Family events at London’s top attractions
If you’re lacking inspiration and are wondering what to do in London with the family, then you’ve come to the right place – we’ve put together a list of the top events being held at some of London’s most popular attractions this spring. From flower arranging at Hampton Court Palace, to Twilight Tours at the Tower of London and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory mania at Kew Gardens – there’s something for everyone, so get exploring! Hampton Court Palace King Henry VIII’s famous palace, Hampton Court, will be staging a number of family-friendly events throughout spring, including Tiny Explorers until March 29th. The special workshops (aimed at infants to three years) allow little ones to discover fascinating stories about the palace through multi-sensory activities. There will be music, movement and messy play – perfect entertainment for energetic children. The events are held on selected Thursdays and Saturdays so ring ahead to double check. On Mothering Sunday (30th March) the palace will also be holding a special Florimania day, an annual extravaganza of flower displays, this year inspired by the Glorious Georges. Mothers will be able to discover the age of elegance through the flower-filled King’s State Apartments and also take part in flower arranging demonstrations daily at 11.30am, 1pm and 2pm. If you’re a chocoholic why not take the family to Hampton Court Palace for Easter to explore the Chocolate Kitchen – the only surviving royal chocolate making kitchen in the country, and housed in the Baroque Palace’s Fountain Court. Once catering for Kings William III, George I and George II, the new exhibit will recount the story of royal chocolate making and display the various ceramics, copper cooking equipment and bespoke chocolate serving silverware used in the process. There will also be live Georgian chocolate making sessions perfect for a chocolatey, family fun Easter! Tower of London Want to make your trip to the Tower of London that bit more memorable? Why not take the family on a historical adventure and step back in time with historical re-enactments. Until March 31st, the re-enactments will be held at The Medieval Palace and will take visitors back to the year 1306 – here they will get the chance to step into the private chambers of King Edward I. Lords, knights and ladies will also entertain the crowd with tales of courtly love and the dangers of siege warfare – the best way to get your kids engaged with a bit of history! Older kids will enjoy the spooky Twilight Tower Tours that will take them through the eerie historical fortress after dark, led by Yeoman Warders. Tour the gruesome sights like the Bloody Tower, Traitors’ Gate and the Scaffold Site while being told of the terrifying tales of prisoners past... Definitely an experience for the brave! Kew Gardens Roald Dahl is synonymous with family times and young children, so what better way to bring the stories alive than to experience them yourself? From April 5th to 21st, families can enjoy a range of chocolate-themed activities at Kew, based around the much-loved Roald Dahl story of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. There will be a number of arts and crafts workshops based around the four main Chocolate Factory rooms featured in the much loved book, from the Chocolate Room where kids can make their own Willy Wonka-inspired chocolate bar, to the Inventing Room where children can join Willy Wonka and his head Oompa-Loompa to create everlasting gobstoppers and hair toffee. There will also be opportunities to create a moving model of Willy Wonka and watch a short film from Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The New Musical. If you’re in London over Easter weekend, there will of course also be a traditional Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday April 20th, when kids will be able to forage for fairtrade and organic chocolate treats throughout the 121 hectares of lush gardens, as well as a range of fun fair activities like face painting and Willy Wonka style cream teas. Kensington Palace On Mothering Sunday, March 30th, Kensington Palace will be holding a special Georgian Tea Party with a range of themed activities taking place at the palace’s Orangery café. There will of course also be afternoon tea with all the traditional trimmings such as delicate finger sandwiches, crumbly scones with cream and jam and delectable sweet cakes and pastries. Mums may also like to visit the new Fashion Rules exhibit, featuring rare and exquisite dresses from HM Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Margaret and Diana, Princess of Wales. This is definitely one for the grown ups! The London Pass offers you entry into all of the above attractions for FREE, not to mention you can take advantage of fast track entry into Tower of London, Kensington Palace and Hampton Court Palace - giving you that VIP feel, saving both time and money. Discover more, here...