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Vanessa

Family Fun in the Sun: What’s on in London

London is a great place to take the kids, especially in the summer. If your main aim is London sightseeing, then you’re in luck, as the city is so much nicer when the sun is out. What’s more, there are things to do around every corner. More often than not you’ll end up home after a day out having seen far more than you ever anticipated, so make sure you’ve got comfy shoes on because you won’t be going back to your hotel anytime soon... There is so much to do in London in the summer; from food festivals to pop up cinemas, street-side stalls and man-made beaches, it’s the perfect time to take your family and learn about the historic capital. So if you’ve got little ones to entertain, or teenagers to keep from boredom, why not try out some of London's best family events at the same time as squeezing in some London sightseeing. It might actually keep everyone happy! Barefoot Walking Trails at Kew Gardens Kew Gardens is a must-visit when you’re in London, particularly when the sun is shining. With 121 hectares to its name it’s bursting with exotic species, woodland, manicured lawns and even art galleries. So it’s the perfect destination for a family visiting London. One of the best experiences in Kew Gardens in the summer is the Barefoot Walking Trails. From the 27th May until the 7th September, explore the world of Plantasia at Kew and take part in a variety of activities from Thai Chi to plant croquet. Our favourite is the Barefoot Walking Trail, where you slip off your shoes and explore the gardens through your feet. Ground yourself and be inspired by nature – a great way to be ‘at one’ with the world around you, and the kids will love it! Any excuse to get muddy... Make sure you bring your own towels though. Tour de France Fan Parks The Tour de France kicks off on the 5th-7th July and you can catch the warm up to the big event in a number of Fan Parks dotted around London. Green Park and Trafalgar Square are kicking off the proceedings that first weekend, with Canary Wharf to close on the 24th–27th July. Whether you’re into the sport or not, it’s a great atmosphere and a unique experience with huge mounted screens and stages following the race from start to finish. Admission is free, so there’s no excuse, but you can even buy VIP packages for an enhanced experience. Green Park is the perfect place to sit back and enjoy some of the action en famille, with Buckingham Palace as a backdrop and St James Palace just around the corner. Trafalgar Square is another great option for a more central celebration, or if you fancy visiting the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery, afterwards. Canary Wharf will pull out all the stops to finish with food stalls, photo exhibitions, pop up shops and even the odd celebrity sighting for teenagers 'in the know'. Hampton Court Flower Show Hampton Court Flower Show is the perfect place for mums – so kids, if you’re reading, bear that in mind. A great family day out, Hampton Court is entertaining, education and exciting. Boasting a maze, vineyard, palace and the largest Tudor kitchen in the country there is history oozing out of its very core. Hampton Court Flower Show runs from the 8th-13th July and this year, at the 2014 show, you can see the Ocean Spray Garden feature; a celebration of Britain in bloom over the past 50 years; an invisible garden of microscopic biology; inspiring sculptures and much, much more. If you’re worried about the kids, there is plenty to keep them entertained – plus, you can even bring a picnic and relax on one the lawns or tuck into a delicious food stall serving everything from hog roast to veggie bites. London is a great place to explore during the summer months, so for something a bit different why not think outside the box. London sightseeing is a given but take your trip to another level and get involved with some local London events and make your trip a once in a lifetime experience. Treat the family to something new and exciting, and we promise you won't be disappointed!

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