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Modern Retelling is a Sweet Treat for Kids with a Poignant Refugee Story for Adults The Globe’s modern retelling of Hansel and Gretel is the perfect, sweet treat for little ones, with a moving tale about refugees for older theatre-goers. My six-year-old daughter and I follow the trail of bread crumbs to The Globe - which is astonishingly beautiful, even in the rain - for this timely retelling, which has returned for its second year with a shorter, more child-friendly version. Britain’s Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage has transformed the Brothers Grimm classic into a beautiful, one-hour poem, performed by the cast with songs, dance and magical effects. We meet a woodcutting dad and bread-making mother who leave their two children in the woods to protect them from a war-torn village. The references to conflict and grief are delicately presented to go over the heads of little ones like my daughter, while striking an emotional chord with the adults. Hansel (Ned Costello) and Gretel (Yasemin Ӧzdemir) sing movingly about missing the normalities of home, “wearing yellow PJs and snacks after tea,” and there are charming effects, like the giant bird puppets which flock around our heads, eating the trail of breadcrumbs. An enormous gingerbread house explodes onto the stage, joined by the witch (Beverly Rudd) who steals the show as well as the siblings. She arrives looking like Mrs Doubtfire and flanked by her black puffer coated mob, who wear demonic masks. She’s played with fabulous slapstick and energy, as a hilarious and tough Northern granny, straight out of Royston Vasey. My daughter’s favourite scene shows the witch singing a cake-addled number, while force-feeding Hansel, as hungry Gretel cooks and cleans. It ends with the witch disappearing head first into a giant pot, to be turned into an enormous sweet by the vengeful siblings. Children are thrilled by the surreal sight of a giant, inflatable swan gliding through the stunning, moonlit theatre. The white-suited gondolier tempts the uneasy pair onto the boat with a darkly poignant song about trust, reminding them about all the others who have braved it to safety in the past. For children, this is a fun scene from the pair’s adventure. But the all-too familiar orange life vests worn by Hansel and Gretel and the fear, trust and desperate hope they show in this scene is enormously moving, especially given the innocent, laughing faces of little audience members, enjoying the swan inflatable, blissfully unaware of its tragic significance. There is an emotional reunion with their mother at her tent, and a worrying hint that their father might not have survived, which would have been a bit too much for a kid’s Christmas show. Thankfully, the stress-eating of my daughter’s pick ’n’ mix was uncalled for, and he returns unscathed for the big finale, which arrives in a gorgeous flurry of falling snow, songs and giant, dancing sweets. It's an extraordinary experience, watching this show outdoors, hugged by this historic landmark. Afterwards, I start to explain the refugee subplot that my daughter has missed, but she cuts me off to laugh about the witch falling in the pot, and we both return to our own home, after enjoying the production in very different ways. Hansel & Gretel , Shakespeare's Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, London SE1 9DT. Tickets from £5 (standing, off-peak) to £55 (seated, peak performances) Until 5 January. Like what you've read? Why not subscribe to our free, monthly newsletter?

Dramatically Different Hollywood Glamour in the Heart of The Cotswolds It shouldn’t be surprising to discover a theatrical, Great Gatsby -esque world of Hollywood glamour and drama behind the unassuming, honey walls of Ingleside House . After all, its owners transformed the Grade II listed, Georgian mansion into a boutique hotel following the success of The Barn Theatre next door, which they revamped from WW2 Nissen hut into a 200-seater triumph, with national treasures including Stephen Fry, Joanna Lumley and Helena Bonham Carter starring in its digital lockdown productions. But once inside, the interior is so flamboyantly eccentric and lavish, it can’t help but surprise. When Ian and Chrissie Carling enlisted design maestros, Concorde BGW for its £1 million refurbishment, they gave them a brief to create the antithesis of "another grey and cream Cotswold hotel.” And they earned standing ovations for their dedication to this, when the curtains lifted in 2021 to reveal an explosion of bold, Hollywood style. There are 11 individually designed rooms, each with a unique story and named after local people who contributed to the hotel and theatre. We stay in the Wright Room , named after Rachel Wright, Executive director of The Barn theatre next door and manager of Ingleside House. Like both of the Deluxe Super King Rooms , our edibly stylish space has an enormous, free -standing bath in the corner, before a burnt orange wall. The room is a walk-in sunset, in sumptuous saffrons and deep, frosty blues, accessorised with gold and marble. The bed head is a velvet, peachy assortment of giant Ladyfinger biscuits, with tastefully clashing cushion prints in fiery ginger and sapphire. There is a deep ochre, velvet sofa which has been converted into a soft bed almost as large as our Superking, for our two children to sink into - and there is still plenty of space for them to run around like demented chimps. A sheepskin is draped over the soft, brown leather armchair beside the bath and the hotel’s glamorous, Art-Deco design is highlighted in the prints on the thick, salmon curtains and blinds across vast windows, through which the sun now pours. The vibrant orange and blue theme is continued in the giant bathroom, with a feature 18th Century fireplace, a never-ending, orange tiled rainfall shower - which could easily de-grime an entire football team simultaneously - with blue floors and a Twenties-style rug. And if I am still struggling to get into the character of the Silver-screen siren that this room demands, its luxurious touches provide the final nudge - a generous shelf of Molton Brown toiletries; jars of shimmering bath salts (in the same hues as the room); locally made shortbread treats awaiting us beneath a bell jar; a retro gold and blue Roberts Radio ; Nespresso Machine; Dyson hairdryer; fluffy dressing gowns and (praise the Lord) air-con. Each bubblegum pink door upstairs leads to a different, Daisy Buchanan dreamland, with blushing rose fireplaces, indoor palm trees, emerald walls, heavy, richly coloured textiles and dramatic feature lighting, as well as velvet cushioned window seats with marble, Champagne tables behind freestanding baths. Down the historic, sweeping staircase is a feature fireplace which roars like the Twenties in the winter, studded with colourful stained glass windows and bold feature walls. This leads into one of our favourite rooms; The Garden Room lounge, with its ice cream pink fireplace, teal velvet Chesterfields and decadent, gold objets d’art. Even the toilets got the razzle-dazzle memo, with generously bosomed showgirls dancing across the walls of the hotel's “Powder Room." Behind the hotel, we discover The Firepit, the heated alfresco dining area of the hotel's award-winning, Mediterranean restaurant, Téatro . It’s a leafy warren of colourful parasols and chairs, with enormous heaters, twinkling fairy lights and cosy firepits. We enjoy a balmy summer evening here on our first night, with a relaxed dinner in its buzzy setting. As the charismatic waiter chats to the other tables, we learn that it attracts a mixture of regulars, tourists and guests enjoying a pre-theatre supper, before watching The Barn Theatre ’s musical production, Once . Téatro restaurant deserves its own review, which you can read here. And we explore Téatro's cosy cellar of suitably flamboyant dining areas at breakfast the following two mornings. Each cosy space shares the same, deep teal and pink colour palette, but in inventively different ways - giant pink flamingos and palm trees explode across the walls of one area, with natural stone walls, exposed bricks, gold tables, secluded velvet banquettes and colourful parquet floors in other nooks. The historic hotel is a ten-minute stroll from the buttery buildings of the pretty market town’s centre and sits in the heart of the Cotswolds, a short drive from an assortment of chocolate box villages. If there is one good thing to come out of the pandemic, Ingleside House is it, and we would happily spend a lockdown holed up in this dramatically different mansion. Ingleside House , 5 Beeches Rd, Cirencester GL7 1BN. Prices from £140 a night. Like what you've read? Why not subscribe to our free, monthly newsletter

Our Tried and Tested Guide to this Year's Top Children's Christmas Presents Our elves have been busy with the most fun job this side of Lapland - testing out this year's hottest kid's Christmas presents. From farting yoga games, unfathomably cool skates, must-have new LEGO sets and 3D drawing pens to turbo-cute duck pets, high octane electronic racing and Bluey games, London Undergound BRIO and a magical Harry Potter buddies. Take the stress out of shopping, with our tried and tested reviews of 2024's best kid's Christmas gifts. ___________________ So Slime Go! Gooey Snails Slime Race Set Snails and gamified slime - is there a more child-pleasing combo? This is a fun, easy to play and addictive game for kids aged 5 and up, with no batteries or set up time. Boom. Ours delighted in the sensory play of adding slime to the slides, positioning the snails and cheering on their gooey racers. Afterwards, they had just as much fun detaching the shell to suck the goo back up, giggling at the slurpy, farty noises it made on the way in. The slime is pleasingly stretchy and comes in vibrant green, blue, pink, purple and turquoise colours. The children also enjoyed playing with the snails themselves, which can be squeezed to leave colourful goo trails. BUY FROM SMYTHS . £17.99 Rio Roller Mayhem II Quad Roller Skates Find a partner who looks at you the way we look at these insanely cool roller skates. Inspired by the '90s skate scene, Rio's most loved roller derby-style skate has been given a stunning makeover, with a chequered design and vibrant green leather, emblazoned with the famous, Rio signature print. Our thrilled little tester found them light, durable and comfortable (thanks to the Hi-Impact Chassis and aluminium trucks) ensuring he was in control at all times. A cheeky bonus for parents with excited kids gliding around the house on Christmas Day, is that Rio's exclusive truck design prevents the axles from protruding and damaging floors. This is a turbo-cool gift which will make their Christmas, and get them off the screens BUY FROM SKATES.CO.UK £69.95 myFirst 3dPen Make This is the ultimate gift for little creatives. The safe, wireless and easy to use pen enables them to make 3D drawings, from toys, buildings and ornaments to jewellery and anything else their imaginations fancy bringing to life. My eager little artist loved the fact the creations solidified in a flash and the creative freedom she had without wires (thanks to USB charging) and we didn't need to worry about burnt fingers, because the low-heat filment is safe to touch and the heat stays inside the device. The mega bonus for parents, is that this is mess-free art - it's non-adhesive and easy to clean up. This kid-friendly tech has opened my child's mind to brilliant new creative possibilities, and it's her favourite toy to bring ideas to life, with an endless succession of doll house food, tiaras, spiders, key rings and tree decorations. BUY FROM MY FIRST . £49 Maleficent's Dragon Form LEGO Big kids loved this as much as the little kids . Disney's Sleeping Beauty classic is brought to life, with a magical castle, complete with bed, flying Fairy Godmothers, intricate accessories and a nifty Spinning Wheel, which is turned to dramatically animate the vines. The children loved helping to build Maleficent's majestic dragon form, which breathes fire (win) and has folding wings to swoop over the castle's bridge (double-win). It also comes with poseable Aurora, Prince Philip and Samson LEGO dolls, for role playing adventures with their sword and shield props. My daughter approved of Aurora wearing trousers and having her own sword, to be a hero, rather than a passive princess. BUY FROMLEGO.COM £59.99 My First Scalextric Batwheels Batman vs Robin We had the original Batman and Robin Scalextric in the Nineties and our tester was just as excited as we were about this jazzy, new version. Scalextric is making a massive comeback, and this is the perfect toy to introduce them to the joys of plug and play racing. The plug and play kit is easy and fast to assemble and in no time, we were racing our cars - a smaller version for smaller people - across an eight figure Gotham City race track. The cars are super sturdy and resist all bumps and the magna traction race track means the cars stay on the track, even at high speeds. Our tiny testers were utterly absorbed and the Scalextric mantle has been passed on - at least until they’re in bed, then it’s our turn. BUY FROM SCALEXTRIC . £54.99 Pets Alive - Mama Duck Baby Surprise Pets Alive are masters of impossibly cute pets with all the fun bits, and none of the mess and poo. This toy is a fabulously quackers and exciting concept for lucky duckies. Our little tester was beyond excited about seeing how many eggs would hatch - squeals filled the house as each egg popped up, with surprise discoveries of slime yolks, a rare golden duckling and two chicks. Mama Duck was pleasingly, much bigger than we expected. And once hatched, her ducklings magnetically attach to her tail following her everywhere, as she quacks and waddles like a real duck. The pink heart on her wing can also be pressed for assorted duck sounds. Afterwards, they can be stored in their nest. BUY FROM SMYTHS £29.99 Transformers One Power Flip Optimus Prime This ingenious 4-in-1 figure converts from Cybertronian truck to Orion Pax, Optimus Prime and finally to Ultimate Optimus Prime with the snazzy Power Flip move - holding his arms while flipping the figure. Our tester was mesmerised. Each mode has different lights sounds and special effects. And there are sword, Energon axe, shield and the Matrix of Leadership accessories that attach to the figure in each mode. It's an impressive recreation of the iconic character from the Transformers One movie. But kids don't need to be Transformers fans to fall for the endless possibilities of this extraordinary action figure. BUY FROM SMYTHS . £39.99 BRIO World London Underground Train This year, BRIO partnered with TFL to make a mini London Underground toy, complete with tunnel, model Tube train, driver, commuter and sign. And it's easy to see why it's the must-have train toy this Christmas. Our bite-sized BRIO fan excitedly connected it to his other BRIO sets - all sets are compatible. He was thrilled by the lights and tube noises the iconic red, white and blue train made, when pushed. And the carriages were easy for little fingers to open to seat the passengers for their journey. It's part of BRIO's Trains of the World series, and our little Londoners loved role-playing with something so familiar, and infinitely more fun than the daily commute. BUY FROM BRIO. £39.99 Play-Doh - Rainbow Swirl Ice Cream Playset For little chefs aged 3 onwards, this is the sweetest ice cream playset. Our four-year-old tester found it easy to load the machine with assorted Play-Doh colours, and delighted in watching pretend, rainbow soft serve with colourfully striped edges filling the spinning cups and cones. Afterwards, he made Play-Doh star and ball sprinkles, by turning its handle - they dropped into a scoop for him to add with ease. He followed these with a gaggle of multicoloured decotations, from candy cups, cookies and pretzels to fruit. And he enjoyed serving up his colourful creations, using the playset's seven accessories, which include a spoon, toy knife, sprinkle scoop, dish, cone and a lidded cup. BUY FROM ARGOS . £20.99 Pokémon Battle Spinner Arena Set WARNING: This toy is dangerously addictive and you’ll want the kids to go to bed so you can play on your own. Jazwares’ clever, high energy game features Pikachu and Mew Poké Ball Spinners, which you load into a pair of clever Spinner Launchers, and pull back the winding cord. Now the fun bit - press the top button and they fly into the yellow Battle Arena, where you watch them battle head-to-head. This was easy to play, generated lots of excited squeals and was a huge hit with our Pokemon-mad tester… as well as the grown-ups. BUY FROM SMYTHS . £24.99 Natural History Museum T-Rex Costume Only the Natural History Museum could make a kid’s T-Rex costume this detailed and impressive. The wonderfully soft, beautifully made dino has a padded head for safer play; soft, sturdy claws and open sleeves, with an excellent swishy tail and gorgeous scaly pattern and colours. It wowed our little tester, who has pretty much lived in it ever since. It’s easy for our four-year-old to take on and off and is so well made, it will absolutely withstand asteroids. And it’s the perfect gift for any pint-sized palaeontologists (aged 3 to 9) this Christmas. BUY FROM NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM . £30 Disney The Little Mermaid Under the Sea Exploring Ariel Doll This is the ultimate bath toy for little mermaids - Disney's Little Mermaid doll can be played with both in the water and on land. The beautifully made and substanially sized mermaid has an iridescent, shimmering tail which lights up, while she sings ''Part of Your World' - deep joy for our Ariel-loving tester. Back on land, her hair can be styled with the dinglehopper comb and accessorised with the sea shell and clip-in charms. She's a sturdy mermaid and forensically faithful to the latest Little Mermaid, and our tester was particularly pleased with how soft her long locks are. They'll be racing to their bedtime bath on Christmas Day, with Ariel in tow. BUY FROM THETOYSHOP. £29.99 Hyper Dash - Electronic Reaction Race Game This is an addictive way to work off those Selection Boxes and Mince Pies and get the kids away from the screens. It's marketed for 6+, but our younger testers loved it just as much. We set up the course, using five electronic dash targets - handily it can be used for indoor and outdoor play. And we competed against each other, by racing to follow the voice and light commands of the dash tagger in sequence. Children can play against themselves or with up to 10 players. We enjoyed playing in the 3 different modes: Race in Dash Mode - completing the course in the quickest time and progressing through 10 levels of difficulty; React in Fast Dash , tagging the most targets to win in either 30, 60 or 90 seconds, and Team Dash with up to 4 teams for a cooperative relay race. Hyper Dash encourages families to get off the sofa and get active in fun active racing gameplay and guarantees hours of fun. BUY FROM VERY , £24.99 Casdon Ooni Pizza Oven Toy While mum and dad are firing up their Ooni ovens for tea, little chefs can pop their own pizza creations into a perfect toy replica. We could not get over how cute this forensically faithful, Ooni Koda oven is. Our tiny tester was thrilled with the real flame effects and got lost in a delicious world, topping the six-slice pizza with the provided mozzarella, pepperoni, basil and sauces, and sliding it in with the pizza peel, before serving with the toy pizza cutter. A fabulous gift for little cooks, fuelling imagination, fine motor skills and coordination. Chef’s kiss. BUY FROM CASDON . £25 Peppa Pig's 2-in-1 Party Bus The ultimate gift for fans of the muddy puddle loving oinker. It's a lovely, big, sturdy toy for little hands, filled with three bus floors with interactive features, 13 accessories and Peppa, Candy Cat and Danny Dog figures. Our tester loved taking them on an open-top bus tour, before popping the bus open into party mode. He took the characters on a spin on the roundabout, then around the twirling dance platform, down the slide and on the seesaw. And he enjoyed getting the bus party ready, adding touches like balloons, presents (which can be opened) ball pit and jukebox. There are lovely interactive elements, like the rolling destination sign. And everything can be stored inside the bus, which has a handy handle. BUY FROM THE ENTERTAINER . £49.99 Wizarding World Harry Potter Interactive Dobby Our mini Muggles fell in love with this interactive Dobby elf - and we wanted to adopt him. The impossibly cute toy responds to touch, moving his ears, eyes, blinking, moving his head and lifting his arms. It has all the magic of Harry Potter, with more than 30 noises and phrases from the classic books and films, in English or French. And the cutest cherry on top of this super sweet Hogwarts cake, is that he can be freed, by giving him a sock, as his evil master accidentally does in the story. But this little guy is too cute to be freed, so will spend his days at our home, in a perpetual cycle of freedom and imprisonment. The perfect gift for fans of the boy wizard and a cheeky bonus is that our tester has learnt some French phrases from him. BUY FROM SMYTHS TOYS . £24.99 DC Batman Gear-Up Utility Belt and Mask Invite the Dark Knight to your Christmas lunch, with this inventive role play set for kids aged 3+. Our tiny Caped Crusader lived in this, from the second he opened it. The adjustable straps on the utility belt meant that his older sister could also do a spot of Gotham Cty-saving. It has handy slots to store three foam Batarangs and two smoke pellets - it's also compatible with the Batman sword, which can be bought separately. The Batman mask is adjustable and sturdy enough for hours of crime-fighting. A big hit with the kids, even if we do end up with the occasional Batarang in our dinner. BUY FROM SMYTHS TOYS. £19.99 Bluey Keepy Uppy Game This brilliant, action table-top game was as popular with the teens and grandparents as it was with the preschoolers. Bluey's favourite balloon keepy activity is turned into an easy-to-play, motorised game, in which players frantically bop their paddle if the balloon comes near them to keep it in the air. If it lands on a hedge, they lose a balloon "pop" token and the last player with tokens wins the game. Two to three people aged 4+ can play with Bluey, Bingo, or Chilli character paddles. It's a lively, exciting and engaging game that will keep Bluey fans occupied and its simplicity means that all ages can get involved - prepare for lots of screeching. BUY FROM JOHN LEWIS. £16.99 Despicable Me 4: Brick-Built Gru & Minions LEGO This ingenious new LEGO set for kids aged 9+ enables you to build a posable Gru and then make Minions dance around their boss, with hand-operated mechanics. It's a brilliantly fun set to build, with satisfying details, like Gru's jointed fingers and arms to reposition him, and detailed Jerry, Dave, Beedoo, Mel and Kevin buildable Minion figures, with moving heads and changeable eyes. Each Minion can be removed from the model and their hands can be moved to hold assorted accessories, from a fart gun to maracas, a fruit hat and head propeller, for more ways to play. The hilarious dance feature really sets this set apart. A must for any Minions or LEGO fans BUY FROM LEGO.COM . £49.99 Fart Yoga Game The giggles were as loud as the farts, while testing this brilliantly bonkers, parping sloth game. This hilarious family game for ages 3+ is easy to play and combines the active fun of yoga with a cuddly Sammy the Sloth hugging your waist... who can trump at any time. The goal is to copy five yoga poses from up to 50 cards, moving as slowly as a sloth, so you don't make Sammy parp more times than is shown on the card. The player with the most fart points wins. It's perfect for all ages, with simple rules, excellent toilet humour, belly laughs and is a fun way to encourage kids to move, stretch and balance. Once the kids were in bed, the adults enjoyed it just as much, with some added vino. BUY FROM SMYTHS. £19.99 Sight Word Slam A toy which keeps kids engaged, while building language and spelling skills through fast-paced and exciting game play? Sign us up. Our tester adored this game, which challenged her to spot, spell, and read more than 185 English sight words (words that can't be sounded out phonetically) by listening to the word and then slamming the missing letter or matching word. There are two different modes (Letter Slam and Word Slam) to keep kids aged five and up engaged and sneakily learning. BUY FROM LEARNING RESOURCES . £28 Skillmatics - My Storybook Art Kit If your kids are anything like ours, they LOVE making their own books. And this ingenious gift includes everything they need to create their own, beautiful storybooks. Our tester loved the writing prompts, and the 13 vocabulary lists really inspired her. They come on two themes - unicorns and princesses or adventure - with two lovely hardbound books for their finished works, as well as 100+ colourful stickers to illustrate them with, 50 DIY stickers they can customise themselves, pens and markers. This gift kept her busy for hours and she was rightly proud with the finished works. BUY FROM SKILLMATICS . £18.98 Paw Patrol Drawing Projector This lightweight, pocket-sized projector helps little ones to draw their own Paw Patrol characters. The small but mighty gift has proven an essential for trips out to restaurants or appointments, and can be quickly extended to project six image caps featuring Chase, Marshall, Rubble, Everest, Skye And Rocky. It's fabulous for hand and eye coordination and our four-year-old lost hours, carefully tracing and then colouring in his masterpieces. He also enjoyed taking it to bed as a torch, and projecting his favourite characters around his room. A great value gift for hours of creative play. BUY FROM HAMLEYS . £9.99 Plug & Play Ball This nifty, pocket-sized 3D puzzle game is perfect for little footie fans. The aim is to fit all seven pieces on the ball without moving the small starting piece, which will get you a red card. A fun and addictive way to promote problem solving and keep them occupied obviously the move. BUY FROM SMARTGAMES . £9.99 Harry Potter Squishmallow Even Voldemort would struggle not to cuddle this insanely cute, Harry Potter squishmallow. The ultra soft, plush boy wizard has been permanently attached to our tester, and all 25cm of him have been squeezed to death. It’s the perfect gift for Hogwarts and squishmallows fans, who can build their collection with other huggable friends from the range, including Hermione, Dobby and the Sorting Hat. BUY FROM SMYTHS . £18.99 Skillmatics Peel & Press Foil Fun Did somebody say “no-mess, creative gift that will occupy them for hours?” Praise be. These ingenious kits are the perfect, screen-free gift to occupy them at restaurants or keep them busy at home. Ours were thrilled with their creations, made easily by applying sparkly foil sheets, and using the included stickers. The kits come in Unicorns & Princesses or Animals themes, with 100+ colourful foil sheets, foam stickers, ten themed picture canvases and googly eyes. A huge hit. BUY FROM AMAZON . £14.23 Style4Eva Unicorn DIY Lava Lamp A fun craft project for kids, which doubles as a cute lava lamp they can enjoy in their bedrooms afterwards. Our tester loved creating her own lamp, adding beads, colour, decorations and water inside, before personalising the outside with the sheets of stickers. Afterwards, she was chuffed to enjoy her handiwork, turning it on and watching the swirling water and colour-changing lights swish around the beads, to create magical effects. It's also battery powered, so she can move it around her bedroom, without worrying about wire bother BUY FROM VERY £16.99 Guess in 10 - Harry Potter The Harry Potter edition of this popular card range is perfect for wizarding world buffs. Fans can test their knowledge of their Hogwarts heroes and villains, by asking 10 questions, like “does he play Quidditch?” or “Is her partial to a sock?” Using cunning and handy clue cards, players race to guess who is on the Game Card - the first to correctly guess and collect seven cards wins. It’s designed for kids aged 8+, but our six year old loved it and we all picked up some juicy trivia along the way. BUY FROM SKILLMATICS . £9.99 Cocoba Gruffalo Chocolates There's no such thing as a Cocoba Gruffalo chocolate, because they got gobbled up in a flash. The Kent chocolatier has launched a delicious and beautifully presented range of chocolate gifts featuring everybody's favourite wood-dwelling monster. Our little monsters adored the glossy Belgian Gruffalo hot chocolate bombes, which melted to reveal gooey marshmallows and a creamy chocolate drink. The range also includes Gruffalo shaped hot chocolate spoons, for an equally sweet way to make a special cocoa. The themed chocolate bites, shaped like the mouse, Gruffalo and Gruffalo's child were also a big hit. They're a gorgeous stocking filler or Christmas Eve box surprise. BUY FROM COCOBA CHOCOLATE Hot Chocolate Bombe 3 Pack, £11.95. Hot Chocolate Stirrer, £2.95. Character Bites, £6.95 Grow It - Carnivorous Plants Move over daffodils and cress, there's a much more exciting range of plants to encourage green little fingers. The Grow It Carnivorous Plants gift enable recipients to grow their own Venus Flytrap and Pitcher Plant from scratch. They're fascinating, strangely beautiful and easy-to-grow and as an added bonus, they eat flies. Kids will be fascinating seeing them grow and then finally watching them at work, behaving like no other plant. Somewhere between plant and pet, this is a brilliantly unique prezzie with sneaky educational benefits. The kit includes everything you need so you're set up for success, from starter pots to compost discs and seeds. BUY FROM GIFTREPUBLIC . £12.99 Wobbly Lilly Path Game This beautifully made, wooden game is an engaging way for little ones to have fun, while developing motor skills and balance. Children must walk across the wobbly lilly pads, collecting wooden frogs along the way, to reach the frog prince at the end. It 's perfect for kids ages 3+, but even our older testers aged 6 and 8 enjoyed playing. It's a simple, fun and sturdy game, which was also great for open-ended play - the children used it for variations of "the floor is lava" and played out stories with the chunky frogs and pads. BUY FROM BS TOYS . £27.50 Harry Potter Platform 9 3/4 Lunch Bag This is the perfect lunch bag to get little wizards excited about jumping back on the Hogwarts Express after Christmas to return to school. Our little Potter superfan was thrilled with the bag, which is a great size for sarnies, every flavour beans and a flask of Butterbeer. It's beautifully made and features the iconic paltform emblem in traditional Hogwarts claret. BUY FROM MINISO . £9.99 National Geographic - Build Your Own Volcano For an explosive gift with hours of art, craft and science fun, this kit provides it in spades at great value. The process was a fun family activity, casting the volcano using the plaster and mould included. Then the kids set to work, bringing it to life with the paint and brushes provided. Excitement was considerably high when it was finally ready to blow. We filled it with the eruption powder, added water and the children were thrilled with the theatrical results, as it burst, bubbled and frothed from their creation. They were also excited to find real volcano specimens inside the box, along with a colour volcano learning guide, which their explosive work inspired them to get stuck into. BUY FROM AMAZON . £11.99 Boogie Bath Duck Quack open the bubble bath and have a tub disco, with this fun Boogie Bath Duck. Parents are always looking for ways to make bathtime more fun, and encourage grubby little monsters to have a bedtime bath. And this little guy brings the party. Our tester loved the underwater disco created by the duck's multi-coloured LED lights. There are three different colour combos, no sharp edges and it's easy and safe to use. BUY FROM GIFTREPUBLIC . £9.99 Body MiMiQ Our little elves loved this funny and easy to play family game. The goal is to collect sets of 3 identical cards by “MiMiQ-ing” the poses on the wanted cards. Stick out your tongue if you do not have the requested card. It's the perfect Christmas family game which all ages can play, and gets even funnier after after a few wines. BUY FROM SMARTGAMES. £7.99 Mindful Gardener Craft Kits These gorgeous kits enable kids (or big kids) 20 minutes of calming craft, making Lavender, Aloe Vera, or succulent card plants with no scissors required. Boom. They can then proudly display their pretty creations in their rooms, for the ultimate, low-maintenance plants. Our little tester also enjoyed the mini mindfulness exercises included in each pack and the interesting facts about the healing properties of each plant. A gorgeous stocking filler for a moment of calm in the buzz of Christmas. BUY FROM CLOCKWORK SOLDIER . £7.50 PLUS PLUS Mini Maker Santa These clever little double plus-shaped bricks easily slot into each other to create a 3D Santa. Our 6-year-old tester loved getting creative with these, and using the interlocking pieces to make the Big FC - the instructions were easy for her to follow on her own. She then spent hours making assorted creations from her imagination, from tomatoes to hearts and monsters. A lovely touch, is that there are different skin tone choices for Santa or your creations. It's part engineering, part art, with a hint of maths, all cunningly disguised as a fun, screen-free toy. It's recomended for ages 5 to 12 - but the grown-ups and preschooler were equally entertained. And it's a great kid's travel activity to pop in a handbag for a restaurant or plane trip. BUY FROM AMAZON £8.99 Chuckle Soaps These clever stocking fillers provide the perfect incentive to get kids to wash. Each Chuckle Soap contains a toy, from LEGO Taylor Swifts to cars, Santas, jewellery and dinosaurs. They are all SLS Free, Vegan, 100% organic, cruelty-free and handmade for good, clean fun, which is kind to sensitive skin. Brilliantly, the toys are upcycled as much as possible, but keep your eyes on their Insta, to nab your favourites when they get shared. BUY FROM CHUCKLE SOAPS . From £4 a soap Miss Nella's Festive Diamond Miss Nella’s Festive Diamond is a gorgeous bauble, packed with fun, safe, and non-toxic beauty treats made just for kids. Available in two options - Glow or Twinkle - they each contain four goodies like lipgloss and nail varnish and can even be customised with your chosen colours. It was a big hit with our little elf and is the perfect stocking or tree gift. BUY FROM MISSNELLA . £21.99 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?

We Test the Luxurious Shoreditch Salon by a Hair and Beauty Powerhouse Stop all the clocks - we have just found our favourite new London hair alchemists in the luxurious shape of CULt Hairdressing , Shoreditch. A good salon leaves you with stylish and healthy hair. A great  salon leaves you with this as well as the feeling of hanging out with old friends. And this is what CULt does so brilliantly. Hair appointments are an intimate experience. Hairdressers are often confidantes, friends, entertainers, esteem-boosters and crucially, people you trust to change the way you see yourself. As Phoebe Waller-Bridge says in her famous Fleabag monologue: “Hair is everything. We wish it wasn’t, so we could actually think about something else occasionally. But it is. “It’s the difference between a good day and a bad day. We’re meant to think that it’s a symbol of power, that it’s a symbol of fertility. Some people are exploited for it and it pays your fucking bills. Hair is everything.” The team here make it clear that they’re just as passionate about what’s inside your head, as what’s on top of it. I am warmly welcomed when I step through the doors of the grand new salon, in the former Old Fruit and Wool Exchange, hugged by Spitalfields Market. My hair hasn’t seen a pair of scissors for several months and I look like somebody who throws cats at children for fun. So their fabulous colourist, Sam Dowson, invites me onto the sofa for a relaxed consultation and I’m introduced to their Florentine follicle virtuoso, Francesco - a big personality with the moustache of a man who knows his hair. Sam leads me to their dark and moody wash space for a toner, gloss and shampoo treatment. The nifty Olaplex treatment repairs broken disulphide bonds that gives hair its structure and strength and I was turbo-chuffed with the result - balanced tones, impossible gloss and a brightened blonde. During the treatment, he massages my arms and we discuss everything from politics, to news, books and ourselves. He’s a passionate, smart and fascinating character - go for the treatments, stay for the chat. Afterwards, I’m back in Francesco’s hands for my cut and blow dry. He is infectiously passionate about hair, and left Italy to perfect his barnet skills at London’s top salons, going on to create looks for Milan and London Fashion Week runways. He peppers his conversation with nifty haircare and styling hacks I can use at home, from how to lift my bangs, to the art of the perfect curl. When he’s finished, I’m wowed by the transformation and might even need a new passport photo. The dry, split-end addled hair that limped sadly down by back is now a bouncy, glossy and vibrant do, which results in a spring in my step on the walk back to the station and a compliment from a passer-by. The space whispers quiet luxury, with floor to ceiling windows, bathing it in natural light, fresh flowers, marble, moody steel and charcoal paint and lighting. It was launched in December 24 by husband and wife team Maria MacDonald - a beauty PR powerhouse - and Brett - one of hairdressing’s leading educators - so it’s no surprise that it’s already making big waves in hair as well as the industry. CULt Hairdressing , Fruit & Wool Exchange, Unit 8 The, 54 Brushfield St, London E1 6EN Like what you've read? Why not follow us on Instagram?

Grand hotel encapsulates Sidmouth’s Regency glamour and timeless charm Sidmouth is a wonderfully eccentric and achingly pretty Regency seaside town, where everything appears in technicolour, from the fiery reds of the Triassic cliffs, to its immaculate, kaleidoscopic floral displays; the patchwork, countryside quilt wrapped around it and blue seas, sticky chocolate sand, thatched roofs and pastel, Victorian buildings. We are here for the annual Folk Festival , when Sidmouth turns its idiosyncratic dial up to 11, and Morris Dancers can be spotted sharing ice creams with hippies, nursing bearded dragons on their shoulders, while pensioners on unicycles wheel past George and Sabra, the town’s dancing, papier-mâché giants. Barely a pebble has changed since I grew up there in the 80s and 90s, and this timeless charm is part of the appeal to tourists who flock there each summer. All of this can be admired from the grand Victoria Hotel - our luxurious home for the weekend - which is perched across the beach on the steep ascent to the beautiful Jacob’s Ladder beach, with extraordinary views. It was Sidmouth’s first purpose-built hotel when it opened in 1904 and encapsulates the essence of the town’s beauty, Regency glamour, flawless floral features and old-school style. We’re flanked by an explosion of perfectly manicured flowers and an 18-hole putting green as we arrive at the hotel - 9,500 bedding plants have been grown on-site - guarded from seagulls by their resident peregrine falcons and hawks. A peacock blue Rolls Royce Silver Seraph is parked by the entrance with the original number plate of the family Brend Collection brand which owns it - guests at the hotel can enjoy complimentary chauffeur driven trips in this into Sidmouth. Inside, its grand lobby is traditional and formal but welcoming, with a sweeping, original oak staircase and colourful, seaside views through its large windows. We head to our home for the trip, a fresh and contemporary, detached poolside suite on the hotel’s beautiful five-acre grounds. It has champagne and mink furnishings and large French windows in the lounge and bedroom, opening onto our own private poolside terrace, complete with private hot tub, sun loungers, and table for al fresco cocktails. It’s perfect for families, with a large, comfortable master bedroom and a sofa bed in the lounge, plus a handy kitchenette. Our children are already excitedly hopping into their swimwear before we’ve even dragged our suitcase in. And the outdoor heated pool is a gem, with a bridge our children play Three Billy Goats Gruff beneath, loungers and tables and friendly staff, who bring us poolside Aperols… and apple juices. There is also a games room and bar. We spend a gorgeous few hours, splashing about in the warm waters of this peaceful oasis, before getting ready for the dinner at their AA Rosette winning Jubilee Restaurant. Foolishly, we haven’t checked the dress code, but the formal jacket and tie dinner rules are immediately apparent on entering, where all diners are immaculately dressed. The staff are very kind about my husband’s shorts and tee combo, and thoughtfully hide him away in the corner of the restaurant, where I happily warm myself on the heat of his cheeks. One of my holiday highlights. It is now that we meet Petr, and it is worth visiting the restaurant for him alone - go for the pork, stay for the Petr. A funny, warm and impossibly thoughtful waiter, who is just as attentive to the children as he is to us. He brings my daughter a cushion to make her more comfortable and charms us all throughout the meal. A band in pristine, white starched suits and bow ties perform live jazz on the stage beside us, while we work our way through the table d’hôte menu. I start with a fresh pea, broad bean and asparagus starter, with feta and mint and my husband opts for the ham hock terrine. My daughter is delighted by her melon ribbons starter and embraces her formal dining cosplay, with little pinky aloft. Lemon sorbets arrive between courses - “what, ice cream with our dinner!?” Our chuffed little heathens exclaim. My standout is the pork tenderloin main - salty, succulent and perched on a moreish cassoulet of braised white beans, tomato and bacon. My husband opts for the roast sirloin of beef, with Yorkshire pudding and vegetables, which disappear quicker than you can say “loungewear.” As a savoury-toothed tiger, I finish with the cheese board, and it’s a delightful, dairy journey across Devon, with slabs of Godminster Organic Cheddar, Sharpham Elmhirst, Devon Blue and Ticklemore Goats Cheese. It’s a welcome departure from the microscopic cheese shavings we’re used to in London, with generous wedges of each. So often, children are approached as a bothersome afterthought in restaurants, but the menu and Petr make ours feel special - so much so, that my daughter draws a picture of him as a gift at the end of the meal, and she's thrilled by his reaction. The following morning, we are all very touched, when he leads us back to the same table for breakfast, where we see that he has gifted her with a giant, A3 sketch book and left it on her chair. Such a pure and thoughtful gesture, which makes my daughter’s trip. We do not deserve Petr. My husband is relieved to note that his casual attire is more welcome at breakfast, where our children dive into the excellent buffet table, heaving with raspberry crowns, apple coronets, maple pecans, fish, meat, cheese, cereal, yoghurts and fruit juices. We choose from a range of made to order, grilled goodies, which include fish options like kippers and smoked haddock. And it’s perfectly prepared to our tastes, with well crisped bacon, deep orange yolked poached eggs, silky mushrooms and top quality sausages. We’re here to experience the hotel’s brand new Source Spa, which is where we now take our bacon-filled bellies. It’s a luxurious, fragrant and serene space, with a large heated pool, a modern gym, hydrotherapy spa bath, ice bath, aromatherapy sauna, and steam room. The luxury spa rooms offer massages, facials, and body treatments, using their own premium Source Spa product range, and there’s an inviting chill out area outside, with bouncy marshmallow loungers and soft lighting. The launch follows the recent success of the Brend Collection ’s first Source Spa at its sister hotel, Saunton Sands in North Devon. And it is a delicious cherry on the top of a particularly fine cake. We have a surprisingly calm morning, splashing about in the warm pool and relaxing in the hydro spa. Then we check out for day two of the Folk Festival , in this unique tourist hotspot, to enjoy more of the prettiness, Regency glamour, immaculate floral features and timeless charm encapsulated by The Victoria Hotel. The Victoria Hotel & Source Spa , The Esplanade, Sidmouth EX10 8RY. Our Poolside Suite was £422 a night, in August. The new Source Spa is open daily from 8am until 7pm and is for the exclusive use of residents and members until the autumn, when new Spa Day packages will be available. Spa memberships will cost £125 per month, allowing guests unlimited access and can be purchased by emailing spamanager@victoriahotel.co.uk Like what you've read? Why not subscribe to our free, monthly newsletter

Perfect Resorts for Children AND Parents Ah, 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. You want to share the joy of travel with your sprogs and see the manic grins on their sticky chops. But you don’t want your holiday to be a glorified (and expensive) softplay trip, leaving you needing another holiday afterwards. Our carefully curated list of Europe’s Best Family Resorts strikes the perfect balance to ensure that everybody is happy. ____________________________ Creta Maris Resort, Greece Read our review here If Disney, Instagram and God conspired to create a flawless, sprawling Greek village, festooned with scarlet bougainvillaea and Ficus, palm and olive trees providing dappled shade, plus private sandy beaches and crystal, turquoise sea, Creta Maris Resort would be it. This five star all inclusive is a family oasis disguised as an immaculate, Greek village. 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 seven, exceptional restaurants, ten bars, multiple snack points, a luxe hammam spa, imaginative children’s entertainment, Kid’s and Teens Club and Europe’s biggest outdoor cinema. 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. Creta Maris , Navarchou Nearchou, Limenas Chersonisou 700 14, Greece Port Lympne Reserve, Kent Read our review here For the most thrilling, family wildlife experience in the UK, head to this beautiful pocket of rural Kent, where you can sleep with animals including tigers, lions, monkeys, rhinos, giraffes and wolves . Lion Lodge offers the chance to get up close and personal with African Lions, Kamari and Hussani. It’s a once in a lifetime experience in the safety of a luxury, Manhattan loft-style building within their habitat, where you can enjoy a bath with a majestic lion’s nose pressed against the window, a whisker away from you. For a cheaper option, there’s the Pinewood glamping huts, which are close enough to experience the thrill of snoozing to a pride of lions' roars. Other overnight stays include the flamboyant mansion, Rhino Lodge, Bear Lodge, Giraffe Lodge, Wolf Lodge, Hog Deer Creek, Leopard Creek and an assortment of huts, treehouses and forest hideaways that let you experience the animals as they creep out under the safety and serenity of darkness. Each stay means you have the park to yourselves after closing time, whizzing about in your personal golf buggies. During the day, you can also enjoy a truck safari and even feed animals including giraffes - read our giraffe feeding review here - gorillas and lions. And you get the satisfaction of knowing that your dosh has helped The Aspinall Foundation ’s successful efforts to save and repopulate endangered species. Boom. Book now Port Lympne Safari Park, Aldington Rd, Lympne, Hythe CT21 4LR Foxhills Country Club & Resort, Surrey Read our review here You don’t need to brave a plane to find the perfect balance of child-flavoured fun and adult luxury. The multi-award-winning Foxhills Club & Resort is nestled within 400 acres of tranquil Surrey and is bursting with experiences - and more than 200 activities a week - to keep everybody happy. The resort’s designated family building, The Pavilion, is home to a soft play area, role play high street, a games room, two pools for family swim - plus three for grown-ups - and a football net on the green. Enjoy food and drinks overlooking the outdoor pool, or refuel at Flo’s Deli , open all day with fresh smoothies, craft beers and wonderful children’s menus, from Belgian waffles and pancakes to mini breakfasts and a wide range of dinky lunch options to appease even the pickiest eaters. Activities include wellbeing classes, outdoor sports, fitness, and indoor cycle classes for parents/teens and a host of activities for tots, like arts and crafts, lawn games and even mini ballet. Foxhills’ woodland adventure playground provides the perfect space for young guests’ imaginations to run wild, complete with zip line, obstacle course, balance beams and a group swing. And the resort’s woodland trails and orienteering course offer a fun way to enjoy the area’s abundant nature as a family, that’s if you can tear yourselves away from the vast, two-bedroom, luxury family suites. Foxhills Country Club & Resort , Stonehill Road, Ottershaw, Surrey, KT16 0EL Anassa, Cyprus Undeniably one of Europe’s most stunning resorts, Anassa ’s tiered terraces tumble down the secluded Paphos hillside towards the unspoilt, sandy beach of Chrysochou Bay, tucked within an area of outstanding, natural beauty. The elegant, white Mediterranean buildings, lush gardens and infinity pools recreate an idyllic, Cypriot village, with a square complete with Byzantine chapel. The luxury, five-star oasis ticks every conceivable box for grown-ups and children. The kids’ club is on another level and includes zoo trips, self captained boat trips, baking or pottery lessons and even spa treatments. And there are thoughtful touches, like early dinner sittings for families. Their ingenious Baby Go Lightly service takes the stress out of travel, enabling you to prebook everything, from car seats, potties, training seats, high chairs, carriers, buggies and bottles to baby walkers, baby baths, nappies and toys. There are also cultural experiences for the whole family - every week, the hotel hosts an evening of entertainment in the village square, with a Cypriot buffet, folk dancing and live music. And a weekly barbecue is held on the beach. There are four restaurants, plus the ‘village square’, where the focus is on fresh produce from local farms or from the hotel’s gardens. Special mention for the achey, weary, pamper-hungry parents of Anassa’ s extraordinary, Romanesque-style Thalassa Spa, complete with stunning pool, saunas and steam baths. Anassa , 40 Alekou Michailidi Road, Neo Chorio, 8852, Cyprus Bohinj ECO Hotel, Slovenia Located in the heart of Triglav National Park - one of the world’s most outstanding areas of natural beauty - hugged by the sparkling Julian Alps mountains, this resort is the perfect marriage of wellness, family and relaxation. Children will lose their tiny minds over the aquapark, indoor pools and onsite bowling alley. And parents can pamper every fibre of their beings with the hotel’s exceptional wellness offerings, which include a top-floor pool with a panoramic view of the shimmering mountains, steam baths, Finnish saunas and massages. The resort is on the doorstep of this stunning alpine playground, 10 minutes from the renowned Lake Bohinj and the majestic Julian Alps and just 15 minutes to Lake Bled. A range of activities are available, from cycling on guided tours to beauty spots like Bohinj Lake, Savica waterfall, Mostnica Gorge and the world famous Bled where visitors can learn the rich heritage of Bled Castle. Designed with nature at its heart, this hotel is one of the most eco-friendly hotels in Slovenia, fuelled by sustainable resources and innovative energy-saving technology. Bohinj ECO Hotel, Triglavska cesta 17, 4264 Bohinjska Bistrica, Slovenia Valamar Tirena Hotel, Dubrovnik Croatia’s behemoth hotel brand, Valamar launches the shiny, new Maro World at their Dubrovnik resort, Valamar Tirena Hote l in June 2023. The 1,800m2 children’s entertainment centre will be themed around their Maro crab mascot and will encompass nine interactive areas, including an innovative play area, specially designed playrooms, a softplay zone, playground, theatre, family lounge, two games lounges and an outdoor trampoline and adrenaline zone, all under the watchful eyes of the expert entertainment team. But fear not, mum and dad will enjoy the peaceful, natural surroundings of the Babin Kuk peninsula, beneath a leafy canopy of trees a 10-minute walk from three different beaches, plus a luxury beach club with cushioned loungers and sea-view bar terrace. Relax by the spacious outdoor pool with water slides and taste the traditional Dalmatian and international dishes in the Mediterranean buffet restaurant or grill restaurants and swim up to the bar for cocktails. Valamar Tirena Hotel, Ul. Iva Dulčića 36, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia Amada Colossos, Greece Tucked along the eastern coast of Rhodes, the five-star Amada Colossos boasts an Insta-worthy, seafront spot, overlooking the gorgeously golden Kallithea Beach. This glossy resort captures the essence of laidback, island living and ensures all guests are catered for, by providing adult and family zones, as well as Kids Clubs, swimming pools and luxury rooms. The complex features one main pool, a relaxation pool, activity pool and waterpark, which includes splash pools and a selection of waterslides. Younger guests will love the Kids Clubs, with various options available for children from four months to teens. Play areas for children include the aquatower with slides, the frog slide and mini octopus slide. The entertainment team also offers a full activity programme and additional entertainment includes pool obstacle courses, beach volley, tennis, archery and watersports at the beach. There are even private beach cabins and swim-up family suites, which come with all-inclusive access to all four restaurants - the buffet hotspot plus the à la cartes, which include a gorgeous Greek taverna. Amada Colossos, Kallithea Main Street, Rhodes, Greece 851 00 Hillside Beach Club, Turkey This sun-kissed utopia is hugged by pine-forested cliffs, nestled on a private, Blue Flag and white sanded cove surrounding by sparkling, emerald water. And despite its pristine and luxurious appearance, it is designed for families. There are six restaurants, two spas and an extraordinary schedule of entertainment, from DJing sessions for tweens, piano lessons for primary schoolers, plus sailing, diving, ebiking and tennis for kids and drumming workshops, jazz yoga, live music on the beach and on a floating stage for adults. The chalets are cut into the hillside and family suites have adjoining rooms with shared terraces. There is also a ‘baby park’, an amphitheatre with daily shows and events, baby strollers and a babysitting service. Hillside Beach Club Turkey, 48300 Fethiye, Muğla Province, Turkey MarBella Elix, Greece This unique, 5 star hotel presides over the Ionian coast, where the citrus-scented pine forests meet the ocean and the pristine landscapes offer a rare glimpse of an unspoiled world. The private boat transfer there across the Mediterranean, past caves and coves is the perfect start to a family holiday. And children will delight in the funicular, which swoops you down to the peachy Karavostasi beach and luxury, Azure restaurant below. Thoughtfully, the hotel provides everything from buggies to baby monitors. And a London creative events company arranges unique children’s entertainment, which maximises the location and culture and includes Greek mythology games and star gazing. There are four restaurants, including traditional Greek restaurants Saffron and Pearl , the beautiful a la carte Indigo - overlooking the infinity pool - and the soft, sandy floored beach restaurant, Azure . There is also a dinky toddler's pool as well as a vast infinity pool with stunning views. MarBella Elix , Karavostasi, Sivota, 461 00 Porto Zante, Greece This hidden gem promises privacy, perfection and a luxurious, parent’s paradise. Nine, stunning villas stud Zakynthos’s green hillside, stocked with Bulgari soaps (and children’s versions) Casa and Bang & Olufsen with teak sunbeds and banana yellow parasols around each pool, which come with baby pool seats and armbands. Suitcase-saving is a top priority here, so every child-shaped need is provided, from stairgates and cots to highchairs. The sand on the beach is kept immaculately swept in neat lines and children will find everything waiting for them, from diggers, wheelbarrows and buckets and spades to pedalos, paddle boards and sea canoes. As with everything at this ultimate escape, everything is carefully thought out, including the excellent kids’ club, which provides mini Zumba classes, smoothie and dance parties, art and crafts and treasure hunts. The restaurant experience can even be brought to your villa, within monitor range, on a white linen covered table beneath the pergola. Or Porto Zante’s babysitter can take care of the children, while you sample Greek and Mediterranean cuisine at the Club House Restaurant and or watch the sun sink into the sea at contemporary Asian fusion restaurant, Maya , in a spectacular beachfront setting. Expect fresh fish and lobster straight from their fisherman’s catch, and a fine meat selection accompanied by local herbs and organic products from the estate. Porto Zante, Tragaki, 291 00 Zakynthos, Greece Like what you've read? Why not subscribe to our free, monthly newsletter?

Hit Immersive Christmas Carol Experience Returns with Victorian Feast, Theatre, Cocktails and Live Music The Lost Estate’s critically-acclaimed, immersive theatre and dining experience, A Christmas Carol: The Great Christmas Feast is back, following six sold out years in a row. Guests will be transported to the home of Charles Dickens on Christmas Eve 1843, for three courses of extravagant Victorian feasts, while watching an immersive retelling of the ultimate festive ghost story, with cinematic live music and 5000sq ft of sets constructed by legendary immersive designers Darling & Edge ( Gingerline , Secret Cinema , Crystal Maze ). The immersive entertainment juggernaut runs from 8 November to 12 January in West Kensington, bringing together London’s leading talents in theatre, music, mixology and fine dining to create a one-of-a-kind immersive experience, which has become one of the most in-demand attractions of the Christmas calendar. Acclaimed director Simon Pittman ( Royal Shakespeare Company , National Theatre ) returns for his third Christmas in a row, with Alex Phelps reprising his role as narrator Charles Dickens and other characters, following rave reviews last year. The 2024 menu, devised by Executive Chef, Ashley Clarke ( Gordon Ramsay Group, SmokeStak ), is the culmination of years of Victorian feasting refined into one exceptional Christmas menu. For the starter, Clarke presents a pressing of corn fed chicken, with pickled beets and samphire relish. Next, an elegant confit Gressingham duck breast with all the trimmings. Finally, a rich Twelfth Night Cake accompanied by Christmas Pudding ice cream. Vegetarian and vegan options are available and the menus will be announced soon.   Mr Dickens’ personal cellar is open to all, with a Victorian cocktail menu that includes the Smoking Bishop and the Pear Tree Cup. It is guaranteed to fill even the biggest Scrooge with every kind of Christmas spirit. The Lost Estate, 9 Beaumont Ave, London W14 9LP. 8 November 2024 - 12 January 2025. Tickets £135-£265pp Like what you've read? Why not subscribe to our free, monthly newsletter

Try one of the world's most elusive whiskeys, without having to fork out for a whole bottle... PAPPY. VAN. WINKLE . Even the mention of that name is enough to send whiskey lovers into a fluster. Those vintage, sepia labels; the faded image of Mr Van Winkle chugging on a cigar; the ancient font curved around an amber, wine-shaped bottle. They might look like the kind of dusty receptacles you'd find at the back of your dad's drinks cabinet, but these things are mythical . To the uninitiated, Pappy Van Winkle is the holy grail of bourbon drinkers. The Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery (it's not actually a distillery - it's made by Buffalo Trace - but let's not split hairs) only releases around 7,000 cases of its Family Reserve every year, which means getting your hands on a bottle is like finding a winning lottery ticket. To make matters worse, with whiskey collecting at an all-time high, a good number of people who manage to bag one never end up opening it, because its value will only rise as it becomes older - meaning there are precious few drops available for people to taste. Browse the internet and you'll find bottles of 23 Year Old Family Reserve 2019 listed for just short of £7,000 and the cheapest option - a 10 Year Old 107 Proof - for close to £500, but most have been snapped up within seconds of listing. If you want a real idea of how crazy people are for the stuff, at the time of writing there were EMPTY bottles of 23 Year Old selling for £500 on eBay. That's like buying a Ferrari without an engine, but damn it'll look good on the drive and make the neighbours jealous. Step forward, the K Bar in Kensington Hotel, which prides itself on having one of the finest collections of Brown water in London. Not only are they offering Pappy Van Winkle TO ACTUALLY DRINK, they're serving the stuff up with food included, for a special night on November 27th. If you're lucky enough to grab a ticket, you'll begin your evening with an expertly crafted Eagle Rare Old Fashioned, setting the tone for what promises to be an unforgettable experience. Then, journey through the finest expressions of Pappy Van Winkle’s craftmanship, starting with 25ml tastings of Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year; 25ml of Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year and 25ml of Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year.   Next up, bourbon connoisseurs will try 25ml of the Pappy Van Winkle 20 – crowned the world’s best bourbon – scoring an astounding 99 out of 100 at the World Spirits Championship. Finally, indulge in the iconic Pappy Van Winkle 23 (25ml), a rare treat usually priced at £135 per pour at The K Bar. Each exquisite bourbon will be paired with a small bite to enhance every sip. If you missed the details, that's FIVE pours of the world's most elusive whiskey, and if you're eyeing that up and thinking of remortgaging the house, fear not - the K Bar is offering all this for just £180pp. How? We're not sure. But we'll be begging to take the empty bottle home at the end of the night... Tickets cost £180pp, Book Now 6:30pm - 9pm, November 27th K Bar, The Kensington Hotel, 109-113 Queen's Gate London SW7 5LP Like what you've read? Why not subscribe to our free, monthly newsletter?

Free Annual Outdoor Film Festival Returns to London Put your hand into the popcorn and not your pocket, with a Summer of free , waterside cinema by the Regent’s Canal in King’s Cross, or the Grand Union Canal in Brentford. From 1 July , you don't have to choose between sunshine or movies, because Everyman invites you to its free, annual outdoor film and TV festival,  Everyman on the Canal,  and for the first time it will also introduce  Everyman on the Water at The Brentford Project. The film line-up is set to include Barbie, Bob Marley One Love, The Little Mermaid (2023), The Lord of The Rings trilogy, Aftersun, Dune II, 10 Things I Hate About You , alongside screenings of the Wimbledon Tennis Championship. Both outdoor cinemas are un-ticketed with limited audience numbers, so guests are encouraged to arrive early to avoid disappointment.  Everyman on the Canal  will return to the iconic Canal Side Steps on the banks of the Regent’s Canal, this time for an extended season from 1 July to 18 August . Audiences can recline on bean bags on the grass steps, while enjoying the big screen. Films and screenings will run throughout the day and every evening between 11.30am to 10pm, complete with sweet treats and savoury snacks from Everyman’s food menu, paired with a drink or two from the range of summer cocktails, wine, beer and soft drinks. Their newest free, outdoor cinema experience, Everyman on the Water at The Brentford Project will run  from 1 July to 31 August. Brentford guests can enjoy al fresco ice creams and drinks served with a range of food goodies from The Brentford Project. The event will give locals a taste of Everyman , before their permanent Brentford cinema launches in 2025. More details about Everyman on the Canal at King’s Cross and Everyman on the Water at The Brentford Project can be found here Like what you've read? Why not subscribe to our free, monthly newsletter

Kids turn Super-Sleuths in Breathlessly Engaging, Interactive Murder Mystery Children become trainee detectives in this wonderfully engaging, one-woman murder mystery. A departure from the puppet-led productions Little Angel Theatre is best-known for, this production combines a game show with a brain-teasing super-sleuth adventure, in which young audience members follow clues, interrogate suspects and pore over theatre maps and evidence to crack the case. The show stars Danyah Miller - award-winning co-creator of West End hit, I Believe in Unicorns, with Dani Parr - who captivates children from the second she bounces onto the stage, high-fiving the audience. The children are tasked with helping her identify the murderer of a young actress, who meets her untimely end after being squashed by a piano at Little Angel Theatre , in suspicious circumstances. The clever set (designed by Kate Bunce) features a giant board game recreation of the theatre, with a detective board which is quickly filled with evidence and images of the prime suspects, and doors which flap open to show footage, loaded with intriguing clues. My daughter and the other children are utterly engrossed. Their hands are permanently skyward, desperate to answer Danyah’s questions; share their findings; interrogate or play witnesses or roll the giant dice. It’s a breathless hunt through secrets and surprises, with twists around every corner, which thrill my daughter, who is very vocal throughout, gasping, excitedly sharing her findings and putting Danyah - as the various suspects - through intense grillings. Finally, the puppet element literally pops up with the big reveal, when Danyah pulls up a replica of the theatre from the middle of the board game, and uses puppets of the victim and culprit to reenact the murder, in a dimly-lit scene eerie enough for the 6+ target age group, without being too scary. Danyah is a master of moving the story along - no mean feat, with children misinterpreting evidence and asking suspects curious questions (“what is one plus one?”) - while making every child feel enthusiastically involved. At the end of the show, we are all forbidden from sharing details of the murderer - so to find out, you will need to take your own, junior Columbo’s along to crack the case. Just one more thing: they will love it. The Mystery of Little Angel Theatre , Little Angel Studios, 132 Sebbon St, London N1 2EH. Until 17 November. Tickets £15 adult. £13 child (1-17). Recommended age 6+ Like what you've read? Why not subscribe to our free, monthly newsletter?

Tricks and Treats on a Deliciously Spooky London Bus Adventure The world’s oldest toyshop Hamleys and afternoon tea alchemists, Brigit’s Bakery have created a delicious monster in the shape of the Halloween at Hamleys Afternoon Tea Bus Tour. We take our little ghouls to Victoria Coach Station to board the spookified Double Decker for tricks and treats. A slapstick Mad Scientist welcomes us onboard the bus, which is festooned with cobwebs, pumpkins and spiders and playing creepy hits. And we’re led to our table on the Upper Deck, which is set with two teetering tiers of cakes, sandwiches, pretzels, tarts, quiche and muffins. We set off on our 90-minute tour, taking in landmarks like Royal Albert Hall and Marble Arch with some deliciously spooky facts - The Lanesborough was once a hospital and is London's most haunted hotel, and The Grenadier is haunted by the ghost of a solider. Hot chocolates and coffees are delivered - in Hamleys Halloween travel cups to keep - while we work our way through the feast, marvelling at the acrobatics of friendly staff, pouring fizz and juggling lattes on a swerving bus. Naturally, we pass Hamleys to see their gargantuan pumpkin display and get a glimpse of the free Halloween processions, spooky games and entertainment taking place inside. As a savoury toothed tiger, I am particularly impressed by the wide savoury offering. Stand outs on this tier include the mushroom quiche and the salmon and cucumber pretzel with cream cheese. The cucumber and mint sandwiches on basil bread and the turkey ham, cheese and mustard mayo on tomato bread are also a hit with the adults. The children are eager to dive into the beautifully presented, sweet tier, decorated with edible bats and ghosts. The pumpkin tarts are the biggest hit with the children, alongside cupcakes, matcha sables and my personal favourite, the Frankenstein’s Monster Choux, filled with creamy walnut.  Warm scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream are brought around to close the experience and despite being stuffed, there is always room for an excellent scone. While we eat, the comically bumbling scientist entertains diners with a Halloween quiz - the questions are easy enough for our six-year-old to enjoy - magic, trick or treat cauldrons and daft jokes. Thankfully, we are all provided boxes to take home left overs from the generous spread, as well as popping candy chocolates, while the children are also gifted Hamleys toy keyrings. It’s a spooktacular experience for all ages - the bus was mostly packed with excited adults - and bubbling with tricks and treats. Hamleys Halloween London Bus Tour , Departs from Victoria Coach Station. 12 October - 31 October. From £45 per adult, £35 per child Like what you've read? Why not follow us on Instagram?

The Capital's Best Family Experiences this January 2025 Back to school, back to work and trying to ignore the tumbleweed blowing around your wallet? January can be a rotter if we let it, but London is still bulging with fun to cheer up the family, and we've rounded up the best of the bunch below. It includes a gaggle of FREE and low-cost events, from brand new light trails to illuminate the gloom, neon painting, kids' theatre, Paddington, Batman and your last chance to cling onto some festive joy with ice rinks and pantomimes. ______________________ FREE Battersea Power Station Light Festival The Power Station’s FREE annual light show returns, bigger, better and more interactive than ever, to shine some light into the January gloom. Many of the eight spectacular installations include soundscapes and interactive elements which respond to people’s movements, like the LightPiano, which invites people to play with music and light; or Lightbattle III, for a cycling competition inside arches of light, with the ultimate winner awarded with a flood of colourful light. Battersea Power Station , Circus Rd W, Nine Elms, London SW11 8DD. 23 January - 23 February. FREE. FREE Winter Lights, Canary Wharf This gorgeous, free light trail returns for its ninth year, with 12 installations, including a towering stack of bath tubs, pulsating with light and music, portals, mirages, a 20m wide black hole. There are also sweet treats and hot drinks to fuel you on the adventure. Winter Lights. Throughout Canary Wharf. 21 January - 1 February 2025. FREE. 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 11th and 12th January From £21 Charlie Cook's Favourite Book Read our review Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s deliciously meta book about the magic of reading has had a major adaptation from our favourite puppet alchemists,  Little Angel Theatre, now showing at Trafalgar Theatre. Adaptors Barb Jungr and Samantha Lane (who also directs) reunite for the show, following their Olivier -nominated collaboration on Donaldson and Scheffler’s other hit book, The Smartest Giant in Town. The story follows Charlie diving through books, magazine and encyclopaedias and encompasses 11 books, complete with ghosts, pirates, aliens and dragons. Little Angel Studios, Trafalgar Theatre, 14 Whitehall London SW1A 2DY . Running time: 1 hour. Until 5 January 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 Batman Unmasked: The Exhibition Follow the Bat Signal and explore a never-before-seen collection of the Caped Crusader's original props, vehicles, and costumes. The new Batman exhibition has nine themed rooms, including the famous Wayne Manor library (and secret bookcase door) The Joker's Room and The Batcave. Batman Unmasked . 45 Wellington Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 7BN. Until 5 January. Tickets from £24 Room on the Broom Read our review Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's classic children’s book is zooming onto the stage at the Lyric Theatre, in this Olivier Award-nominated adventure. When a witch with a plait, a hat and her cat are flying through the skies, they pick up some fantastic creatures along the way. But while there was room on the broom for two, there certainly was not room for five. And things take a turn for the worse when a fiery dragon is thrown into the mix. Lyric Theatre , Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 7ES. 22 November - 5 January. Tickets from £12 Hansel and Gretel at The Globe Read our review Follow the trail of breadcrumbs all the way to Shakespeare's Globe this Christmas, for their beautiful production of Hansel and Gretel, returning for its second year. Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage transforms the Globe Theatre into the gingerbread and lollipop festooned sphere of the world's most famous witch-conquering siblings, for this classic Brother Grimm fairytale. In this timely retelling, a woodcutting dad and bread-making mum leave their children in the woods to protect them from their war-torn village, where they meet a strange old lady with a plan of her own. The Globe,  21 New Globe Walk, London SE1 9DT. 29 November - 5 January Hogwarts in the Snow Have a very Harry Christmas at the Hogwarts in the Snow studio tour, when the iconic Harry Potter sets are twinkling with Christmas lights and covered in a blanket of snow. The Great Hall will be decked in golden decorations from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, and you’ll find a banquet of turkeys and flaming puddings for the end-of-term Hogwarts feast. Learn the dance moves studied by Neville Longbottom ahead of the Yule Ball in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire , or how the invisibility cloak Harry Potter receives as a Christmas present was used to create the illusion on-screen. Then step into the Forbidden Forest , where the woodlands will be covered in snow, or stroll down Diagon Alley   with its snowy shop fronts and cobbled stones. Stop by the Christmas shop which has returned this year to provide you with a premium and exclusive selection of Christmas gifts, souvenirs, and stocking fillers. The experience ends with a walk around the Hogwarts Castle model, which is blanketed with snow. Hogwarts in the Snow , Warner Bros Studios, Studio Tour Dr, Leavesden, Watford WD25 7LR. 16 November - 19 January. Tickets from £56. Under 4s go free. Winter Festival - Museum of the Home Winter traditions are explored through a gaggle of colourful events for all ages, celebrating cultures spanning from Diwali and Hanukkah to Christmas and Lunar New Year. Highlights include the Winter Past Exhibition, looking back on festive traditions from 1630 to the future and Christmas events from live toy theatres, to gift making workshops. Museum of the Home , 136 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8EA. Until 12 January Skate at Somerset House It’s not Christmas until Somerset House opens its iconic ice rink. Expect gourmet dining at The Chalet, a rink-side view Skate lounge by Whispering Angel; Skate School lessons, and a pop-up Shelter Boutique store.   Somerset House , Strand, London WC2R 1LA. 13 Nov - 12 Jan. Tickets from £11 Ice Rink Canary Wharf London’s longest running seasonal ice rink, Ice Rink Canary Wharf offers visitors a magical skate session in the heart of Canary Wharf. This year’s ice rink will be putting on themed skating sessions, including 80’s, 90’s and Soul Classics nights to get skaters in the festive spirit. There’s a transparent roof, to thwart Blighty’s pesky weather, plus an apres-skate alpine bar serving winter warmers for skaters and spectators. And the centre piece this year is a glorious Christmas tree, beneath a suspended giant mirrored ball, casting disco reflections across the rink. Ice Rink Canary Wharf.  Canada Square, London E14 5AB. 26 Oct - 23 February 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 Michelin-Star Cookery School for Little Chefs Michelin restaurant Pavyllon London will partner with the popular En Petit Pavilion on a series of 90-minute, kid’s cookery experiences, while parents enjoy lunch dishes from multi-Michelin-starred Chef Yannick Alléno.  Starting on 15 September and running on the third Sunday of each month until January 2025, children will learn to craft from a range of cuisines, including French gastronomy, creating a main course and a dessert alongside En Cuisine’s passionate team. The pièce de résistance? Mini master chefs will proudly present their fine dining creations to their loved ones at the iconic Pavyllon counter at the end of the class, dressed in their very own chef’s hat and apron, standing alongside the Pavyllon team. Pavyllon London, Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane Hamilton Pl, London, W1J 7DR . Every third Sunday at 12pm & 1:30pm until 19 January 2025. Ages 6-12. Price: £350: includes four-course set lunch menu for two adults and 1x children’s cooking class 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 Barbie: The Exhibition The wonder doll (and society’s) evolution is charted in this luminous exhibition, which opened this month, to coincide with Barbie’s 65th birthday. Exploring her story through a design lens including fashion, architecture, furniture and vehicle design, her plastic-fantastic universe has engulfed the Design Museum, showing changing attitudes to women’s careers - Barbie has had more than 250 jobs -  race, sexuality, fashion and body image. Highlights include a rare first edition of the very first doll released by Mattel in 1959, the first Black, Hispanic and Asian dolls to bear the Barbie name, as well as dolls that reflect today’s diverse, multicultural society, including the first Barbie with Down Syndrome, the first to use a wheelchair, and the first to be designed with a curvy body shape. Design Museum,  224-238 Kensington High St, London W8 6AG. Until 23 February 2025. Adult from £14.38. Children from £7.19 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. 20 August 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. Birds: Brilliant and Bizarre Natural History Museum ’s new show will be a real tweet for the whole family, inviting us to experience birds in a whole new way. Swirl around with a murmuration, chirp along with the dawn chorus and see if you have the stomach to sniff a stinky seabird egg. From feeling their heartbeats to seeing through their eyes, get to know our feathered friends better. Meet the wonderchicken - the world’s oldest bird - find out what a pigeon has in common with a ferocious T. Rex and discover how these winged wonders managed to survive the mass extinction that wiped out all the other dinosaurs. Today there’s more than 11,000 species. From pigeons to penguins, ostriches to ospreys, birds live on every single continent on Earth, so what’s the secret to their success? From sucking blood to bathing in acid, our winged wonders have found surprising, clever and downright freaky ways to survive. Natural History Museum,  Waterhouse Gallery, Kensington, London. Until 5 January 2025. Adults £16.50pp. Children (4-16) £9.95pp 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. Pampering for all the family at Pan Pacific London Family activities that involve lying down and being pampered? Count us massively IN. Pan Pacific London  has partnered with luxury children’s brand Bonpoint , to create a unique offering for the hotel’s dedicated Wellbeing Floor. The first partnership of its kind in the UK, the duo have created a range of unisex skincare treatments and packages for children aged 6 – 16 years old, that provide an opportunity for parents to spend quality time with their children and teens and enjoy a spot of pampering. Pan Pacific Family Pampering , 80 Houndsditch, London, EC3A 7AB. Treatments start from £100. 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. The Gunpowder Plot at Tower of London Vaults Older children (12+) will be catapulted into the most exciting history lesson of their lives, in this explosive new, immersive experience, starring Harry Potter’s Tom Felton. Your mission is to go undercover and unmask the mysterious figures behind history’s most infamous plot. But when you’re surrounded by traitors, who can you trust? With surprises around every turn, descend into the vaults and experience a combination of live and digital actors, virtual reality and fancy pants technology like motion simulators and special effects, transporting you back to London 1605 in the heart of the Gunpowder plot. The Gunpowder Plot , 8-12 Tower Hill Vaults, London, EC3N 4EE 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  launched the first, official Paddington Bear afternoon tea bus tour , celebrating the capital.The double-decker 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?