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DANDELION DISCOVERIES
What Made Us Smile This Week
Happy 100th Birthday !
📚 Celebrate the 100th birthday of this gem of a museum. Stroll through the rooms of Dickens London home packed with original manuscripts, his only surviving suit, his furniture and even his hairbrush.
£12.50 adult, £7.50 child
Lovely courtyard cafe too.
£12.50 adult, £7.50 child
Lovely courtyard cafe too.
Musical Museum
🎼 Starting on the 14 Feb lucky visitors at the LTM will be treated to live recitals by young musicians playing classical & jazz music throughout the galleries at 2pm every Friday. Coming from four London conservatories: Guildhall Schools of Music & Drama, Royal Academy of Music, Royal College of Music and the Trinity Laban the standard is going to be pretty high.
Peruvian Orchids
🌸 Get ready to feast your eyes on 5,000 immaculately placed orchids as the 29th annual Orchid Festival arrives at Kew Gardens. Transport yourself to the beaches and rainforests of Peru.
With floral flamingos and Peruvian art and photography we can't wait to visit. Check back for our review.
1 Feb-2 March
Included in garden entry but bookable slot required.
With floral flamingos and Peruvian art and photography we can't wait to visit. Check back for our review.
1 Feb-2 March
Included in garden entry but bookable slot required.
Here comes the Sun
🌞 Move over Mars and make way for the SUNSHINE ! Crafted by the brilliant Luke Jerram, Helios, this spectacular fiery sphere has arrived to brighten our winter days.
In ancient greek mythology, Helios personified the sun, driving his golden chariot daily across the sky. In baroque art Apollo took on the same characteristics as Helios - can you spot him in the central oval racing his chariot of light ?💡
Also look out for astronomer Copernicus (at the east end of the hall) holding his gadget showing the earth 🌏 revolving around the sun ☀️ So cool ! 😎
The Painted Hall
Helios to 25 March
£16.50 adults , U16s free
In ancient greek mythology, Helios personified the sun, driving his golden chariot daily across the sky. In baroque art Apollo took on the same characteristics as Helios - can you spot him in the central oval racing his chariot of light ?💡
Also look out for astronomer Copernicus (at the east end of the hall) holding his gadget showing the earth 🌏 revolving around the sun ☀️ So cool ! 😎
The Painted Hall
Helios to 25 March
£16.50 adults , U16s free
Grand Sumo!
🤼♂️ Hello January, hello Grand Sumo!
Head to Japan House for live screenings of the Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo.
Highlights takes you ringside with play-by-play commentary on the day’s action and background information on this iconic sport which originated in Japan over 1500 years ago.
Daily at 4.30pm.
Live and free for all to enjoy.
Head to Japan House for live screenings of the Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo.
Highlights takes you ringside with play-by-play commentary on the day’s action and background information on this iconic sport which originated in Japan over 1500 years ago.
Daily at 4.30pm.
Live and free for all to enjoy.
Winter Lights
💥Get ready for a January glow up as 'Winter Lights' returns once again to brighten this rather gloomy month.
The Canary Wharf trail, now in its ninth year, takes you on a journey through 12 spectacular installations. Download the App before you go. We loved it last year.
21 Jan-1 Feb
Free for all to enjoy.
The Canary Wharf trail, now in its ninth year, takes you on a journey through 12 spectacular installations. Download the App before you go. We loved it last year.
21 Jan-1 Feb
Free for all to enjoy.
Cathedral Glow Up !
💫 St Paul's Cathedral will shine bright this February when the brilliant Luxmuralis move in and illuminate Wren's iconic dome with their breathtaking fusion of art, light and sound. Ready yourself to see St Paul's in a whole new light. We can't wait.
Book your tickets now as we think this one will sell out fast.
22 -28 Feb
Tickets - £17.50 adult, £10 child
Book your tickets now as we think this one will sell out fast.
22 -28 Feb
Tickets - £17.50 adult, £10 child
GLOW WILD
⭐️ The ULTIMATE lantern festival has arrived at Wakehurst in Sussex to brighten our winter nights.
A giant flying owl, a fiery dragon, badgers, snails, frogs and the most beautiful fairy dell we have ever seen. The projections on the mansion are mesmerising along with their iconic redwood tree swathed in 1,800 twinkling lights. Utterly magical, we loved it.
To 1 Jan
From £13
A giant flying owl, a fiery dragon, badgers, snails, frogs and the most beautiful fairy dell we have ever seen. The projections on the mansion are mesmerising along with their iconic redwood tree swathed in 1,800 twinkling lights. Utterly magical, we loved it.
To 1 Jan
From £13
Ginger Town
🍿 Gummy bears on liquorice ropes, towers of Bourbon biscuits, a mini sweetie cinema - this glorious mini edible metropolis is back once again!
Setting up home in the shining new Gaumont building on the King's Rd it's a glorious festive treat for all ages.
This year's theme is recycled / repurposed buildings. Spot Battersea Power Station, the Truman Brewery, the London Eye and Smithfield market.
Our favourite was the tiny candy-laden cinema screening ELF.
Open to 29 Dec
£13 adult, £8 child
The Gaumont, King's Road, SW3
Setting up home in the shining new Gaumont building on the King's Rd it's a glorious festive treat for all ages.
This year's theme is recycled / repurposed buildings. Spot Battersea Power Station, the Truman Brewery, the London Eye and Smithfield market.
Our favourite was the tiny candy-laden cinema screening ELF.
Open to 29 Dec
£13 adult, £8 child
The Gaumont, King's Road, SW3
Mars has landed
🚀 With 3,700 square metres of baroque paintings the Painted Hall in the Old Royal Naval College is already nailing it! Through in a colour coordinated revolving Mars by the brilliant Luke Jerram and the result is quite literally jaw-dropping.
Spinning until 20 Jan.
£16.50 adults, U16s free.
Spinning until 20 Jan.
£16.50 adults, U16s free.
V&A Christmas Tree
🎄Hail the alternative Christmas tree inspired by the columns that support the V&A's impressive dome. Created by Anna Lomax 'All Lit Up' is in situ til the 5 Jan.
Drawing inspiration from the strength and support of trees in the natural world, Anna has reimagined the classic Christmas tree with a playful twist. We loved it.
Drawing inspiration from the strength and support of trees in the natural world, Anna has reimagined the classic Christmas tree with a playful twist. We loved it.
Ice Ice Baby
❄️ As the nights grow darker twinkling ice rinks are starting to pop up all over London.
There are lots to choose from but these three are our total favourites.
GLIDE at the Power Station
❄️ ⛸
SKATE at Somerset House
❄️ ⛸
Hampton Court Palace
❄️ ⛸
Click below for our Historic Skate round up
There are lots to choose from but these three are our total favourites.
GLIDE at the Power Station
❄️ ⛸
SKATE at Somerset House
❄️ ⛸
Hampton Court Palace
❄️ ⛸
Click below for our Historic Skate round up
Exhibitions on Screen
🖌 "There is nothing more truly artistic than to love people"
Vincent van Gogh
You’ve seen the blockbuster show at the National Gallery - now Van Gogh: Poets & Lovers is coming to a cinema near you.
Concentrating not on Van Gogh’s many nervous breakdowns but more on his passion for storytelling, nature and most importantly love - this 90 min film takes a deep dive into how Van Gogh's imagination for nature fuelled his final years in the South of France enabling his to create many of his most iconic masterpieces.
Taking you through each painting, in great detail, art historians explain every brush stoke and the fascinating story behind each canvas. Made in close collaboration
with the National Gallery the screening is both inspiring and heart breaking.
Highly recommended for any child with a keen interest in art history. We can't stop thinking about it.....
Van Gogh: Poets & Lovers
In cinemas from the 6 Nov
Cert. 12 A
Vincent van Gogh
You’ve seen the blockbuster show at the National Gallery - now Van Gogh: Poets & Lovers is coming to a cinema near you.
Concentrating not on Van Gogh’s many nervous breakdowns but more on his passion for storytelling, nature and most importantly love - this 90 min film takes a deep dive into how Van Gogh's imagination for nature fuelled his final years in the South of France enabling his to create many of his most iconic masterpieces.
Taking you through each painting, in great detail, art historians explain every brush stoke and the fascinating story behind each canvas. Made in close collaboration
with the National Gallery the screening is both inspiring and heart breaking.
Highly recommended for any child with a keen interest in art history. We can't stop thinking about it.....
Van Gogh: Poets & Lovers
In cinemas from the 6 Nov
Cert. 12 A
Halloween at Kew
🧛🏻 After much anticipation we were lucky to get a sneak peek of the brand new Halloween light trail at Kew Gardens.
You are in for a big TREAT!
The autumnal gardens have been cleverly transformed into an eerily, haunting halloween haven. With glowing pumpkins, skelton drawn carriages, vampires, ghostly beings, glowing trees, scarecrows, shady spirits and fiendish fire-eaters there is SO much to see along the trail. There's even a full-size walk through cemetery. Look out for the monsters lurking in the darkness - they give you quite a jump scare!
The headless horseman and red eyed devil (on real horses) are spectacularly spooky.
We absolutely loved it! ⭐️ Dress up essential for little ones and grown ups alike.
Hot dogs, burgers and sweet treats are on offer along the 1.5km route which takes around 1-1.5 hours to complete.
🎃18 Oct–3 Nov
Three bookable sessions: 👻Daylight (up to 6pm), 💀Twilight (6–7.30pm), 🧛🏻Moonlight (post 7.30pm).
The scare factor ramps up the later you go 🧛🏻
Family tickets from £55
You are in for a big TREAT!
The autumnal gardens have been cleverly transformed into an eerily, haunting halloween haven. With glowing pumpkins, skelton drawn carriages, vampires, ghostly beings, glowing trees, scarecrows, shady spirits and fiendish fire-eaters there is SO much to see along the trail. There's even a full-size walk through cemetery. Look out for the monsters lurking in the darkness - they give you quite a jump scare!
The headless horseman and red eyed devil (on real horses) are spectacularly spooky.
We absolutely loved it! ⭐️ Dress up essential for little ones and grown ups alike.
Hot dogs, burgers and sweet treats are on offer along the 1.5km route which takes around 1-1.5 hours to complete.
🎃18 Oct–3 Nov
Three bookable sessions: 👻Daylight (up to 6pm), 💀Twilight (6–7.30pm), 🧛🏻Moonlight (post 7.30pm).
The scare factor ramps up the later you go 🧛🏻
Family tickets from £55
Family Gardening Day
🍃 Get outside as a family this half term at Chiswick House.
Join their gardening team in the woodland area for family-friendly volunteering sessions.
Get your hands dirty planting bulbs and creating insect habitats.
Part of Chiswick Houses new initiative 'Letting the Light in' -a large-scale woodland regeneration project.
Free
Open to all ages 8+
30 Oct & 1 Nov
Join their gardening team in the woodland area for family-friendly volunteering sessions.
Get your hands dirty planting bulbs and creating insect habitats.
Part of Chiswick Houses new initiative 'Letting the Light in' -a large-scale woodland regeneration project.
Free
Open to all ages 8+
30 Oct & 1 Nov
Pumpkin Picking
🎃 Drive over to dandelion favourite Crockbridge Farm this October half term to bag your perfect pumpkin.
Grab a wheelbarrow and choose a plump pumpkin or two. Book your slot as they sell out fast!
4-20 Oct
£4.50 each plus pumpkin
Surrey, KT15 2BU
Grab a wheelbarrow and choose a plump pumpkin or two. Book your slot as they sell out fast!
4-20 Oct
£4.50 each plus pumpkin
Surrey, KT15 2BU
Halloween at Hampton Court
👻 Ready yourself to be spooked at Hampton Court Palace this Halloween. Tiptoe through the corridors and courtyards whilst on the look out for their infamous ghosts. With scary stories and an eerie Gallery of the Doomed there be heaps to keep little witches and wizards busy.
26 Oct - 3 Nov
All activities included in entrance price.
26 Oct - 3 Nov
All activities included in entrance price.
Fireworks
💥Boom! Where to head for the best displays in London 💥
The Great River Race
🛶 Ready yourself to watch 250 colourful craft row along the Thames this Saturday.
Over 2,000 rowers take part in this joyful annual river race passing under 28 bridges.
Race starts at 1.15pm from Millwall heading West to Richmond.
A real London highlight
Over 2,000 rowers take part in this joyful annual river race passing under 28 bridges.
Race starts at 1.15pm from Millwall heading West to Richmond.
A real London highlight
Gloriana returns!
⚓️ Head to St Katherine's Dock this weekend for the glorious Classic Boat Festival.
Arriving into the west basin earlier this week, and berthed beside the historic Coronarium at the Docks, the Gloriana is a lasting legacy to the late Queen Elizabeth II, having been commissioned for her diamond jubilee back in 2012.
Festival running 7 & 8 Sept.
Free
Arriving into the west basin earlier this week, and berthed beside the historic Coronarium at the Docks, the Gloriana is a lasting legacy to the late Queen Elizabeth II, having been commissioned for her diamond jubilee back in 2012.
Festival running 7 & 8 Sept.
Free
D-Day Wool Art
🧶 What an awesome effort from voluntary association The Longest Yarn.
Crafted in time for the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landing on the 6th June this 80 meter 3D depiction (made up of 80 scenes) of the Battle of Normandy has been crafted by heaps of volunteer knitters scattered around the globe.
Going on display in France initially this epic creation will then land in Nottinghamshire in Southwell Cathedral from 7-28 Sept. Free for all to enjoy.
SO impressive! 👏🏻
Crafted in time for the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landing on the 6th June this 80 meter 3D depiction (made up of 80 scenes) of the Battle of Normandy has been crafted by heaps of volunteer knitters scattered around the globe.
Going on display in France initially this epic creation will then land in Nottinghamshire in Southwell Cathedral from 7-28 Sept. Free for all to enjoy.
SO impressive! 👏🏻
Summer on the Square
🎨 Head to Trafalgar Square throughout August for a fabulous programme of hands on arts and crafts.
The National Gallery's Free Festival of Art takes place in a pop up space outside the main entrance. Based around the annual Take One Picture exhibition, showing school children's responses to a particular work (this year Henri Rousseau's 'Surprised!'), free drop in sessions run 11am–1pm and 2–4pm daily.
Hugely recommended.
The National Gallery's Free Festival of Art takes place in a pop up space outside the main entrance. Based around the annual Take One Picture exhibition, showing school children's responses to a particular work (this year Henri Rousseau's 'Surprised!'), free drop in sessions run 11am–1pm and 2–4pm daily.
Hugely recommended.
Giant pumpkin alert
🎃 Next time you are in Kensington Gardens, look out for Yahoi Kusama's 5m high bronze pumpkin. Just next to the Round Pond it is part of the Serpentine Galleries' fab public art series.
Kusama has always loved the vegetables, "Pumpkins have been a great comfort to me since my childhood. They speak to me of the joy of living. They are humble and amusing at the same time, and I have and always will celebrate them in my art."
Kusama has always loved the vegetables, "Pumpkins have been a great comfort to me since my childhood. They speak to me of the joy of living. They are humble and amusing at the same time, and I have and always will celebrate them in my art."
Serpentine Pavilion
Get ready to clamber up the orange ropes of the Play Tower at this year's INSPIRED Serpentine Pavilion.
Archipelagic Void created by Korean architect Minsuk Cho is just fantastic.
Modelled on a star-shaped traditional Korean house with an open courtyard kids will LOVE the playful climbing nets and the library room.
A total triumph.
Open 7 June-27 Oct
Serpentine South Lawn
Free
Archipelagic Void created by Korean architect Minsuk Cho is just fantastic.
Modelled on a star-shaped traditional Korean house with an open courtyard kids will LOVE the playful climbing nets and the library room.
A total triumph.
Open 7 June-27 Oct
Serpentine South Lawn
Free
Wild Life Drawing
🌿 Grab a pencil and set out on a botanical journey in the NHM's NEW gardens. Capture the flourishing flora and fauna as you are guided by sketching experts. All materials provided.
26 July and 30 August
18.45–21.30
Adult: £45, Child: £45
Book your spot below.
26 July and 30 August
18.45–21.30
Adult: £45, Child: £45
Book your spot below.
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