Review: Ampersand Hotel Kids’ Sci-Fi Afternoon Tea

Winner of Best Themed Afternoon Tea in 2018, the Ampersand Hotel Science Afternoon Tea is an absolute treat for both adults and children alike. This 5 star hotel is located in South Kensington just a few minutes walk from the station. Their inventive afternoon tea menu plays on the location close to the Natural History and Science Museum in London. 

Kids’ Sci-Fi Afternoon Tea



The science theme features special touches such as digging for chocolate dinosaur fossils, creating your own special potions, planets in the form of chocolate mousse, and it’s all served on a rocket-shaped stand with dry ice shooting out the bottom. It’s an absolute treat for the eyes and the tummy.

The Drawing Rooms located inside the Ampersand Hotel are a mix of French bistro meets British style with comfortable sofas, red leather chairs and cafe style tables. It’s luxe without being pretentious or over the top. We had the place almost entirely to ourselves when we visited on a Friday afternoon with just one other table occupied.

The waiter was very attentive and patient with my son, interactive and engaging him in conversation about each element of the afternoon tea.

Children receive their choice of hot chocolate or juice. My son chose hot chocolate which comes in the form of warm milk in a space themed mug and and an astronaut shaped chocolate lolly. There are many interactive bits to this themed afternoon tea and this is just the first step. Children stir the chocolate shaped lolly into the warm milk and create their own hot chocolate drink.

Making hot chocolate, Ampersand Hotel

After drinks were served we eagerly awaited the main course, a beautiful 3 tier rocket stand loaded with delicious treats. On the first level you have three sandwiches – jam, a rocket shaped cheese straw, and a hot dog served on brioche bun.

Rocket shaped cheese straw

The second level features two scones – one plain and one white chocolate flavour with cream, jam and lemon curd. Ours were a little crunchy, perhaps a tad overdone, but still tasty. The third level features jelly served in a petri dish, a chocolate lollipop with DIY sprinkles and the piece de resistance – a gorgeous chocolate mousse shaped planet with the rings of Saturn. It’s really a piece of art!

In addition to the rocket stand full of treats, you are also served a box of chocolate “dinosaur fossils” and a special chemistry set to whip up your own magical potion of fruit juice. For some reason ours did not fizz as it was supposed to, but it was still an absolute highlight of the afternoon for my son and he wanted to mix everything at the table after that! You can check our instagram @hillingdomama for videos of our visit.

We absolutely loved our experience of the Sci-Fi Afternoon Tea at Ampersand Hotel. It is served Tuesday – Sunday 1pm – 5:30pm. For the month of October they are offering 50% off during the week, excluding half term. Prices start at £31.50 for children. There are vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options available. For adults, I would highly recommend the Science Teapot Tails which features a flight of three magical cocktails. The afternoon tea at Ampersand Hotel is certainly a firm family favourite of ours and we’d highly recommend it for all!

Space treats, Sci-Fi Afternoon Tea

Peppa Pig Afternoon Tea with Brigit’s Bakery

We were kindly gifted tickets to the Peppa Pig Afternoon Tea Bus Tour with Brigit’s Bakery in exchange for a review. The Peppa Pig Afternoon Tea launched in London on 13th August and runs weekly from Thursday to Sunday each week. Currently bookings are available until the end of October and are released on a monthly basis for two months in advance. You can book directly from the website linked above.

Peppa Pig Afternoon Tea

The tour bus departs from Somerset House at 12.15 and 14.45. There are 12 tables on board the bus and prices start at £45 per adult.

The super special Peppa Pig themed afternoon tea menu is a treat for both kids and adults with a variety of options including Peppa Pig cookie shortbread, Daddy Pig’s mini pizzas, Mummy Pig’s strawberry macaron and my personal favourite, George’s seasonal fruit tart. In the middle of the tour you are also offered warm scones with clotted cream and jam. Having them served warm was such a nice touch!

Peppa Pig Afternoon Tea Bus Tour

All of the food was beautifully prepared and presented. This is not typical kiddie food, it was truly enjoyable to eat. Refills are available and readily offered by the staff on board. You can also take these home with you to enjoy later. Each child and adult receives a reusable Peppa Pig cup with options of water, juice, tea or coffee. There are vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free food options available (to be requested in advance when booking) and the chicken is halal. The vegan and gluten free options are an additional £3 per person.

Peppa Pig Afternoon Tea Bus Tour

As you enjoy the afternoon tea treats you will also take in a guided tour featuring the interactive screens and clips of various Peppa Pig episodes. You will see the best views of Central London including Trafalgar Square, Tower Bridge, London Eye, Big Ben, Borough Market and more! It’s a feast for your eyes as well as your belly. Get ready for lots of singing, led by the host on board, and if your child is anything like mine they will be very excited for this part!

Trafalgar Square

Hand sanitiser is provided before each guests boards the bus. Over 11 must wear masks when boarding and exiting (not required at tables when seated) and tables are boarded from back and exited from the front to maintain distance. Staff wear masks and gloves for the whole journey. The entire team was very friendly and attentive on board with lots of interaction for kids.

The full tour lasted about 90 minutes, which was the perfect time for my 3 year old. Children must be 2 and older to attend and you are not allowed off the bus for any reason. If your child isn’t very good at sitting still I’d recommend to wait until they’re older as the tables are small and you aren’t allowed to get up from your seats. Changing facilities and a toilet are available for children, but it’s highly recommend to change little ones or use toilets before boarding.

Many people have asked, “is it worth it?” I 100% say yes! There is no skimping on quality or detail. It’s a truly special and unique experience, definitely a must-do for Peppa Pig lovers. This would be perfect for a birthday or holiday treat. I am sure you and your children will love it just as much as we did!

Family Day Out: Odds Farm Park (Buckinghamshire)

We recently had a brilliant day at Odds Farm Park so let me tell you all about it! We were kindly given tickets in exchange for a review.

Odds Farm is located in High Wycombe, Buckinhamshire and provides activities for the whole family. You’ll find cows, goats, sheep, ponies and pigs. We were lucky enough to see the 6 day old piglets and Cornflake the new calf. The animals are dotted throughout the farm with plenty of space to wander while you roam about and play.

Upon entering the farm you will see a large play area with sand pit, but don’t forget to wander farther down the path as you will find additional play areas and an amazing splash pad! It was such a warm and lovely day when we visited, the water play was a great area to cool off.

When you enter the main entrance you are also offered the chance to purchase feed for the goats and sheep. I’d really recommend to do this as it’s fun for kids to experience and their tongues are so tickly!

There are tractor trailer rides every hour on the hour. This gives you a little tour of the farm and a chance to see all the new animals. It lasts about 15 minutes and they do keep groups together in the seating areas to maintain social distance.

A few activities are closed such as the indoor soft play and the outdoor maze, but it really didn’t feel like anything was missing. We spent about 4 hours at the farm and my son would have stayed until closing if we let him.

Odds Farm have put several safety measures in place due to the Covid-19 situation. They have numerous hand washing stations throughout the premises and hand santiser at every activity. There is clear markings in the walkways to ensure one way systems.

If you would like to order hot food you must download the app and place your order online. We had a vegan burger and quiche, both with chips and salad for about £15. When you collect your hot food from the Tea Room you must wear a mask indoors. You must also wear a mask if browsing in the gift shop. There is an ice cream parlour near the main entrance and a further refreshment stand near the water play area, neither of these require advance ordering or face masks.

I also have to mention the bathrooms because they were probably the cleanest bathrooms we have seen in a public space! Well done to Odds Farm for being so thorough with cleaning.

Tickets are £13.95 for children 2-16 and adults. Under 2 are free. You must book your tickets online in advance for a timed entry. Parking is also included in the ticket price.

It’s one of those places that the whole family will enjoy. So, if you’re looking for a day out on the farm; head to Odds in High Wycombe.

Boscombe Beach (Bournemouth)

Last week my husband and I took the week off for a bit of a staycation. I have to say it was the best idea and we had so many lovely days out. One of our best days was Boscombe Beach in Bournemouth. We usually go to the main seafront in Bournemouth every year, it’s a firm family favourite, but this time we ventured a bit farther down the road to Boscombe Beach which was brilliant for families.

Originally a traditional 1950’s style resort, Boscombe is an award-winning seafront with activities such as table tennis and volleyball, ice cream and takeaway food options, toilets with baby change and shower facilities. When you enter the beach from Sea Drive you will find Boscombe Promenade to your left and Undercliff Drive to your right. We settled near the Undercliff Drive side as there was an outdoor shower, toilet facilities and food options within 50m. Beach guests can BBQ after 6pm, so this is also an option if you don’t want to purchase food.

From May to September there are lifeguards on duty which should make those with little ones feel safe. It really was a majority of young families at the beach and people stayed within their own space to comply with social distancing. We find the vibe on the main seafront of Bournemouth to be much more of a party atmosphere, whereas Boscombe was much more family focused and I think this also helped with the social distancing aspect. Until 12:30 it was fairly quiet, but did get busier in the afternoon.

There is parking located directly next to the pier for £7/day, but it fills up quickly. We arrived around 9:30 on a Friday and it was already completely full. We managed to find a car park about 800m away on Hawkwood Road which was slightly cheaper. You could also try your luck by heading west of the pier along the promenade or surrounding streets for closer parking, but the streets were full when we arrived.

I’d really recommend this beach for families. With the amenities, white sand and nearby beach activities there is something for everyone. What is your favourite UK beach?

Family Day Out: Audley End Miniature Railway (Essex)

We were kindly provided entry tickets to Audley End Miniature Railway in Essex. After seeing all of the beautiful photos of the train ride through the magical forest, the fairies and elves, and a fantastic play area – what’s not to love?

When you first arrive you are whisked away on a railway adventure through the forest to see all the teddy bears having tea. Keep your eyes peeled, because you may even spot a unicorn or a dragon! The train ride lasts approximately 15 minutes. Each carriage is wiped down between rides and perspex glass is in between each group to maintain social distancing.

After the train ride you are welcomed by the elves and provided with an arts & craft activity to make your own wand. I personally thought the wand activity could have been a bit better. It was just a few pipe cleaners and some feathers in a bag. Not a deal breaker, but kind of a waste. You can also choose to just take the materials with you and continue through to the Fairy and Elf Walk. As you walk you will discover the tiny Fairies and Elves that live in handmade wooden Tree Houses dotted throughout the forest. The walk is self led and easy to follow. The displays are ornately detailed and really beautiful, there’s a few interactive bits along the way and a booklet to help you spot the elves and fairies. Don’t forget to place your wish on the wishing wall!

Upon finishing the walk you will find yourself near the stage where you can partake in an interactive storytelling session. We unfortunately missed this part as my little boy had spied the play area by then and nothing else could persuade him. I could see a dragon and a unicorn, so I’m sure young children would enjoy this very much! Next to the stage you will find a large grassy area with lawn games such as bean bag and ring toss. My 3 year old really enjoyed these and there’s plenty of space to spread out, along with picnic tables to have your lunch while you play.

Last, but certainly not least – there’s a brand new wooden play area. There’s a large wooden train, little houses, a climbing wall, jumping area, a wobbly bridge and a few slides. It’s a really great play space and does get busy. We found it quieted down around 3:30pm and the railway is open until 5:30pm so that still gives plenty of time to play.

Tickets are £12.50. Children under 92cm are £6.25 and under 1 is free. You must book a timed entry online. Parking is also included in the ticket price and located a short walk nearby. For some reason our confirmation email said the walk was 20-30 minutes, but it is really only a 5 minute walk from the overflow area.

If you want to make it a full day out in Essex, you can also check out Audley House just across the road. Unfortunately it was closed the day we visited, but it looks beautiful.

Overall, it’s a magical fairy experience with lots of activities to keep little ones entertained!

Review: Didcot Park Railway Centre

By now you should know my 3 year old is transport obsessed. We usually travel abroad numerous times a year and he’s definitely a London boy who loves trains and buses. After several months in lockdown and no public transport, he’s been asking repeatedly to ride a train.

I came across the Didcot Park Railway Centre when searching a few insta mum pages and knew he would love it! The railway centre is located about 50 miles from Hillingdon in Oxfordshire. It is a 21 acre museum dedicated to the Great Western Railway. You can also reach the area via train from Paddington station in London.

Didcot Park Railway Centre

Upon arrival you will find a variety of sights including a coal stage, an engine shed, locomotive turntable, numerous carriages on display (some which you can board and explore), a lovely wooden play area and a real live steam train which you can ride as many times as you like.

There are toilets and baby change facilities, hand sanitiser throughout the premises, a small museum, gift shop and basic cafe – but I’d really recommend to bring your own picnic. There’s plenty of wide open space to comply with social distancing and explore as much as you like.

Didcot Park Railway Centre

A family ticket (2 adults & 2 children) is £36. Under 3s are free. All tickets must be booked online in advance and the steam train runs on Wednesday and weekends. When riding the steam train each group rides in their own compartment to comply with social distancing.

Didcot Park Railway Centre play area

One thing to note is that entry for the railway centre is through the entrance of Didcot Park Station. Simply show your e-ticket to the rail staff and they’ll allow you through the barriers. Follow the walking path to the marked tunnel, up the stairs and into the railway centre. Parking is located opposite the station and costs £2.25 for all day. If you have a train lover, this won’t disappoint!

Review: Royal Airforce Museum London

With the unpredictable weather of London, I always like having a few indoor places to keep in mind when we need a day out. With social distancing on everyone’s mind, the more space and less crowded the better. Cue the RAF Museum in North London!

RAF Museum London

With 6 hangars full of airplanes, helicopters, floating boats and fighter jets; there’s plenty to see at the RAF Museum. Even if you’re not the biggest fan of such vehicles, the size and variety is impressive. Throughout the hangars you will find various interactive points and opportunities for photo shoots. Unfortunately, but completely understandably, you aren’t able to enter any of the displays currently due to Covid-19.

RAF Museum London outdoor play area

In addition to the hangars, you will find a brilliant outdoor play area which is worth the visit alone. You’ll find every type of vehicle perfect for little ones to climb and partake in imaginative play. The play area is appropriate for 12 and under. My 3 year old would have spent hours there if the weather had been better and you can see my husband also enjoyed himself.

RAF Museum London

Most surprisingly, the RAF Museum is absolutely free! We spent about 2 hours there just wandering the hangars and having some play time, but on a good weather day you could easily spend an entire day. They are well equipped for the Covid-19 situation with ample hand sanitiser stations, floors clearly marked, wide spaces for social distancing and certain rules in place such as masks must be worn in the cafe and gift shop.

There are several clean toilet facilities and baby change areas. Wide green space for a picnic or you can purchase sandwiches, salads, cakes and hot drinks in the cafe. There are many picnic tables provided near the cafe area and a small covered table area if it rains. Parking is £4.50 for 3 hours or if you’re willing to walk a bit you can find free parking on nearby streets. You must book a time slot on their website for timed entry, they are open Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm with last entry at 4:30pm.

Overall, we really enjoyed our time there. My son has been telling everyone about the airplanes and we’d definitely come back for the play area! Have you visited the RAF Museum? Let us know what you think!

Review: Jungle Monkeyz Adventure in Pinner

We were kindly invited to explore the Mayan jungles with Jungle Monkeyz Adventure in Pinner and I can’t wait to tell you all about it!The Jungle Monkeyz Adventure takes you on a two hour interactive journey with your Jungle Guide. The aim of the adventure is to help Alex the Monkey and his dad recover the seven gems of virtue which were stolen by the naughty monkey. As you move deeper into the jungle you’ll crawl through caves of mystery, cross the rickety rope bridge over crocodile infested waters, meet a giant gorilla and discover sea creatures beneath the sands of time.It’s truly a one – of – a – kind experience! You will never find another adventure like this in all of London. In addition to the jungle adventure, children learn about animals, plants, conservation and the importance of recycling. Attributes such as kindness, bravery and love are woven throughout the story. The guide is very interactive and there’s activity breaks along the way to explore the crawly caves, colour your own sea creature, dig for treasure, listen to a story from a magical talking tree and even say hello to Zogo (a 7 foot silverback gorilla!).Around the halfway point in the journey you can stop for a bite to eat in the cafe which serves both hot and cold food and a variety of snacks and drinks to suit everyone’s tastebuds. You will be offered a menu before you begin your journey to place your order and ensure your food is fresh and ready when you enter the cafe.This activity is perfect for a family day out and the venue is well prepared for social distancing. Guides and management wear face shields or masks. Hand sanitiser is provided and regularly used by all guests and guides throughout the interactive journey. Entry must be pre-booked online and is only for families within the same household or your chosen bubble. There are markings along the floor throughout the jungle to ensure social distancing between guests and the guide. The entire premise is very clean and we had absolutely no concerns throughout our visit.Jungle Monkeyz Adventure is recommended for ages 2-8 and they are open Monday – Friday 10am – 7pm and Saturday/Sunday 11am – 6pm. The details throughout the adventure are truly special and it is such a hidden gem in North London. For those local to the area, you may also know that Jungle Monkeyz has a soft play. Unfortunately at this time, due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation, the soft play is closed. We highly recommend you check out the Adventure and continue to support this fantastic local business.Leave us a comment and let us know if you’ll be visiting Jungle Monkeyz Adventure!

Review: Tiffany’s Blue Box Cafe at Harrods

Breakfast at Tiffany’s is possible, my friends, and can be yours for £39. The Blue Box Cafe located on Harrods Lower Ground is the only Tiffany & Co cafe located outside of Fifth Avenue, New York. Currently the flagship location in NYC is closed for renovations until 2021, but was the most booked restaurant in 2019, so make your way to London quick.

How to Get There: 

The entrance to the Blue Box Cafe is a little tricky to find and is separate to the main entrance of Harrods, this is especially important if you have a morning reservation before Harrods opens.  Make your way to Hans Crescent Road and look for Laduree. You will find the Blue Box Cafe entrance shortly nearby. Look for the infamous robin’s egg-blue plant pots and awning. If you arrive when Harrods is open, you can also enter through their main entrance and take the lifts to the Lower Ground. Upon entering the doors on Hans Crescent you will make your way down two sets of dimly lit stairs and find yourself inside a room filled with Tiffany’s blue. The cafe is designed to resemble the inside of a Tiffany’s jewellery box.

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What’s it like inside? 

The Blue Box Cafe is intimate, with approximately 10 tables, and is currently accepting reservations until August 2nd 2020. The tables are spaced out just so to allow for social distancing and the staff were excellent, very welcoming and timely with the service. Reservations are recommended, though a small availability for walk-ins can be accommodated on a first-come, first-serve basis.

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How about the food?

Your menu choices include breakfast, afternoon tea or dinner and drinks. We opted for breakfast without champagne which was priced at £39. I feel this is a reasonable price for such an experience and would really recommend the breakfast to anyone visiting. The food was also beautifully presented and tasted delicious.  The fruit bowl was light and fresh with the mint-lime syrup and my Eggs Florentine were perfectly seasoned.  I often feel that places like this can be a disappointment when it comes to the food, but I really enjoyed everything I ate.  There is no detail overlooked with everything being Tiffany’s.  From the tea cup and saucer to glassware and salt and pepper shakers. It’s all Tiffany’s and the tableware alone probably costs more than your car.

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What about Coronoavirus?

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation, the toilets in the cafe are not available, but there are nearby options available in Harrods which the staff will happily point you to in the right direction.  We were not required to wear a mask and hand santiser is available at the main entrance and as you enter the cafe.

 

Is it family friendly?

Yes, I know people who have visited with their children and they do provide a lovely colouring set, however it’s a small space and I preferred to visit without my 3 year old so I could actually have a conversation with my friend and enjoy the food.  I didn’t see any others with children during my visit, so this may be something to keep in mind.  I do think the staff would be welcoming, but if you have a little one who struggles to sit still I would say to leave them at home.

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Would I recommend?

Overall, I’d definitely recommend a visit to the Tiffany’s Blue Box Cafe at Harrods. It’s perfect for a special occasion or just celebrating life. Have you been? Let me know if you plan to visit!

 

Lightopia Festival 2020

Lightopia is an immersive lantern and light festival, now running in its sixth year and the first of its kind in the UK and Europe. We were kindly invited to a sneak preview of the festival, which is simply stunning. Inside the lovely grounds of Chiswick House & Gardens you will find unique interactive and immersive lights, lanterns, and an incredible 3D mapping projection on Chiswick House.

Lightopia

There are six key interactive installations, all united with the theme of harmony. The installations include, The Love Gate, Tree of Life, Elysian Field, Flower Hand, The Flower Road, Happy Valley and more.

Lightopia is now open and runs every evening, Wednesday – Sunday, from 5-10pm (last entry at 8:30pm)until 1st March 2020. Tickets in advance are £20 for adults and £13 for children. Under 3 is free. At time of publishing, Time Out is currently offering 30% off until 29th February. You can also find discounted tickets around £12 on the wowcher website.

Lightopia 2

People have asked if the ticket price is warranted and I do believe it is as you will also have live entertainment, acrobatic performances and local musicians included in the ticket. Additionally, there are a few fun fair rides and several types of refreshments available to purchase on the night. Make sure you bring cash for these as some of the food stalls did not have card machines and fun fair rides are cash only.

Parking is not available on the grounds except for disabled badge holders, but free parking can be found on the surrounding side streets. The trail is buggy friendly, though can be bumpy at times. I suggest to arrive early and wrap up warm! We spent about 2 hours there and felt it was an ample amount of time to enjoy everything. It is truly a magical experience for the whole family.

Let me know what you think! Will you visit or have you been to the Lightopia Festival before?