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DANDELION DISCOVERIES
What Made Us Smile This Week
Orchid Festival at Kew
🌸 Bursting open to help us get through this gloomy February the 30th Orchid Festival returns to Kew Gardens.
Inspired by China's biodiversity seek out the fluffy panda's the cheeky monkeys and the spiralling koi carp. The giant dragon is magnificent.
Open for one month only do not miss this one.
Entry included in garden admission but you need to book a slot.
7 Feb-8 March
Inspired by China's biodiversity seek out the fluffy panda's the cheeky monkeys and the spiralling koi carp. The giant dragon is magnificent.
Open for one month only do not miss this one.
Entry included in garden admission but you need to book a slot.
7 Feb-8 March
Summit Ally Pally
🧗♂️Be one of the very first to scale the highest walkway in the UK. Opening on the 14 Feb we can't wait to try it. Three climbs to choose from. Tickets from £22.
Nailing it!
⛏ We went on a wintery day trip to Canterbury last weekend. Whilst visiting their epic Cathedral (highly recommend) we came across this floating Gormley in the crypt. Made from nails recovered from the cathedral he was mesmerising. In situ since 2011 we can't believe we missed him on our last visit there. Kids go free. Bit penny for adults but worth it we think. £18
Severndroog Castle
🕍 We are a little bit in love with this gothic tower. Built as a memorial of love by Lady James (in memory of Sir William) it stands loud and proud at the top of Shooters Hill. Used as a look out tower in WW2 this historic 18th folly is nestled in ancient woodland. Can't wait to revisit when the bluebells bloom.
Rooftop viewing platform and castle reopen on the 1 Feb. Lovely Hexagonal cafe.
Rooftop viewing platform and castle reopen on the 1 Feb. Lovely Hexagonal cafe.
Grant Museum of Zoology
🦇 We have wanted to visit this small but perfectly formed hidden gem for a while. We were not disappointed. Housed in an Edwardian library and racked and stacked with pickled creatures, critters and bones little zoologist will be in anatomical heaven. The infamous jar of moles is quite something. Free to visit but varying opening hours. Check website.
Canary Wharf Lights
💫 Now in its tenth year the Winter Light Festival returns once again to Canary Wharf. With 16 installations to discover the trail does wonders to brighten gloomy January nights. We loved it.
Running to 31 Jan. Free
Running to 31 Jan. Free
Good enough to eat
🎄A new venue for The Gingerbread City Exhibition this year as it comes to Coal Drops Yard in King's Cross from 29 Nov–4 Jan. Brainchild of the Museum of Architecture, see how young architects create extraordinarily intricate cityscapes from gingerbread. This year, there will be a gingerbread rendition of the new-look Olympia created with Bake Off contestant, Pui Man. We are going on Wednesday (27th) so check back here (and on instagram) to see what we thought.
Exhibition tickets are £13.50 for ages 12+, £8.50 ages 3–12, U3s free.
Family gingerbread cookie decorating workshops are £30. Or, we like the sound of the Gingerbread House Making Workshop. Tickets are £79.50 but that covers 2–4 people decorating one house. Fun family outing.
Exhibition tickets are £13.50 for ages 12+, £8.50 ages 3–12, U3s free.
Family gingerbread cookie decorating workshops are £30. Or, we like the sound of the Gingerbread House Making Workshop. Tickets are £79.50 but that covers 2–4 people decorating one house. Fun family outing.
New at the zoo
🦓 The arrival of ZooTown at London Zoo, an immersive play/learning experience for ages 3–8, is simply brilliant. Click on the link to read our full review and book your £1 tickets (Zoo entry extra)
Delicious words
🔤 We dropped into the Clore Ballroom in the Royal Festival Hall today (29 Oct) to find heaps of happy kids and their families making fabulous recipes with words. Alphabet Soup is the brainchild of A Line Art, creative drop in workshops as part of the London Literature Festival at Southbank. Free. 11am–3.30pm. To 30 Oct.
Ghostly Gardens
🎃 Simply the most gorgeously spooky Halloween trail in town. Head to Kew Gardens until 2 Nov. Spiders, skeletons, ghouls and ghosts, plus fire eaters, marshmallow toasting and hot chocolate. For brave 4 year olds up to 11+. Tickets: £72 for a family of 4.
Material World
🌳 Fashion meets Flora at Kew Garden's new organic festival championing a greener future for fashion.
Between 80-100 billion new clothes are produced globally with 87% of the material and fibres used to make these clothes ending up in landfill. This show highlights how we can all make a change.
Highlights include fabulous designs by students from the London College of Fashion and a fluttering, floating installation by Nnenna Okare.
Lots to think about....
Material World
20 Sept-2 Nov
Included in garden entry
Between 80-100 billion new clothes are produced globally with 87% of the material and fibres used to make these clothes ending up in landfill. This show highlights how we can all make a change.
Highlights include fabulous designs by students from the London College of Fashion and a fluttering, floating installation by Nnenna Okare.
Lots to think about....
Material World
20 Sept-2 Nov
Included in garden entry
Bourdon Street Chippie
🍟Literally only a few days left to visit this epic fish & chip shop crafted entirely out of felt.
The very clever Lucy Sparrow along with her stitching team (sew your soul) have created this fast food masterpiece. You can even buy things too - our favourite were the felt meat pies. Total genius.
Closing 14 Sept
Lyndsey Ingram Gallery, W1
Free
The very clever Lucy Sparrow along with her stitching team (sew your soul) have created this fast food masterpiece. You can even buy things too - our favourite were the felt meat pies. Total genius.
Closing 14 Sept
Lyndsey Ingram Gallery, W1
Free
The Great River Race
🛶 Ready yourself to watch 300 colourful, bobbing craft row along the Thames on Saturday 20 September.
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.
Downton Abbey at Kew
🌸 To celebrate the launch of the latest Downton film clever florists have created a special floral exhibition - Fleurs de Villes Downton Abbey.
This 10 day show invites you to step into a grand marquee on the lawns beside Kew Palace to gaze upon fresh floral mannequins inspired by favourite Downton Abbey characters.
22 Sept- 1 October
£30 adult, £15 child
This 10 day show invites you to step into a grand marquee on the lawns beside Kew Palace to gaze upon fresh floral mannequins inspired by favourite Downton Abbey characters.
22 Sept- 1 October
£30 adult, £15 child
Classic Boat Festival 2025
🚤 Get ready to marvel at a floating flotilla of 60 vintage boats as this glorious fleet returns once again to St Katherine's Dock.
The little ships include war heroes, the Dunkirk Little Ships, motorboats from the Bates Star Craft range and impressive working vessels, including historic tugs and the Navy P2000 vessel, HMS Trumpeter. With an array of activities including live music, talks and kids activities, it is the perfect family day out.
6-7 Sept
10.30am-5pm
Free
The little ships include war heroes, the Dunkirk Little Ships, motorboats from the Bates Star Craft range and impressive working vessels, including historic tugs and the Navy P2000 vessel, HMS Trumpeter. With an array of activities including live music, talks and kids activities, it is the perfect family day out.
6-7 Sept
10.30am-5pm
Free
Pavilion Family Day
🌳 Join for a vibrant celebration filled with hands-on workshops, live performances, and storytelling sessions designed for families of all ages. Pack a picnic, relax on the Serpentine Lawn, and enjoy a day of exploration and play.
Highlights include:
🌱 Seed Saving Workshop with Global Generation
💃 Live Music & Dance by Mukto Arts
🎤 Spoken Word with British Bilingual Poetry Collective
📖 Storytelling with Sally Pomme Clayton
🎨 Character Creation with Mouni Mukta
🧵 Collective Weaving with Raisa Kabir
19 July, 11am-3pm
Serpentine Pavilion,
Kensington Gardens
Free, drop-in, no booking required
Highlights include:
🌱 Seed Saving Workshop with Global Generation
💃 Live Music & Dance by Mukto Arts
🎤 Spoken Word with British Bilingual Poetry Collective
📖 Storytelling with Sally Pomme Clayton
🎨 Character Creation with Mouni Mukta
🧵 Collective Weaving with Raisa Kabir
19 July, 11am-3pm
Serpentine Pavilion,
Kensington Gardens
Free, drop-in, no booking required
Medieval Palace re-vamp
We were treated to a sneak peak of the newly renovated Medieval Palace at the magnificent Tower of London. Hugely atmospheric with candles, roaring fires, delicately painted walls, rich brocade curtains and wall hangings Emily and I both decided we would quite like to own Edward I's bed. Heaps to learn along the way as you pass through all the Palace chambers. We would highly recommend a visit.
£35.80 adult, £17.90
Cheaper in advance
£35.80 adult, £17.90
Cheaper in advance
Lego Play Pavilion
🤸🏼♂️ The slide is faster than you might think!?!
Filled inside with lego bricks for creative play WHAT a fun addition to Kensington Gardens.
Well done to Sir Peter Cook (architect), Lego and the Serpentine Galleries for creating a colour-filled, playful, triumph!
Play Programme of creative brick building and music sessions running throughout the summer. Check online for full details.
Open to 10 August for all to enjoy. Free.
Filled inside with lego bricks for creative play WHAT a fun addition to Kensington Gardens.
Well done to Sir Peter Cook (architect), Lego and the Serpentine Galleries for creating a colour-filled, playful, triumph!
Play Programme of creative brick building and music sessions running throughout the summer. Check online for full details.
Open to 10 August for all to enjoy. Free.
COINect
🧧 Head to the former site of the Royal Mint (opp the Tower of London) to see a very special collection of coins. From the Great Wall of China and Terracotta Warriors to Zodiac animals and Olympic medals don't miss this rare chance to view over 100 sets of coins and medals from the Shanghai Mint - exhibited for the first time outside of China. Each coin is a mini work of art, reflecting China's rich history.
We're loving the sound of the interactive digital 'wish pool'.
COINect: Chinese Culture and Creativity.
8-14 June
Free but book online via the site below.
We're loving the sound of the interactive digital 'wish pool'.
COINect: Chinese Culture and Creativity.
8-14 June
Free but book online via the site below.
The Barber in London
⭐️ Go Hattie!
Aka Lady Barber for creating an art museum for uni students and general folk back in 1932.
Small but perfectly formed see gems from the Barber Collection at dandelion favourite The Courtauld Gallery. Soak up landscapes and portraits by Turner, Poussin, Whistler, Monet, Rossetti (and more) all in one joy filled room.
The Barber in London: Highlights from a Remarkable Collection.
Opens 23 May, free with general entry. Running to 22 Feb.
Aka Lady Barber for creating an art museum for uni students and general folk back in 1932.
Small but perfectly formed see gems from the Barber Collection at dandelion favourite The Courtauld Gallery. Soak up landscapes and portraits by Turner, Poussin, Whistler, Monet, Rossetti (and more) all in one joy filled room.
The Barber in London: Highlights from a Remarkable Collection.
Opens 23 May, free with general entry. Running to 22 Feb.
The Power of Trees
🌳 Trees are celebrated in all their glorious forms at this new show in the Shirley Sherwood Gallery at Kew Gardens.
Featuring a variety of works from the most detailed botanical drawings to an epic video installation of a 30m Finnish spruce tree by Eija-Liisa Ahtila - we loved it.
Free for all to enjoy, included in garden entry.
12 April-14 Sept
Featuring a variety of works from the most detailed botanical drawings to an epic video installation of a 30m Finnish spruce tree by Eija-Liisa Ahtila - we loved it.
Free for all to enjoy, included in garden entry.
12 April-14 Sept
Bluebell Dell
🍃 An indigo carpet is sweeping through Kew Gardens as Bluebell season arrives, a little earlier than usual.
Stroll past thousands of tiny nodding bells as they jostle in the wind.
Head to the Woodland Walk at the back of the gardens. A total treat.
Stroll past thousands of tiny nodding bells as they jostle in the wind.
Head to the Woodland Walk at the back of the gardens. A total treat.
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.
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