Families London Surrey Borders July/Aug 2017

Issue 75 July/ August 2017

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Creative Courage For Life London Surrey Borders

Basmati with vegetables full of goodness and tastes great too.

Find us in the toddler food aisle

For delicious recipe inspiration visit Tilda.com

2 July/ Augst 2017

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In this issue...

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 14 18

London Surrey Borders www.familiesonline.co.uk Tel: 01923 239 664 Editor Tamar Pearson editor@families-LSB.co.uk Design Rebecca Carr Printer Print Mates

Clubs & classes news Local news Education news Seize the summer with Explore Learning Rewilding the child Forest School & Bushcraft Camps Local Party Directory Summer Camps What’s on in July & August Children’s Theatre

Families LSB Fun Competition Time Win tickets to see

21,000 copies printed 42,000 readers per issue Next issue September/ October 2017 Booking deadline 4 August 2017

at Cadogan Hall To celebrate We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’s return to Cadogan Hall, Families LSB Magazine has one family ticket (admits 4) to give away. There are 10 bear paw prints hidden throughout this magazine. To WIN! Find them all and email your answer together with your name and the subject heading BEAR HUNT FAMILIES LSB COMPETITION to info@kennywax.com before 31 July 2017.

T&C’s - Prize is for one family ticket (admits 4, min 1 adult) to see the London production of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt at Cadogan Hall from 4 Aug - 3 Sept. The winner will be selected by random prize draw of entries with the correct answer. Tickets are subject to availability, non-transferable and hold no cash value. Answers will not be accepted after the closing date of 31 July 2017.

The Bear Paw Print image within this write up is not included. The draw will take place 31 July 2017. The decisions will be final.

Editor’s note As the Summer Holidays approach, exitment builds in long anticipation for the warth and freedom they bring. So go out and enjoy the sunshine and merriment it brings.

Tamar xx Disclaimer: Families London Surrey Borders Magazine is part of Families Magazines Ltd a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families ® is a registered trademark of Families Magazines Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families LSB Magazine is fully protected by copyright and non of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of the publisher. We take every care preparing this magazine but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents.

It’s BRIT Kids 15th Birthday!

Exiting times ahead for local children, as BRIT Kids is expanding their hours as of September. This opens new opportunities for children aged 10 – 12 years of age to explore the Creative Arts.

These are dynamic, creative classes, using specialist equipment on a small teacher to student ratio, so sign up quick if you want a place! Alongside these additional Creative Arts classes, BRIT Kids will be offering Performing Arts Classes in both the morning and the afternoon.

What does BRIT Kids Offer? More than you can imagine! BRIT Kids is unique in that they offer both Performing and Creative Arts, with 13 different specialities to choose from, from Film Making to Street Dance, there really is something for everyone. Whatever your reason for joining – a creative outlet, to meet new friends, to be part of something – there are plenty of diverse classes to choose from. Pupils are expected to work hard, and will be challenged, but will enjoy every minute of the journey!

BRIT Kids is getting bigger and even better if you want to be part of this, view the prospectus and fill out an application form. www.brit.croydon.sch.uk/britkids

BRIT Kids

BRIT Kids at

At BRIT Kids, what do we do? ...More than you can imagine!

Saturday Courses at The BRIT School

Theatre

Performing and Creative Arts classes for 8–15 year olds

Photography

Dance Singing Street Dance

Fashion and Textiles Film Making Music Production Radio

Art Club Printmaking & Illustration Computer Club AEN in collaboration with

CELEBRATING 15 YEARS

Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy

brit.croydon.sch.uk/BRITKids

020 8665 5242 London Surrey Borders 3

Clubs & Classes News A stunning performance by Coulsdon star students YOUNG talent from a performing arts schools across the country came together In London’s West End this month to perform songs from Beauty and the Beast to Les Misérables.

Students from Stagecoach Performing Arts Coulsdon, showcased their talents alongside fellow students in the largest independent theatre in the West End, Shaftesbury Theatre. Performing ‘Change It’ from 9 to 5, the students received applause from a crowded auditorium.

Stagecoach Performing Arts Principal, Zoe McCready says: ‘Watching the children from Coulsdon perform was a wonderful moment. Many of them dream of a career in the West End, so to get the opportunity to perform there at the weekend was magical.’

For more information visit www.stagecoach.co.uk/coulsdon

Parents do Stagecoach On June 10th Stagecoach Shirley opened its doors to the oldest students in Stagecoach history for a very special day: Parents do Stagecoach.

The parents were able to experience for themselves what the students get to do in the weekly classes and holiday workshops.

Says Principal Kim Findlay, “Some of our students have been coming for over 10 years, so it was a wonderful opportunity for them to understand why their children enjoy Stagecoach so much”.

One of the parents said:”I think I enjoyed it more than my son!

Can I come every week?”

Stagecoach Shirley will be holding a Parents Do Stagecoach for their younger Early Stages Students in the next term, but now they are busy preparing for their Summer Holiday Workshops which are running 31 July – 4 August at Shirley High School for children aged 4-18, and they are open to Non-Stagecoach students too!

For more information on weekly classes and holiday workshops visit: www.stagecoach.co.uk/shirley

News & Views The Summer Reading Challenge 2017 The annual Summer Reading Challenge for children is simple. During the holidays they are encouraged to read six or more books of their choice - fact books, joke books, picture books or audio books - just as long as they are borrowed from the library. There are collectable incentives and rewards, plus a certificate for every child who completes the Challenge, which is run by independent charity The Reading Agency. Children can sign up at their local library from the end of June onwards and all materials are absolutely free.

This year’s theme is Animal Agents, introducing young readers to a variety of clever creatures, specially trained to use their skills and natural instincts to unravel mysteries. Read more at www. summerreadingchallenge.org.uk.

Join the adventure with Tilda’s range for kids Tilda rice offers parents the ideal healthy snack options when on the go, taking only 40 seconds to heat in the microwave or a few minutes in a pan. The range is full of goodness, containing ‘1 of your 5-a-day’, and is a nutritious alternative to other starchy carbohydrates that children need for energy. All recipes are gluten-free, vegetarian and free from artificial colours and preservatives.

The range also caters for fussy eaters as each pouch contains a blend of hidden vegetable puree as well as small pieces to help boost your youngster’s vegetable intake! Kids can choose from familiar classic flavour varieties such as Cheese & Tomato, Sunshine Vegetable, Vegetables & Wholegrain and Mild Curry….yum yum!

Visit www.tilda.com/kids to meet Tilli and friends and learn more

Introducing the Daily Doodle Book, the perfect companion for the Summer Holidays Doodle a dragon, scribble a sausage and colour a chameleon in this hilarious how–to–guide.

Jon Burgerman, social media sensation and doodle

The Lotus Practice Now offering ü Cranio-sacral therapy

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4 July/ Augst 2017

ü Baby Massage Courses ü Baby Yoga Courses ü Osteopathy Baby massage and yoga is relaxing and enjoyable for both mum and babies, supporting bonding between you and your baby with quality time that’s fun.

) 07956442223 : thelotus@hotmail.co.uk 8 www.thelotuspractice.com www.familiesonline.co.uk

extraordinaire has created this great tool for kids go back to the basics of doodling pen to paper whilst also engaging in the world of social media.

Including doodling techniques and fun stickers, Daily Doodle invites you to doodle regardless of your drawing ability. Jon believes we all can and should be doodling - any squiggle can become a pizza, burger, creepy crawlie, or creature from the depths of the ocean! and asks his followers to share what they have drawn that day, hashtag #dailydoodlebook.

Daily Doodle Book retails for £12.99 and is available from www. laurenceking.com

The Gruffalo brought to life in the forest with new augmented reality app In the first development of its kind, Forestry Commission England and Magic Light Pictures bring The Gruffalo characters to life in the forest through a new augmented reality app.

Families can follow clues on an interactive trail and track signs of their favourite characters based on The Gruffalo, best-selling picture book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler.

The self-led trail is packed with fun facts about forest animals with fantastic activities along the way. Once families have spotted the characters, they can use the app to bring the 3D character animation to life and take photos alongside them.

Their photos are automatically added to the device’s gallery, from where it can be shared via social media with the hashtag #GruffaloSpotters.

Launch dates differ between forests, for further details visit www.forestry. gov.uk/gruffalo

Hever Castle announces new adventure playground to open this July Young visitors can soon explore a 9-metre-tall castle as part of their Hever Castle’s summer adventure.

Aimed at children 7-14, Tudor Towers is bigger than a four-bedroom house with its own moat, drawbridge and three turrets.

Promising children a fantastic and educational experience where they can experience a castle under siege with one side incomplete as if it’s been attacked with a cargo net to climb, noises of archers, a drawbridge and 10 model knights to battle past.

Meet Henry VIII and his six wives in the Dining Room, complete with the sounds of a crackling fire.

Instruments to play and a roof maze to solve as well as hidden boxes to find, mean it is sure to entertain everyone from the younger child to the teenager.

Fundraising drive for school Banstead School’s Fundraising drive for school Banstead School’s swimming pool swimming pool A fundraising drive to help keep Banstead school’s swimming pool open A fundraising drive to keepfrom a Banstead school’s swimming pool has been launched byhelp the PFA Warren Mead Infants and Junior open has been launched by the PFA from Warren Mead Infants and School.

Junior School.

Due to the cost required to upkeep the pool it has fallen into disrepair Due the cost required upkeep the poolstructure it has fallen into disrepair with to a new pump needed,toand the external requiring urgent with a new pump needed, and the external structure requiring urgent maintenance. maintenance.

Their ‘Save Our Pool’ campaign kicked off with a Gala Dinner on Friday Their ‘Save Ourwas Pool’ campaign kicked swimming off with a Gala Dinnerand on eight Friday 23 June which hosted

by Olympic champion 23 June which was hosted

by Olympic champion and eight times world record holder, Mark Foster.swimming Local parents and families in the times world recordtoholder, Mark but local parents and families in area can continue support theFoster, campaign at help raise money at www. the area can continue to support the campaign at help raise money at justgiving.com/warrenmeadschool-pfa www.justgiving.com/warrenmeadschool-pfa

Share the Holidays with Holibob Bear!

No more “What are we doing today!?”

- Holibob Bear provides a fun and interactive way for your children to learn what they’ll be doing each day.

Holibob Bear comes with a suitcase and a range of activity cards to help reveal what you have planned. Document the fun with stickers in the Pawsport, encourage writing skills and add incentives for good behaviour.

It doesn’t have to be expensive to enjoy adventures with your children, even everyday activities can be more fun when revealed and shared with Holibob Bear. Make it a summer to remember, visit holibobbear.com.

Mini Monkey Gym launching in Coulsdon This September sees some exciting new baby and toddler classes come to Coulsdon on Monday mornings. Mini Monkey Gym’s popular soft play gym classes combine active play, sensory and music to enhance young children’s all round development.

The Mini Monkey Gym professionally developed programme has been designed to help babies, toddlers and young children develop their physical skills and get their bodies moving! Movement in babies and toddlers is crucial to stimulating brain development and encouraging the creation of those all important neural connections in the first few years.

Mini Monkey Gym gives you and your child the opportunity to enjoy lots of fun and sensory movement experiences together which promote this important development.

Classes have been running very successfully in Sanderstead and Beckenham for 2 years. By expanding to the Coulsdon area, Mini Monkey Gym are looking forward to bringing their unique classes and fantastic soft play setup to many more “mini monkeys”! And don’t forget, they do parties too! Further information at minimonkeygym.co.uk

For more information, and to see the all the great things to do at Hever Castle this Summer please visit hevercastle.co.uk

Would you like to advertise your business to over 42,000 parents in our September/October issue?

Book Today Call 01923 775 680 or

email

e01923 239 664B.co.uk

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Education News A 10 year old from Addiscombe has been named a regional winner in the National Young Writers’ Award!

Athar Mungi from Park Hill Junior School fought off tough competition from children all over the region with his story.

The competition, organised by tuition provider, Explore Learning which has a centre in Addiscombe is now in its ninth year. This year’s judge was TV presenter and adventurer, Steve Backshall. Over 10,000 children from all over the UK entered in an effort to win a trip to Disneyland Paris and £500 worth of books for their school.

Carey Ann Dodah, Head of Curriculum Development at Explore Learning says: “This year’s National Young Writers’ Awards attracted so many entries so Athar should be very proud of their success.”

Maths Club by Post!

One Maths teacher from the South has come up with a unique way of giving children extra support at home. Caroline Cutress, a qualified Maths teacher with 15 years experience has created a correspondence course which is tailor-made to each child, bursting with puzzles and games which gradually guide the student through a National Curriculum Maths topic. There are prizes for the best work and parents only have to commit to one month at a time. Parental feedback has indicated that children really enjoy the packs and after only a short time they see the benefits in their school work.

For more details visit www.boostmaths.co.uk or contact Caroline for a free pack on 023 8034 1776, email cc@boostmaths.co.uk and ask about Maths Club by Post.

Labels4Kids - No more lost clothes or belongings!

Since 2004, Labels4Kids has helped thousands of families in the UK to bypass the lost and found box and get back lost belongings quickly. In 2015, the company also started to sell name labels via John Lewis.

Labels4Kids range contains many different types of name labels to cater for different application methods. There are woven sew on labels, easy to use iron on labels, click on labels (tags that you simply click on with an applicator) or even stick on name labels that just go on the care label of the garment. Your labels are made to order in the UK and to the highest quality standards.

Visit www.labels4kids.com today to personalise yours. You can now get 10% off your first order using the discount code FAM. Just select the labels you want to order on the website, personalise them and apply the code in the shopping cart to claim your discount. Get some peace of mind this summer with Labels4Kids - Because kids lose stuff!

Reedham Park School is delighted to announce that Miss Raegan Larry-Cole has been crowned the May Queen for 2017 ‘’As is our tradition, at the start of May the children and teachers voted according to who they believed had been the most friendly, kind and helpful Form 1 Upper girl throughout the year. Once the votes had been counted and the May Queen announced, the children then spent time writing poems dedicated to her and collecting posies that they presented to the May Queen during her crowning ceremony. The May Queen, in return thanked the children and staff by passing out sweets for them to eat, but only once the May Queen had eaten hers! This years’ May Queen did not disappoint and teased the school for several seconds before allowing then to eat their sweet treat.

Congratulations Reagan!’’, Katie Shah, Headteacher.

For more information on Reedham Park School visit www.reedhamparkschool.org.uk

Beat the back to school rush with Snappy Tags® Lazy summer days and plenty of ice-cream, is what summer is all about! But before you know it, it’s nearly September and time is spent rushing around the shops for uniforms, shoes, pencil cases and bags. We’ve all had that ‘sinking’ feeling when we realise we’ve got to label it all – but not anymore! Snappy Tags® are the quick and hassle free alternative to all that sewing or ironing. Simply order personalised tags and an applicator, and all you have to do is attach the tag to the care label inside the uniform. A half days’ work done in a 20 minute flash! To order tags, visit www.snappytags.co.uk

A one snap solution - they’re re-usable too!

“A truly wonderful product—Snappy Tags takes the hassle and pain out of labelling.” www.verymummy.com

www.snappytags.co.uk 6 July/ Augst 2017

Keep Tabs on their clothes Recommended by

Tel: (0844) 5611994 www.familiesonline.co.uk

Seize the summer with Explore Learning!

At Explore Learning we are encouraging families to seize the summer! To help you do this we have put together a jampacked summer programme with creative ideas on how to keep your child’s brain active over the holidays, so they are ready to settle back into the new school year confidently!

START A BLOG

Learn some new skills, as a family, by creating a blog together. Give your child a little note book to jots ideas down whilst you are out and about, then write up what you’ve done. Take lots of pictures as these are a great tool to help children who find writing tricky. Encourage them to describe what is happening in the picture to get their creativity flowing.

HAVE A MOVIE NIGHT

Research carried out by Explore Learning highlighted watching TV/films is the number one thing children wanted to do over the summer. Use this to motivate your child to read. Find a book that has been made into a film that your child wants to watch. Then plan a movie night far enough in advance so you can read the book together before enjoying the film.

SEND A POSTCARD

Let your friends and family know what you’ve been up to with a postcard. They’re only short so are a wonderful way to get a bit of writing going during the holidays. If your child is reluctant to write, then why not try a postcard app like By Post? They can take their own pictures to make into postcards and type their message.

READ, READ AND READ SOME MORE

A study by OUP showed that just 10mins of shared reading a day can have a huge impact on children’s progress. Pop a book in your bag so you can use any opportunity to get your daily 10 mins in. We will be uploading weekly activities that you can complete with your child to help keep them engaged with what they are reading. Visit explorelearning.co.uk/summer to find out more and download your first activity!

PLAY SOME GAMES

There are bound to be some rainy days this summer, so use this as a chance to get out some board games. These are great for so many reasons, from developing language to improving memory skills.

Needs some new games? Have a scavenger hunt in local charity shops to see who in the family can find the best game.

TUITION

To keep your children progressing over the summer, a tuition centre is a great option. Prevent the battle ground of getting children to do work at home and get them along to a centre where there are lots of other children getting involved. Explore Learning runs maths and English sessions as well as a whole range of interactive workshops throughout the holidays to keep your child’s brain active. The best things is you can go along and try one of these for free, so get in touch today!

For more information on Explore Learning, and to find your nearest school please visit www.explorelearning.co.uk

EducationInvestor

Awards 2016

London Surrey Borders 7

ReWild the Child - Getting Kids Off Screens and Outdoors

By Tamar Pearson Looking back at my childhood, my fondest memories are those where I find myself climbing trees and wading waist high in water, surrounded by nature and the sound of my friend’s laughter. Come rain or shine, we were outdoors den building, playing survival games, or simply watching the clouds go by.

The age range of our group varied from toddler to teen, and a natural hierarchy emerged developing relationships on our own grounds. We were allowed to make our own mistakes, and thrilled in finding solutions, together. When I think of the life skills and emotional intelligence that I have taken forward into my adult life by these adventures, a shadow of worry consumes me for today’s child.

In the modern world, most children risk missing out on key childhood memories due to an over reliance on indoor play. For many this is due to the overuse of technology.

I recently read an article talking about brain connectivity and what happens to children’s brains whilst on digital devices. The article came to the very scary conclusion that digital devices effect a child’s brain in the same way that cocaine does, by effecting our dopamine production, our feel-good chemical. In short, our children are addicted to digital devises.

Now, digital devices and screen time is a topic for another article, however, I will just add that Bill Gates does not believe it safe for a child to have a smart phone until the age of 14, and Steve Jobs, founder of Apple would not allow his children on digital devices at all. Why do we allow our children to spend so much of their precious childhood on digital devices?

We are all far busier than we used to be and need that time in our own minds – for sanity’s sake, but I think sometimes we lose touch with what our responsibilities as parents are. We forget childhood is really their own journey, and our responsibilities lie in raising capable and emotionally sound adults. In our attempt to be perfect parents we do too much for them. How do we raise competent adults if we’re always doing everything for our kids?

There are many simple things that children are perfectly capable of doing, but in most instances, have done for them.

By encouraging children to do basic tasks like preparing food, laundry or clean their rooms, you are showing a trust in them that will actually give them more self-confidence, appreciation and life skills they would have had before.

At this tender age children do not see it like that. They will battle and challenge you, but that is what children do. That is how they learn their responsibilities and boundaries in life, and without those they would be dysfunctional adults.

Children should be allowed to make mistakes and take responsibility of their actions by dealing with the direct consequences of their actions. Let them make their mistakes and deal with the consequences instead of bringing the battle home.

We live in a society that encourages filling up our time with anything and everything, and with the added stimulation and immediate gratification of digital devices our children do not know how to entertain themselves anymore – they do not know how to be bored. But boredom is cheap and good for the soul – and for kids it can be magical.

8 July/ Augst 2017

So, what steps can we, as parents take to ensure our children learn how to be capable and responsible young adults with a love for the great outdoors?

There is a wonderful concept often used in conservation known as rewilding - Rewilding is large-scale conservation aimed at restoring and protecting natural processes and core wilderness areas, providing connectivity between such areas, and protecting or reintroducing apex predators and keystone species.

For many Forest School is familiar, and I suppose this is the easiest way to introduce the concept of Rewilding Your Child. In his book “Last Child in the Woods”, author, Richard Louv coined the term “nature deficit disorder”, explaining a wide range of behavioural disorders that happen when children don’t spend time outside.

The flip side being what happens when we do spend time in nature. Nature is important to children’s development in every major way—intellectually, emotionally, socially, spiritually and physically. It supports creativity and problem solving, enhances cognitive abilities, reduces Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) symptoms, increases physical activity, improves eyesight and nutrition and social relations, self-discipline and reduces stress.

Comparing the benefits of outdoor play, and effects digital devices have on a child’s brains we have questions many of the decisions we make to equip our children with the tools needed to grow into emotionally sound and successful adults. Living in a temperate climate can give reason for us to spend more time indoors than out, but summer is here so let your children go wild in the woods.

Into The Trees Festival returns this summer and Families LSB has a family ticket to giveaway Taking place over the 9th and 10th of September, Into The Trees returns to the heart of the Ashdown Forest. A fascinating journey into the amazing world of woodlands and forests showcasing activities and demonstrations to inspire guests of all ages.

WIN!

The stunning landscape of Pippingford Park provides the perfect venue for exploration and discovery. Six diverse woodland zones offer expert demonstrations to open your eyes to the way we can play, work and live in unity with nature.

To win please send the name of the venue where Into The Trees is taking place to editor@families-lsb.co.uk with your name and the subject heading INTO THE TREES competition before 31 July 2017. www.into-the-trees.co.uk www.familiesonline.co.uk

10.30am–4.15pm Claremont Landscape Garden, KT10 9JG Explore Claremont’s wild side!

Toast marshmallows in the fire circle, discover the rhododendron jungle and test the mini raft you’ve made on the lake. Ages 5-11, booking essential. £45 www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Bush Craft Camps and Days Out

Forest School and Bushcraft Camps Let the children free, let then run out when it rains, take off their shoes when they find puddles of water and let the run around barefoot when the meadow grass is wet with dew, let them rest in the shade of trees, let them shout and laugh when the sun shines, Maria Montessori

Local Forest Schools ‘Forest School is an inspirational process, that offers ALL learners regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and selfesteem through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland or natural environment with trees’ Little Oaks Forest School Nursery Lodge, Nonsuch Park, Ewell Road, Cheam, SM3 8AL 0208 393 8660 littleoaksforestschool@msn.com www.littleoaksforestschool.com Wild Ones Forest School Frylands Wood, Croydon Aliex Holliday 07767 693 364 www.wildonesforestschool.co.uk Wood Chips Forest School 11 Cearn Way,Chipstead, CR5 2LH Susie Timms susan.timms5@btinternet.com 07982 1984 51 Woodmansterne Village PreSchool and Forest School Carshalton Road, Woodmansterne, Banstead, SM7 3HU woodmansternepreschool@ hotmail.co.uk. 01737 363423 www.woodmansternepreschool. moonfruit.com Wildlings Forest School @ Sutton Ecology Centre Festival Walk, SM5 3NY Booking Essencial wildlingsforestschool@gmail.com Wildings Forest School Summer Events Thurs 3 Aug, 10am -12.30pm & 1.30-4pm.

Family Fun Mallet Making Day Come along and learn how to

Lee Valley Almost Wild Campsite, Broxbourne Our bushcraft courses will teach how to survive in the wild! Whether you’re an intrepid traveller or just want to take part in a fun, new experience, choose from our range of courses which focus on different aspects of bushcraft and arm you with a range of skills www.visitleevalley.org.uk

Penthurst Place Bushcraft overnight summer camps Go wild this summer with Camp Wilderness in the Penshurst Place parkland and learn the skills of orienteering, building fires and campfire cooking before playing epic forest games and falling asleep among the trees in a traditional canopied bell tent. www.campwilderness.co.uk Children’s Summer Festival at Stanmore House, Brighton A jam-packed schedule of events guaranteed to entertain, but also build confidence and help children flourish in the great outdoors.

The festival runs from July 1st to September 17th, tickets range from £3-£10pp. www.stanmerhouse.co.uk/kidsfest

make your own mallet using a Bow saw and Billhook. Test out your handy work by using it to put up a shelter before getting to take it home!

9th, 10th and 11th Aug, 10.30am-3.30pm Wildlings Forest School 3-Day Camp for 7-11 year olds.

Come and join us for three whole days in our woods where we will be cooking our own lunch, building shelters, learning how to use basic tools and making some woodland crafts. £75 per child Thurs 24th Aug, 10.30am-12pm and 1.30-3pm Forest Family Fun for Under 5’s Come and enjoy a special summer Forest School session at Sutton Ecology Centre. There will be plenty of games, stories, play, climbing, snacks and summer inspired crafts! £7.50.

Summer Fun

Forest School Training – Adult Learning Surrey Wildlife Trust 01372 379523 adult.learning@surreywt.org.uk www.surreywildlifetrust.org/ outdoor-learning/adult-learning

From colourful open-air theatre to messing about by the river, there's something to make you smile at a National Trust property near you this summer: Claremont Landscape Garden, Hatchlands Park, Morden Hall Park, Polesden Lacey and Winkworth Arboretum.

Wild Learning with the National Trust Every Tues and Thurs from 1 – 24 Aug, 10.30am–4.30pm Winkworth Arboretum, GU8 4AD Summer adventure holiday club.

Have fun and explore the woods with Wild Learning. www.wild-learning.net Thu 27, Fri 28 and Mon 31 Jul, 10.30am–4.15pm, Tue 1-Fri 4, Mon 14-Fri 18 and Mon 21-Fri 25 Aug,

Call 0344 800 1985 for details nationaltrust.org.uk #nationaltrust

When you visit, donate, volunteer or join the National Trust, your support helps us to look after special places in Surrey for ever, for everyone.

© National Trust 2017. The National Trust is an independent registered charity, number 205846. Photography © National Trust Images\NTI/Paul Harris.

London Surrey Borders 9

Children’s Birthday Party Directory There is a saying that we only have 18 summers with our children. 18 summers, or 18 years to share with them this beautiful and adventurous time called Childhood, and what better way to celebrate Childhood and to celebrate your children than to throw them the most marvellous birthday parties – a day purely dedicated to celebrating their own life and existence.

Dinotopia Education Centre 0208 676 1250

Dinotopia have a great party centre for small guest list and a small budget, prices start from £9.50 per child.

Dramabuds Parties 020 8669 2355 www.dramabuds.co.uk Transport your child’s party to the land of make believe and captivate imaginations. Each party includes lively songs, drama, dancing, games, parachute fun and bubbles! We’ll ensure your child’s party is a truly magical experience to that you’ll cherish forever. 2- 8 year olds

Hobbledown 01708 385 096 Partyparty@hobbledown.com www.hobbledown.com/birthdays All parties include entry into Hobbledown for each of your guests (1 adult free per paid child).

Additional adult tickets can be purchased at a discounted rate off normal ticket prices.

Standard parties include a full fun-packed hour in the Hobblings play barn and another hour in one of our themed Hobbler rooms or themed tables in the play barn where you can enjoy your party feast.

Giggles Soft Play www.gigglessoftplay.co.uk Better, Sutton Sports Village 020 8641 6611 www.better.org.uk Take the stress out of birthday parties with our range of packages to suit every child. We’ve got exclusive soft play access for under 5’s, gymnastics, tennis, multi-sports, dance and football where you’ll get your very own coach. A party host will be on hand to make sure everything runs smoothly and our catering team will ensure allergies and any other food requirements are covered.

Each party cost includes a one hour activity for 15 children and 45 minutes in a party room with food.

Additional children are charged per person.

Bocketts Farm Park 01372 363764 office@bockettsfarm.co.uk www.bockettsfarm.co.uk Bocketts Farm Park is the ideal place for a fun filled birthday party.

With animals galore, exciting play

areas, tractor rides and animal handling sessions, plus the menu of your choice in one of the decorated party rooms, you can be sure of a great day out!

Enjoy a full day of fun on the farm park, private animal handling session, fully decorated party room, balloon and animal mask for each child.

Croydon High Sports Club 020 8657 9313 www.croydonsportsclub.co.uk Sports, swimming, tennis or dance parties; bouncy castle hire or just venue hire. Secure building with plenty of free parking. 6-12 years.

Giggles Soft Play offer exclusive parties on a Saturday and a Sunday at The Harrier Centre in West Ewell only a few minutes’ drive from Epsom town centre.

Jo Jingles www.jojingles.com

Glazed all Over 0208 6476463 www.glazedallover.co.uk Glazed All Over have many wonderful parties it’s hard to pinpoint just one party. Children love being able to choose from a range of items, and then using their imaginations and our extensive range of colours to create something to be proud of.

As well as making something personal for themselves, they all help to create a special memory plate for the birthday girl or boy.

Gymboree Cheam 07990 761 259 www.gymboree-uk.com/f/cheam

Whether you attend our music and movement sessions regularly or not, you may be looking for some exciting, interactive, colourful and fun entertainment for your child’s birthday? If you are, then look no further than a fantastic Jo Jingles party!

Jo Jingles parties are perfect for any celebratory occasion and your can rest assured that our local and qualified music teachers will make sure that your child and their friends have a wonderful and truly memorable birthday party!

With our bright and cheerful Jo doll at the heart of the action, we No two children or Gymboree can produce a tailor-made music parties are exactly the same. and movement party experience Allow us to make your child’s specific to age group. birthday party unforgettable at our fabulous site in Cheam Village.

55x70_alison.qxp_Layout 9 25/08/2016 10:52 Pa

Physical play, sensory and music rolled into one!

For classes of pure MADness, join MAD Academy

Birthday Parties Too!

Babies from 3 months action songs and sensory stimulation Walkers to 2 years music, movement and motor development 2 to 4 years dance, musicality and beat competency

OK BO UR YO CLASS AL Y! TRI ODA T

10 July/ Augst 2017

Fun, active, soft playgym classes and parties for 0-5s throughout Croydon and surrounding areas.

Discover the wonderful playgym world of Mini Monkey Gym 07714 245999 www.minimonkeygym.co.uk

Classes in Croydon & surrounding areas Call Alison on 020 8407 1726 or email: alison.storey@madacademy.com

madacademy.com Music And Dance and a whole lot of fun!

www.familiesonline.co.uk

We’ll bring the music, visuals and the props too. Children will get the opportunity to sing, dance, play percussion instruments and get involved in some fun party games designed especially according to age.

child’s party to ensure it’s one everyone will remember’’ MAD Parties cater for all children, from babies of 3 months, toddlers, and young children. Let MAD Academy make your birthday party sparkle!

For parties in Cobham, Epsom & Fetcham and Leatherhead please call Viv Hunt on 07751 438943 vivhjojingles@aol.com

Preparing a party at home can be time consuming, stressful and expensive, so let Kidspace take away the strain of entertaining kids in your own home by providing the party of a lifetime at London’s number one children’s party venue.

Little Lambs Soft Play www.facebook.com/ LittleLambsSoftplay

With a wide variety of soft play equipment for under 5’s Little Lamb’s can host a perfect party.

Mini Monkey Gym 07714 245 999 katy.rockhold@minimonkeygym. co.uk

Mini Monkey Gym soft play gym parties are specially designed to entertain a mix of ages from the youngest baby to the oldest children. Soft play gym parties are led by an experienced Mini Monkey Gym party leader who engages the children in soft play gym fun and parachute play.

Mother Kitty’s 01737 559255 laraburgess1@hotmail.com www.motherkittys.co.uk

Monkey Music www. monkeymusic.co.uk

MAD Academy birthday parties are all about singing and dancing – and that’s what they do best! ‘’We love nothing more than bringing our MAD enthusiasm, energy and expertise to your

For parties in Epsom, Dorking and Leatherhead contact Tina or Emma at emma.tina@ monkeymusic.co.uk

Offering a range of party packages, the perfect solution for a hassle free party in a welcoming atmosphere.

The UK’s leading provider of soft play gym parties and events for the under5’s!

A delightful, vintage style soft play café with birthday facilities that promise to delight.

MAD Academy alison.storey@madacademy.com

For parties in in Banstead, and Claygate contact Dinah at banstead.claygate@monkeymusic. co.uk

Once Upon A Time Soft Play Ltd 07933 292464

Or Lorraine Bryant for parties in Banstead, Sutton and Purley on 07376 381617 lorraine.jojingles@ yahoo.com

Kidspace Adventures 01708 385096 www.kidspaceadventures.com/ croydon

special day to remember.

Every little monkey loves to party.

Monkey Music parties bring together singing, dancing and playing musical party games into a great party, that is individually tailored to your little one. You Monkey Music host will ensure that all your party guest, and the birthday boy/girl will have a

Rugbytots www.rugbytots.co.uk/home/parties A Rugbytots Party is a fantastically fun-filled way to celebrate your child’s birthday or any other special event. Distinctive and dynamic, Rugbytots parties follow a slightly different format to the standard Rugbytots classes, with a greater emphasis on play, plus plenty of party games and group participation.

Stagecoach Themed Parties www.stagecoach.co.uk

Oxygen Freejumping www.oxygenfreejumping.co.uk Oxygen Freejumping, Croydon’s favourite trampoline park, is making your celebrations this year one to remember with the ultimate kids party!

Kids parties include an hour’s Freejumping fun followed by an after-party in an exclusive room with pizza and drinks. And best of all, no washing up for Mum and Dad! You even have the chance to make your guests extra special with jumping party bags including a selection of spring-loaded goodies. Be sure to put a date in the diary soon, because you won’t want to miss out on the party of the year at the ultimate trampoline park!

Get ready to celebrate in style at Oxygen Freejumping. Visit oxygenfreejumping.co.uk to book. Located in The Colonnades Leisure Park, Croydon.

Let your child enjoy the wonderful world of make-believe as Stagecoach takes them on a roller-coaster ride through his/her imagination.

Parties can be hosted from the regular Stagecoach schools or at a venue of your choice.

Invitations are Included and guests will also receive prizes, stickers and a balloon. Party bags can be provided – just discuss your requirements with your Stagecoach Party Provider All you need to do is provide food, drink…and don’t forget your camera! Visit www.stagecoach. co.uk to find your nearest provider.

The Good Ship Lollypop O7703 566411 rosie@thegoodshiplollypop.co.uk A funky soft play centre, with a truly amazing range of party packages that promise the perfect birthday celebration. NEW for 2017, every Space Warriors dream - The BEGEARA BLACK PAW Laser Tag has arrived at The Good Ship Lollypop Soft Play Centre.

Banstead, Ewell, Claygate and Esher E: banstead.claygate@monkeymusic.co.uk T: 01932 223309 Dorking, Fetcham, Walton on the Hill, Ashtead and South Epsom E: leatherhead.dorking@monkeymusic.co.uk T: 020 8432 0811

London Surrey Borders 11

Summer Camps Better, Sutton Sports Village 020 8641 6611 The football academy is running two one-week courses for 5-7 and 8-12 year olds. Gymnasts can learn or perfect their skills on our competition standard equipment on set dates throughout the holidays. Our LTA qualified tennis coaches run morning sessions at our multisport camps with afternoons full of a variety of different sports. Younger dancers can get involved in our week-long Beauty and the Beast Camp, with weekly Dance Strong sessions for more experienced dancers to improve dance fitness plus a week of Dance Inc sessions for children and young adults with learning disabilities.

The 11+ Holiday Learning Club 0845 056 8889 31 July – 4 Aug, 7 Aug – 11 Aug and 14 – 18 Aug. Laleham Lea Prep School, CR8 3JJ The 11+ Holiday Learning Club, is a unique holiday club for BOYS and GIRLS intending to sit the 11+ examinations for entry into grammar and selective independent schools.

Your child will benefit from a structured personalised learning programme with tutor support and fun physical activities during the summer holidays.

For more information, or to book please visit www. holidaylearningclub.com

For more information and to book go to www. croydonsportsclub.co.uk

four different exciting sports and games. For more information visit www.multisportsutton.co.uk

Dramabuds 020 8669 2355

Pull the Other Theatre Education: Holiday Shakespeare Julius Caesar Workshop 07525 116764

Carshalton Beeches Baptist Church, Banstead Road, Carshalton Beeches SM5 3NL info@dramabuds.co.uk

Atlantis Swim 0208 335 3536 31st July - 4th August Linden Bridge School, Worcester Park, KT4 7JW Swimming Lessons that Teach Aged 3+ Swimming Skills and Technique. The sessions are 30 minutes long,10 to 12. It’s an exciting, enriching experience for your child. Not only does it teach vital life skills, but is also a core intensive course focusing on building your child’s ability with the fundamental objective of enjoying themselves.

Croydon High Sports Club Activity Camp 020 8657 9313 Old Farleigh Road, Selsdon, South Croydon, Surrey CR2 8YB Croydon High Activity Camps are as popular as ever and from summer 2017 will be changing minimum age from 5 years old to 4 years old. The Croydon High School grounds and facilities provide an outstanding environment for children to participate in sports, arts and crafts and swimming in fun-filled days during the school holidays.

Through drama, song and dance Dramabuds will be bringing stories to life getting all the children involved in the action themes they have planned.

For more information, or to book visit www.dramabuds.co.uk

Glazed All Over - Fun creative holiday workshops 0208 6476463 102 Stafford Rd, Wallington, SM6 9AY Glazed All Over is a unique and fun craft studio based in Wallington with a variety of fun workshops for children ages 6+, including clay.

For dates, times or to book your session visit www.glazedallover. co.uk

MultiSports Sutton and Cheam Holiday Workshop 01293 774051 Nonsuch School, Cheam, Surrey SM3 8AB MultiSports Sutton and Cheam invite your child to experience a specialist sports workshop with a difference! All students work in age specific squads with qualified and experienced PE teachers and rotate through

Mon 21 – Fri 25 August Mon-Thu 10:15 - 15:00 Fri 10.30 (staging 17.45). Epsom Playhouse, Ashley Road, Epsom. info@ptotheatre.org.uk PtO’s excellent drama practice is delivered by professionally trained Drama UK accredited actors and directors whose mission is to hone individual talent encouraging team work with self-confidence, creative expression and imagination. 1018 years. £157 (10% sign up with a friend discount).

For more information or to book visit www.ptotheatre.org.uk

Rugbytots Classes running throughout the summer, please visit our website to find a class near you www. rugbytots.co.uk

Super Camps

Save 15 on all c % Super Camps’ our with co ses fabulous new d FAMILIE e Multi-Activity S17 programme allows children to get involved in some great activities. As well as taking part in the fun-packed programme, children are cared for by fully qualified and vetted staff to create a thoroughly enjoyable time on camp. As Ofsted noted, Super Camps

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Where: Crofton Halls, Sutton Orpington SM3 or Where: Road, Crofton SM6 Where: Sutton Life Centre, 24 BR6 8PRWallington Alcorn Close, 9PX See the9.30am websiteSutton fullSM3 address.

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Dates: Tue 25 JulySaturday 11/4/15 – Sat. am 28/3/15 Sat 6 Aug Fri 29/5/15 Half am Term 30/5/15 – Sat.

Where: Wallington Centre, Hurst Place,SM6 Hurst Rd, Where: The Centre, Milton Rd, Bexley DA5 3LH Wallington SM6 for 9RP See the website full address.

Time: 1.30pm – 3.45pm

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Stagecoach Summer Holiday Workshops If your child loves to sing, dance and act - then this is a week they won’t want to miss. Children are taught singing, acting and dancing by our friendly, enthusiastic, experienced and DBS-checked teachers. They will learn new skills, make friends and build confidence during our high energy and fun classes. You don’t need to be a Stagecoach student or have any experience to come along to our workshops – just enthusiasm!

The superb teachers will work with students to develop skills in the performing arts, boost confidence and put on a full scale, costumed production at the end of the workshop for friends and family to enjoy.

Stagecoach Cheam

24 – 28 July Nonsuch High School for Girls, SM3 8AB 02087734242 www.stagecoach.co.uk/cheam

Stagecoach Coulsdon

31 Jul - 04 Aug Woodcote High School, CR5 2EH 0345 078 0805 www.stagecoach.co.uk/coulsdon

Stagecoach Croydon

24 Jul - 28 Jul Croydon High School,CR2 8YB 0845 265 7083 www.stagecoach.co.uk/croydon

Stagecoach Epsom

14 Aug - 18 Aug Bourne Hall Ewell 01372 730363 www.stagecoach.co.uk/epsom

runs “an excellent programme of well-planned, fun and exciting activities that contributes highly to the children’s play and learning environment”.

Homefield Prep School (SM1 2TE), Royal Russell School (CR9 5BX), Whitgift School (CR0 1AX) For more information, or to book visit www.supercamps.co.uk

Sutton High School, SM1 2AX Summer Camp, Mon – Fri from 17 July – 25 Aug Ultimate Activity with 2 Hour English Lessons, Mon – Fri from 17 July – 25 Aug

Stagecoach Merton Park, Mitcham & Tooting

24 Jul - 28 Jul Park Community School, SW19 3EF 02089 423 502 www.stagecoach.co.uk/tooting

Stagecoach Shirley

31 Jul - 04 Aug Shirley High School, CR0 5EF 020 8949 1116 www.stagecoach.co.uk/shirley

Stagecoach Sutton

7 - 11 Aug Carshalton High School for Girls, SM5 2QX 01372 740 284 www.stagecoach.co.uk/sutton

Ultimate Activity Camps – inspiring children every day!

0330 111 7077

Tumble Tots Epsom 07930 550023 Tuesdays and Fridays in August Bluegates, Ewell and The Avenue, Worcester Park Very popular fun filled summer circuit fun classes suitable for children who are walking to 5 years of age. Places are limited.

For more information or to book a space call 07930 550023 or visit www.tumbletots.com/ epsom

Busy working parents can heave a sigh of relief as Ultimate Activity Camps are running their outstanding holiday activity programmes in the area for children aged 4-14 years.

For more information, or to book visit www.ultimateactivity.co.uk

To feature your business in our next issue please email: editor@families-lsb.co.uk

Give your child’s

Maths a Boost!

Maths Club by Post – an exciting and original correspondence course for 6-11 year-olds.

Monthly puzzle worksheets tailor-made for your child. Only £6.50. Prizes for best effort!

For more details call 02380 341 776

www.boostmaths.co.uk

The MultiSports Group Change your game

MultiSports

Amersham&Chorleywood Sutton & Cheam Weekend sports for boys and girls aged 4 - 16 of all abilities

Tel: 0844 012933350450 774051 www.multisports.co.uk ENROLLING NOW FORFOR OUR OUR AUTUMN TERM WORKSHOP ENROLLING NOW SUMMER WORKSHOP IN JULY AND AUTUMN TERM IN SEPTEMBER

Extensive variety of sports – Professional coaches – Ofsted registered - Childcare vouchers

London Surrey Borders 13

What’s On Days Out in London Natural History Museum Cromwell Road SW7 5BD www.nhm.ac.uk Wed 12 July Investigate for Families Get a feel for how scientists work by having a go yourself.

Throughout July & Aug Wildlife Photographer of the Year - Enjoy the world’s best nature photography revealing the astonishing diversity of life on our planet.

Throughout July & Aug Sensational Butterflies Escape into the tropical butterfly house in the Museum grounds and get up close to these incredible creatures.

Bank of England Threadneedle Street EC2R 8AH www.bankofengland.co.uk Mon 24 July – Fri 1 Sep Banknote Detectives Calling all banknote detectives; the Museum needs your help this summer!

Could you tell a real banknote from a fake? Explore the Museum, using your detective skills to solve the puzzles.

Horniman Museum and Gardens 100 London Road SE23 3PQ www.horniman.ac.uk

Throughout July & Aug The Robot Zoo How do chameleons change colour?

What makes grasshoppers leap so high? Is a giant squid jet-propelled? At the Robot Zoo, amazing animals are recreated in robot form to reveal their inner workings.

Every Sat in July & Aug Art Makers Have fun with different art techniques to create something fabulous to take home inspired by the Horniman’s collections or seasonal celebrations.

Throughout July & August Family Art Fun Join free and fabulous Horniman craft activities inspired by our temporary exhibitions and Gardens.

Museum of London EC2Y 5HN www.museumoflondon.org.uk Sun in July & Aug Museum Explored Explore the galleries through fun, hands-on activities. Plus, join a fun and engaging tour of the museum’s galleries, especially for families.

Sat in July and Aug Hands-on history Hear incredible London stories as you touch and hold real museum objects.

Sat 22-Sun - 23 July Archikids Family Festival Be inspired by the awesome architecture and great places of the

Before setting out please check details with the venue in case they have changed since we have gone to print ...and don’t forget to tell them you saw them in Families London-Surrey Borders!

Knights & Princesses School at Hever Castle This Summer young visitors can experience what it was like to grow up and serve in a royal household in medieval times at Knights & Princesses School.

Suitable for children ages 6-12 approx., classes include lots of hands-on activities to keep them entertained.

Children are encouraged to come in costume to really enter the spirit of the event.

Knights in training learn how to prepare and protect armour and discover the best way to arm and disarm their master before battle. Princesses are shown the correct way to give a proper and perfect curtsey. At the end of each session, children will take part in a sword practice activity before being officiated as knights and princesses of Hever. www.hevercastle.co.uk city at this weekend extravaganza of free family activities.

Mon 24 July – Thurs 31 Aug Roman London Storytelling Be transported back 2,000 years with these daily storytelling sessions about Ancient Roman London.

Tues 25, Thurs 27 & Sat 29 July, then every Tues, Thurs & Sat in Aug Roman London Object Handling Get up close to Londinium at this Roman themed object handling table for families.

London Transport Museum Covent Garden Piazza WC2E 7BB www.ltmuseum.co.uk Throughout July & Aug Sounds of the City An exhibition of 100 illustrations, exploring a visual journey inspired by lyrics and language; hubbub and stillness; heritage and science; through to the wildlife and nightlife of our diverse and multi-layered cities.

National Maritime Museum Park Row, Greenwich SE10 9NF www.rmg.co.uk Sat in July & August Character Encounters Join an exciting performance and journey bringing maritime history to life. 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm

COURSES ACTIVITIES AND DURING FOR CHILDREN LIDAYS THE SCHOOL HO

Throughout July & Aug Robots The 500 year quest to make machine human Discover how the history of robots has been shaped by religious belief, the industrial revolution and 20th century popular culture.

Throughout July & Aug Wonderlab The Statoil Gallery - Don’t miss out on this fantastic new interactive gallery with live demonstrations and an Explainer-led experience revealing the beauty and wonder in the science and mathematics that shape our lives.

Royal Academy of Arts Burlington House, Piccadilly W1J 0BD www.royalacademy.org.uk

Mini Mice ~ 4-7 years Cool Cats ~ 8-10 years Top Dogs ~ 11-14 years

• 8AM - 6P MONDAY - FRIDAY REGISTERED ED AGES 4 - 12 • OFST

Camps are 8.30am until 5.30pm.

Morning sessions available.

STANDARD SAVE 15S%WITONH CO DE RATE

14 July/ Augst 2017

Science Museum Exhibition Road, South Kensington SW7 2DD www.sciencemuseum.org.uk

SUMMER HOLIDAYS ACTIVITY CAMPS 2017

CAMPS IN CROYDON AND SUTTON M

FAMILIES17

From Fri 14 July Death in the Ice The Shocking Story of Franklin’s Final Expedition. With over 200 objects on display, alongside finds from HMS Erebus - whose resting place was only discovered in 2014 - the exhibition begins to answer questions about what may have happened to those men on their fateful journey to the Arctic all those years ago.

All childcare vouchers accepted.

FROM

£PER3DA6Y

We organise Kids’ Parties too!

Call us for more info on 020 8657 9313 or visit www.croydonsportsclub.co.uk www.familiesonline.co.uk

Tues 11 July – Sun 8 Oct Second Nature The Art of Charles Tunnicliffe - An exhibition showcasing etchings, woodengravings and illustrations of one of Britain’s best known 20th century wildlife artists.

Tower of London St Katharine’s & Wapping, London EC3N 4AB www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london Throughout July & Aug Armoury in Action A family friendly exhibition revealing the fascinating story of arms and the armoury at the Tower. From shooting arrows and assembling firearms to brandishing swords, a thousand years of history at the Tower is brought to life in this exciting, hands-on experience.

alongside other families.

National Portrait Gallery St Martin’s Place WC2H 0HE www.npg.org.uk Every third Sun Drop In Family Sundays - Drop-in with children aged 3+ to take part in portrait-related events. FREE The Wallace Collection Hertford House, Manchester Square W1U 3BN www.wallacecollection.org Throughout July & Aug Take a family multi-media tour and bring the exhibits to life. FREE

V&A Museum of Childhood Cambridge Heath Road E2 9PA www.museumofchildhood.org.uk

Thurs 27-Fri 28 July Figures in Action - Sculpture Workshop Make your own figurative sculpture in this two-day workshop with artist Alex Hirtzel. £40, Ages 9–12, 10.30am–3.30pm

Throughout July & Aug Seen But Not Heard A new photography display giving a unique voice to children in the transition from primary to secondary education.

Sun 6 Aug The Little Draw - Meet Little Draw Artist Niamh Aherne as she explores the Wallace Collection through drawing, observation and plenty of creative experimentation.

Throughout July & Aug Searching for Ghosts Homes Reveal much about the people who inhabit them, offering an intimate portrait of our domestic lives and bearing the traces of the people who lived in them in the past.

The National Gallery Trafalgar Square WC2N 5DN www.nationalgallery.org.uk

From Sat 22 July Michael Morpurgo A Lifetime in Stories The life and exceptional writing power of one of Britain’s best-loved storytellers, Michael Morpurgo, will be celebrated in a new exhibition looking at Morpurgo’s life and writing process as well as the lives he has created for some of his remarkable characters.

Sun 23 July Summer Festival A buzzing programme of live music, dance, walkabout acts, designer stalls, food, face paints, henna, rickshaw rides, games and lots for kids to make and do.

FREE Drop-in, all ages.

Every Sunday in July & Aug Family Sundays - Art activities designed for families to enjoy and learn together.

Tate Modern Bankside, SE1 9TG www.tate.org.uk Throughout July & Aug Family Friendly Art Activities - A range of free arty and crafty workshops, see website for details.

Dulwich Picture House Gallery Road, Dulwich Village SE21 7AD www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk

Tate Britian Millbank SW1P 4RG www.tate.org.uk

To Sun 8 Oct Sargent: The Watercolours - This exhibition brings together 80 paintings from private and public collections, revealing Sargent’s idiosyncratic view of the world and the scale of his achievement.

Fri 5 Aug Under Fives Explore the Gallery Experiment with a range of materials while discovering exciting routes and journeys through the galleries

First and last Sunday of each month Art Play Creative - drop-in workshops for adults and children, with a different activity each session. Make anything and everything from bunting to block

Summer Fun on the Farm: 22nd Jul – 3rd Sept Enjoy a great day out at Bocketts Farm this summer!

Daily activities include pony rides, tractor rides, gold panning, animal handling, goat milking and the famous pig racing. In addition, the Small Animal Village and Big Animal Barn are open where you can meet and feed all the friendly farm animals. Plus, don’t miss the brilliant Water Wars Splash Zone, which involves launching water filled balloons at your opponent’s station – great fun for all ages! With 2 large indoor play barns, trampolines, young driver’s area, sandpits, pedal go-karts, treehouse towers and 2 giant jumping pillows, there’s plenty to keep the whole family amused. www.bockettsfarm.co.uk printing and all things in between.

The Royal Albert Hall Kensington Gore SW7 2AP www.royalalberthall.com Tues & Wed in July and Aug Storytelling and Music Sessions - A series of sessions for babies and toddlers aged 0-4, to encourage interaction between parents/carers and their little ones using musical instruments, singing, movement and stories.

Southbank Centre Southbank SE1 9PX www.southbankcentre.co.uk Sat 15-Sun 16 July Africa Utopia Festival - A line up of some of the most exciting musicians, artists, performers and thinkers from across Africa, with an arts and crafts marketplace and an African inspired street food market with stalls of authentic cuisine and live music.

To Sun 20 Aug Adventures in Moominland -This brand new immersive experience explores the internationally-recognised stories of the Moomins To Sun 3 Sep The Art of the Brick - DC Super Heroes Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a truckload of Lego making its way to the South Bank. A purpose-built tent will pop-up by the London Eye this month for ‘The Art of the Brick: DC Super Heroes’, a collection of larger-thanlife sculptures of iconic comic book characters contructed entirely in Lego.

SUMMER FESTIVALS Bank Holiday Mon 28 Aug, 10.30am-8.00pm Carshalton Environmental Fair Carshalton Park, SM5 3DD

Families can come down for a days’ worth of great entertainment with 3 solar stages with live music,150+ stalls selling different crafts, tasty food and real ale. Children under 12 get FREE entrance, 12-16 year olds and concessions are £3, adults are £5.

Family deal ticket of £15 for families with two adults and up to three teenagers under 17. www.envfair.org.uk Until Thurs 31 Aug London Bridge City Summer Festival This unmissable schedule of entertainment will take place at three distinctive locations, running from London Bridge to Tower Bridge.

London Bridge City will also host the return of the London Riviera, this year celebrating all things Mexican. www.londonbridgecity.co.uk/ events/2017/june Fri 4 – Sun 6 Aug Kew Science Festival Don your lab coat and dig out your goggles for this year’s Science Festival at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Families can also learn about plant specimen preservation and create beautiful take-home mementos at the plant pressing workshop, or even try their hand at botanical art at the plant illustrations stall. www.kew.org Sat 29 & Sun 30 July, 10am – 4pm Pick Your Own Lavender Harvest Fair @ Carshalton Lavender Stanley Road Allotments in Carshalton Beeches. Every July Carshalton Lavender hold a harvest where you can come and pick your own lavender. Lavender oil is distilled from the remaining flowers, and is sold throughout the year.

Carshalton Lavender is run entirely by volunteers so if you’d like to get involved, there are lots of ways that you can help out. www.carshaltonlavender.org

London Surrey Borders 15

The Jumping Summer of Fun! Oxygen Freejumping, Croydon’s favourite trampoline park, is set to make Summer boredom a thing of the past with a great offer on jumping sessions and special Summer events, exclusively for Families readers!

Oxygen Freejumping is the place where you can jump, flip, leap, play and soar to your heart’s content.

Get 20% off a family jum p

This Summer the whole family is welcome to have a bouncing time as you defy gravity on the mega airbags, Use code: FA and take part in special themed events including awesome M20 beach parties and more! Why not take on the Oxygen exp 31 Aug Allstars at spring-loaded dodgeball, battle your friends on the obstacle course or learn to defy gravity on the walk-the-wall.

Exclusively for Families readers, save 20% if you use code FAM20 when booking. Visit oxygenfreejumping.co.uk. Located in The Colonnades Leisure Park, Croydon. Offer ends 31st August 2017.

ATTRACTIONS Sutton Ecology Centre Festival Walk, SM5 3NY 020 8770 5820.

Tues 1 Aug, 11am-2pm.

Wandle Wildlife Fun Day & Drawing Competition - Come to the Ecology Centre to meet some Wandle Wildlife experts and follow the Wandle Wildlife Trail.

Tues 8 Aug 10.30am-12noon.

Go Wild for Bees - Come and learn some more about these amazingly busy creatures! Play games, taste honey and make a bee hotel to take home.

Mon 14 & Tues 15th Aug, 11am-2pm.

Flower Fairies Adventure - Find the flower fairies with their flowers, plants and trees at Sutton Ecology Centre.

Fairy stories, make gates and gardens for the fairies in the fairy circle and make your own flower fairy or elf to take home.

Bourne Hall Museum Spring Street, Ewell, Surrey, KT17 1UF 020 8394 1734.

Tues 18 July, 2pm to 3.30pm The Story of the Horse - The story and history of man’s other best friend – the horse – is interwoven with that of mankind for over 35 thousand years.

Get set for a day of fun, thrills and excitement at Spectrum Finding activities that everyone can enjoy over the school holidays can be a challenge, but with ice skating, ten pin bowling, four pools including a leisure pool, a soft play area, indoor climbing wall, scalextric track, gym, sports arena and aerobics studio all under one roof, Guildford Spectrum is the perfect solution. Its great value family tickets, with the option to book activity tickets up to 2 weeks in advance and free parking means it’s affordable too!

For thrill seekers take on the water rides and wave machine in the leisure pool or for a gentle pace relax in the pool spas. For the coolest action in Spectrum enjoy ice skating on our Olympic sized ice rink or if you’re more competitive, bowl your mates over during an action- packed bowling session.

For more information and to book online visit www.guildfordspectrum.co.uk

Gymnastics, dance, football, tennis & multi-sports – we’ve got something for everyone this summer!

For full details and bookings, visit better.org.uk/suttonholidaycamps

Battersea Children’s Zoo Battersea Park, SW11 4NJ www.batterseaparkzoo.co.uk

Wed 9 Aug, 2pm to 3.30pm Discover Archaeology -Discover how archaeologists draw back the curtain of time and discover the past. £5 Wed 16 Aug, 2pm to 3.30pm The Romans at Home - Discover what Roman Ewell was like with its sacred spring and secret shafts where gifts for the gods were left guarded by phantom dogs. £5 Wed 23 August, 2pm to 3.30pm WW1 – the Home Front - Find at what life was like at home in WW1 – how one day in august Epsom was invaded by 4000 soldiers. £5

Tues 25 July – Tues 22 August Holiday Fun Days Includes Hedgehog Day, Snake Day, Snail Day, Big Bug Bonanza Day and much more. With arts and crafts, quizzes, stories.

Hampton Court Palace East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9AU Throughout July & Aug The Magic Garden - Discover something new around every twist and turn in an immersive world populated by mythical beasts, including a 25m dragon!

Throughout July & Aug Encounters with the Tudors - Join members of the court to explore the perils and intrigues of life as a Tudor.

This is a lovely, live demonstration that is perfect for children, and you’ll really get a taste of what life was like at the time.

Wed 30 Aug, 2pm to 3.30pm WW2 - A Children’s War - Be prepared with gas mask training and air raid drill, then put out a fire bomb – one of the hundreds that were dropped on Epsom at a time when there were only three fire engines. £5

Every Thurs & Sat in July & Aug Tiny Explorers - Explore and play in the Palace together - Discover the stories of Hampton Court Palace through music, movement, messy play and more. £

Gatton Park Reigate, RH2 0TW Every Wed and Fri from 26July – 1 Sep Trails and Tales (2 – 4 yrs) Enjoy children’s classics and then explore the grounds.

Sat 15-Sun 16 July Tudor Joust - The grounds of Hampton Court will ring out with the sound of charging horses hooves and the clash of cold metal, as King Henry VIII and his court take up residence for that most Tudor of royal sports, the joust.

Trailtastics - 12 noon – 3.30pm Home Sweet Home -Thurs 3rd Aug, Fabulous Flight - Thurs 24 Aug Outlaw Survival - Thurs 27th July Fairies - Thurs 31 Aug

The O2 Arean Peninsula Square SE10 0DX

Mon 31 July, 10am – 12noon or 1.30pm – 3.30pm. Pond Dipping (4-7) Thurs 10 Aug, 10am – 11.30am or 1.30pm – 3pm. Junk Modelling (4-7) Tuesday 29th Aug 7.30pm – 9.30pm Bat Night (6+)

Throughout July & Aug Star Wars Identities Exhibition An exhibition exploring the concept of identity through characters from the Star Wars universe. Visitors are taken on an interactive quest and leave with a personalised Star Wars character of their very own.

WWT London Wetland Centre Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes SW13 9WT Sat 22 July – Sat 3 Sep Dusty Duck’s Wildlife Rangers Will you take up the challenge and become a Wildlife Ranger this summer? Grab a net and try pond

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dipping, join their warden to discover more about the wildlife, build a bug hotel or learn how to use binoculars.

Wed 26 July, 11am to 12pm & 2-3pm Cave Painting - In the deep time of prehistory early men crawled down into the darkest caves and used light from primitive candles to paint pictures of themselves and the animals they hunted.. £5

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Morden Hall Park

What’s on at the National Trust Morden Hall Park, SM4 5JD

handlers. NAA plus £3 per ride

Sat 22 Jul, 6-10pm Big Campfire Stay out late for the best bits about camping without the camping. We’ll toast marshmallows, go on a bat walk, play campfire games and try stargazing. Family event ages 8+. £10 each.

Bank Holiday Mon, 28 Aug, 11am3pm Have A Go Archery Think you’re the next Robin Hood?

Exciting, safe archery classes for ages six and above with H&H Archery. NAA plus £2 for 6 arrows.

Sat 19 – Sun 20 Aug, 11am – 4pm Wetland Weekend Celebrate Morden Hall Park and the work we do by visiting our Volunteer Village.

Free event.

Fri 28 Jul, 8.45 – 10pm Bat walk Bring your family along for a walk around the park after dark as we look and listen for bats. Adult £5, Child £2.

Book online.

Fri 11 Aug, 8.30-9.30pm Moth trapping Join us as we set moth traps in the park to discover which moths live in our wetland. Return in the morning to see what has been found.

Adults only. £5.

Sat 12 Aug, 10 – 11am Moth trap viewing Discover which moths were trapped last night in the park.

Suitable for adults and families. £2, or free to those who attended moth trapping on 11 Aug. Sat 12 Aug, 1.30-2.45pm Honeybees and beekeeping Learn how you can help bees and find out what the beekeepers at Morden Hall Park do. Adults only. £5.

Sat 12 Aug, 8-10pm Bat walk Learn about bats and how we can identify them by sight and sound.

Adults only. £5

Hatchlands Park, GU4 7RT Sat 22 July – Sun 3 Sep, 10am-5pm Summer Bug Hunt Look out for bugs and minibeasts as you explore the parkland and woodland with a fun summer trail.

Normal admission applies. NAA Thurs 3 & 10 Aug, 8-10pm Bat Walk Enjoy a twilight walk in the parkland and see how many bat species you can spot. Bat detectors will be provided. Adult £7, child £4. Booking essential Every Fri in Aug, plus Bank Holiday Mon, 12-3pm Pony Magic Pony rides for children. A truly magical experience with beautiful, safe ponies and experienced

Ham House and Garden, TW10 7RS 15 & 16 July and 19 & 20 Aug, 10am-5pm Fun and games with Jaques Come and play, join us for a weekend of garden games with Jaques of London at Ham. NAA Sat 22 July – Sun 3 Sep Summer holidays Come and play during the summer break. There’ll be art activities, storytelling (Wednesdays) and denbuilding as part of 50 things to do before you’re 11¾.

NAA

Claremont Landscape Garden, KT10 9JG Sun 9 Jul, 10.30am–4pm Hire a Boat Day Hire ‘Victoria’ and ‘Charlotte’, our two traditional rowing boats named in honour of our former princesses, and row around the lake at Claremont.

Our volunteer harbour masters will be on hand to assist visitors aboard and give safety instructions before you set sail. No advance booking required.

NAA +£5 per boat for 20 minutes Sun 9 Jul, 11am–4pm Claremont Island Open Day A rare opportunity to visit Claremont’s island, take a peek inside our historic Belisle and enjoy a different view of the garden. NAA Sat 22 Jul- Fri 4 Aug, 10am – 5pm Childrens Trail Follow a tea-themed trail around the garden that was once the playground of princesses. NA Sat 5-Sun 13 August Princes and Princesses Wee Travel back to the time of George IV as we lay on a week of royal-themed events and activities for families.

Sat 5-Sun 13 Aug, 10am-5pm Princes and Princesses trail Find out about life as a prince and princess at Claremont on a trail around the garden. NAA + 50p per trail Mon 7-Fri 11 Aug, 11am-1pm Craft workshops Have a go at making some fun royal crafts in our daily sessions. NAA +

£1.50 per craft.

Tue 8-Thu 10 Aug, 11.15am, 1.15pm, 2.30pm, 3.30pm Georgian garden games Sign up for a session with Hahahopscotch and play like the Georgians did. NAA + £5.50 per session.

Tue 15, 22 and 29 Aug, 2-2.30pm and 2.45-3.15pm Storytelling Listen to stories about dashing princes and princesses, as told by our friendly storyteller Emma.

NAA + £1.50 per session Tues 15 Aug, 11am-12.30pm Tuesday Tree Walk Find out a twigful of garden history and a trunk load of interesting facts about our beautiful trees. NAA Wed 23 Aug, 11am-12.30pm The garden of Charlotte and Leopold Discover the story of Claremont’s forgotten Princess Charlotte and her husband, Prince Leopold, as you join our gardener George on a wander through the grounds that formed the backdrop to the happiest days of their lives. Find out about their grand plans for the garden and see Charlotte’s mausoleum brought back to life in a temporary installation.

NAA + £5

Winkworth Arboretum, GU8 4AD Wed 5 Jul, 2.30pm–4 pm Wed 2 Aug, 2.30pm–4.00 pm Winkworth’s Wednesday Walk Meet at the kiosk for a seasonal guided walk around the Arboretum.

NAA Guided walk is free Sat 15 Jul, 8.45pm−10.45pm Sat 26 Aug, 8.00pm−10pm Bat walk Explore the Arboretum with our bat expert to see if you can track down our brilliant bats. NAA+ Adult £10, Child £5.

Exploring the Arboretum Meet at the kiosk for a guided walk around the Arboretum. Well-behaved dogs on a short lead are welcome.

NAA Guided walk is free Mons 14, 21, 28 Aug, 1.30pm−2.30pm Teddy bears’ picnic and storytelling Fun-filled teddy bears’ picnic with storytelling and songs to delight young and old. NAA + Child £3, accompanying adults free Sun 3 Sep, 11am−4pm Live Local, Love Winkworth 8 Come and explore the National Trust’s only arboretum for free.

Our eighth annual community day packed full of events. Live music, falconry displays, archery, wood carving, face painting, crafts, family activities and much more.

Runnymede, SL4 2JL 22 July – 3 September, 10am – 4pm Riverside Ramble Family Trail An ‘I spy’ style trail along the Thames for all ages Trail sheet 50p from tea room Tuesdays in August: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: 11.30am – 12pm Terrible Tuesdays Join us at the Magna Carta Memorial for a series of free family history talks featuring King John, Magna Carta and Runnymede. See website and at Runnymede for titles/content of talks.

Sunday 16 July – 11.30am – 4pm Super Swans Make your own super swan to celebrate swan-upping week Swan materials 50p Sat 29 July 2pm – 3.30pm Art at Runnymede Explore the interplay between nature and structure at Runnymede, discovering how its landscape and history have inspired artists past and present. Adult £6 Child £3

Sat 22 Jul- Sat 2 Sep, 10am-4pm Children’s summer trail Enjoy the outdoors and have fun with our children’s trails throughout the summer holiday.

NAA Plus 50p for trail.

Sun 13 August 11am – 1pm Enchanting Dragonflies Walk Walk through our wild places with a Ranger, searching for dragonflies and damselflies in our meadows and at Langham Ponds.

Adult £6 Child £3

Fri 28 Jul, 11am–12.30pm Fri 25 Aug, 11am–12.30pm

For more information and to book please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk

London Surrey Borders 17

Children’s Theatre WEST END THEATRE Cadogan Hall 5 Sloane Terrace SE1X 9DQ www.cadoganhall.com Fri 4 Aug - Sat 2 Sep Around the World in 80 Days The mysterious and fabulously wealthy Phileas Fogg wagers his life’s fortune that he can circumnavigate the globe in just 80 days. Join Fogg and his loyal valet, Passepartout, as they voyage from the misty alleys of Victorian London to the exotic subcontinent and the Wild West in a race against the clock. An ensemble cast of eight play over 125 characters in an imaginative and physically inventive highspirited escapade including six trains, five boats, four fights, three dances, two circus acts and an elephant! Kenny Wax’s production returns to the stage for a major six month tour - catch it while you can. Tickets from £17.50. This is an amazing show so don’t miss out.

Thurs 3 Aug - Sun 3 Sep We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Live on Stage!

Join a quest to find a bear in this fun-filled adaptation of Michael Rosen’s award-winning book.

Expect catchy songs, interactive scenes and plenty of hands-on adventure. Tickets from £14.50 Lyric Theatre Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 7ES www.lyrictheatrelondon.co.uk Wed 5 July - Sun 10 Sep What the Ladybird Heard Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks’ much-loved children’s book comes to life, bringing farmyard fun to the West End. A glittering tale packed full of fun, What the Ladybird Heard follows two crafty robbers, one very small ladybird and all of

her farmyard friends!

THEATRE NEAR YOU Colour House Theatre Watermill Way SW19 2RD www.colourhousetheatre.co.uk

Sat 5 Aug T-Rextasy Unplugged The songs of Marc Bolan played acoustically and sung by Danielz (lead singer with the world’s only official tribute band to Marc Bolan and T-Rex),7.30pm, £12 New Wimbledon Theatre The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1QG atgtickets.com/venues/newwimbledon-theatre Fri 7 - Sat 8 July English National Ballet School Summer Performance These talented young dancers will be showcasing their skills at the School’s annual Summer Performance, featuring a blend of classical, neo-classical and contemporary works as well as exciting new choreography from their own emerging choreographers.

Fri 25 Aug - Sat 25 Aug Stage Experience - Bugsy Malone Prepare to be dazzled by this mammoth production of Alan Parker’s smash hit musical. With a cast of over sixty of the country’s brightest young performers, this is Bugsy Malone as you’ve never seen it before.

POLKA THEATRE The Polka Theatre 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB www.polkatheatre.com

To Sun 20 Aug The Borrowers Arietty has lived her whole life deep beneath the floorboards, dreaming of the great outdoors.

When her father Pod brings her upstairs to learn the tricks of borrowing, Arietty meets a human boy. But their friendship risks everything and the ‘human beans’ soon discover the borrowers’ secret world… From £10. This is Polka’s big summer show, so book now before tickets are snapped up.

Fri 7 July - Sun 27 Aug Hatch Follow the extraordinary journey of an egg through different sensory worlds, each bursting with a mesmerising blend of sights and sounds. Ages 2-5, £9/£12.50

OPEN AIR THEATRE WITH THE NATIONAL TRUST Morden Hall Park, SM4 5JD Fri 4 – Mon 7 Aug, 11.30am – 2.30pm Alice in Wonderland Sixteenfeet Productions return with another magical promenade performance in the Rose Garden.

Adult £12.50, Child £8.50.

Fri 18 Aug, 7.30 – 10pm The Comedy of Errors The all-male cast of The Lord Chamberlain’s Men return with Shakespeare’s most hilarious farce. Adult £17, Child £8.

Claremont Landscape Garden, KT10 9JG Sat 22 Jul, 7pm The Wind in the Willows Chapterhouse Theatre Company bring to life the timeless story of The Wind in the Willows. Enjoy the fun of Kenneth Graham’s classic tale performed in a beautiful lakeside setting. Booking essential.

Adult £15, Child £10

Sun 23 Jul, 7pm The Comedy of Errors Join The Lord Chamberlain’s Men for Shakespeare’s most hilarious farce. Spend a glorious summer’s evening watching this funny and fast paced production from the UK’s premiere all male theatre company. Booking essential. Adult £16, Child £8 Ham House and Garden, TW10 7RS Sun 9 July, gates open 6pm start 7pm The Comedy of Errors Authentic Shakespeare by the Lord Chamberlain’s Men with an all-male cast. Bring a picnic and enjoy an evening in our garden this summer. £16 adult, £8 child, £40 family Hatchlands Park, GU4 7RT Booking Line 01483 444334 Thurs 3 Aug, 5.30-7.30pm Dogs Don’t Do Ballet Join Blunderbus Theatre for a charming show based on the best-selling book by Anna Kemp.

With songs, music and puppetry, discover the story of Biff the very special dog who wants to dance!

3yrs+ Adult £12, child £8, family £32. Booking essential.

Wed 9 & Thurs 10 Aug 6-8pm The Wind in the Willows Immersion Theatre brings Ratty, Badger and Toad to life as they embark on the adventure of a lifetime. With colourful costumes, toe-tapping music and lots of audience participation, this charming tale promised to enchant both young and old. Adult £12, child £8, family £32. Booking essential.

For more information and to book please visit www.nationaltrust.org. uk on selected nights there will be live introductions from familiar faces.

HHHHH Netmums

Adapted from the book written by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

‘Ingenious’ Daily Mail

BBC Radio Bristol

Based on the award-winning picture book by

Julia Donaldson & Lydia Monks 5 JUL - 10 SEPT Fri 4 Aug - Sun 3 Sept

BOOK NOW 020 7730 4500 cadoganhall.com Sloane Square 3 mins

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