begs you to settle down and lose an evening in its warm bosom. The prices are reasonable enough that you could make that happen without the subsequent regrets, too - sure, it's still Mayfair prices, but a sub £30 Spicy Chargrilled Jumbo Prawn or Tandoori Octopus in these parts should be celebrated. 20 Queen Street, London W1J 5PR Darjeeling Express Carnaby Darjeeling Express was created by Chef, cookbook author and all-round female champion, Asma Khan. It kicked off as a dinner at home for 12 guests and, when word spread and the idea of a restaurant formed, Asma stuck by what she calls her "all women team of housewives" to create an all-female kitchen. The atmosphere is cosy and homely, with earthy colours and cafe-style seating, but the food - a nod towards the Calcuttan street food of her home city - is out of this world. Darjeeling Express is for the social eaters, offering platters of dishes boasting texture and flavours that complement each other, encouraging you to gather and share in the style of the traditional 'daawat' (feast). Top Floor, Kingly Ct, Carnaby, London W1B 5PW Like what you've read? Please keep in touch!

The Capital's Top Under 5s Attractions as Nominated by YOU in the Time Well Spent Awards 2025 London's under fives don't know they're born - possibly literally - but also because they've been fired out into some of the best kid's experiences in the world. It's a tough call to select the cream of the crop, but you rose to the challenge with the following nominations of London's best attractions for babies and toddlers, for the Time Well Spent Awards 2025. The ultimate winner will be crowned in August. _____________________________ Discover Children's Story Centre If you’ve ever wondered how it feels to climb inside a child’s imagination, Discover Children’s Story Centre is it. Creep through caves, find fairy worlds within magical trees, explore hidden ships, perform in a puppet castle, leap over alligators and man your own spaceships and rockets across two floors and its Story Garden, or check out its immersive, book-inspired theatre production downstairs. Discover Children's Story Centre , 383-387 High St, London E15 4QZ Horniman Museum and Gardens There aren’t many places for a family to enjoy a butterfly house, aquarium, 16 acres of stunning gardens, alpacas, a merman, gorillas and a giant, overstuffed walrus for less than a chippy tea. So it's no surprise that so many of you nominated Horniman Museum and Gardens. The brilliant, South-East London attraction is one of the capital’s hidden and most eclectic gems and is a huge hit with kids of all ages, as well as grown-ups. Horniman Museum and Gardens, 100 London Rd, London SE23 3PQ Greenwich Maritime Museum Little sailors have endless opportunities for nautical adventure here - and most is free. Babies and toddlers love its free, sea-themed Cove Playground, as well as its fabulous AHOY! Children's Gallery, an imagination sparking, interactive space for 0-7 year olds to climb aboard a replica ship, play with water, try on costumes and become a pirate for the day. It also offers a gaggle of fantastic, free and paid for workshops and experiences for all ages, throughout the year.. Greenwich Maritime Museum, Romney Rd, London SE10 9NF The Science Museum The Science Museum is brimming with sensory and imaginative play for babies and toddlers. This includes The Garden, a free interactive space in the basement for hands-on explorations of construction, water, light and sound. The Pattern Pod was also a big hit with our readers. Here, little ones can explore water ripples without getting their feet wet, create symmetrical images on touch screens, and follow robot trails with fun, interactive exhibits. The Science Museum, Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD Princess Diana Memorial Playground Inspired by the stories of Peter Pan, this free playground features a wooden pirate ship, a sensory trail, teepees, a beach and various play sculptures; all set against a lush backdrop of trees and plants. There's seating for parents around it and more than 1 million visitors enjoy it each year. Princess Diana Memorial Playground , Kensington Gardens, Broad Walk, London W2 4RU Coram's Fields It has an under 5's drop-in, staffed by an Early Years practitioner - with any size donations - plus three playgrounds - sensory, children's or adventure - paddling pool, sandpits, wildlife garden, lawns and serene terrace. It's the perfect, safe and serene oasis for babies and toddlers in the heart of London. Coram's Fields , London WC1N 1DN Hackney City Farm This city farm is the perfect way to introduce city babies and toddlers to a range of farmyard animals, from cattle and sheep, to pigs and chickens. They can interact with the animals, plant vegetables and learn farm skills tailored to their age group in a warm and inviting farm, which is free to visit, and accepts donations. Hackney City Farm , 1a Goldsmiths Row, London E2 8QA The Magic Garden - Hampton Court Palace Come face to face with mysterious mythical beasts, storm the battlements, besiege the towers and explore the secret grotto in this magical children's playground. It features a 25-foot dragon, secret caves, and playful adventure zones inspired by age-old legends and folklore, as well as climbing frames, water features, and sand pits. Wilderness Cottage , Magic Garden, Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU SEA LIFE London Aquarium Under 2s go free and parents nominating particularly enjoyed allowing (gentle) little hands to interact with some of the creatures in the touch pools. Babies and toddlers will be mesmerised by more than 10,000 colourful sea creatures, plus their impossibly cute colony of penguins. SEA LIFE London , Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7PB Bubble Planet This is the ultimate multi-sensory experience for under 5s. Babies and toddlers can explore 11 rooms, brimming with giant bubbles, infinity rooms and bubble bath pits to fantastical landscapes, cloud rooms and hot air balloon flight simulators. Bubble Planet , 22 Fulton Rd, Wembley HA9 0TF Like what you've read? Please keep in touch!

The Capital's Top Children's Theatres as Nominated by YOU for the Time Well Spent Magazine Awards 2025 You have been hurling virtual flowers and giving standing ovations to the capital's extraordinary children's theatres, in this year's awards. London's mini-thesps are impossibly lucky with an array of imagination-sparking and inspiring theatres, lovingly made for little minds and eyes. Below are your top picks - and the ultimate winner will be crowned this August. _________________________________ Little Angel Theatre The puppet alchemists at this magical North London destination have been delighting families since the Sixties. Alongside their endless succession of inventive and inspiring marionette productions, they also offer fabulous puppetry workshops, the Children's Puppet Festival, tours, and community outreach programmes. And they have pushed the boundaries of what puppetry is, and what it can inspire in young people. Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, London N1 2DN Unicorn Theatre This is the UK's largest children's theatre, which creates innovative productions that encourage children to question and explore the world. They creatively collaborate with children in schools and communities, with a strong focus on equality, diversity and inclusion. And they also offer a Unicorn Online programme of free digital theatre experiences. Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley St, London SE1 2HZ Polka Theatre This pioneering and welcoming destination has reimagined what a children's theatre should be, with a vibrant hub including an Adventure Theatre for Early Years, Main Theatre for young audiences, its fabulous Clore Learning Studio, play den, outdoor play area, multi sensory garden, cafe and dress-up and book corner. Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, London SW19 1SB Puppet Theatre Barge The UK's only floating puppet theatre has been bobbing on the Thames, captivating families with critically-acclaimed marionette and animation shows for 42 years. It offers a unique experience on a lovingly converted barge, which specialises in modern twists on classics in breathtaking productions, in which the puppeteers are never seen. Puppet Theatre Barge , opposite, 35 Blomfield Rd, London W9 2PF Half Moon Theatre This theatre is passionate about giving young people the opportunity to experience the best in young people’s theatre, both as a participant and as an audience member. Our activity includes a season of professional plays for young and family audiences, including teenagers, national touring productions and an extensive creative learning programme, including eight youth theatres. Half Moon Theatre , 43 White Horse Rd, Greater, London E1 0ND Like what you've read? Please keep in touch!

The Capital's Best Soft Plays, as Nominated by YOU for the Time Well Spent Awards 2025 Soft plays are a squishy, technicolour rite of passage for all sprogs - and parents. But don't hurl your child into a ball pit before checking out London's ultimate soft plays, as nominated by our readers for this year's Time Well Spent Awards. The winning, padded kiddie Mecca will be announced in August. ________________________________ Kidspace Known as "the Rolls Royce of play areas" this sprog wonderland contains one of the largest soft play frames in the world, as well as climbing wall, mini Go-Karts, a dedicated Toddler Village, a soft ball firing arena, interactive sand box and digital Draw Alive game. Kidspace Croydon , The Colonnades, 619 Purley Way, Croydon CR0 4RQ Hullabaloo at The Sherriff Centre This utterly unique soft play is set within the spectacular surroundings of West Hampstead's St James Church. For a more zen and aestehtically pleasing foam fun experience, parents can enjoy the gothic setting alongside cake and coffee from the cafe - the church also houses a Post Office and stationery shop. It even serves booze... Hullabaloo , St James Church, 2 Sherriff Rd, London NW6 2AP Ding Dong Fun Bus A Double Decker which doubles as a soft play? Hold our children back. Readers nominated this family-run attraction in their droves - it has climbing frames, slides, ball pits and is specially tailored for children from toddlers up to 125 cm in height. Ding Dong Fun Bus , Selby centre, Selby Rd, London N17 8JL Inflata Nation This GIANT inflatable arena is bulging with bouncy slides, a helter-skelter, inflatable obstacle course, a GARGANTUAN Ball Pit Lagoon - a sea of colourful balls surrounding the towering Ballcano. There’s even a small island where kids can climb, jump, and explore, plus Ball Pit Blasters - a zone for a friendly ball pit cannon battle. Inflata Nation , Unit 1, Colindale Retail Park, 355 The Hyde, Edgware Road, London, NW9 6TH Gambado Centre Chelsea's soft play behemoth boasts a massive play frame, dodgems, carousel, sensory room, their famous tiger slides and a big cafe for you to sit back and watch it all from. Gambado, 7, Station Court, Townmead Rd, London SW6 2PY Sammy's Soft Play Soft play and zen are rarely words used in the same sentence - but this badboy is housed at Yogarise, where kids can play in a clean, relaxed and superior soft play, while parents relax on comfy sofas with smoothies or good coffee. Sammy's Soft Play , 27 Beethoven St, London W10 4LG Sobell Leisure Centre Soft Play This shiny, new, multi-level soft play has climbing frames, colourful ball pits, fun mazes, a UV jellyfish area, Go-Karts, tree and volcano climbing, interactive screens, games, slides and a tree house. It's clearly made a big impression since opening, judging by your nominations. Sobell Leisure Centre Soft Play , Tollington Rd, London N7 7NY Babylon Park Soft Play As well as housing London's first ever underground theme park and indoor roller coaster, this futuristic wonderland also boasts two space-themed soft play zones, which our readers say is out of this world. Babylon Park , 8 Castlehaven Rd, London NW1 8QU Like what you've read? Please keep in touch!

Our Tried and Tested Guide to the Best Choc-Free Easter Presents for Children Between the Easter Bunny, family, and friends your kids are going to be 90% Easter Egg, by the time they return to school. Enter stage left: Our CRACKING Tried and Tested guide to amazing, choc-free alternatives this Easter, from Spring-themed audio cards and craft goodies, to LEGO bunnies, Peter Rabbit hampers and Easter surprise boxes. It's oefully good... bumbles & boo - Vintage Deluxe Peter Rabbit Baby Nappy Cake Words have not been invented to describe how beautiful this handcrafted, luxury nappy cake is. It’s a very special Easter gift for lucky sproglets who are too young for eggs, but the perfect age for Beatrix Potter’s legendary radish-pilferer.  Layered with essential baby items in timeless shades of blue, this stunning gift is topped with a vintage Peter Rabbit plush, along with a matching ring rattle. It is BRIMMING with immaculately presented goodies, including a 100% cotton, super soft plush Peter Rabbit comforter blanket (which can be personalised with the baby’s name) asa well as a Peter Rabbit wooden ring rattle; a soft knit blanket wrap; two Muslin cloths, two baby hats in white and blue; three pairs of baby socks; two anti scratch mittens; eight size 3 nappies (so parents can display the gift for a few weeks before using the nappies) a wooden jersey heart plaque and baby brush and comb set. And it arrives beautifully wrapped in cellophane and bow inside a little keepsake basket. BUY FROM BUMBLES & BOO £149.50 YOTO Mini & Easter Audio Cards Win a Yoto Mini Easter Bundle HERE The Yoto Mini will save your Easter Holidays and beyond. The award-winning, multifunctional, Yoto Mini audio player is an ingenious, screen-free solution, supporting independent play, listening and learning from ages 0-12+. And for Easter, they have a selection of fabulous Spring-themed audio cards, including the brand new Ladybird Stories for Easter, Enid Blyton’s Springtime Stories and the 5-Minute Spring Holiday Stories. Our testers have found it invaluable at bedtime, on long car journeys and trips away, sharing one Yoto with Yoto Heaadphones, which have a daisy chain feature to allow two sets to listen together. It also has a gaggle of (child AND grown-up pleasing) functions and features, including a clock; OK-to-wake settings (can I get an amen?) its own daily podcast; family radio stations; as well as endless hours of free stories, music, podcasts and sleep sounds. BUY FROM YOTOPLAY.COM   Yoto Mini Player (£59.99 but £49.99 in Spring Sale) Yoto Headphones (£24.99 but £19.99 in Spring Sale) Mini Adventure Jacket (£19.99 but £16.99 in Spring Sale) 5-Minute Spring Holiday Stories (£7.99 but £6.80 in Spring Sale) Ladybird Stories For Easter (£9.99 but £8.50 in Spring Sale) Springtime Stories (£9.99 but £8.50 in Spring Sale) Baker Ross Easter Craft Kits A bundle of Baker Ross’s cracking craft goodies will put a far bigger smile on your kid’s chops than any Easter Egg. Our testers have been working their way through the craft supplying alchemist’s Spring kits, which include a giant Easter Egg Play house to build and colour in; foam rabbits you can create then race on carrot cars; impossibly cute, bunny chocolate Easter Egg holders to make, ready for the Easter Bunny’s delivery; Easter placemats to keep them occupied during lunch, colouring them in; felt bookmarks to colour and a selection of Spring themed animals to build from colourful blocks. BUY FROM BAKER ROSS Easter WOTBOX Kids' Surprise Theme Gift Box This beautifully presented Easter-themed WOTBOX is bursting with seasonal surprises, which are accessed by opening secret cardboard doors. Each pack has eight goodies inside, carefully curated by people who clearly get kids. Ours included cuddly egg toys, Easter crafts, Cocoba egg chocs, Spring memory games, egg cups, Easter decorations, chalks, pencils and stickers. BUY FROM NOT ON THE HIGHSTREET £35 3-in-1 Cute Bunny LEGO Playset Kids can play out stories with this LEGO® Creator 3in1 Cute Bunny playset, then rebuild it into a llama toy or seal figure. After building, the posable model has movable head, ears, forelegs and hindlegs, as well as carrot and flower accessories to munch. It can also be turned into other adorable possible creatures, with accessories like ice bergs and fish. BUY FROM LEGO £17.99 We have been gifted samples in order to provide honest and accurate tried and tested reviews. But we never feature anything we don't recommend Like what you've read? Please keep in touch!

Hit West End Show and Luxury Restaurant Collaborate on Themed Menu Inspired by Nineties Movie From West Hollywood to the West End, hit new musical, Clueless has partnered with luxury Indian restaurant Colonel Saab for a “way cool” dining adventure themed around the iconic Beverly Hills High story. To mark the 30th anniversary of the hit Nineties movie - HOW has it been three decades?! - and the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, fans can get a taste for the story at Theatreland's opulent Trafalgar Square restaurant, with a £60  three-course menu with cocktail and amuse bouche, before a five-minute stroll to the Trafalgar Theatre to watch Cher Horowitz’s enduring tale of popularity and matchmaking.   The experience starts with the Chercules Signature Cocktail , a bold blend of D’YAVOL vodka, zesty lime, and fresh raspberries. There follows an amuse bouche, inspired by Tai’s makeover; a choice of four starters including You’re a Virgin who Can’t Drive  - a madras-spiced pulled chicken chop.   The four Main choices include The Paul Rudd Never Ages  Butter Chicken and Beverly Hills Royalty  Paneer Pakeezah, topped with silver leaf and fit for the most popular girl at school.  ​ ​The edible story concludes with a sweet finish, with two desserts including Cher’s Perfect Match  Mishti Doi Cheesecake - a Bengali dessert of sweetened and flavoured yogurt cake, Bengali lime and jaggery syrup.
​ BOOK TICKETS HERE selecting seats with a star Colonel Saab Trafalgar Square, 40, 42 William IV St, London WC2N 4DD Like what you've read? Please keep in touch!

The Ultimate Guide to the Top Valentine's Gifts of 2025 That They'll Really Want Our Cupids have been busily aiming arrows at this year's most original and exciting Valentine's gifts, to show your other half some big love with gifts they'll really want. From stunning, chocolate books of love, to luxury buttock candles, romantic LEGO art and floral cookies to the world's first contactless wine aerator, a game-changing car gadget and saucy toys and Libido boosting goodies to put some fire into February 14th - read on to for our tried and tested guide. ___________________________ The Book of Love - Melt Chocolates A stunning, luxury book of love that you can eat, made by Melt Chocolate artisans and featuring the greatest paintings on love? Marry me now! The Ancient Greeks had eight words for the different flavours of love, Eros, Philia, Ludos, Agape, Philautia, Pragma, Storge and Xenia - and these are all represented in 12 beautiful artworks, containing luxury chocolate bars. It is too beautiful to eat, but when you do, you will be rewarded with treats like their gourmet Amazonia dark chocolate, Madagascan red berry, an orgasmic blonde pistachio plus a range of smooth milk chocolates like their sea salt or Love crunchy bar. BUY FROM MELT CHOCOLATES . £69.99 Callipygian Container Candle A cheeky and elegant gift which smells as good as it looks. Each Unwritten candle is handmade to order for a beautiful statement piece in the home. They are hand-poured using 100% natural wax, with a gorgeous scent (even unlit) and come in a gorgeous gift box. This is the ultimate candle to get into the mood with and we can't stop admiring these shapely, milky buttocks. BUY FROM UNWRITTEN . £50 LELO SONA 2 Cruise Vibrator Speaking of gifts she'll really want... the SONA™ 2 Cruise is clitorally amazing . This discrete and ingenious gadget is designed to give bigger, longer and more intense fun times. Made from premium, body-safe, soft silicone and completely waterproof, it features twelve sonic wave settings - instead of conventional vibrations - each with more intensity. The Cruise Control™ feature reserves extra power for the grand finale, unleashing additional oomph when pressed hard against the body. Handily, it has extra long-lasting charge, so you won't be let down at the crucial moment, and it's cleverly sculpted with a large surface area for maximum pleasure. BUY FROM LELO. £96.98 Playmate Aphrodisiac Chocolates These aren’t any Valentine’s chocolates - these badboys contain FIVE natural aphrodisiac ingredients clinically proven to enhance sexual desire. Presented in beautiful, luxury packaging, each box contains glossy artisanal heart treats, designed to break in two and share with your lover. They contain a specially blended mix of natural ingredients including Ashwagandha, Arjuna, Maca root, Tribulus and Catuaba, to support relaxation, boost your libido and deepen connection and intimacy. The ethical Colombian chocolates come in three sexy flavours - Sicilian Blood Orange, Raspberry and Champagne or Spiced Toffee Caramel - and no more than one per couple a day is recommended - their delicious chemistry really works... BUY FROM PLAYMATELABS £29.99 for one box and £49.99 for two Greenpan Padova Reserve Pink Frying Pan Set Know what's really sexy? These blush pink frying pans. Phwoar. They come as a romantic duo in two sizes (20cm and 19cm) and feature the latest PFAS-free Thermolon™ ceramic non-stick coating on high quality reinforced aluminium in a range of delicate pastels including Blush Pink, Mint Green, Light or Sky Blue and Sunshine Yellow.  Complemented by elegant stainless steel riveted handles with a hard-wearing, matt gold protective coating, the range has a gaggle of different pans and pots with tight fitting lids, in various sizes and prices. And they're even dishwasher proof, although ours are so pretty, it took a while for us to brave soiling them with food. BUY FROM GREENPAN . £95 for two piece frying pan set Miller Harris Rose Candle This luxury candle ticks every Valentine’s gifting box. Sophisticated, toxin-free with a long burn and a stunning, romantic scent of roses which fills the room. Because it’s paraffin free and soy/rapeseed based, it burns at a cooler temperature and lasts much longer. The candles are available in assorted, glass colours and fragrances. But for Valentine’s, it has to be Rose. And this candle has been developed with fresh rose petals, picked between May and June for their scent - the serene, floral fragrance, with gentle fruity accents of mandarin and blackcurrant is beyond delicious, reaching every corner of the room. BUY FROM MILLER HARRIS . £55 Portofino Dry Gin Mamma Mia! This might be the most beautiful gin bottle this side of the moon, and luckily its style is matched by its substance. The glamorous bottle is emblazoned with the vibrant colours and romance of the Portofino Italian Riviera, and looks like a luxurious perfume bottle - definitely one for the bar trolley. Inside the bottle, they have meticulously selected 21 botanicals which fill the fragrant streets of the Riviera, from juniper, lemon and rosemary, to lavender. The bright and crisp flavour took us straight to the cobbles and pastel houses of the Mediterranean coast. We also loved its versatility - it makes a zingy and rich G&T and even works brilliantly in a Negroni. BUY FROM BOUTIQUE BRANDS . £42.50 Yvonne Ellen - Bee Wine Glasses & Bee Drinks Tray This stunning drinks tray and glasses are the perfect way to show your honey that she's the bee's knees. Yvonne Ellen is famed for her quirky and opulent homeware, encapsulated by this beautiful, blush pink wooden tray, emblazoned with her bee design, with blue and shimmering gold detailing. Topped with her beautiful, matching wine glasses, you can present a tipple fit for a Queen Bee. They're made from fabulously luxurious soda lime glass, in delicate green and pink, and decorated with her trademark, gold bees and elegant patterns. They are exquisite - super light, with colours which catch the light and the perfect pair to toast your lover with, this Valentine's. BUY FROM YVONNE ELLEN . Bee Wine Glasses, £25 (set of 2) Bee Drinks Tray £20 Bellamie Apéritif Pop your Bellamie’s cherry, with this elegant new French apéritif, crafted exclusively from cherry tree blossom, fruit and stones and natural ingredients. It’s a wonderfully original alternative to the traditional citrus or bitter aperitifs, with a bold combination of sour, jammy cherries and sweet spice. We loved it simply sipped over ice, but it also elevates a glass of bubbly, or a summer Spritz and makes a perfect, sour cherry Negroni - its ruby red colour looks great in a glass, too. It’s a modern take on the French Guignolet liqueur, which originated in the 17th century and might just be our new favourite tipple this summer. BUY FROM DISTILLERS DIRECT . £34 Italicus Rosolio dI Bergamotto This premium Italian apéritif is wonderfully versatile, perfect for Valentine's cocktails, vegan and comes in a beautiful bottle, ticking all the boxes for gifting your tipple-loving lover. It has a refeshing citrus flavour, with delicate bergamot orange and floral notes. And we loved it in a Spritz, topped with bubbly and salty green olives. It also makes a fabulous Margarita twist, served with tonic and grapefruit soda. It's an impressive looking gift, with design nods to ancient Roman columns, while its base is shaped like a Bergamot fruit, and the marbled cap is inspired by Northern Italian gothic architecture. BUY FROM WAITROSE . £31.50 CANYON True Wireless Headset If music be the food of love, feed your partner’s ears with these nifty wireless headphones. These clever, lilac numbers are designed for listening to high quality playback on the move. It boasts up to 7.5 hours of playing time, so you won’t have to hear yourself panting, mid-jog. Its TWS function allows you to pair it with a second BT TWS speaker for an immersive stereo sound experience, as well as receiving phone calls and using voice assistant without touching your phone. It charges in its headphone box with a range of silicone ear tips to ensure a comfortable and snug fit. BUY FROM RYMAN . £24.99 The Wade Fish Jug These iconic jugs have been loved for 150 years and The Wade Fish Jug is the OG, from Wade Ceramics, whose original design inspired a gaggle of imitations. These unique gluggle jugs are named after the pleasing gurgling noise they make when pouring from them, due to the cunning design in the fish tail, which doubles as a handle. These are beautiful statement pieces, wonderfully crafted and make the perfect gift for pouring water, wine or even as a stylish vase. Wade has been a juggernaut in the ceramics world for over 200 years and their wonderful craftsmanship is clear on our jug, alongside some top-notch Koi gurgles. BUY FROM WADE CERAMICS . From £34.99 Personalised Floral Bouquet Cookie If you can't decide whether to send them beautiful flowers or a sweet treat, send both, in the shape of Baked by Steph's beautiful, bouquet cookies. These personalised treats are hand-iced and arrive through your letterbox in a gorgeous, lilac gift box. And you can show you've put the thought in, by having their name iced onto the edible gift tag. They are too pretty to eat, but luckily they have a three month shelf life, so you can admire them for a while, before devouring these delicious, vanilla treats. We managed to hold off for a day, before gobbling its moreish petals. BUY FROM BAKED BY STEPH. £11.50 Well Heeled 2 Pedicure System - Magnitone London Show her you worship her feet, by giving her the perfect pedicure companion. The Well Heeled 2 system gently buffs away dry, hard skin for beautifully conditioned, salon-soft feet. With dome-shaped micro-crystal rollers, you'll get better results under-toes and along the curves of the feet. And its ergonomically designed handle and light help to reach tricky places with ease. Lightweight, splash-proof and fully rechargeable via USB, it never slows down or loses power. We were thrilled with our baby soft new trotters and look forward to showing them off, when the perpetual winter finally ends. BUY FROM MAGNITONE . £30 The Awesome Hamper Company - Bath Bomb Gift Box Love bomb your Valentine, with this luxurious hamper of eight, decadent bath bombs. Fittingly, it includes two love heart bombs in Ylang & Rose and French Lavender, along with six excellent sized bombs in a gaggle of varieties, from Coconut Dream to Chamomile & Grapefruit. There's also the option of personalising it, with your chosen card, and it comes in a pretty box, so no pesky wrapping dramas. The fragrances are strong and glorious - our favourite being the Lemongrass & Mandarin - and are ideal for a romantic soak in the tub with your other half, this Valentine's. BUY FROM THE AWESOME HAMPER COMPANY . £36.50 Gather Gourmet Cocktails This collection of gourmet cocktails is a delicious gift to toast Cupid’s big day. The five ready-to-drink cans offer excellent twists on classics, like our personal favourite, the Spicy Mango Margarita, or the dreamy Chocolate Honeycomb Espresso Martini, the Salted Caramel Banana, Raspberry Ripple or Caramelised Pineapple. Perfect for a boozy date night from the comfort of your own home. BUY FROM GOOD TIME IN . £17.50 Equilabo Anti-Ageing Nourishing Bakuchiol Serum Give the gift of beautiful skin this Valentine’s with this game-changing oil serum, developed and tested by the world’s leading dermatologists.   We were stunned by its effects on wrinkles, lines, and hyperpigmentation, thanks to its secret weapon - Bakuchiol, from the Indian Babchi plant. It’s known as the “natural Retinol”, to help boost cell turnover and stimulate collagen production without the skin irritation and dryness often associated with retinol. Our skin glugged down this hydrating formula, which is rich in vitamins, natural fatty acids, antioxidants and minerals and we had an immediate, healthy glow afterwards, which friends commented on. BUY FROM EQUILABO LONDON . £195 Kairos Contactless Wine Aerator This extraordinary gadget is the world's first contactless wine aerator and gave us the perfect reason to break Dry January. In three, elegant colours - Mallard green, Charcoal and Burgundy - and small enough to fit in your pocket for restaurant trips, this gift is a game-changer for wine lovers, shortening the aerating time from minutes to seconds. We simply placed the aerator near our wine glasses - it works on up to four glasses - selected the desired aeration time, and in under a minute, it had transformed our glass from a basic Malbec, to a soft, fruity and fragrant treat. We specifically chose a high tannin Malbec to test it with, and were blown away by its advanced electromagnetic wave technology, which mimics a traditional decanter by accelerating oxygen molecules on the surface of red wine. It's the must-have gift for the wine lover in your life, and means you don't have to wait to toast each other, on your romantic Valentine's dinner. BUY FROM KAIROS . £199 Love LEGO Adult's Art Sculpture Set Give your LEGO loving lover a beautiful, Love-themed set to build, which double's as an arty piece of home decor when finished. This fabulous art building set for adults allows you to create a brick-built version of Robert Indiana’s famous LOVE sculpture, in a really impressive size and a satisfying - but not too tricky - skill level for us. Pleasingly, just like the original, it has curved bricks in blue and green for the sides of the letters and we enjoyed the snap, when fitting the letters together. Adorably, it comes with two sets of instructions, so you can make the iconic piece with you partner, and the finished masterpiece is all the more special, knowing you built it together. BUY FROM LEGO . £69.99 CARLY OBD II Scanner This game-changing gadget is the Valentine's gift that keeps on giving - and saving money - letting petrol heads take control of car maintenence and performance. This advanced tool gives users the power to decode hidden data from their cars, offering full diagnostics, live data analysis, and coding options, all through one user-friendly mobile app. Save your partner unnecessary trips to the mechanic, by diagnosing issues from the palm of their hand. The scanner and app give comprehensive vehicle diagnostics, live data tracking and advanced coding options. Simply plug it into your car's port, turn on ignition and voila, the app will identify any issues to keep on top of your car's health. BUY FROM MY CARLY . RRP £74.80 (currently on sale for £59.89) Burnt Faith Brandy It's brandy Jim, but not as we know it. And the UK's first brandy brand is the perfect Valentine's surprise for your boozy bed fellow. Move over, dusty old Cognac and Armagnac, this modern, new Walthamstow brandy is leading the way with exciting new wines, barrels and techniques. The result is a genuinenly exciting liquid, with a fresh cherry and ginger nose; buttery caramel and orange flavours and a velvety, dark chocolate finish. It's distilled with Trebbiano, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat Blanc grape varieties; aged in barrels used for drinks like bourbon and cherry liquer, to develop its distinct flavour and the result is a winning Valentine's prezzie. BUY FROM BURNT FAITH . £36 SANNOX Eau De Parfum by ARRAN Sense of Scotland This luxury men's fragrance is pure sexiness in a bottle and will have you sniffing his neck like a truffle pig, this Valentine's. We were amazed by how far a little goes - it's a rich and powerful scent, marrying earthy and floral tones like leather, amber, oud, pink pepper and saffron. And it lasted a whole day, garnering compliments from strangers, who followed the scent like Bisto kids. It is Scotland’s first, premium men’s fragrance collection and is crafted with Scottish ingredients native to the Isle of Arran, and blended with unfiltered, mineral-rich local water. Your nose and your other half with thank you for this sensual Valentine's purchase. BUY FROM ARRAN . £58 Mylas Moss Libido Blend This is a gift you can both enjoy, with the all natural supplement formulated to ignite passion and improve sexual performance and stamina, for men and women. The potent herbal blend is all natural and plant-based, using the perfect ratio of sexy herbs to create a powerful blend for Valentine's night activities. Its nine magic herbs include Siberian Ginseng Root, Gingko Biloba Leaf, Cacao Beans, Calamus Root, Ginger, Calendula Flower, Nettle Leaf, Rue and Cinnamon Bark. As well as helping to make the bedtime magic happen, they also increase energy and vitality, enhance mood and mental clarity, improve immune fucntion and hormone balance. Just steep in hot water, strain and enjoy. Ding and very much, dong. BUY FROM MYLAS MOSS . £18 SAVOIA Americano Rosso Hailing from Italy - the country of passion and romance - this rose red, premium vino aperitivo is the perfect gift for the cocktail lover in your life. This stylish tipple celebrates the country’s centuries-old aperitivo tradition, and is made with more than 20 botanicals. We loved its bittersweet blend of Sicilian oranges, aromatic herbs, spices, and delicate floral notes. It's also 100% vegan. And it's perfect for a host of romantic cocktails, from their Cherry and Chocolate - Savoia, Bourbon and two pinches of cocoa - to the Romeo & Juliet, made with Savoia, Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto and Prosecco and garnished with rose petals and edible gold dust, if you're feeling particularly fancy. BUY FROM MASTER OF MALT. £21.94 Castore Green Beanie Hat Let your love go to his head, with this super soft and super warm, mint green beanie. Featuring the Castore graphic and ribbed for your pleasure - and for the all-important durability and resilience - this high quality beanie is designed for exceptional warmth during active prusuits and everyday wear. BUY FROM CASTORE . £22 Barbary & Oak Foundry Casserole Pan YES, YES, YES Chef! This sexy casserole pan is a beautiful gift for cooking up a romantic meal. It's the sort of pan you don't hide away in a drawer, but keep on show, to fire admiring glances at. The deep green dish is made from robust and durable cast iron, with a non-stick and easy to clean enamel interior, which won't absorb odours or flavours. Its domed lid is crowned with a luxurious, gold handle, emblazoned with Barbary & Oak's trademark tree. And it can be used on all hobs, ovens and grills as well as a cold food server, for stylish, al fresco dining. BUY FROM BARBARY & OAK . £42.99 Sweet Hamper Company - Valentine's Sweet Box The ultimate sweetie box for your ultimate sweetheart. This Valentine's Sweet Box contains 22 retro classics - from foam mushrooms and fizzy peaches to popping candy in traditional, striped candy bags - as well as modern favourites, like Haribo and Skittles. It comes in a beautiful box, topped with shredded paper, brimming with goodies and personalised with a card and message of your choice. It also features a range of love-themed goodies, like a giant heart lollipop, Love Hearts, and Juicy Red Lips. Sweet! BUY FROM SWEET HAMPER COMPANY . £25.50 We have been gifted samples in order to provide honest and accurate tried and tested reviews. But we never feature anything we don't recommend Like what you've read? Why not follow us on Instagram?