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We become heroes in the European premiere of the BLOCKbuster VR quest We block out an action-packed afternoon to review the European premiere of the brand new Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue. Housed in Canada Water's’ impressive new Corner Corner venue, the 45-minute quest 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. On arrival, we are presented with our confusingly named, but deeply satisfying orbs - glowing, vibrating and colour-changing blocks, which we will use in our quests to gather vital ingredients for a life saving potion to save villagers; battle blocky Creepers, and craft buildings. We kick off the adventure in the forest, which is like stepping through the screen into Minecraft, surrounded by blocky trees, bees and animals. Here, the characters Tobin and Dayo teach us how to use the orb, leaping across the floor to collect apples, battling Creepers on interactive VR screens which wrap the walls, and tapping our surroundings with the orb. When the orb glows green and vibrates, it’s time to move into the village, where we team up with other Minecrafters on a scavenger hunt, tapping orbs onto crates to collect metal, wood and other materials to build with. Things get more sweaty and blocky in the next room, where we charge around, opening treasure chests, collecting apples, going underwater to gather fish and battling more pesky Creepers. From here, it’s a high octane adventure through assorted biomes, with our favourite being a real-life “the floor is lava” game, leaping across molten magma to reach the fort, where we ditched the orbs and threw good, old-fashioned balls at baddies who burst onto the walls around us. At the end, we celebrate our heroism by placing our orbs onto pedestals. The vital ingredients collected on our quest - apples, mushrooms, fish - rain down on the screen and are collected in blocky jars on the pedestal, to create the villagers’ life-saving potion. Our orbs and pedestal glow and pump out colourful smoke, while block shaped fireworks and celebrations dance around on screens, along with our scores. I feel like I’ve achieved something, today. It’s a must for Minecraft fans and appeals to all ages - my seven-year-old daughter grasped most of it and enjoyed leaping about and shaking her orb, like Bez with his maracas - and there is plenty of support from the friendly staff for younger visitors. Be there, or be square. Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue . Corner Corner, Maritime Street, London, SE16 7LL. Tickets from £24. Duration 45 minutes. Until 29 June 2025 Like what you've read? Please keep in touch!

Two for the price of one! The owners of Cirencester's Roots + Seeds Kitchen Garden walk us through a perfect day in England's prettiest area Restaurateurs Toby Baggott ( above right ) and Sam Lawson-King ( above left ) have made a lasting impact on the hospitality scene in the Cotswolds . Having launched The Scenic Supper in 2020 - a dining concept that saw guests eating in one of nine, custom-built glasshouses with incredible views over the picturesque landscape, they went on to launch the recently opened Roots + Seeds Kitchen Garden , a vibrant café restaurant open for breakfast and lunch or takeaway Monday to Sunday and for dinner, Thursday to Saturday. With sustainability key to everything they do, the Roots + Seeds Kitchen Garden menus showcases some of the finest, seasonal artisan produce from within a 25-mile radius and fruit and vegetables grown in its own, on-site kitchen garden. Situated next to attractive listed buildings, once the Bathurst family’s foxhound kennels and stables, Roots + Seeds occupies a new, beautifully designed, light-filled space (54 covers) with vaulted ceilings, industrial fixtures, scrubbed pine farmhouse tables and large windows overlooking the kitchen garden. Adjacent to the restaurant, a separate children’s room - a bright and airy space designed to entertain families with younger children. Outside, two courtyards offer additional dining space for 30, divided by edible flower and herb-filled raised beds, with access to an exciting outdoor children’s play area and the kitchen garden. Head Chef, Sam Idione’s menus showcase fresh, home-grown and local artisan produce, including locally reared beef, lamb, pork and poultry, game from the Bathurst Estate and its neighbours, and fresh fish and seafood delivered daily from Brixham in Devon. *Vegetarian and vegan dishes available on every menu. Sam’s generous daytime and evening menus with seasonal tweaks focus on classic English dishes with creative, French touches. A regularly changing ‘specials board’ offers delicious ‘Field to Fork’ dishes dictated by the seasons and what’s best on the day. A children’s menu features both healthy options and perennial favourites. An all-day takeaway menu is also available. Dinner is served Thursday – Saturday and offers an elevated dining experience to ensure a new and exciting local dining destination. Three of the Scenic Supper’s iconic glasshouses, previously located at Todenham Manor Farm, have been re-sited in the Roots + Seeds kitchen garden for somewhere to sit with a coffee or take out amid abundant planting. Sam and Toby grew up in the Cotswolds and the prolific businessmen are also involved with ventures including the King Stone Gin Distillery , so we couldn't think of anyone better to highlight the finest destinations in one of our favourite areas of the UK. COFFEE Toby - Coach House Coffee in Stow-on-the-Wold Coach House Coffee in Stow-on-the-Wold is my go to and it’s just up the road from where I live. Its views over Stow’s main square are perfect for watching the world go by. The cakes are amazing and delivered daily from St George’s Bakery in Cheltenham. I’d always recommend its carrot cake. It’s so moist and really carroty! Their coffee supplier is Ritual Coffee Roasters (Cheltenham) which also supply us at Roots + Seeds. I went to school with Emily, the owner, so it’s always about supporting great local business and friends too. Coach House Coffee , 1 Talbot Sq, Market Square, Stow-on-the-Wold, Cheltenham GL54 1BQ Sam - Grouch Coffee, Moreton-in-Marsh Grouch began as an events business from a three-wheeled tuk tuk Piaggio Ape. Owner, Kelly, then moved on to serving coffee at Kingham and Moreton-in-Marsh train stations before opening Grouch in Moreton. Kelly is an absolute gem of an owner who serves the best flat white around and you’re always welcomed with a big smile and great banter. As a baker’s daughter who started baking herself at a young age, Kelly is an insanely good baker herself and uses fresh, Cotswolds produce in all her cakes and traybakes. I’d highly recommend her renowned banana bread - a delicious treat that makes a great start to the day with a flat white! Grouch Coffee , 3 New Rd, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 0AS BREAKFAST Toby – The Straw Kitchen, Whichford Pottery This is a super cool café in an old, renovated barn made using straw bales and other natural and reclaimed building materials. Set to one side of a lovely lawned garden next door to Whichford Pottery , it makes a fantastic place to head on a sunny day as it has lots of outside seating and canvas-covered awnings for shade. It’s also a uniquely sustainable place to eat. The ethos of owners, Maia and Chistine, is to have as low as possible negative impact on the planet and to offer ethically sourced produce with simple, fresh and weekly changing menus using fresh produce grown in their kitchen garden and what their local suppliers are growing. Their menus are very veg focused and they bake everything in-house, including some incredible cakes, while their bacon sarnies are legendary. One of my favourite breakfasts here is the poached eggs with garden slaw and sourdough. The Straw Kitchen , Whichford Pottery, Whichford, Warwickshire CV36 5PG Sam – Martha’s Coffee House – Moreton-in-Marsh Super local to me, I love coming here to catch up with Dan the owner, over a coffee in his sunny little courtyard garden out back. It’s a really cosy, family-run café in a gorgeous 17th century Cotswold stone cottage on Moreton High Street and where I often head for a locally sourced full English which is served all day or the poached Billy’s eggs from Stow-on-the-Wold with avocado, pickled red onions and feta on Marks Cotswolds Bakery sourdough toast. Mark makes one of the very best sourdough in the Cotswolds and it appears on many restaurant menus in the area and at local bakeries. Martha’s hash browns also deserve a mention – they are the best! The menu also does fantastic takes on American diner favourites, such as pancakes and maple syrup with sausage cakes and their cream teas are also the best locally. They always have good music playing from an old retro record player too. Martha's Coffee House , Gavel Cottage, High St, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 0AG LUNCH Both - Zonda Pizza at Stow Rugby Club Two great guys slinging the BEST pizzas. They bought our old shipping container kitchen from us which we wound up The Scenic Supper and its great seeing it helping a small, start-up business which they launched in 2022 and only uses ingredients sourced from around Stow or imported from Italy to create its short menu of five or six gorgeous, authentic Neapolitan style pizzas. Zonda Pizza , Stow-on-the-Wold RFC, Stow-on-the-Wold, Cheltenham GL54 1JJ DINNER Toby - The Feathered Nest at Nether Westcote My girlfriend and I love The Feathered Nest at Nether Westcote for special occasions. It’s on a hilltop with epic views across Kingham and Bledington from its dining room and outside on its terrace. It’s the perfect spot on a sun kissed evening – it really is something special. The service is also AMAZING with exceptional local produce being properly celebrated by head chef, Matt Weedon. My partner is vegetarian, and they offer an outstanding selection of vegetarian/vegan dishes too. Again, I think you see a pattern in my choices for eating somewhere with amazing views and that really celebrate why I love the North Cotswolds. The Feathered Nest Country Inn , Nether Westcote OX7 6SD Sam - Bellini, in Moreton-in-Marsh I love the newly-opened Italian restaurant, Bellini , in Moreton-in-Marsh. I’m always very happy to support anyone opening up a new hospitality business in the current climate. Bellini’s is independently owned by a lovely, welcoming Greek, Tasso Dafof, and his staff are also very charming. Bellini’s features fantastically kitsch Italian décor, which I love, and it also does a fantastically authentic Calzone pizza with pepperoni, minced beef and mushrooms which I often order with their excellent house red, Nero de Arola from Sicily, followed by their stunning Affogato. Bellini , High St, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 0AD EVENING DRINKS Toby - The Fox, Great Barrington A beautiful spot on the banks of the river Windrush on the edge of the gorgeous village of Great Barrington close to Burford. Nothing better than enjoying the evening sun here with a non-alcoholic beer as I don’t drink anymore and always a packet of cheese and onion crisps with a pickled egg – it reminds me of going here with my Dad when we were kids. The Fox at Barrington , Great Barrington, Burford OX18 4TB Sam - Al Andalus and The Varsity Club rooftop, Oxford I head to Oxford for a late afternoon punt on the Cherwell before heading to my favourite place, Al-Andalus , a great tapas bar doing incredible and authentic dishes. Current favourites include its calamari, squid ink linguine, seafood and chicken paella and grilled octopus simply served with boiled potatoes and smoked paprika ordered with a bottle of their Albarino or Vino Verde. I then head off to the rooftop bar of the Varsity Club next door to the Covered Market and where I once worked in my 20s. It’s always buzzy and a great place to finish off the evening with a couple of beers. Al Andalus , 10 Little Clarendon St, Oxford OX1 2HP The Varsity Club , 9 High St, Oxford OX1 4DB INSIDER TIPS Both - order the garlic bread at Zonda Pizza, Stow Rugby Club We always order pizzas, plus their garlic bread, which is exceptional and the same size as a normal pizza! Their homemade aioli dip is amazing. It’s also in a gorgeous spot overlooking the Evenlode valley which is one of the best views around and its always busy up there with families and kids running around. Toby and Sam are owners of Roots + Seeds Kitchen Garden , The Old Kennels, Cirencester GL7 1UR Like what you've read? Why not subscribe to our free, monthly newsletter

WIN a Yoto Mini, 3 Easter Audio Cards, Yoto Headphones & Mini Adventure Jacket The Easter Bunny has come early with a cracking Yoto competition bundle, to save your Easter Holidays and beyond. One lucky winner will bag an award-winning, multifunctional, Yoto Mini audio player- the ingenious, screen-free solution, supporting independent play, listening and learning from ages 0-12+. They will also win three, 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 lucky winner will also receive a colourful, Mini Adventure Jacket - the silicone carry-case for Yoto Mini. It fits snugly over your Yoto Mini to protect it from bumps, and has a wrist lanyard so that kids of all ages can carry it on the move. And that’s not all - they will also receive a pair of Yoto Headphones. Designed for young ears (3+), the snazzy orange headphones have kid-safe volume limiting, a premium braided cable, and a daisy chain feature to allow two sets to listen together from one Player. Yoto is a complete game-changer - it grows with your family and provides years of entertainment and learning for children of different ages and stages. 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. The ultra-portable Yoto Mini  version is the perfect travel companion for families on the go, allowing children to expand their imaginations as they explore the world.  Yoto was named one of TIME Magazine’s Best Inventions and offers more than 1000 audio titles from the world’s greatest creators, spanning stories, songs, activities, and more to inspire creative play and learning, without a screen. The carefully connected audio players – the Yoto Player and the Yoto Mini - puts kids safely in control, with no cameras, microphones, or ads.    The Yoto Spring Sale has arrived offering 15% off EVERYTHING until 31 March, so hop over to their site to breeze through Easter Holidays without the screens. 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) Winner will be announced on our Instagram page on Good Friday (18 April) Like what you've read? Please keep in touch!

The UK's BEST Easter Holidays Family Events 2025 April is choc-full of Easter activities for the kids, with a fluffle of Easter bunnies vying for attention. We’ve saved you the egg-work and picked out t he top 40 things to do , from enchanted train rides to meet egg-bequeathing bunnies, to tulip festivals, lamb-bothering, Easter craft workshops, the ultimate egg hunts, plus Egyptian adventures, robots, monsters and plenty of free  events to see them through the Easter holidays and the rest of April. We’ve gone the egg-stra mile with this round-up, so buckle in and read on. ______________________ Tulleys Tulip Fest Celebrate Spring by stepping into kaleidoscopic fields, bursting with 1.5 million tulips in more than 100 varieties. The UK’s biggest tulip festival is the perfect Easter escape, bringing a touch of Holland to the UK, with its Whispering Windmill landmark, Dutch street food - a big yes to the Dutch pancakes - live roaming musicians, a tulip bar, marshmallow toasting, the floating floral wonderland that is the Tulipa Lake and an illuminated tulip trail. Tulleys Tulip Fest, Turners Hill Rd, Crawley RH10 4PD. From £16.95 pp The Big Egg Hunt 2025 An egg-citing event launches this March, in the shape of The Big Egg Hunt 2025, a free public art exhibition of 100 giant egg sculptures. Conservation charity Elephant Family and Clarence Court eggs have enlisted named including Mr Doodle, Anya Hindmarch, Chopard, Beth Katleman, Sophie Tea, LUAP, Rob and Nick Carter to design eggs, which have been placed around iconic locations like Battersea Power Station, Buckingham Palace, Saatchi Gallery and Covent Garden. You can tick them off on the free app, with prizes along the way. And the sculptures will be auctioned in aid of the charity’s conservation work. The Big Egg Hunt 2025 . Throughout London. From 24 March - 27 April. FREE Easter at Cadbury World This Easter, head to Cadbury World for the ultimate Spring chocolate adventure, egg-sploring 14 choccie zones with an Easter Egg Trail, joining the Easter Bonnet Parade and watching Mr Cadbury Parrot’s Easter Egg-Stravaganza Stage Show. Join Cadbury's loveable parrot to uncover clues on a hunt for the missing Mini Eggs. There is plenty to fulfil their chocolate cravings, from a Crunchie rollercoaster into liquid chocolate, a chance to learn chocolate piping and tempering, exploring the origins of cocoa in the Aztec jungle, a chocolate making zone and everything you need to know about how our favourite Easter chocs are made. Cadbury World , 69 Linden Rd, Birmingham B30 1JR. Tickets from £22.50 per adult, £18 per child. Audley End Springtime Special Hop onto the miniature train - outside Saffron Walden, Essex - and ride deep into the enchanted Audley End woods to visit the Easter bunny in his farmyard home.  Along the route through the magical forest, kids can use I Spy sheets to spot bunnies burrowing in the undergrowth, colourful eggs and spring chicks.The train stops at the Easter bunny’s burrow, where children will meet the full-sized rabbit and his furry friends, who will give each child a special gift. The next stop is the Easter Trail, where families can wander through pathways to spot springtime animals, nests and eggs. You can check out a village of tiny fairy homes and plant flowers with a life-sized fairy. The Easter entertainment continues in the picnic field, where children can explore the adventure play area and watch Violet the Fairy on the stage. Eggsellent food and drink will be available at the Woodland Cafe all day with seasonal treats.  Audley End Miniature Railway , Audley End Road, Audley End, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 4JB. 5-21 April. Adults and children over 92cm from £18.75. Children under 92cm from £9.40. Under ones go free. The Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt at Hampton Court Palace Seek out the Lindt Gold Bunny and discover the stories of fascinating people who visited, lived and worked at Hampton Court Palace on this 90 minute trail. Run free in the 60 acres of Henry VIII's gardens to find the hidden Lindt statues. Match the name of the trail's palace characters to the red ribbon on the bunny statue at each location and uncover a fascinating story.  Your rabbit rummaging will be rewarded with a 10g Lindy Gold Bunny, with non-choc rewards available on request. Tickets include entry to the palace, maze, magic gardens, courtyards Hampton Court Palace , Hampton Ct Way, Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU. 29 March - 21 April. Adults from £26.30. Kids from £13.10. Under 5s go FREE.  Spring into Easter at Kent Life Heritage Park Turn the cute dial up to eleven with a visit to Cuddle Corner to find lambs and goat kids gulping bottles of milk and fluffles of bunnies. Then track down the Easter Bunny at the Maidstone farm, jump aboard its gloriously bumpy tractor, watch 'fun farmers’ performing in the Big Top, make Easter bonnets for a parade and create Easter pots in the Paint-a-Pot Studio.As well as the bunny, you can also discover an entire, Vintage Village from World War II, complete with 1930s and 1950s decor and an Anderson shelter. Kent Life Heritage Park . Lock Ln, Maidstone ME14 3AU 5 - 20 April. 10am - 5pm. £11.70 pp. Family £43, Members Free The Great Folkestone Harbour Egg Hunt This Easter, the Harbour Bunny is stashing 100 prize-packed eggs across Folkestone Harbour. Discover a hidden egg, and score yourself a prize from one of Folkestone Harbour's local businesses, from free adventure golf, to delicious treats from traders. Folestone Harbour Arm. From Good Friday (April 18th) to Easter Monday (April 21st), 11:00 - 18:00 Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition   Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition makes its UK premiere this March for a limited 14-week run. 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. 28 March - 29 June Hobbycraft Spring & Easter workshops The Crafting Mecca is offering a gaggle of arty kids’ workshops for as little as £6 throughout March and April. From clay creatures workshops to Easter Bug Bonnet workshops, slime and Easter Egg character classes, children can join a host of classes at Hobbycraft stores in and around London. Book here . Hobbycraft stores in and around London. 1 March - 30 April. £6-£10 The Little Prince One of the most popular books of all time will be brought to life this Easter, by a multi-skilled ensemble with original music, puppetry, projection and movement. In this version, an aviator crash-lands in the Sahara Desert, where he meets the Little Prince; a planet hopping innocent who teaches him the secret of what really matters in life. Audiences go on a magical and poignant journey through the solar system to meet a host of eccentric characters who demonstrate the beauty and folly of humanity. The Little Prince , The Cockpit, Marylebone. 9-12 April. Tickets £14/£18, family ticket £60 (2 adults + 2 kids) The Elmer Adventure Read our review Tall Stories are masterful adaptors of much-loved children’s books, so the holy grail - Elmer - is in safe hands, in this production. The show follows three adventurers who have loved the story of Elmer since they were childhood friends, and celebrate Elmer Day annually. They set off on a quest to find the real-life patchwork elephant in the jungle, and instead encounter the theatre audience, who also seem to be looking for the iconic elephant. They decide to work together, while telling three Elmer stories around the jungle campfire celebrating friendship, empathy and the celebration of being yourself. The Elmer Adventure , Blackheath Halls, 23 Lee Rd, Blackheath, London SE3 9RQ. 25 - 27 April Kids for £10 at Howletts Wild Animal Park PLUS Animal Encounters for £10 Read our review Howletts, Kent’s original wildlife park, houses some of the world’s most endangered and rare animals. With over 390 animals, including Kent’s only giant anteaters, the largest herd of African elephants in the UK, more gorillas than any other zoo in the country, and four adorable lion cubs, sisters, Zimbi, Simbi and Zala, and brother, Cazzo.  This Easter Holidays only, Howletts Wild Animal Park will be running its sell out  KIDS GO FOR £10  offer, PLUS animal encounters for just £10.   Howlett's Wild Animal Park , Bekesbourne Ln, Bekesbourne, Littlebourne, Canterbury CT4 5EL. Tickets can be booked in advance online and cost £25 for an adult, £10 for children aged 0-15 during the Easter Holidays only. Sylvanian Families: The Movie Our review Move over Easter Bunny, there’s a new rabbit in town this April, who we meet at the screening of the new SylvanianFamilies: The Movie screening. It’s an impossibly sweet and gentle romp through the Sylvanian Village, familiar to many of us from a certain era, who hungrily collected the picket fenced doll houses, cake shops and florists. The first feature length Sylvanian Families film follows Freya, her friends and new character Big Brother Bruce as they prepare for the annual Star Festival. It’s the perfect Easter treat for younger children from three up, and a sweet hit of nostalgia for parents who grew up on the turbo-cute toys. Hits Cinemas on 4 Apri l Little Night Little Night is a multi-sensory interactive show for toddlers, using engaging projections and soundscapes for a playful and imaginative experience, allowing children to explore a fairytale world, stimulating their senses and creativity. The show lasts approximately 30 minutes and encourages interactive exploration. Unicorn Theatre,  147 Tooley St, London SE1 2HZ. 29 March – 19 April.   Suitable for 18 months - 4 years Easter at Warwick Castle Warwick Castle is brimming with more than 15 live shows and attractions for families t his Easter. It includes the Zog Live Show, interactive trail and Zog playground; the UK’s largest bird of prey display, the immersive Princess Tower show, Horrible Histories Maze and the chance to see Britain’s largest siege machine up close in person. Warwick Castle, Warwick, CV34 6AU   The Robot Zoo How do chameleons change colour? What makes grasshoppers leap so high? How do bats see at night? Enter the fascinating world of The Robot Zoo and discover the mechanisms that give animals their amazing abilities. This family-friendly exhibition features larger-than-life animals that have been cleverly recreated using a variety of familiar machine parts and gadgets to reveal how their real life counterparts see, eat, hunt and hide. Interactive exhibits also give you the chance to try jet-propelled squid racing, and shoot a chameleon’s ‘tongue-gun’. Horniman Museum,  Lower Ground Floor, 100 London Rd, London SE23 3PQ. 14 February-2 November. Child ticket £6.50. Adult ticket £9.75 YOUNG V&A - Making Egypt Following the success of its first exhibition, Japan: Myth to Manga, Young V&A invites you on a fascinating journey through the ancient past to modern day, exploring ancient Egypt's creativity and how it continues to influence art, design and popular culture today, via more than 200 fascinating pieces - the oldest is a stonking 5,500 years old. Young V&A,  Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green, London, E2 9PA. Tickets £10pp. The Exhibition Pass gives unlimited visits to Making Egypt.  Kedi Studio Our review This unique, splatter paint experience is the perfect way to entertain and inspire Jackson Pollock Jrs. The 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. Every Thursday-Monday. From £45. Ride the UK’s Longest Toboggan Run Our review Take on the country’s epic, 740 metre toboggan run through pretty scenery for under a tenner. Chatham Snowboard Centre’s toboggan run invites everybody aged four up to whizz around its metal course, for an adrenaline-packed experience with low skills and big thrills. And the cheeky bonus is that if your child is under 7, you get two rides together for £9. Chatham Snowsports Centre,  John Nike Leisuresport Alpine Park, Capstone Rd, Chatham ME7 3JH. £9 for two toboggan rides (adults ride free with kids under 7) £17.50 for five rides. NEW Science Museum Afternoon Tea The Science Museum has launched a new afternoon tea, mixing science, art and food. The experience is curated by Benugo chefs, featuring fun treats like petri dish jelly, their signature pink lemonade which invites kids to use chemistry to create their own fizzy drink, cupcakes with ‘blood’ syringes and test tubes filled with popping candy, moon rocks and edible soil. Science Museum, Gallery Café, Level 2, Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD. Kids’ Afternoon Tea, £22. Every Wed-Sun from 24 January Bella the Tower Bridge Cat Trail Our review Two and four legged guests can go on a 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. And 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. Daily, 9.30am - 6pm. Included with your ticket - £6.70 kids, £13.40 adults. A Squash and a Squeeze Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s hit book goes from page to stage in this funny and heartwarming musical puppet adventure, adapted by Oliver-nominated duo Barb Jungr and Samantha Lane.  The world premiere adaptation of this popular book tells the story of an old lady who is unhappy with the size of her cost cottage, so follows a wise old man’s advice, and fills it with a gaggle of noisy, smelly farmyard animals, and begins its nationwide tour at our favourite puppet theatre, Little Angel. Little Angel Studios,  Sebbon St, London N1 2EH. 1 February-27 April. Kids £13pp. Adults £15pp. Ages 3-8 Neon Brush For Kids This brilliantly original event invites kids to experience the magic of neon painting, using fluorescent paints which glow in UV light. Stencils, brushes, paints and tools for snazzy effects are all provided for the family event, enjoyed to a soundtrack of kid-pleasing tunes. And they can leave with their finished masterpiece. Neon Brush Kids Edition , Glazier’s Hall SE1 22 Feb - 22 March From £21 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 Tickets from £7.50 Magic of Afternoon Tea at Vintry & Mercer Read our review Five star boutique hotel,  Vintry & Mercer  launched a brand new candlelit Magic of Afternoon Tea, for little (and big) wizards, which is full of delicious surprises. Our menu comes to life with a UV torch, there are chocolate soil-filled coffins to excavate, magical elixirs to mix, dramatic smoking tiers brimming with edible spell books, chocolate wands, owls and a chocolate and mango Excalibur dessert stabbed with a chocolate sword. And that's before we discuss the savouries and other surprises, which you can read about in our review. Hint: It's one of our favourite new family afternoon tea experiences. Vintry & Mercer,  19-20 Garlick Hill, London EC4V 2AU. Adult's Magic of Afternoon Tea - from £49.50 pp. Kid's Wizard's Afternoon Tea - £37.50 F1 Driving, Skywalks and Tours at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Little adrenaline junkies can get their kicks at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with a hat trick of high octane tours, from The Dare Skywalk - climbing to the top of the stadium, 46.8m above the pitch - to the UK’s first controlled descent from a stadium, once at the top. Plus a Stadium Tour for those who want to keep their feet on the ground. They can also experience a high tech Formula 1 driving experience, with an exciting track layout and LED steering wheels. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium , 782 High Rd, London N17 0BX The Paddington Bear Immersive Experience Read Review Everybody’s favourite, Peruvian bear has had the immersive treatment, with The Paddington Bear™ Experience. The marmalade-addled, interactive adventure across more than 26,000 square feet of Southbank’s London County Hall  invites guests into a series of themed rooms, inspired by iconic locations from the Paddington stories. Fittingly, it kicks off at Paddington Station, where guests will be greeted by a friendly Station Master and taken on a colourful train journey through London’s most famous landmarks, to the Browns’ charming, No. 32 Windsor Gardens home. Once inside the famous, tree-adorned hallway, guests will embark on a multi-sensory adventure to help the Brown family and Paddington prepare for the all-important Marmalade Day Festival. The Paddington Bear™ Experience , London County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7PB. Adult tickets £34pp. Children (2-15) £24. Under 2s go FREE Mrs Doubtfire Dining Experience Hellooo poppets! Hit West End musical Mrs Doubtfire has put the eat into theatre for a delicious new partnership with luxury London restaurant, Colonel Saab . The award-winning Indian dining concept gives fans a multi-sensory, pre-theatre dining experience, featuring cocktails and dishes inspired by famous scenes, which transform before your eyes and are not what they seem - just like the title character of Shaftesbury Theatre’s comedy show. Expect a "Run-By Fruiting" and a grand finale involving liquid nitrogen, in a cheeky nod to the famous kitchen fire scene, before heading around the corner to watch the show itself at Shaftesbury Theatre. Colonel Saab, 193-197 High Holborn, London WC1V 7BD. £60 course five course meal and cocktail or £35 Mrs Doubtfire Set Lunch plus theatre tickets. Shaftesbury Theatre, 210 Shaftesbury Ave, London WC2H 8DP Science Museum Astronights Sleepover  Read our review Budding scientists (aged 7-11) can spend the night at The Science Museum,  exploring the museum out-of-hours,  sleeping among space rockets, a Moon rock or in the world’s largest medical galleries. Young campers will experience the ultimate sleepover, with an evening full of activities, including science shows and interactive workshops.  This year’s Astronights programme is supported by official sponsor TEMPUR®, who will gift all campers a travel pillow to help budding scientists get some rest during this exciting night.The following morning, campers can refuel at breakfast, before exploring Wonderlab , their interactive gallery, with hands-on exhibits and immersive experiences, and catch a 3D documentary on their giant IMAX screen. Science Museum,  Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2DD. Dates vary, £70pp standard, £100 VIP. Monster Funfair at Discover Children's Story Centre Stratford's immersive, sprog-storytelling Mecca has launched its new family adventure, taking visitors through a fantastical circus tent and into the woods. In amongst the trees you’ll find an amazing, marvellous, EXTRAORDINARY… Monster Funfair!   Created with the award-winning Nadia Shireen, this magical world also has a fairground mystery to solve – just who has stolen ALL the candyfloss?  Discover Children's Story Centre is brimming with entertainment across three floors, plus a wonderfully imaginative Story Garden. 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. Discover Children's Story Centre  383-387 High St, London E15 4QZ.  Ages 0-8 Art in the Docks - FREE There are FREE art classes every Saturday morning at Art in the Docks, which can be booked online, with 30 spots for each class. Children are encouraged to use their imagination and gain confidence in a nurturing environment, hosted by ceramic artist Mariana Alemany. The classes are suitable for all ages, and all materials and equipment will be provided. Art in the Docks , 25 Shackleton Way, London, E16 2XJ. Every Saturday. 10am-12pm. FREE. Navrtar VR Arctic Expedition Take the family on an Arctic expedition, without leaving London. They’ll learn about global warming in a whole, new way during the 60-minute experience, exploring the abyss of the Arctic; its icy tundras, hidden caverns and unique wildlife hidden in an extraordinary, underwater world. Guests in teams of six can teleport 100 years into the future to compare the effects of global warming. The sessions begin with a range of multi-player mini games to enhance the senses and test skills, before embarking on the Arctic expedition, exploring marine life and shipwrecks. Navrtar , Dickens Yard, Longfield Ave W5 2UQ. Prices from £32pp. iFly Childrens’ Skydive Read our review here Anybody from the age of 3 to 103 can experience the superpower of flight at iFly , as long as they can comfortably wear a helmet. The instructors allow children to safely feel the sensation of an  exhilarating, 12,000 ft free-fall and flight,  without  jumping out of a plane. Along with watching the instructor perform a mesmerising  dance on air inside the vertical wind tunnel, your family can enjoy the extraordinary sensation of weightlessness, soaring around the glass tube and unlocking a core memory of their newfound super powers. iFLY London at The O2, Peninsula Square, London SE10 0DX. Tickets and vouchers to fly can be purchased by clicking here  and are available from £69.99 per person Wizard Exploratorium Check out our review here.   Soho's magic-themed Wizard Exploratorium is a five-storey, geek wonderland, offering a 4D wand-making workshop, immersive trick shop and suitably magical afternoon tea encompassing tea brewing, molecular gastronomy, and technology. Wizard Exploratorium , 26 Greek St, London W1D 5DE Slimy Gootopia Sessions Slime is a gloopy rite of passage for every child - parents quickly learn the art of removing it from hair and unwitting pets and it’s up there with ice cream in the kiddie delight department. Enter stage left: Gootopia , which brings its gloopy joy to Brixton and Lewisham. The venues have shelves of ready-made slime, slime ingredients, activator, and their ‘goo-to-go’ slime vending machine. They also offer a range of activities and experiences for kids of all ages, including slime workshops, birthday parties, school science workshops, drop-in slime-making sessions and live slime-making demonstrations by goo alchemists Gootopia . Brixton and Lewisham locations. Power Up at the Science Museum Following five successful runs, Power Up will make its permanent home at the Science Museum from July, allowing visitors to try over 160 consoles and hundreds of the very best video games, all year long. With the new Power Up annual passes, visitors can return whenever they fancy, to journey through the world of gaming. Experience the evolution of gaming – from classics such as Pong and Street Fighter to the latest PlayStation and Xbox – while discovering the science and history behind gaming’s most iconic developments. Power Up  Ticketed, daily passes: £10, annual passes: £15   . Age: 5+. Science Museum, Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD Get the Kids Climbing the Walls Get the kids climbing the walls at London’s Parthian Climbing centre in Wandsworth. The 25,000 square foot beast combines climbing with lifestyle, thanks to its café, bar, gym, retail and co-working space. And it is the first indoor climbing facility in the UK to feature an exact replica of  The Titan  Olympic bouldering wall, which will be used at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. They offer a range of kids’ sessions and courses for ages 3 and up. There are instructors for little ones taking on their first climbing experience, as well as the National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme (NICAS) for a progressive syllabus. They also host kids’ parties, for 1.5 hours of climbing activities and games which are the perfect antidote to ‘Fun Freddie’ wrestling a balloon into a drooping sausage dog. Parthian Climbing Centre , 52 - 58 Garratt Ln, Wandsworth, London SW18 4TF Avora Family Experience Read our review Up an unassuming, Shoreditch street is a secret portal to another planet. And on school holidays and Sundays, you can take your kids for a well-deserved break from Earth, on planet Avora. This  otherworldly adventure will see you encounter scientists, mocktails, aliens, army villains and closes with a child-pleasing, farty finale. Avora: Family Immersive Adventure  5C, 127 Hackney Road, London, E2 8GY. Sundays, 12pm – 3:30pm. School Holiday weekdays. £24.50 per child (6-13) £29.50 per adult. Play Captain on a GoBoat River Picnic Read our review If you’re looking for somewhere to spend a genuinely relaxing few hours for parents and  children (plus dogs, if you have one) we recommend a GoBoat  trip. You can enjoy a picnic as captain of your own, electric boat through Canary Wharf, Paddington, Kingston, Thames Ditton or Birmingham. GoBoat UK , Open 7 days a week from 9am - dusk. Prices start from  £85 for 1 hour and  £125 for two hours on the  8-person boats. GoBoat Canary Wharf, 22 Churchill Place, London, E14 5RE Paddington Afternoon Tea Bus Tour Read our review Brigit's Bakery official Paddington Bear afternoon tea bus tour has built-in screens, so that Paddington and Mrs Bird can provide an animated guide to the tour, which includes some of Paddington's favourite landmarks, like Big Ben, The Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Hyde Park, Nelson’s Column, Downing Street, St. Paul's Cathedral, Borough Market, Green Park and Piccadilly Circus. The tour takes just under two hours, while you scoff treats including glittering shortbreads, designed to look like nibbled marmalade sandwiches, mini pizzas, smoked salmon and cucumber pretzels, turkey ham and cheddar or cream cheese and cucumber finger sandwiches and naturally, marmalade sandwiches. And for those who share the bear’s sweet tooth, the homemade sweet treats included a rice pudding studded with chocolate honeycomb, chocolate cupcakes crowned with Paddington’s chocolate paws, lemon meringue tarts, chocolate macarons and freshly baked scones with cream and jam. Brigit’s Bakery also provide vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and halal afternoon teas. Paddington Afternoon Tea Bus tour  Departs from Trafalgar Square, Wednesdays to Sundays. Prices from £45 adult, £35 child. Whizz Down The ArcelorMittal Orbit How about hurling your children down the world’s tallest slide? The 178m long ArcelorMittal Orbit  was the iconic landmark of the 2012 London Olympics and is now an attraction with three adventure experiences. Families can speed down the winding slide, abseil, or walk around the glass orbit at the top. You can also pretend it's a high-brow, cultural experience, because the orbit is also a sculpture by Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond. And it beats the usual views of grubby swings and bins, because here you can check out the stunning views of Queen Elizabeth Park. To ride the slide, children must be at least eight years old and over 1.3m.   ArcelorMittal Orbit , Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, 5 Thornton St, London E20 2AD. From £10.75. Cutty Sark Rig Climb Experience Originally climbed when the ship first arrived to Greenwich in 1954, visitors can now recreate this, by clambering up the famous masts of the Cutty Sark.The Rig Climb Experience invites kids and brave parents to step up from the main deck onto the ship’s ratlines and climb up its top mast, as hundreds of sailors did during the Cutty Sark’s heyday. Once at the top, climbers will experience a controlled descent from the rigging. Participants will be rewarded with some of the best views in London, overlooking St Paul’s Cathedral, The Shard and Tower Bridge. Cutty Sark King William Walk, London SE10 9H Snot, Sick and Scabs at the 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 Out-of-Hours at the British Museum Your little ones can walk in the footsteps of the ancient Greeks, Pharoahs or journey through the cultures of China at The British Museum's family-friendly, out-of-hours tours. Taking place between 8.50 – 10am, before the galleries are open to the public, you can beat the unsavoury crowds. And from 4 - 25 March, children can explore Roman history through Minecraft, create a Japan-themed family photo (11 March) and make mosaic masks inspired by the Aztec gods on 18 March. The British Museum , Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG. Under fives go free.  £16.50 for 5-15 year olds. £33 Adults Monopoly Lifesized Go big or go home… or straight to jail at Monopoly Lifesized,  an immersive, on-your-feet version of the classic, family game, played on a 15m x 15m lifesized Monopoly board. Enter the 4D experience and compete in challenges for your chance to buy properties. Stage a heist in Mayfair, compete against a clock to build some of London’s iconic buildings, solve a baffling murder mystery or step into the world of codebreakers. The 80-minute experience is suitable for kids from 9 and older and is open every day except Mondays. Monopoly Lifesized , 213-215 Tottenham Court Road, W1T 7PS. Tickets £49 pp Crystal Maze LIVE Experience Older children (from 8 onwards) can take on this immersive adventure, which brings the hit 90s TV show to life.Run around like mentalists, yell, complete a host of difficult challenges and end the game in a fetching, satin bomber jacket. Crystal Maze Live Experience , 22 - 32 Shaftesbury Avenue W1D 7EU Holiday to Space at Royal Observatory Greenwich Join Ted and Plant as they explore the Solar System in search of the best place to take a holiday in an intergalactic morning adventure, including a planetarium show and interactive workshop. Recommended Age: 3 - 6 yrs. Open 10am-5pm daily Royal Observator y Greenwich Park, Blackheath Avenue SE10 8XJ Like what you've read? Why not follow us on Insta?

A Honey Pot for Pooh Fans and Discerning Bears Like Winnie the Pooh and Piglet before us, we head to Ashdown Forest - the inspiration for 100 Acre Wood - for a weekend at Ashdown Park Hotel , the grand Neo-Gothic hotel that sits at the forest's heart. It’s a grand first impression, heading up the stately four star hotel's long driveway, past perfectly manicured lawns, where we park our car beside tame deer, nibbling the grass. Built in 1815, the sprawling 186 acre estate with 106 characterful rooms, golf course and spa is brimming with history - it's been a hospital for Belgian soldiers, a Convent, school house and a university. Since 1993 it has been Sussex’s most luxurious country hotel that we (are about to) know and love. The tone is set as we step into its reception, with austere, mahogany staircase, a vast fireplace and ancient stone archways leading to a warren of grand rooms. Friendly and immaculately dressed staff lead us to the East Wing, down long, stone-walled corridors to our extraordinary suite - Room 100. It’s a deliciously eccentric, gothic dream, with stunning circular stained glass windows studding the walls, sunshine streaming through giant arched church windows, a lounge area with chocolates and fudge awaiting us, and perfectly chopped, purple pillows. I rarely squeal in astonishment at a loo - apart from Glastonbury, for very different reasons. But this ensuite is jaw-dropping, with an enormous and kaleidoscopic circular stained glass window which presides over the room. All perfunctory ablutions feel sacred and exciting in this space, and we presume the whirlpool bath fills with holy water, when we turn on the taps. There are all the luxury touch points you’d expect from the Elite Hotels Group - Molton Brown toiletries, Nespresso machine, fluffy robes and slippers. We drag ourselves away from the suite, to discover the spa - a fragrant and pristine space, where we splash about in the pool and then relax in the Jacuzzi. There is also a gym, and treatment rooms offering massages, facials, body scrubs, rituals and wraps. Feeling refreshed and acclimatising to our child-free trip away, without half-finished conversations while frantically fumbling for snacks, we amble back to our room to prepare for dinner. The sun has dipped beneath the forest and the drama of the gothic buildings is brought to life, with uplighting, against the royal blue sky. The dining experience starts with cocktails in the low-lit, cosy Drawing Room, while we look over the menus, before heading through to their 2 AA Rosette Anderida Restaurant . There are starched shirts on friendly staff, white table clothes, and a man tinkling away on the Grand Piano - it’s charmingly old school, without feeling stuffy. I start with the Salmon Ceviche, a generous and fresh dish, with a zingy kiwi, lime and red chilli dressing. My husband has a showstopping bone marrow starter - rich, buttery marrow with charred shallots and crispy capers, served with crusty sourdough. Phwoar. There’s an excellent Mains selection, from slow braised octopus to Chateaubriand, or roasted venison haunch. I opt for the fish of the day (a fresh and meaty trout) with crushed new potatoes, garlic spinach, tomato compote and crispy onion. My partner has the harissa rubbed lamb rump - as tender as a baby, with a rich pink centre, and served with moreish stuffed aubergines, golden and fluffy roti potatoes and mint jus. Perfection. This is washed down with a lovely Bodegas Berceo Rioja from their excellent wine selection. Sadly, we don’t have space for dessert, but we admire the Chocolate Orange Cremeaux Choix Buns which arrive on a fellow diner’s table, as we waddle back to our room. We return to the restaurant the following morning for breakfast - there’s a range of pastries, cereals, fruit, meats and fish alongside breakfast which is cooked to order - our perfectly poached eggs have pleasingly burnt orange yolks, served with zingy avocado and lime on toast. Then we explore the Ashdown estate, which is vast. There are 95 acres of landscaped woodland, brimming with follies; a secret garden; spraying fountains; a Koi carp filled lake and stunning views. There’s an 18-hole golf course, which cuts through the forest and naturally, there’s a croquet lawn. We also discover tennis courts, a helipad, and its beautiful (and now deconsecrated) church, which is used for events these days. Naturally, the hotel is buzzing with Winnie the Pooh fans - children can enjoy their Pooh-inspired afternoon tea of themed sandwiches, cupcakes and treats. And it’s just a ten-minute drive to Pooh Sticks Bridge in Hartfield, where AA Milne first played the game with his son (the real-life Christopher) and is near the homes of Owl, Piglet and the gang. You can also discover Galleon’s Lap, Roo’s Sandy Pit, the Heffalump Trap, and the Enchanted Place where Christopher Robin says farewell to his friend. It’s clear that Tigger has been to Ashdown Park Hotel and Eeyore needs to pay it a visit. But whether you’re a Pooh-lover or not, the hotel is a honey trap for discerning bears who value quintessential English luxury, in a beautiful country setting, with excellent food and giant stained glass windows in their loo. Ashdown Park Hotel, Wych Cross, Forest Row, East Grinstead, RH18 5JR. Rooms from £152 a night Like what you've read? Please keep in touch!

A Big Value Adventure for Little People We head just over an hour from London to Gulliver’s Land, a wonderfully eccentric theme park for children, where we stay in its brilliantly themed Adventurer’s Village. Like Gulliver before us, we embark on a magical voyage (up the M1) and arrive at a unique new world, filled with little people. On arrival, we meet the attraction’s mascots, Gilly and Gully Mouse, along with Leonard the Lion. They sing, rap, dance and hype up the children from balconies in the Bavarian-style village, before the big red ribbons into the park are cut and it is officially open. Excited children race up the cobbled streets and past the fairytale buildings, towards the Disney-esque castle, which presides over the park. We let the children guide us through more than 25 rides in the six themed areas and for once, we find a theme park where almost every ride and experience is suitable for our four and six-year-olds - no wobbly lips or sulks because they’re too short, and quick queues for everything. Highlights include the rollercoasters, which are just the right amount of excitement to low-level terror ratio for our little ones, they include the Runaway Train, Grand Prix Racers and the more gentle, Crazy Mouse mini coaster, which my son did twice in a row. There are wet rides - a fabulous Log Flume and the fun, Jungle Falls wet slides, braved on boats - thankfully, full body dryer machines are provided, which prove almost as exciting as the rides. The park’s newest ride, the Rocking Tugboat delighted our little ones, whizzing around in a fun, manmade storm, although our four-year-old discovered he didn’t quite have the sea legs for the bigger, Buccaneer pirate ship. The park’s theme is explained in the charming Gulliver’s Travels Ride, a gentle journey through the story in a golden carriage, encountering storms, submerged ships, and a giant Gulliver, being tied down by Lilliputians. The JCB Zone is also a big hit, filled with digger themed activities, rides and attractions. Across two days, we go on hot air balloon rides, treetop swings, teeter above the park on its Cycle Monorail, go on Jungle river rides and dinosaur boat tours, ride ponies, dinosaurs, vintage cars and trains and spin around in Jousting Castles. There are six zones, our favourite being the Wild West area, which is brilliantly themed, with a Junior Cowboy Town, filled with child-sized jails, ranches and saloons to role play in, and filled with cowboy themed rides. The park is studded with indoor and outdoor play areas, from soft-plays, role play villages, forts, mazes and play parks to sand pits. So we barely have time to touch the Farm Park, which has an animal barn, aviaries, Cuddle Corner to pet rabbits and guinea pigs, tractor and mini diggers, jumping pillows, an insect park - filled with giant animatronic wasps and tarantulas - and even a Poo Pavillion, where you are encouraged to wash your hands after visiting, as it is very hands on... A few cafes, restaurants and snack points are dotted around, but the main dining area is the Lilliput Land Castle, serving up pizzas, burgers, sandwiches or fish and chips. Adventurer’s Village Stay Given the target age group of the theme park, its 4pm closing time means parents don’t have to drag reluctant children away from flumes. And we have an additional incentive to tear our kids away, because we’re checking into a pirate lodge at its Adventurers Village for the night. Check in is pleasingly fast for impatient and excited children, fresh from a day of rollercoasters. We’re given keys and a print out of the evening’s entertainment, which includes pottery crafts, kids’ disco, marshmallow toasting, outdoor popcorn making, milk and cookies with Cookie Monster and a movie night. And it’s an exciting totter to our lodge, past fabulous themed accommodation, like a giant princess castle on the swan-filled lake; beach dens surrounded by sand; fairytale hideouts, jungle safari lodges and tipis. Our favourite lodges are the dino dens in the themed Lost World area, complete with paths flanked by giant dinosaur rib cages, and cages topped with escaped velociraptors. Even the play areas are themed, with an excavation sandpit and dino slides and climbing frames. Our pirate cabin overlooks the lake, and ducks potter about outside our decking. It’s a cosy, well-designed space, with a lounge and TV area, dining table, dinky kitchen, shower room and assorted pirate paraphernalia (skull and crossbones curtains, nautical art, lighting and cushions) in the children’s bunk bedroom and our double bedroom. We eat dinner in the Raptor Restaurant - decent pizzas, enormous nachos and burgers - and head to the evening entertainment, kicking off with the disco and then tottering across to the dinosaur area for marshmallow toasting around the fire pit. There is a great selection of evening entertainment for little campers in the area, from movie nights to milk and cookies with Cookie Monster, but ours are happily frazzled after a day of adventures, and ready for bed, before day two in the theme park. Gulliver’s Land is a gem for young families, with great value stay and play deals to extend the fun overnight, minimal queues, and a huge range of entertainment and adventures for little ones. Gulliver’s Land Resort , Livingstone Dr, Milton Keynes MK15 0DT. Day tickets from £23 pp. Stay and Play package offer two days of theme park entry and evening family entertainment, staying in themed accommodation in Adventurer’s Village with prices starting from £194.35 for 2 adults and 2 children. Like what you've read? Please keep in touch!

Mum's the Word - The Ultimate Guide to the Best Presents of 2025 Mother's Day is a month later this year, so there's no excuse for a rushed petrol station bouquet. Enter stage left - our gift guide of thoughtful prezzies, as unique as she is. ___________________ Yvonne Ellen - Mum's Cuppa Bundle Looking for a gift that shows you appreciate the hours of excruciating labour she endured for you? Well it's here, in the gorgeous shape of Yvonne Ellen's Mum's Cuppa Bundle. The luxurious, bone china set comes in equally gorgeous gift boxes - no wrapping, BOOM - and feature the award-wining designer's trademark, quirky illustrations, in pretty pastels with gold detail. The teacup is emblazoned with "Mum" so nobody can steal her brew, alongside a saucer decorated with a sleepy dormouse. And the deliciously eccentric teapot features a regal white mouse, bearing a crown. So get the kettle on and toast her you-making skills with an opulent brew in these bad-boys. BUY FROM YVONNE ELLEN . £60 Lola's Mother's Day Cupcakes These cakes lasted as long as it takes to say "mum" - and we can testify that they will make you the favourite child. The box is bulging with six beautifully presented, handcrafted cupcakes in three delicious flavours. Our favourite was the Blueberry & Earl Grey, a delicate tea sponge filled with blueberry compote, finished with purple cream cheese icing and delicate, edible flower decoration. She can have her cakes and eat them. The Vanilla Blossom is crowned with silky buttercream, dried lavender, and viola flowers, along with a heart etched with "mum." The Lemon & Poppyseed cakes also disappeared with alarming speed – zesty sponge cakes with a heart of lemon curd, topped with white chocolate cream cheese icing and a delicate lemon macaron.
 BUY FROM LOLA'S CUPCAKES. £23.70 for 6. Delivery available from 25 to 30 March HEY DUDE - Austin Lift Classic Impossibly lightweight, super stylish and so comfortable it feels like you're walking on a cloud made from marshmallows and kitten fur - Check, check and check. This is what makes HEY DUDE'S Austin Lift Classics the ultimate gift for any mums who value comfort which doesn't scrimp on style. We have lived in our suede Austin Lift Classics, which have light-as-air platform outsoles, and a raised heel edge to keep trotters exactly where they should be. They come in a range of super cool styles, from leopard print to metallic silver, tan, blush and rosette. Those feet carried you for nine months and trod on your LEGO, so this is the LEAST you can do. BUY FROM HEY DUDE , £74.99 Formation Co. - Emerald Curb Bracelet Emeralds are the perfect stone for Mother's Day, representing rebirth, renewal, fertility and love. And words have not been invented to describe how beautiful this Emerald Curb Bracelet is. Formation Co's delicate jewellery is made to order and never mass produced, using ethically sourced materials in every aspect of production, from metal to packaging and using recycled metals where possible, so that each item is entirely unique. This beautiful bracelet is light, dainty with gorgeous golds and greens which come to life in the light. BUY FROM FORMATION CO. £42 Ramsbury Raspberry & Wildflower Honey Gin This is the perfect alternative to flavoured gins, for a more discerning mum's palate. We loved the sweetness of the luxurious wildflower honey, which cut through the tart juiciness of the natural raspberry juice - all sourced from the Ramsbury Estate, along with the wheat used to distil the gin. It's a vibrant taste of the summer countryside in a glass and makes the perfect G&T to toast your your mum, endlessly. BUY FROM RAMSBURY ESTATES . £33 Passport Piccanté - World Flavours Hot Sauce Gift Set Take your mum on a delicious trip around the world, with this ultimate world flavours hot sauce gift set. We were blown away by this beautifully presented box of extraordinary spices from around the globe - 10 of the 12 sauces are Great Taste Award winners, so the quality and flavours are on spicy point. Ranging from mild to hot, the brilliantly versatile selection is perfect for adding excitement to dishes from breakfast to dinner, with flavours including India's spicy Forever Phall sauce, Mexican Fury, and traditional Louisiana-style BBQ sauce. We used ours in everything from the ultimate secret sarnie ingredient, to zingy salad dressing, marinades, stews, dipping sauces and soups. A special shout-out to their insanely moreish Sriracha - one of our favourite sauces and we couldn't get enough of their version on our eggs and avo inthe morning and salmon in the evening. BUY FROM CHILLI NO.5. £35 St-Germain X Issy Granger Cocktail Carafe Set This stunning, limited edition cocktail set is a mic-drop of a Mother's Day present. The beautiful box has a swish drawer, which pulls out to reveal a wonderfully unique, handblown Issy Granger cocktail carafe, embazoned with dainty glass elderflowers, and inspired by the iconic St-Germain bottle. There is also a generous, 50cl bottle of dreamy St-Germain elderflower liquer, a bottle of Harvey Nichols Premier Cru Brut Champagne, a matt gold cocktail spoon and St-Germain recipe cards - we heartily recommend their famous Spritz, a refreshing combo of St-Germain, fizz, lemon and soda water. The only downside is that it's almost too beautiful to use... although we're very glad we did. BUY FROM HARVEY NICHOLS . £95 The Copenhagen Company - Cedarwood & Sea Salt Candle These luxurious candles are sophisticated, ethical and sustainable with an impressive 45-hour burn time - and this is the fragrance your mum deserves. The fresh and salty sea breeze blends beautifully with the delicate blue freesia scents, with middle floral nots of Jasmine and Gardenia, carried to every corner of your room by a warm and spicy cedarwood and musk base. They are affordable, but smell divine and will look the part on your mum's table this Mother's Day, giving all of the Hygge and fresh, Spring scents. BUY FROM COPENHAGEN CANDLES . £13 for small to £17 for large candle 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? Now that's a Mother's Day present. 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 Kairos Contactless Wine Aerator This extraordinary gadget is the world's first contactless wine aerator, and will transform mum's vino time. 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 her over Mother's Day lunch. BUY FROM KAIROS . £199 Greenpan Padova Reserve Pink Frying Pan Set These blush pink frying pans are a sizzling showstopper of a gift for mum. They come as a child 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 Bellamie Apéritif Toast mum 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 OHS Ribbed Fleece Dressing Gown This super soft, affordable and cosy dressing gown is a great Mother's Day gift option. We opted for the regal, deep blue, which feels like a hug from a Hygge Monster. It has hoods, pockets, an adjustable belt and pretty ribbed texture, which feels pleasing to stroke, while watching the latest Netflix serial killer doc on the sofa, with a cuppa. BUY FROM OHS . £19 OHS Velvet Scallop Edge Cushion Cover Mums can never have enough cushions, and we love the pleasingly cartoonish design of these playful, scallop edge cushion covers in matte velvet. Available in pink with red trim or lilac with pink trim, and coming in packs of two, they are great (and super affordable) statement pieces, which wash well and are super soft to cosy up with on the sofa. BUY FROM OHS . From £13 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!

The Capital's Top Art Shows this March 2025 The art world has been festooned with flowers and eggs, which can only mean one thing - Spring. And there's a good deal to be egg-cited about, from the Tutankhamun blockbuster, to the Face Magazine show, Grayson Perry's big 65th birthday exhibition, Saatchi's stunning floral extravaganza and 100 egg sculptures across the capital, to Marilyn, Leigh Bowery, Linder and the last chance to see Luke Jarram's new sun installation at Old Royal Naval College. Discover the best London exhibitions this March, below: __________________________ The Big Egg Hunt 2025 An egg-citing event launches this March, in the shape of The Big Egg Hunt 2025, a free public art exhibition of 100 giant egg sculptures. Conservation charity Elephant Family and Clarence Court eggs have enlisted named including Mr Doodle, Anya Hindmarch, Chopard, Beth Katleman, Sophie Tea, LUAP, Rob and Nick Carter to design eggs, which have been placed around iconic locations like Battersea Power Station, Buckingham Palace, Saatchi Gallery and Covent Garden. You can tick them off on the free app, with prizes along the way. And the sculptures will be auctioned in aid of the charity’s conservation work. The Big Egg Hunt 2025 . Throughout London. From 24 March - 27 April. FREE. Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition This blockbuster Egyptian show makes its UK premiere this March for a limited 14-week run. 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. 28 March - 29 June Flowers: Flora In Contemporary Art & Culture Flowers have inspired artists, writers and creatives throughout history. This exhibition of more than 500 unique artworks - including an installation made from 100,000 dried flowers - explores how they are represented and why. Occupying two floors and over nine major gallery spaces, it features large-scale installations, original art, photography, fashion, archival objects and graphic design celebrating the influence of flowers on creativity and human expression. Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York's HQ, King's Rd, London SW3 4RY. Until 5 May. Tickets from £10pp. The Face Magazine: Culture Shift The exhibition celebrates iconic fashion images and portraits from The Face, a trail-blazing youth culture and style magazine that has shaped the creative and cultural landscape in Britain and beyond and helped launch the faces of everybody from Kate Moss to Liam Gallagher. It brings together the work of over 80 photographers, including Sheila Rock, Stéphane Sednaoui, Corinne Day, David Sims, Elaine Constantine and Sølve Sundsbø, and features over 200 photographs – a unique opportunity to see many of these images away from the magazine page for the first time. National Portrait Gallery, St. Martin's Pl, London WC2H 0HE. Until 18 May. From £23 pp. Grayson Perry: Delusions of Grandeur To mark his 65th birthday, Sir Grayson Perry presents over 40 new works, in the largest contemporary exhibition ever held at the museum. Visitors will encounter ceramics, tapestries and works on paper, displayed alongside masterpieces from the collection that helped shape Perry’s vision for this landmark show. The show will question the nature of craft-making and our drive for perfectionism. Intricate handcrafted objects will be shown alongside works made with digital technology – comparing an object that may have taken thousands of hours to create against one that was possible with the click of a button. Through these approaches, Perry will ask the viewer to contemplate questions concerning authenticity and the artist’s role in the future. The Wallace Collection , Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN. 28 March - 26 October. £15 pp Linder: Danger Came Smiling Pioneering feminist artist, Linder launches her first London retrospective, celebrating 50 years of her work, dissecting our fascination with the body and its representation. From from early glamour photography to digital deep fakes, this must-see exhibition spans from the early photomontages she made while part of the Manchester’s Seventies punk scene, to new work in digital montage, featuring montage, photography, performance and sculpture, examining of our shifting attitudes to aspirational lifestyles, sex, food and fashion. Hayward Gallery , Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX. 11 February - 5 May 2025. £3 - £20 Leigh Bowery! In his short, but brilliant life, Leigh Bowery left an indelible mark on the art world, as artist, performer, model, TV personality, club promoter, fashion designer and musician. This eclectic and immersive exhibition is a rare chance to experience many of Bowery’s looks alongside his collaborations with artists including Michael Clark, Charles Atlas, Nick Knight, and Lucian Freud. It will provide a fresh insight into the creative scenes in London, New York and beyond featuring Lady Bunny, MINTY and Boy George and allow us to step into Bowery’s dynamic world that blurred the lines between art and life. Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG. 27 February - 31 August. £18 / free for members. London Premiere of Luke Jerram’s NEW Helios Installation Move over Mars, there’s a new star in town, in the extraordinary shape of Luke Jerram’s brand new Helios installation, which will make its London premiere at Old Royal Naval College. The artist’s equally jaw-dropping Mars artwork will be replaced by the seven-meter celestial artwork of our largest star, to bring its vibrancy within touching distance in this cold winter. Co-commissioned by the Old Royal Naval College, Helios promises a ‘winter sun’ escape in a stunning setting, complemented by a programme of events celebrating wellbeing and culture. It offers a rare opportunity to closely examine the star’s surface in astonishing detail. At a scale of 1:200 million, every centimetre of the illuminated masterpiece represents 200km of the Sun’s fiery expanse. Painted Hall,  Old Royal Naval College, London SE10 9NN, 25 January - 25 March. £16.50 Brasil! Brasil! The Birth of Modernism In the early 20th century a new modern art was emerging in Brazil, informed by the vibrant cultures, identities and landscapes of Brazil. This major exhibition features more than 130 works by ten important Brazilian artists from the twentieth century - with many on show for the first time - capturing the diversity of Brazilian art its birth and colourful evolution. Royal Academy , Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BD. 28 Jan - 28 April.Tickets  from £23.50 pp The World of Tim Burton We whispered Beetlejuice three times, and the UK premiere of The World of Tim Burton has been announced at London's Design Museum. Fittingly, the alchemist of whimsical goth horror’s exhibition launches just before Halloween, on 25 October, riding the crest of the hype-tsunami around the freshly released Beetlejuice 2 movie. The show will showcase his work beyond the silver-screen, as an illustrator, painter, photographer and author, as well as key collaborations with designers. Drawing from Burton’s personal archive and representing his creative output from childhood to the present day, this collection of drawings, paintings, photographs, sketchbooks, moving-image works, sculptural installations, set and costume design focuses on the recurrent visual themes and motifs found in Burton’s art and film worlds. This will be the final stop in a decade-long world tour for this exhibition and will be its only ever showing in the UK. The World of Tim Burton , Design Museum, 224-238 Kensington High St, W8 6AG. 25 October 25 2024 - 21 April 2025. Tickets from £19.69 pp, Kid’s £9.85 Marilyn: The Exhibition Read our review This UK premiere offers a rare and unprecedented glimpse into the private world of the silverscreen icon. From love letters, satin robes and timeless outfits to vintage shoes, make-up and accessories, this meticulously curated collection features 250 extraordinary objects from the exclusive private collection of Ted Stampfer, the world's largest collector of Marilyn's historical objects. The eternally fascinating, Hollywood superstar's most personal belongings were locked in storage for almost 40 years before being dispersed across the globe, after being released to the world’s biggest auction houses. Finally, this vast and extraordinary collection has been reunited for this show, revealing the woman behind the world’s most famous smile. Marilyn: The Exhibition . Arches, London Bridge,  8 Bermondsey St, London SE1 2ER. Until 21 April 2025 Anthony McCall - Solid Light at Tate Modern The Godfather of immersive exhibitions, Anthony McCall brings his extraordinary, Solid Light show to Tate Modern  on 27 June, inviting visitors to bring artworks to life through movements and interactions. Beams of light projected through a thin mist create large, three-dimensional forms in space, which slowly shift and change. As you move through these translucent light sculptures, you’ll create new, airy sculptures. Occupying a space between sculpture, cinema, drawing, and performance, McCall is known for his innovative installations of light. In 1973, his seminal work Line Describing a Cone redefined the possibilities of sculpture and this show is set to be the Tate’s next big blockbuster. Anthony McCall: Solid Light.  Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG. Until 27 April 2025. Tickets £10 pp. Entheon at Illusionaries  Illusionaries , Canary Wharf's new multi-sensory art space, invites us on a journey through three immersive rooms and installations, designed to engage the senses through soundscapes, animation, projection and colour. The UK premiere of the Entheon  show sees international artists Alex and Allyson Grey explore the human condition, with kaleidoscopic pieces, showing the interconnectedness of the physical and spiritual worlds. Alex and Allyson are also the co-founders of Chapel of Sacred Mirrors (CoSM), a non-profit organisation dedicated to fostering creativity, spirituality and contemplation through art.  Entheon . Illusionaries, Crossrail Pl, London E14 5AR. NAOMI in Fashion at V&A The V&A will transform into the ultimate catwalk for a celebration of supermodel Naomi Campbell’s 40 year career, from 22 June. The show features more than 100 stunning outfits as well as iconic shots by some of the world’s biggest photographers, telling her extraordinary story and celebrating her creative collaborations, activism and far-reaching cultural impact. Victoria & Albert Museum , Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL. Until 6 April 2025 Like what you've read? Why not subscribe to our free, monthly newsletter?

Our Tried and Tested Guide to the Top Foodie Presents of 2024 Tis the season to eat, drink and be merry and we have sniffed out the BEST food and drink Christmas gifts for 2024. There's something for every budget and flavour of foodie, so stick a napkin down your jumper and dig in to our delicious guide. ___________________ St-Germain X Issy Granger Cocktail Carafe Set This stunning, limited edition cocktail set is a mic-drop of a Christmas present, for somebody you really love. The beautiful box has a swish drawer, which pulls out to reveal a wonderfully unique, handblown Issy Granger cocktail carafe, embazoned with dainty glass elderflowers, and inspired by the iconic St-Germain bottle. There is also a generous, 50cl bottle of dreamy St-Germain elderflower liquer, a bottle of Harvey Nichols Premier Cru Brut Champagne, a matt gold cocktail spoon and St-Germain recipe cards - we heartily recommend their famous Festive Spritz, a refreshing and suitably merry combo of St-Germain, fizz, lemon and soda water. The only downside is that it's almost too beautiful to use... although we're very glad we did. BUY FROM HARVEY NICHOLS . £95 The British Hamper Company - Artisan Celebration Hamper This is the ultimate hamper for foodies this Christmas, bulging with fizz, a candle and wonderfully curated, luxury sweet and savoury nibbles, from top artisan and independent producers. Presented in a beautiful ribbon tied gift box, it contains a bottle of excellent Ruggeri Prosecco Argeo, a Sea Breeze scented candle, dark chocolate mints, chocolate dipped almonds, sea salt and black peppercorn crunch, British Breakfast Tea, sweet and salty popcorn, bean to bar chocolate, lemon butter shortbread, all butter cheddar biscuits, Jalapeño and Lime nuts and rosemary and garlic olives. All the products are packaged beautifully and the award-winning quality of these producers is evident in every bite. The company is famous for its wide range of great value hampers, which include a Christmas hamper, brimming with festive treats. BUY FROM BRITISH HAMPER COMPANY. £100 Eleanor Bowmer Santa's Serve Platter 'Sleigh' your gifting this Christmas with the gorgeously kitsch Eleanor Bowmer Santa Serve Platter. Part of the 2024 Fabulously Festive collection, this stonewear serve platter features hand-illustrated moons, stars and a retro Santa design. It's finished with a golden rim for a Christmas table that will be merry and bright. It's also available in a matching gravy boat and saucer. BUY FROM ELEANOR BOWMER £40 Dexam Nutcracker Cake Stand It's a shame to put a cake on this stand, because it's pretty enough to eat. The sturdy ceramic stand is decorated with a beautiful Nutcracker design, featuring ballet dancers, the titular soldier toy, candy canes, Christmas trees and holly. This is part of Dexam's new Christmas collection, which includes a gaggle of whimsical Nutcracker items, from plates, mugs and jugs to table runners and napkins. BUY FROM DEXAM  £22 Instant Cold Brewer Coffee & Iced Tea Maker Instant Pot's ingenious Cold Brewer ia a game-changer, making bolder flavoured cold coffees in 20 minutes. We've been smashing out the cold brews, now we don't have to wait a day for them, thanks to its snazzy FlashExtractTM technology. It also works for loose tea leaves for iced tea, bubble tea, or even chai tea lattes. You can customise the brew strength and drinks have a more mellow and less acidic taste, which is not watered down with ice cubes. This gift will become their new best friend, trust us. BUY FROM INSTANTPOT . £79.99 Hokan Bowls We love these stylish, innovative and sustainable bowls, hard. The space saving sexpots can be stacked and used to prepare and cook food, as well as serving meals - the lid doubles as a side dish - plus saving and storing nosh. Available in three sizes and five colours - white, black, lemon, sea green and cobalt blue - they are too pretty to hide away in cupboards. We've put our Hokans through their paces, via ovens, microwaves, fridges and the hands of baking toddlers - and they are turbo robust and will survive us all. Perfect gift for a space-saving student keen for a multi-tasking tool or a chef maestro - Nigella swears by them. BUY FROM HOKAN BOWLS . From £24 Wonderland 12 Cocktails of Christmas This gift pack of easy but impressive cocktails is guaranteed to put the merry into Christmas. The 12 cocktails use Brewdog's spirits and are cunningly designed with extra space in the can, for the perfect shake and pour. The fizzy offerings in the box simply need to be chilled and poured. The treats include perfectly made classics, like the Mojito, Cosmo and Margarita along with some inspired twists on bar favourites, like their wonderfully festive Chocolate Orange Espresso Martini, or the Watermelon Margarita. No shaking, mixing, or messing up recipes, just perfect, bar-quality cocktails straight from the fridge - a lovely gift which will disappear worryingly quickly, if your recipient is anything like us... BUY FROM BREWDOG . £40 Della Vite Prosecco Rose The Delevingne sisters aren’t just pretty faces - on top of acting, singing and charity work, the trio has launched the hit vegan and sustainable Della Vite Prosecco. We sampled their newly launched DOC Treviso Rosé Prosecco Gift Set, which is the perfect Christmas gift for bubbly lovers. The 11.5% bottle comes in a fancy, embossed box and is fresh and fruity with a creamy texture. Its rhubarb and wild berry notes also make it the perfect base for a mean, sparkling Cosmo. Bottoms up. BUY FROM SAINSBURY’S . £21.50 Hydro-Herb Kits Pretty: Check. Eco-conscious: Check. Useful: Check. Fun: Check. Clever: Check. These gorgeous kits are made sustainably, using recycled wine bottles, cut and ground by hand. Each kit contains an organic, nutrient rich solution - which will last for around two years - to easily grow a range of herbs, including basil, coriander, mint, thyme and tarragon. Within seven days, our mint was beginning to sprout and by the second month, we were picking leaves for cooking. The full set of these would look gorgeous in the kitchen and they're the perfect gift for the cook in your life. All of the parts are either recycled, recyclable or biodegradable and were inspired by its clever founder's desire to eliminate the weekly walk of shame to the bottle bank - we'll drink to that. BUY FROM HYDRO-HERB . £25 Puerto De Indias Strawberry Gin Puerto De Indias are the OG, who invented strawberry gin and launched a whole new category. What's more, it's the only pink gin made with distilled strawberries. Fun Fact: It was created by a happy mistake when two Sevillian brothers macerated locally grown strawberries in alcohol - the fruit, alcohol and hot Seville summer led to the beginning of the flavoured gin revolution. It's a beautiful bottle to gift and a wonderfully different present for a gin-lover, with wonderful berry aromas and flavours, alongside fresh notes of citrus and juniper. BUY FROM MASTER OF MALT . £28 Leone Nutcracker Chocolates & Jellies We're all over the beautiful hat box tin that these festive goodies come in. Regardless of the contents, it's a gorgeous looking prezzie. Luckily, the prettily wrapped fruit jellies and chocolate ingots inside are delicious. A generous assortment of excellent Italian confestionary in a sexy, Christmas gift box. It's a yes from us. BUY FROM SOUS CHEF. £15 Height of Arrows Gin This award-winning new Scottish gin is a must for the Christmas lists of true, gin aficionados. All of it's flavour comes from one botanical ingredient - juniper. They add sea salt to add depth and beeswax for its uniquely silky texture. We loved its clean and fresh flavours of fresh pine, zingy citrus and balanced spice. It makes the perfect G&T and its complex flavours also make it a wonderful basis for a wonderful Martini, Gibson or Negroni cocktail. BUY FROM HOLYROOD DISTILLERY. £36 BODUM 1.5l Bean Set Cold Brew Coffee Maker Stone cold coffee for a stone cold legend - the perfect gift. These stylish cold coffee brewers come in a range of colours and use a snazzy French press system for smooth, naturally sweet iced coffees. Less acidic and bitter than coffee brewed the natural way, these cunning carafes have two lids - one to preserve taste and aroma, while brewing in the fridge, and a plunger lid. It was easy to use, made a delicious cuppa and easy to clean in the dishwasher, after use. We’ll drink to that. BUY FROM BODUM. £39.90 The Happy Pear 20 The twin Flynn brothers are back, with a brand new, plant-based recipe book this Christmas. It’s a gorgeous selection of more than 100 healthy, delicious recipes, powered by veg from the bestselling pair’s 20 years at their Happy Pear Cafe and brand, with a community of 2 million fans. And it’s the perfect gift for the foodie in your life, to kickstart the new year with healthy, planet-kind meals which are also delicious. The stylish book reimagines David and Stephen’s old classics and favourites, with some funny and insightful stories and lessons learnt during their two decades in the food industry.  BUY FROM AMAZON. £18.55 Italicus Rosolio dI Bergamotto This premium Italian apéritif is wonderfully versatile, perfect for winter cocktails, vegan and comes in a beautiful bottle, ticking all the boxes for gifting tipple-lovers. 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 Microplane Black Sheep Truffle Shaver This is a sexy and versatile gift for the foodie in your life with an eye for design-led kitchenware. The shaver comes in a classy gift box with seven blades and a robust stainless-steel handle, frame and blade, coated with a scratch-resistant matt black PVD. We were amazed by how sharp the blades were - it's like cutting air and that's down to whizzy technology pioneered by Microplane more than 50 years ago. The blades and teeth cut effortlessly, without ripping or tearing and releasing the natural aroma of ingredients. It can be used on anyhting, from hard cheese, truffle and veg, to chocolate, nuts, ginger and coconut. BUY FROM BOROUGH KITCHEN  £49.95 Blue Sardine Knife Block Scale up your recipient's kitchen style with this fin-tastic sardine knife block. The chic and quirky holder has a retro style based on a giant tin of sardines in olvie oil. Cunningly, the plastic straw design means multiple knives of any size can be slid into it, without being hampered by a set number of pesky slots. We squeezed five knives into it and it's a gorgeous way to add some personality and colour to the kitchen counter. BUY FROM SOUS CHEF £25.99 Fever-Tree Christmas Crackers There isn't a nail-clipper or dodgy joke in sight in this cracker of a present. Each luxury cracker contains a miniature, quality spirit and the perfect mixer for a festive tipple. With their elegant design, they make the perfect, grown-up tree gift. Options include Rhubarb and Raspberry Gin and Tonic, Vodka Blood Orange Spritz, Tequila Mexican Lime Spritz and Rum and Ginger Beer. There are also non-alcoholic options and if you want to add some luxury Christmas spirit to the Christmas table, you can even buy boxes of four Perfectly Paired Gin Crackers, in assorted flavours. BUY FROM JOHN LEWIS . £9 Joe & Seph's Gourmet Popcorn & Truffles This dangerously addictive, handmade gourmet popcorn has won 100 Great Taste awards. The family business has launched a giant, star-shaped gift box for Christmas, filled with their greatest hits, from Salted Caramel Popcorn - our personal favourite - and Chocolate Yule Log to Caramel and White Chocolate. Their rich and boozy Espresso Martini caramel truffles are pure, Christmas gorgeousness. Made with fresh double cream, blended with 5% coffee liqueur and vodka, plus a shot of espresso in a velvety Belgian chocolate shell, they are pure heaven. BUY FROM JOE & SEPH'S . Espresso Martini Truffles £12.99. Very Merry Popcorn Selection £8 Banhoek Chilli Oil This is the perfect gift for the foodie in your life to spice up everything, from pizza and pasta to salads. This premium chilli oil enhances the natural flavours of your dish, without overpowering. It's gained a massive following in South Africa - it's made in the beautiful Banhoek Valley, in the heart of the Cape Winelands. And now it's making waves over here - we loved it in hearty soups and ended up adding it to stews and zingy potato salds - you can even make spicy lime and chilli cheesecake with it. BUY FROM AMAZON. £9.50 Angel's Dare Cocktails Gift Box Bring the bar to your cocktail-loving friend, with this delicious gift box. Few can muster the energy to whip up he perfect Martini, when weighted down with turkey, sprouts and stilton. Step forward, Angel's Dare, which has made these pretty presents, containing a Cheeky Wee Kiss, Maverick Martini, Secret Orchard and their non-alcoholic mocktail, La Bonnie Vita. Their mixology chief is Michael Crozier, a heavyweight in Scottish hospitality, and this is clear from the first, second and third sips - hic. And as the cocktail names suggest, they are proud of their Scottish heritage. BUY FROM ANGEL'S DARE . £25 Magibles Christmas Cracker Christmas can suck, with allergies - step forward Magibles, which has made a cracker of a gift to make sure they can also feast and be merry. They can be popped in the tree, around the dinner table or in a stocking and are filled with four packs of gluten, dairy and nut free goodies. There's one M*LK Chocolate, a HazelNOT and two Salted Caramels - our personal favourite. BUY FROM MAGIBLES. £10.99. GET A 10% DISCOUNT WITH THE CODE TIMEWELLSPENT10 Tracklemeats Christmas Collection Wiltshire condiment Kings Tracklemeats are a staple of Christmas feasts. And they've launched this shiny, new Christmas gift box, featuring their moreish Christmas Spice Chutney - Christmas in a jar - and our personal favourite, the Cranberry, Port and Orange Sauce, which cuts through rich meats like turkey and goose with its tingling tartness There is also a delicious Caramelised Onion Marmalade and Spiced Honey Mustard - all made with the highest quality, natural ingredients, handmade in small batches. Ding and very much, dong. BUY FROM WAITROSE. £13 Lily O'Brien's Christmas Desserts Collection Chocolates are the LAW at Christmas, and this selection transforms the best festive desserts into dreamy chocs. Each box contains 24 chocolates including; Berry Eton Mess, Dark Orange, Triple Chocolate Shot, Spiced Latte, Hazelnut Torte, Crème Brûlée, Banoffee, Raspberry Infusion and Lemon Posset. Our favourites were the Spiced Latte, which blends double roasted arabica bean coffee with spice and white chocolate, and the Banofee Pie - chocolate and crispies with banana infused caramel in milk and white chocolate topped with toffee pieces. BUY FROM LILY O'BRIENS . £12 Cavi-Art Vegan Caviar Looking for a luxe stocking filler for your fancy, vegan friend? Check out Cavi-Art Vegan Caviar. We love seafood and caviar is a special treat, but we were amazed by this cheaper and sustainable seaweed alternative. It looks the part and has the same pleasing pop and delicious, salty flavour. And it is an incredibly close substitute to lumpfish roe, cod roe or salmon roe to pop on your blini and surprise your friends. BUY FROM SOUS CHEF . £3.99 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? Why not subscribe to our free, monthly newsletter?

Five Star All Inclusive is a Family Oasis Disguised as an Immaculate, Greek Village If Disney, Instagram and God conspired to create a flawless, sprawling Greek village, festooned with scarlet bougainvillaea and centuries old Ficus, palm and olive trees providing dappled shade, plus private sandy beaches and crystal, turquoise sea, Creta Maris Resort would be it. We’d been searching for the “perfect family resort” - that elusive beast. Go too far one way, and you’re locked in a hideous Groundhog Day of forced fun, foam parties and Agadoo. Too far the other way and the honeymooning couple is casting withering looks at your children across the candlelit restaurant. But this luxury, five star all-inclusive struck the ideal balance. There is something for everybody. Children can play in the five kids' pools or the resort’s dedicated water park, while adults relax around one of the six adults' pools or private, Blue Flag beach. There are six, exceptional restaurants, nine bars, multiple snack points, a luxe hammam spa, chidren’s entertainment, Kid’s and Teens Club and Europe’s biggest outdoor cinema. It’s a short, 12 mile shuttle from Heraklion airport (already a win with weary sprogs) and we were greeted by staff wearing Cretan mandili headscarfs and black leather stivania boots, which set the tone for this traditional escape and their impeccable and swift service. The golf buggy whizzed us through the resort’s picturesque, cobbled alleys and squares, past pristine, white Aegean buildings and stunning mountain or beach views to our Deluxe Seafront Bungalow - a fresh white and rustic blue, spacious base with doors which opened out onto its own, hibiscus-studded garden, overlooking the private beach. A complimentary bottle of red wine, snacks and trays of macaroons, nuts and cakes were awaiting us on arrival. Next door, was what would become our favourite restaurant there, and we followed our noses to the sizzling meats cooking at Cochlias barbecue restaurant. It has the best location in Crete, perched above Hersonissos Bay, with the moon and twinkling village lights dancing off the water as it lapped the rocks beneath us. They serve every imaginable meat, but my recommendation is the sea bass and their inventive, Italian starters. Platia restaurant sits in front of the ancient, stone Holy Trinity church and serves a creative, Greek a la carte menu. Pithos is perched on a balcony, with breathtaking mountain views and serves organic, traditional Cretan cuisine, all sourced from the Creta Maris organic field or from local, organic producers. Almyra is your relaxed, poolside buffet restaurant by day, which scrubs up into a romantic, waterfront a la carte seafood restaurant by night. Cosmos is their all-day buffet offering and our go-to spot for breakfast and lunch, thanks to the huge selections of food, with special kids’ buffet area (complete with colourful plates) and an impressive and delicious range of healthy, fresh salads and dishes. Estia is their second, all-day buffet restaurant, with a focus on Mediterranean specialities and a stunning dessert table, largely ignored by the children thanks to the giant chocolate fountain that presided over it. The multiple snack points dotted around the resort were also a big hit with the children, serving everything from crepes and ice creams to toasties, burgers, pizzas and salads. Sexy, candlelit private dining is also available at a table on the picturesque waterfront. Options include the exotic menu (sauteed scallops, grilled lobster, mango parfait) the romantic menu (sea bass ceviche, beef fillet, chocolate soufflé) a summer sunsets menu (beef carpaccio, rack of lamb, chocolate tart) exotic delights menu (octopus carpaccio, tuna fillet, and lemon and chocolate symphony) or the vegetarian menu (fried feta cheese, mushroom risotto, chilled melon veloute with chocolate mousse). When you’re not stuffing your pie holes, the village resort has ensured your every whim is catered for. Their luxe, waterpark is neatly tucked away from those who don’t want shrieking, ice cream-fuelled children and colourful slides on their break. And for those who do (our family loved it) there are water towers, twisting rides, multi level aqua tower pools, splash playgrounds and river rapids as well as more relaxing pools and smaller slides for little ones. With 14 freshwater pools and one indoor pool, you can pick a different swimming spot every day of your trip. They each have their own charms, as well as cushioned loungers, sun chairs, free towels and various activities from aqua aerobics to waterpolo. With so many pools dotted throughout the sprawling destination, they never feel busy (despite the 2,000 guests it sleeps) and retain a relaxed, luxury Mediterranean feeling, without guests creeping out at silly o’clock to bag a lounger, because they’re so easy to get at any time of day - the hotel also discourages this by removing towels from loungers which aren’t in use, which we fully applaud. Alternatively, you can enjoy the resort's 250m of sandy, Blue Flag beach (with free loungers, towels, lifeguards and assorted bars) and clear turquoise sea or the more beautiful and quieter 100m of rocky beach around the sea bungalows. The resort is also home to the extraordinary Cine Creta Maris amphitheatre - the largest outdoor cinema in Europe - allowing you to watch the latest movies (Elvis, Jurassic World and Lightyear were showing during our trip) surrounded by silhouetted, Cretan mountains and starry sky. Despite largely ignoring the cat we have at home, our children were mesmerised by the friendly and well looked after cats and kittens, which dozed by couples playing cards in sleepy, cobbled squares or stretched on rocks by the beach. Cat houses and feeding points were dotted throughout the village and guests are discouraged from feeding them, so they don’t beg for food and are content with belly rubs from sticky, ice cream hands. Although it’s fantastically family-friendly, it isn’t stuffed with parents and sprogs. It attracts a pleasing mix of guests, from retired groups to newlyweds (there’s an onsite church for weddings) young couples and business travellers, since the resort also houses one of Greece’s biggest convention centres. This mix added to the feeling of living in an (immaculate) Greek village, rather than a family resort. The children’s entertainment is excellent, with nightly mini disco and live entertainment - one surreal highlight was watching a dancing dog pushing a baby buggy - a playground (handily beside the perfect, sunset-viewing bar Kourites , ensuring parents are adequately refreshed while children play and mini disco. There’s also a dedicated kids club, teens club, baby room and tennis lessons, water sports, beach volleyball, mini-football field, arcade games and table tennis. For the grown ups, there’s a fitness centre, archery, darts, billiards, hammam spa, five-aside football, basketball, mini golf, boccia, yoga, Pilates, cooking classes and dance classes. Thanks to all of the above - for the first time in our parental lives - both children slept immediately once heads were reacquainted with pillows, allowing us to digest the day with multiple cocktails, gazing across the moonlit sea outside our bungalow. It turns out luxury and children can go hand in sticky hand, and it’s difficult to prise them apart again, when it’s time to go home. Creta Maris , Navarchou Nearchou, Limenas Chersonisou 700 14, Greece Like what you've read? Why not subscribe to our free, monthly newsletter?

Hit Nineties Highschool Movie Has Way Cool West End Makeover Clueless has had a way cool West End makeover, so we head to Trafalgar Theatre to review the new musical. Marking 30 years since the hit movie was released, and 250 years since the birth of Jane Austen (whose novel Emma inspired it) the latest Clueless incarnation has been adapted to the stage by the movie’s writer and director, Amy Heckerling. And it’s a gloriously nostalgic romp through the Nineties, with a catchy score by KT Tunstall, who has successfully captured the tone of the film’s genre-jumping soundtrack - which features tracks from Coolio and Supergrass to the Beastie Boys and Radiohead - into the musical. The production is forensically faithful to the film, and the amazing Emma Flynn is more like Alicia Silverstone than Silverstone herself, as Beverly Hills High’s most popular student, Cher, with vocals which hit every crevice of the theatre. It tells the story of a shallow LA rich girl, who rules the school with her best friend Dionne, played with designer bags of attitude by Chyna-Rose Frederick. Cher gets high on power from playing god, matchmaking teachers or students, and making over the “hopeless” into popular girls, ignoring judgment from her step-brother, Josh (Keenan McCauley). Her hopeless case becomes more popular than her, making her reevaluate her priorities and feelings, leading her to realise her true feelings for nemesis, Josh. The chemistry between Cher and Josh is electric, and the arc of their romance from squabbling brat and nerd, to lovers is moving. McCauley (Josh) is another standout in this excellent cast, who performs some of the show’s catchiest tracks, like the Green Day-esque Human Barbies, admonishing Cher for playing with people like dolls (“Barbies only bend so far before they break”) while the cast dance around like Mattel toys. His Reasonable Doubts number is another highlight, which sees him backflipping around Cher's lawyer father's sweeping, chandelier-lit LA mansion, while professing his mistrust of her love interest, Christian. The sets are impressive, effortlessly transforming from high school basketball court, to school room, house party and Cher’s garish, Barbie doll bedroom, complete with vast wardrobes bulging with designer bags and Nineties classics. And there are clever touches, like the transformation of the sofa into a car for her disastrous driving lesson scenes, leading to the famous “you’re a virgin who can’t drive” line. Paloma Young’s costume design is also pleasingly true to the film - which filtered into every Nineties teen wardrobe - from Cher’s impossibly short, yellow D&G number and the red Calvin Klein dress - which she goes to amusing lengths to preserve while being mugged - to Dionne’s fabulously extra red and black suit. Clueless the Musical is a high energy, fun and catchy trip back to the Nineties, following the success of high school musicals like Mean Girls and Heathers, but unlike other teen romantic comedies of its era, this one has a card of platinum, but a heart of gold. Clueless the Musical, Trafalgar Theatre, 14 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2DY. Running until 14 June 2025 Like what you've read? Please keep in touch!

OSCAR at the Crown Finds a New London Home After Success in America Theatreland is getting bigger and more sparkly thanks to a new venue, custom-built to bring acclaimed musical, OSCAR at the Crown to life this May, following its success Stateside.  Expect smashed TV screens, burnt out tube carriages, music and dancing, when you head behind an unassuming door on Tottenham Court Road, and into a secret bunker far in the fascist future, where the only things to survive are reality TV, glitter balls and the complete works of Oscar Wilde.   The dystopian musical invites guests to drink, party and join the throng of colourful outcasts as they ignite the fiery embers of a cultural revolution in an Orwellian future, propelled by the dramatic rise and fall of the flamboyant literary icon. The subterranean theatrical experience will make its London premiere with an ambitious reworking, featuring brand new songs, after show parties, and a programme of events, following its hit performances at Brooklyn’s 3 Dollar Bill, where New York Times branded it “a party-inducing Rocky Horror transplanted to a 1990s Madonna video.”​​ We're in. ​ After its success in New York, the show delighted audiences at Edinburgh Festival, where The Sun called it "a high-energy show that could be the best musical since SIX" and To Do List branded it "dopamine for the soul." It's also got some impressive names working their magic on it, including the genius director/producers behind Punchdrunk's triumph Sleep No More - multi Tony Award-winning producer Rebecca Gold and director/producer Shira Milikowsky - the creator of the biggest RuPaul's Drag Race hits, Andrew Barret Cox and it's being brought to London by ROYO, whose popular productions include The Steps musical, Here & Now and Kinky Boots. Sign up for  exclusive access to limited £25 preview seats for London's hotly anticipated new show in May.   Tickets go on sale on 13 March ahead of the show's official launch in June 2025.​​​​ ​​ The revolution has never sounded so fun. Oscar at the Crown , The Crown, 213 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7PP​. Preview performances 19-31 May (£25pp). Opening on 2 June - standard tickets from £40 - £50pp. Like what you've read? Please keep in touch! ​