DIARY DATES
After dark 9 – 31 OCTOBER
We dare you to take a walk on the wild side this scary season by booking an Edinburgh Zoo Spooktacular family slot. While you’ll be able to check in with all of your favourite fauna, from the parading penguins to super-cute red pandas, there will also be a host of creepy hidden characters to keep an eye out for along the illuminated trail, including scarecrows, witches and wizards. Yikes! edinburghzoo.org.uk
Vitamin sea ONGOING
Seeking some half-term sun? New fivestar resort MarBella Elix – set upon an unspoilt Greek beach – offers Worldwide Kids multilingual childcare for ages up to 12 years, as well an Explore the Outsideled Adventure Club for older kids. Getting the youngsters to swap screens for cycling and kayaking while you bask with a poolside cocktail sounds like a win-win to us! marbella.gr/marbella-elix
Wild at heart
Golden delicious
9 – 31 OCTOBER
23&24 OCTOBER
If your brood likes their half-terms action packed, there are few destinations better equipped for adventurous youngsters than luxury Perthshire hotel and estate, Gleneagles. The iconic five-star country hideaway has a full-to-bursting programme of more than 50 outdoor pursuits, from junior golf and archery to tree climbing and zip wiring. And with a fully tricked-out spa on site, grownups can fit in a spot of R’n’R around the mayhem too. gleneagles.com
Max out on your five a day with a wholesome family getaway to The Newt in Somerset’s Apple Day Weekend. This celebratory festival hosts a packed itinerary of events themed around the region’s humble fruit – think funfair games, educational displays, tractor tours, live music, cider tasting (one for the grownups) and you’re just scratching the surface. thenewtinsomerset.com
Clay havoc 26 OCTOBER
This Halloween, lifestyle brand Daylesford has teamed up with artisanal pottery studio London Wildflower to offer an at-home workshop for kids aged six to 12. The Zoom session’s cost (£60) covers essential equipment, from reusable tools to air-drying clay, which will be sent out ahead of the class. Prepare to be petrified by the seriously spooky jack-o’-lantern ceramics your little artist produces! daylesford.com
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independentschoolparent.com | AUTUMN 2021
A winter’s trail 17 NOVEMBER – 9 JANUARY 2022
Few festive rituals hold as much seasonal wonder as Christmas at Kew, and this year’s event promises to live up to the annual hype, with awe-inspiring tunnels of light, dancing waterside reflections and trees lined with jewel-toned shimmer. Unmissable highlights include an audience with Santa, the Fire Garden’s mesmerising flames and of course, piping hot cocoa. kew.org
