Great Outdoors

Maddie: "Preparing (at 54) for my first Glasto with my son"

Woooo!!! – Preparing for my first Glasto aka Glastonbury Festival with my son at 54 – My son has been saying for some years, ‘Get registered Mum, and I’ll put you in our syndicate’. I was quietly vey vey chuffed, my dear beloved son, who was ‘God knows where’ most of his teen years,  inviting me to such a sacred place. Course I was. But did not take action. Couldn’t quite believe…
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Great Indoors

HOTEL REVIEW: The Principal York

The Principal York Hotel: 4 / 5 stars. Monica Costa and myself headed North to sample the joys of York and review The Principal York Hotel. The Telegraph gave it 4 stars and we concord with this rating. For convenience / comfort Adjoining York station, it really is spitting distance, with an easy-access entrance. For all its proximity, you never hear a train or smell one. It’s a delightful 10…
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Great Outdoors

Kids at Kew Gardens: what is there to do?

Remember there’s no scooters, no balls, no dogs, and no climbing at Kew Gardens, all those things that would normally keep your children amused in a public park. So other that just walk about, (‘bor-ring’) what can kids at Kew Gardens do? The Children’s Garden by Brentford Gate The most obvious stop-off, the newly revamped playground, obsured by beech hedges and full of plants. It’s…
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Great Indoors

Lunch at Bar des Prés, Mayfair

In Mayfair, Bar des Prés is a trendy restaurant located next door to the iconic Tiffany’s shop in London. It offers a unique blend of Parisian and Asian cuisine, specifically sushi fusion with Parisian twists. The restaurant also has a vibrant atmosphere, with sleek interiors and a well-stocked bar that serves a range of cocktails. During my recent visit, I was impressed by the quality of food…
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Great Indoors

Partying at the 450th birthday of The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple

A few days ago I attended a very exclusive party at The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, one of the four Inns of Court in London which has been a centre of legal education and the home of barristers for almost 500 years. The Middle Temple building and hall are some of the most iconic landmarks of the city, and the event celebrated the 450th anniversary of their construction. Built in the…
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Great Indoors

Crouch End’s to get a complete facelift in 2023 with Hornsey Town Hall restoration 

A week ago I attended a tour to quite a special building site. Dorsett Hospitality International recently acquired the historic Hornsey Town Hall in Crouch End, North London, and is currently transforming the Grade II* listed building into a new aparthotel set to open in the summer of 2023. You had to have a bit of imagination to see the new architecture completed but nevertheless I enjoyed myself…
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Great Indoors

Show review: David Copperfield at Riverside Studios

An inventive, funny and heart-warming production of Charles Dickens’ semi-autobiographical novel, David Copperfield will play at the Riverside Studios from 7 – 26 February 2023. It’s unmissable not only for hard-core fans of the Victorian author but for anyone who has an interest in Victorian life or simply likes comedies. Tickets are now on sale here. Transforming the Riverside stage…
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Great Outdoors

Christmas lights review: Lightopia London 'A Christmas Fantasy' at Crystal Palace Park

Going to see Lightopia London ‘A Christmas Fantasy’ at Crystal Palace Park was a thrilling and magical experience. As you walk through the vast park, you can really feel the warmth and comfort of a Christmassy and family environment. There are many wonderful light displays including mystical creatures: lions, unicorns, eagles with an addition of sound effects of the animals’ noises, giving…
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Great Outdoors

Christmas light trail review: ILLUMINATURE at WWT London Wetland Centre in Barnes

,The light trail at the WWT London Wetland Centre in Barnes was beyond my expectations. I walked into the Wetlands not knowing what was going to be like.  In past years I had been to other light shows so I was unsure what this one would bring to our local community. ILLUMINATURE didn’t disappoint. The show really surprised me with the interactiveness of the whole experience in the form of…
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Great Outdoors

Christmas in London: Christmas at Kew 2022 review

London Mums Magazine was invited to Christmas at Kew, our evening was packed with magic! What a glorious treat! The Kew Gardens 10th anniversary light trail is spectacular. Individual creative light installations are linked by clever illumination of bushes and trees. The trail is punctuated at intervals by tastefully designed food and drink huts with something for everybody: hot chocolate to…
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