If I had a pound for every time a fellow parent asked me, “What on earth do we do with them for six whole weeks?” I could probably fund the summer holidays myself. It is the eternal London mum dilemma: you want your children to be happy, stimulated and off their screens, but you also need to work, or simply to hear yourself think for five blessed minutes. Over the years I have tested more holiday camps than I can count, and there is only one that my son genuinely asked to return to. That camp is The Strings Club.
I first came across The Strings Club a few summers ago, and what drew me in was the music. Founded by Amy Cunningham, a musician and mum herself, the camp was built around something deceptively simple: giving children the chance to learn guitar, violin or ukulele in a setting that feels like pure fun, not a lesson. One mum told us that her youngest, who had never picked up a ukulele in her life, came home after the first day and gave us a full concert in the living room. By the end of the week, she stood on a little stage with her new friends and performed in a Grand Concert that had her weeping behind her phone camera. That is the magic of this place. It is not a music school. It is a place where children discover what they are capable of, often without realising they are learning at all.
What a day at camp actually looks like
Mornings are all about the music. Small, friendly groups work with professional musicians, and children who attend more than one day get to take their instrument home to practise. There is no stuffy formality. The sessions are lively, interactive and tailored to every level. Afternoons explode into creativity: sports, drama, dance and art workshops, all woven around a weekly theme that keeps everything fresh. One week might be Disney Pixar, another might be Pop Star Power or Mysterious Magic. Children dress up as superheroes, compose their own songs and make friendship bracelets that dangle from their school bags.
The bit parents really care about
The Strings Club is Ofsted registered and accepts childcare vouchers and tax free childcare, which makes life infinitely easier. It is also rated “Above Standard” in its last three Ofsted inspections, a fact that did not surprise me in the slightest. The team send daily parent updates with private photo galleries, so you can see exactly what your child has been up to, and you will find yourself refreshing your phone just to catch a glimpse of them grinning over a guitar. For 2026, they have been awarded the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award, backed by over 500 verified five star family reviews. That is a lot of happy children.
There are over 15 venues across London, catering for ages 4 to 11, and the booking is genuinely flexible. You can pick the days and locations that suit your summer schedule rather than signing your life away for a fortnight you cannot commit to.
If your child is new to The Strings Club, there is an exclusive 10% off your first booking with the code LMUMS. It is a lovely little nudge to give it a try.
Why it matters beyond the music
Children grow in confidence through these camps. A shy child finds a friend on day one. A child who struggles to focus discovers they can lose themselves in a strumming pattern. By the end of the week, they stand a little taller. The Grand Concert on the final day is not really about the performance; it is about the pride radiating off every small face. These are the moments that make up a childhood. The friendships, the new skills, the feeling of belonging. And yes, they come home tired, happy and utterly screen free, which is a victory in itself.
The Strings Club is not the cheapest camp on the market, but I have learned the hard way that you get what you pay for. This is a thoughtfully designed, lovingly run experience that children truly adore.
To explore the summer themes, find your nearest venue and book your child’s place, visit www.thestringsclub.org. And do not forget to use LMUMS at checkout for 10% off your first booking. I will see you at the Grand Concert, tissues in hand.
Monica Costa founded London Mums in September 2006 after her son Diego’s birth together with a group of mothers who felt the need of meeting up regularly to share the challenges and joys of motherhood in metropolitan and multicultural London. London Mums is the FREE and independent peer support group for mums and mumpreneurs based in London https://www.londonmumsmagazine.com and you can connect on Twitter @londonmums
