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DANDELION DISCOVERIES
What Made Us Smile This Week

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.

Serpentine Pavilion 2025
🌳 Bit of a gloomy day to see the transparent 'A Capsule in Time' designed by the brilliant Marina Tabassum. Drawing inspo from the vast terrains of the Bengal Delta the structure is created in four wooden sections with a tree at its centre.
Can't wait to return on a sunny day and see the dappled light streaming through. Grab a book and a coffee and settle down for a quiet moment.
Free for all to enjoy.
Opens 6 June
Can't wait to return on a sunny day and see the dappled light streaming through. Grab a book and a coffee and settle down for a quiet moment.
Free for all to enjoy.
Opens 6 June

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.

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
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