JOIN TODAY

Join today for our weekly newsletter, glossy online magazine and much more!
* indicates required

Just Joined!

Violet and George

Just Joined - Violet & George
Find out more >>

EXSUS

Just Joined - Exsus
Find out more >>

Dido and Bendigo

Just Joined - Dido and Bendigo
Find out more >>
 
 
Sweetpea

Just Joined - Sweetpea
Find out more >>

Tuscany Now

Just Joined - Tuscany Now
Find out more >>

The Oxford Ski Company

Just Joined - The Oxford Ski Company
Find out more >>

The Merchant Fox

Just Joined - The Merchant Fox
Find out more >>

opumo

Just Joined - Opumo
Find out more >>

Denisonboston

Just Joined - Denisonboston
Find out more >>

Peony & Moore

Just Joined - Peony & Moore
Find out more >>

Gautier

Just Joined - Gautier
Find out more >>

Celtic Manor

Just Joined - Celtic Manor
Find out more >>

Helpful Holidays

Just Joined - Helpful Holidays
Find out more >>

Red Savannah

Just Joined - Red Savannah
Find out more >>

Simply Retreats

Just Joined - Simply Retreats
Find out more >>

Gleneagles

Just Joined - Gleneagles
Find out more >>

Hello kitty abc bookIn September, babies and toddlers everywhere will fall in love with Hello Kitty, her twin sister Mimmy and their super-cute friends in four fantastic preschool titles. Packed with bright and vibrant artwork, engaging features and loveable characters, these adorable books are perfect for little Hello Kitty fans everywhere! Hello Kitty is an iconic global brand – and one that new mothers will feel great nostalgia. These four gorgeous formats are perfect for first discovery and experience, so that parent and baby are able to explore the magical world of Hello Kitty together. Babies and toddlers will love learning with Hello Kitty!

Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict
We reviewed the Hello Kitty ABC board book and it was a real hit with our Junior reviewers. Annabelle is a great fan of Hello Kitty and seeing Hello Kitty is various guises throughout the alphabet has made this one of her favourite books, absolutely adorable! We loved it!
Highly Recommended!
http://www.penguin.co.uk/

VERDURA GOLF & SPA RESORT- FAMILIES’ SAVINGS UP TO £3,000 THIS SUMMER

With the school holidays just around the corner, parents need not panic if they have not yet booked their family holiday and the prospect of six weeks with their little darlings is filling them with dread, Verdura Golf & Spa Resort in Sicily makes for the ideal choice for an unforgettable break with youngsters.

A stylish, contemporary resort in true Sicilian fashion, Verdura puts families first. As part of its seasonal Family Summer Offer, the resort is offering savings up to £3,000 including a 50 percent discount on children’s rooms, a complimentary €200 credit to be spent in any of the resort’s restaurants and bars, with kids under three eating for free and four to twelve year olds paying half price. With free access to the Kid’s Club and Teen’s Club and a range of complimentary activities to choose from, spending the summer holidays in Sicily has never looked so good.

With a myriad of active play, creative crafts, drama and sports from dawn to dusk, children and teens are energised, exercised and engaged. There is also plenty of chill out space for those who prefer to simply hang out with new friends.

At the Kid’s Club, children aged four to twelve engage in pottery classes, cooking lessons, play with clay, decoupage, karaoke, acting and theatre. Outdoors (lathered in sunscreen, of course) they can burn off energy in the dedicated pool, sandpits and playground. Watersports, group tennis and swimming are also on tap, all fully supervised from 9am-7pm.

The Teen’s Club (open 10am to 7pm) is a much-vaunted retreat, where even the most heel-dragging 13-18’s are well catered for, from volleyball in the day to ‘mocktail’ making classes at night. Even simply chilling out in The Club, complete with billiards table, darts, and Nintendo Wii, teens have the chance to hang out at their leisure. The resort’s teen spa, ‘Generation YSPA’, has enticing treatments such as the Surfer’s Scrub or Beach Babe hair care, while evenings are not forgotten with cinema nights under the stars and a weekly beach party.

Having carefully considered what families need, Verdura offers extra beds and interconnecting rooms, childproofed before arrival for children under the age of 4, while a professional babysitting service is available at any time of day or night. Leaving parents with nothing more to think about than which book to read at the poolside.

From 1st July until 31st August 2011, The Summer Family Offer includes:
• 50% discount on second room for children
• Buffet Breakfast each morning for the whole family
• Free access to Spa facilities and use of: Sauna, Turkish Bath, Gym and Pools
• One family activity: A family cooking class or a family Golf lesson
• One individual leisure activity (one per adult and child older than 12 years): a Round of Golf or, a Tennis Lesson or, a Watersports Activity (Wind Surf or Stand Up Paddling)
• Complimentary use of Kids' Club (from 4 to 12 years old) including: Welcome dance, Arts & Crafts, Treasure hunt, Tennis Lessons, Golf Clinics, Cooking classes, ‘Let's make pizza', ‘Let's play with clay', Swimming, Puzzle competition, Painting class, Cake party, Aerobic, Decoupage.
• Complimentary use of Teenagers' Club including: Beach tennis, Boules, Volleyball, Touch rugby, Football (Soccer), Tennis, Ping pong, Olympic games, Billiards, Darts, Console games, Football Table, Cinema, Teenagers' Cocktail, Cooking Classes, Beach Party.
• €100 F&B credit per stay per room
• Complimentary use of bicycles

Elegant Resorts is offering 7 nights at Verdura Golf & Spa Resort from £7,410 per family including breakfast, a 50% discount off the second interconnecting room (plus all the above) and flights with easyJet from Gatwick. For further information, please call +44 (0) 1244 897 771 or visit www.elegantresorts.co.uk

ENGLISH HERITAGE SUMMER EVENTS

HIGHLIGHT EVENT FESTIVAL OF HISTORY
Kelmarsh Hall, Northamptonshire
Sat 16 & Sun 17 Jul, 9.30am – 6pm
Hold your breath as lances clash in thrilling Medieval jousts. Be transported back to WWI with our walk through trench experience. Marvel at a dramatic aerial display as an original Spitfire takes to the skies and see fully armoured Roman soldiers on duty throughout the festival! New for this year The Festival of Historical Writing is a mini festival from the newly formed Historical Writing Association. With more than 50 different shows each day, this is an action packed weekend for the whole family.
This event is supported by Ecclesiastical.
Prices: Adults £20 / Concessions £18 / Children £12 / Family £52
English Heritage Members: Adults £11 / Concessions £9 / Children £6 / Family £26
Purchase your tickets today using our online system below or by calling our dedicated Ticket Sales Team on 0870 333 1183 (Mon – Fri 8.30am – 5.30, Sat 9am – 5pm). Tickets will also be available to purchase at the event site on the day, but please note capacity is limited.
For even better value book a weekend ticket – NON MEMBERS: Adult £32.50, Concession £29, Child £19.50, Family £52 / MEMBERS: Adult £18, Concession £16, Child £10.50, Family £46.
www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/festival-of-history-2011/

TIME TRAVELLERS GO…PIRATE ACADEMY
Scarborough Castle, North Yorkshire
Sat 23 Jul – Mon 29 Aug (Bank Holiday), 11am – 5pm
Arr me hearties! Pirates, privateers, buccaneers and smugglers all be welcome to join our Time Traveller crew for dressin' up fun an' darin' pirate tales. Then join our pirate school to see if ye have what it takes to roam the seven seas. Yo-ho-ho… this be not for the lily-livered!
Prices: Adults £4.80 / Concessions £4.30 / Children £2.90 / Family £12.50
English Heritage Members: Free
All children are welcome to join in the Time Travellers Go… events. An additional £1 will be charged on standard admission for every child, member and non member, to help us fund this entertainment activity.
www.english-heritage.org.uk/scarborough

TIME TRAVELLERS GO…WWII
Audley End House and Gardens, Essex
Wed 27 – Sun 31 Jul, 11am – 5pm
Air raids, rationing, evacuation - how would you have fared during WWII? Find out what life was really like during the 1940s and learn about Audley's role during the war. Then take part in an obstacle course and children’s drill and even make your own gas mask box to take with you on your evacuation to the country!
Prices: Adults £12.50/ Concessions £11.30/ Children £7.50/ Family £32.50
English Heritage Members: Free
Ticket price includes entry to House, Service Wing, Stables and Grounds.
All children are welcome to join in the Time Travellers Go… events. An additional £1 will be charged on standard admission for every child, member and non member, to help us fund this entertainment activity.
www.english-heritage.org.uk/audleyend

BEOWULF WEEKEND

Birdoswald Roman Fort, Cumbria
Sat 30 & Sun 31 Jul, 11am – 5pm
The amazing Clydebuilt Puppet Theatre brings the famous dark age story to life with a winning combination of masterly rod puppetry and storytelling. The hero of our story is Beowulf - The Dragon Slayer, who crosses land and sea to fight the monster Grendel. A stunning combination of beautifully carved wooden puppets and storytelling for everyone aged 7 upwards. Plus hands on Time Travellers archaeology activities, dark age dressing up, armour handling and crafts throughout the day.
Prices: Adults £5.50/ Concessions £5/ Children £3.50
English Heritage Members: Free
All children are welcome to join in the Time Travellers Go… events. An additional £1 will be charged on standard admission for every child, member and non member, to help us fund this entertainment activity.
www.english-heritage.org.uk/birdoswald

HIGHLIGHT EVENT A GRAND MEDIEVAL JOUST
Pendennis Castle, Cornwall
Wed 3 & Thu 4 Aug, 11am – 5pm
Experience the pageantry of a medieval joust and enjoy the thrills and spills as you cheer on your favourite knight. There's plenty of laughter with entertainment from our jester, plus medieval games to play and a knights training school for children. This full day out gives a great insight into life at the castle during the medieval period with music, dance, falconry displays and much, much more.
Prices: Non members: Adults £9/ Concessions £8.10/ Children £6.30/ Family £24.30
English Heritage Members: Adults £2.70/ Concessions £2.40/ Children £2.30/ Family £7.70
www.english-heritage.org.uk/pendennis

HIGHLIGHT EVENT FASHION FROM THE PAST WEEKEND
Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, Northumberland
Sat 6 & Sun 7 Aug, 11am – 5pm
Taking place inside and outside the Hall will be a variety of historic fashion displays, from Tudor to Georgian to 20th Century. A variety of historical costumiers bring their collection to life with informative presentations. Plus music and children's dressing up too making a whole weekend dedicated to fashion from the past.
Prices: Adults £7.50/ Concessions £6.80/ Children £4.50/ Family £19.50
English Heritage Members: Free
www.english-heritage.org.uk/belsay

HIGHLIGHT EVENT VIKING RAIDERS
Lindisfarne Priory, Northumberland
Sat 20 & Sun 21 Aug, 11am – 5pm
Meet the terrifying Vikings as they spread a wave of terror and turmoil with their raids on the North eastern coast of England, where Lindisfarne was first to be set upon on 793 AD. Explore their encampment to discover the rigours and entertainments of Viking campaigning. Watch grisly displays of combat culminating in a full-scale, deadly battle. Be sure to check the tide times when planning your visit.
Prices: Adults £6.50/ Concessions £5.50/ Children £4.50
English Heritage Members: Free
www.english-heritage.org.uk/lindisfarnepriory

PIRATE QUEST
Dover Castle, Kent
Sat 20 - Wed 31 Aug, 10am - 5pm
Arr me hearties! Pirates, privateers, buccaneers and smugglers all be needed to help us find our treasure! See if ye have what it takes complete the quest to earn ye a little treat.
Prices: Adults £16.00/ Concessions £14.40/ Children £9.60/ Family £41.60
English Heritage Members: Free
www.english-heritage.org.uk/dover

CLASH OF THE KNIGHTS: THE BATTLING BARONS
Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire
Sun 28 – Mon 29 Aug (bank holiday), 11am – 5pm
Hear the sound of clashing swords at Bolsover Castle this bank holiday as our battling barons show off their skills in the tournee ring. Children can take part in a mini battle of their own and the hobby horse joust is sure to keep them entertained. Visitors will also get to meet a variety of medieval folk including an executioner, herbalist and Spicer as well as our brave knights.
Prices: Adults £8.50/ Concessions £7.65/ Children £5.10/ Family £22.10
English Heritage Members: Free
www.english-heritage.org.uk/bolsover

HIGHLIGHT EVENT SIEGE!
Kenilworth Castle & Elizabethan Garden, Warwickshire
Sun 28 & Mon 29 Aug (bank holiday), 11am – 5pm
Experience the atmosphere and drama of Kenilworth Castle under Norman attack. Witness the opposing forces prepare for battle, with encampments outside and inside the castle, armour displays and an awe inspiring trebuchet in action. Experience the fear and anticipation of battle with the rallying cry of generals as they prepare their soldiers for the impending bloodshed.
Prices: Adults £10.00/ Concessions £9.00/ Children £6.00/ Family £26.00
English Heritage Members: Adults £2.00/ Concessions £1.80/ Children £1.20/ Family £5.20
www.english-heritage.org.uk/kenilworth

CALLING ALL KIDS AND FAMILIES! WESTFIELD LONDON ANNOUNCES A SIZZLING SUMMER 2011

Summer for kids has officially hit Westfield London - throughout July and August, the temperature will rise in the Capital with back-to-back events taking over Europe’s largest shopping and leisure destination.

From Saturday 23rd July, Westfield London will be transformed into a scorching hotspot for six weeks, with live appearances of favourite kid’s characters including Ben 10, TingaTinga Tales and Thomas the Tank Engine. What’s more, every Saturday and Sunday, kids and parents can watch selected films for 95p at Vue Westfield London with the Kids AM offer.

With so much activity, the kids will need to be refueled. This summer Westfield London are letting the Kids Eat Free at Benugo, Caffe Concerto, Ciao Baby Cucina, ComptoirLibanis, Crepeaffaire, Fire & Stone, Isola Bella, JomMakan, Mandaloun, Shawa, The Meat & Wine Company and, The Real Greek*.

Once the kids have had their fun, why not treat yourself to a summer wardrobe with over 750 fashion brands to be found and summer sales throughout most stores. While Hollister & Co, The Apple Store and Topshop will no doubt keep the teen fashionistas in style this summer, The Little White Company, Mamas & Papas and Bebe Bisou will have newborns and toddlers looking tip top.

CALLING ALL BEN 10 FANS! | TUES 26 JULY

It’s Hero Time at Westfield London where you can meet your favourite alien heroes. Enter Ben’s world by getting a free green screen photo, see The Atrium taken over by a larger than life Ben 10 and receive a special gift.

THE LITTLE GYM
During the summer holidays, come rain or shine, The Little Gym Westfield London provides holiday camps for children aged between 3 to 8 years. Discover our 2 or 3 hour fun-themed OFSTED approved camps for all children (from 3 to 8 years) during the summer holidays with a fabulous variety of fun, activity, learning and creativity.
Theme Week 1 25th - 30th July HARRY'S SCHOOL OF MAGIC
Theme Week 2 1st - 6th August UDER THE SEA
Theme Week 3 8th - 13th August SPORTS SPECTACULAR
Theme Week 4 15th - 20th August SUPER SAFARI
Theme Week 5 22nd - 27th August DINOSAUR LAND
Theme Week 6 29th - 3rd September GYMNASTIC EXTRAVAGANZA

THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE | TUES 2 AUG
Meet Thomas at 11am, 12noon, 1pm, 2pm or 3pm and to make sure you don’t miss out, collect your wristband from concierge in The Atrium from 9am on the day.

LITTLE CHARLEY BEAR LET’S PRETEND | TUES 16 AUG

Join Little Charley Bear on his imaginative adventures in this brand new fun-filled and action packed stage show. Children will get excited as they play guessing games with Charley and the presenter in Charley’s bedroom, interacting and laughing as he mimes different scenarios.

LEGO | 22 - 28 AUG

Enjoy playing spinners - battling against your friends for your chance to win Ninjago goodies! Spinjitzu game challenges will be hosted by Ninjago demonstrators and you can have a go at the Nintendo game POD’s with the latest Ninjago DS game to play and there will even be screenings of Ningajo films too.

TINGA TINGA TALES | TUES 30 AUG

Tinga Tinga Tales is a land full of stories and surprises. Now you and your little ones can join in the fun with story time sessions that will bring an animal story to life, face-painting and balloon animals.

KIDS AND FAMILY VOUCHERS

Don’t forget to pick up Westfield London’s Summer 2011 brochure** which includes a full schedule of what’s on plus discount vouchers on from retailers including:

• Neal’s Yard Remedies - 15% off all purchases
• Skechers - 10% off shape ups, tone-ups and kids’ shoes
• City Galton Flowers - 20% off fresh flowers
• Gerry Weber - 20% off all accessories
• Rituals - Free mini makeovers plus 20% off make-up purchases
• Crabtree & Evelyn - 20% off when you spend £25 or more
• Burger King - 15% off
• Gourmet Burger Kitchen - 20% off
• Krispy Kreme - Free doughnut and chiller with any doughnut and chiller purchase
• Buttercup Cake Shop - 50% off your next cupcake
• Zaza - 30% off
• Foyles Bookshop - 15% off Children’s books 19th July-31st Aug
• Nineteen Ten - Buy a burrito or chilli and get a free vegetarian 3 bean and corn chilli free
• Butlers Chocolate Café - Complimentary smartie cookie and baby hot chocolate with any other purchase
• Ooze - complimentary ice cream with every kids meal purchased with a main meal
For more details and updates on Summer 2011 at Westfield London, visit westfield.com/london/summer/

* Kids Eat For Free voucher can only be redeemed in Westfield London at specified restaurants from 23 July – 4 September 2011. Restrictions may apply. Refer to individual retailers for details.

** Brochures are available at any Westfield London concierge desk.

Centre opening hours (individual store opening hours may vary)

Mon-Wed 10am – 9pm
Thurs-Fri 10am – 10pm
Saturday 9am – 9pm
Sunday 12 noon – 6pm
Bank Holiday Monday 10am – 9pm

Restaurants on The Southern Terrace are open until midnight on Monday to Saturday and 11pm on Sunday. Extended restaurant opening hours on weekends.

TIME FOR SOME SUMMER RAZZLE DAZZLE WITH THE NATIONAL TRUST

The National Trust has perfect summer entertainment on offer in some of the most enchanting locations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Enjoy Shakespeare’s plays performed in the grounds of a country manor; relax to the rhythms of live jazz on a rolling lawn; let the tales of Roald Dahl bring a smile in the grounds of a ruined castle, or join a spectacular open air music concert as the sun sets.

Invite friends and family, pack the rugs and blankets, load up the picnic hamper, and then kick back, relax and enjoy outdoor theatre and music with the National Trust.

Make it a night to remember with one of these summer showtime events:

Speke Hall, Liverpool
The Canterbury Tales, 20 July 6pm for 7pm start
The Pantaloons present an open air production of Chaucer’s famous tales set against the stunning backdrop of 16th century Speke Hall.
Adult £14, Child £7.
Booking is essential on 0151 427 7231.

Basildon Park, Berkshire
Wind in the Willows and children's workshops, 23 July 6pm – 8pm
Enjoy outdoor theatre of this classic tale with a backdrop of glorious parkland and an impressive Georgian mansion. There will be a preliminary 45-minute workshop for children to learn songs from the show.
Adult £12, Child £8 or £10 with workshop
Booking is essential for this event, please call 0844 249 1895.

Brownsea Island, Dorset
Julius Caesar, 27 & 29 July, 1, 3, 5, 8, 10 & 12 August 7.30pm – 10.30pm
Enjoy a night at the theatre and picnics on Church Field. Brownsea Open Air Theatre presents Julius Caesar.
All tickets £19.
Booking is essential on 01202 251987.

Greys Court, Oxfordshire
Music and Moonlight, 30 July 7pm – 10pm
Bring a picnic, put on your glad-rags and enjoy a variety of live music in the gardens.
All tickets £15
Booking is essential for this event, please call 0844 249 1895
Booking is essential on 0844 249 1895.

Peckover house and garden, Cambridgeshire
Music for a summer evening, 30 July 7.30pm
Bring rugs, chairs and a picnic and relax outside on the croquet lawn while the Soft Tone Needles provide an evening of summer music.
Advance tickets: Adult £12, child £8. On the door (if available): £15/£12.
Booking advisable.
For more information please call 01945 583463.

Ickworth House, Park and Gardens, Suffolk
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 31 July 7pm – 9.30pm (picnic from 5.30pm)
Join the Lord Chamberlain’s Men for an evening of classic Shakespeare comedy - combining magic, mayhem and humour. Performed in true Shakespearian style with an all-male cast. Please bring a picnic.
Adult 17, Child under 17 £10 (includes park and garden admission).
Booking is essential, please call 01284 769505.

Smallhythe Place, Kent
The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare, 4 August 7pm – 9.30pm
The Hazlitt Arts Centre and Changeling Theatre Company are thrilled to be bringing their Summer Tour of The Comedy of Errors to Smallhythe Place. The Company have been producing touring Shakespeare for ten years and are renowned for the accessible and quirky productions that have been entertaining audiences throughout Kent and the South East.
Adult £16, Child £8.
Booking is essential on 08442491895.

Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire
Fantastic Mr Fox, 6 August 6.30pm – 8pm
Illyria present Roald Dahl's superb children's classic with a backdrop of Clumber’s beautiful parkland. All Mr Fox wants is to feed his family, and fortunately farmers Boggis, Bunce and Bean (one short, one fat, one lean) have plenty of chickens, geese and ducks. But the farmers are the cruellest, meanest and most ruthless men you could ever meet, and they are determined to put a stop to Mr Fox once and for all.
Adult £13, Child £8, Family £34 (2 adults, 3 children age 5 – 16).
Booking is essential on 01909 544917.

Hughenden Manor, Buckinghamshire
The Taming of the Shrew, 6 August 7pm - 9.30pm
Shakespeare’s comedy performed by Heartbreak Theatre. Join Hughenden as it follows the tricky and tempestuous path of Kate and Petruchio's relationship - will she become the obedient wife, or not? A theatrical treat for all ages, in the beautiful setting of Hughenden Manor's formal garden.
Adult £16, Child £12
Booking is essential for this event, please call 0844 249 1895

Tyntesfield, North Somerset
A Midsummer Night's Dream, 6-7 August 7.30pm – 11pm
Young lovers. An oppressive father. A forced marriage. A troupe of grandiose amateur players. Add into this mixture an enchanted forest, a fairy king and queen and a mischievous sprite and it’s a recipe for a comedy so charming, so hilarious and so utterly enchanting that it has been delighting audiences for hundreds of years! There are two chances to see this outdoor production of Shakespeare's magical comedy by the Lord Chamberlain's Men on this extraordinary Victorian estate.
Adult £15, Child £8.
Booking is essential on 0844 249 1895.

Treasurer's House, North Yorkshire
Peter Pan and Dinner, 9 August 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Start a magical evening with the family and enjoy dinner in the transformed tearoom of the house, followed by a performance of Peter Pan at York Theatre Royal. The enchanting story of the boy who refuses to grow up is given sparkle and soul in this new adaptation which promises to be fun for all the family.
Adult £25, Child £25, Family £73. (inc. theatre tickets, dinner and a drink)
Booking is essential on 01904 624247.

Morden Hall Park, London
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 18 August 6pm - 10pm
A tranquil oasis in suburbia, enjoy a performance by the Lord Chamberlain's Men in the beautiful rose garden.
Adult £16, Child £12.
Booking is essential for this event, please call 0844 249 1895.

Corfe Castle, Dorset
Open Air Theatre - The Pirates of Penzance, 17 August 7.30pm – 10.15pm
What an evening, what a setting. Illyria presents Gilbert and Sullivan's most popular comic opera about an apprentice pirate. The show is packed with laughter, romance and a galleon-full of memorable songs such as 'I am a Pirate King!', 'Modern Major General' and 'A Policeman's Lot is Not a Happy One'. This wonderful operetta gets the complete Illyria treatment, all in the most romantic of settings at Corfe Castle.
Adult £19, Child £10.
Booking is essential on 0844 249 1895. There is a booking fee of £1.95.

Open Air Theatre - Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl, 18 August 7.30pm – 9.30pm
In 2010, Illyria was the first UK open-air touring company to be granted permission to perform the work of Roald Dahl. They are back again at the castle with an even bigger Dahl classic. All Mr Fox wants from life is to feed his family, and fortunately farmers Boggis, Bunce and Bean have an ample supply of chickens, geese and ducks. Illyria will provide an excellent evening of family entertainment in the magical setting of this ruined castle.
Adult £15, Child £8.
Booking is essential on 0844 249 1895. There is a booking fee of £1.95.

FAMILY FUN WHATEVER THE WEATHER AT THE MARITIME MUSEUM

The school holidays will soon be upon us and one thing that’s guaranteed is that the weather will be as unpredictable as ever. But fear not, the Maritime Museum in Falmouth, has the perfect solution for keeping the kids entertained come rain or shine.

As well as fifteen galleries of hands-on history to explore, from the 23 July to the 4 September the Maritime Museum has a superb selection of activities, trails and storytelling events.

From pirates to polar explorers every week has a different theme and every day there’s a different creative craft activity. Plus at the weekends there’s your chance to build a garbage galleon with the Scrapheap Challenge. Will your boat sink or float?

You can also go crabbing every day from 23 July to 4 September. The Museum will give you the line, bait and bucket – and even do the messy bits! Weather permitting half-hour crabbing sessions take place between 10.30am-3.30pm and costs just 50p.

And Thursday’s throughout the school holidays sees the return of Douglas Dapper, the Story Explorer. Using exhibits and artefacts, in a variety of new and imaginative ways, Douglas will be stirring up a storm as he leads you around the Museum to discover an exciting collection of stories from across the world.

All of these amazing activities, trails and storytelling sessions are free with your Museum ticket and best of all when you pay once to visit Cornwall’s award winning all-weather attraction you can return as many times as you like for a whole year.

For more information on opening times and admission prices visit www.nmmc.co.uk or call 01326 313388.

Please Note: ?All information is supplied to us by the individual organizations, or agencies acting on their behalf. The views and opinions expressed by the individual companies, agencies and other contributors are theirs alone and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Hot Brands Cool Places. Inclusion in a news item does not imply endorsement by Hot Brands Cool Places. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that all information is accurate, it may be subject to change. Please check with individual organizations for the latest information about all events, products, promotions, or news items. Recipes have not been tested by Hot Brands Cool Places. Hot Brands Cool Places does not accept responsibility for the content of any external site.

Spotlight on Homes & Gardens

The Natural Flooring CompanyThe Natural Flooring Company
The Natural Flooring Company are a small family business who have been established for over 20 years bringing extensive experience in the supply and installation of quality natural flooring.
Read more...

Spotlight on Pure Luxury

Cocoon UCOCOONU ORGANIC
CocoonU are an established luxury, ethical and organic brand. CocoonU Organic offers sustainable, natural, chic products for all seasons and for all the family.
Read more...