And just like that – we’re already mid-way through October and settling into autumn (whether or not we like it). With that, soon comes the arrival of the half-term break (from Friday 22 October) and the sometimes impossible task of keeping your children entertained for seven (!) days straight. So, we’ve rounded up some of the events and activities to check out in London and the UK for the second half of this month. <br> <br>
Kew Garden’s Gruffalo tour – south west London
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Kew Gardens in Twickenham is renowned as London’s very own wild botanical paradise, appealing to adults and children alike. This October, the latter is in for a treat – with the arrival of <a href="https://www.kew.org/kew-gardens/whats-on/the-gruffalos-child-october-half-term" target="_blank">‘The Gruffalo’s Child’</a>. A household staple during kids’ playtimes, the best-selling sequel to the rhyming storybook about a monster is set to come alive in the form of an enchanting trail through the iconic arboretum.
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Along the way, and with help, your little ones will decode the clues to help track down and encounter their much-loved characters from author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler’s book. From Fox, Owl, and Snake, to the Gruffalo, the eponymous Gruffalo’s Child, and the Big Bad Mouse, there’s someone to suit every explorer. <a href="https://www.kew.org/kew-gardens/whats-on/the-gruffalos-child-october-half-term" target="_blank">Tickets</a> cost £17.50 for adults and £5 for children.
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Plus, as a part of your family-friendly adventure, young visitors can explore Kew Gardens’ wildlife and natural landscapes – now adorned with striking autumnal foliage. And while there, don’t miss out on the chance to learn about seasonal produce in Kew’s Kitchen Garden. Expect to see a harvest of carrots, pumpkins, and beetroots!
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Artistic autumn adventures at Emmett’s Garden, Kent
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The current season sees the <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/emmetts-garden/features/half-term-at-emmetts-garden-2021" target="_blank">National Trust’s Emmett’s Garden</a> transform into an autumnal, hillside wonderland – awash with colours of fiery red, burnt orange, and ambers. Making it ideal to play host to a wild artistic adventure, which will run daily between 10am and 4pm from Saturday 16 October through to Sunday 31 October (aka <a href="https://www.caxtonfx.com/travel-money/halloween-2021-uk-events-book-now" target="_blank">Halloween</a>!).
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While you and your young ones embark on meandering walk through the pathways and grounds of the garden, feel free to collect natural materials (including sticks and leaves) – to later use to create a leaf crown at one of the garden’s craft stations by the Tea Rooms.
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Head over to the Discovery Cabin, near which you’ll find an autumnal sculpture. Waiting to be decorated,
you’re all invited to add your own touch with the addition of any other materials picked up on your outdoor adventures. Suitable for children aged 3 to 15 years’ old, and pushchair-friendly, the <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/emmetts-garden/features/half-term-at-emmetts-garden-2021" target="_blank">woodland trail</a> is £2 while normal site admission also applies.
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Note: if Kent doesn’t take your fancy, check out the <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/october-half-term-events-and-activities" target="_blank">National Trust’s programme</a> of autumnal events across the UK.
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Dishoom Diwali 2021, east London
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Diwali is the Hindu festival of light, which celebrates the power of good over evil. Not limited to India alone, the Hindu diaspora the world over marks the occasion with grandeur and panache. A kaleidoscope of colours, brightly lit lamps known as a “diya”, and mesmerising songs to serenade the soul!
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And London - a melting pot of various faiths, cultures, and traditions - celebrates no differently. After a year and a half of muted celebrations amid the pandemic, the capital city is open again – and ready to welcome all. Indian restaurant <a href="https://www.dishoom.com/journal/diwali-at-dishoom-2021/" target="_blank">Dishoom</a> takes the lead to host its annual Diwali “partee”, quite aptly at a time where we look ahead with renewed hope and joy.
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The all-day event takes place on Thursday 28th October 2021, at 93 Fleet Street in the heart of the East End’s Brick Lane. Family-friendly daytime workshops run between 12pm and 4pm, and welcome children of all ages. <a href="https://www.tickettailor.com/events/dishoomevents/590878" target="_blank">Tickets cost</a> £5 for adults and £3 for kids, while under 2s are free! Say hi to storyteller Vayu Naidu, and let your little ones engross themselves in the magical history of Diwali – centred on Hindu gods Rama and Hanuman, plus Hindu goddess Sita. Your little ones are also bound to love the dance class, courtesy of Indian classical dance teachers from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/madhuriya.art.house/?hl=en" target="_blank">Madhuriya Art House</a>.
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If you want to return at 6pm for the evening entertainment, while the children leave with a homebound parent, you won’t be disappointed. <a href="https://www.tickettailor.com/events/dishoomevents/590878" target="_blank">Tickets will be on sale</a> for £12 – with the party serving up complimentary house masala chai (Indian spiced tea) and mithai (Indian sweets); the finest vegetarian fare (as Hindus tend to be vegetarian during festivals); and a curated line-up of live music, live art, and spoken art. And you can satiate your appetite throughout the night – purchase the special Diwali menu from Dishoom itself, or choose from an array of food and drink vendors.
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The Bear Grylls Adventure, Birmingham
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If your little ones are keen to push their limits amid some action-packed adventure, we may have the answer. Head over to the <a href="https://www.beargryllsadventure.com/tickets/activity-tickets/" target="_blank">Bear Grylls Adventure centre at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC)</a> in Birmingham, for a jam-packed series of indoor and outdoor activities – suitable for children aged 8 years and over. Visit the <a href="https://www.beargryllsadventure.com/tickets/activity-tickets/" target="_blank">organiser’s website</a> to pre-book your choice of 45 to 60-minute-long activities, and guarantee your space.
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From a skydiving simulated flight; to a free-roam high ropes obstacle course that stands 65ft tall, making it the highest of its kind in Europe; to training and briefing with adventure guides, before you’re ready to take on targets and test your aim with traditional archery bows and steel-tipped bows, there’s an experience to suit everyone. Note: And the adventure doesn’t stop there. If your young kids and teenagers want to up the ante and adrenaline, each activity grants them unlimited free access to the NEC’s Royal Marines-inspired assault course. Plus, you’re gifted a complimentary digital souvenir picture.
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You’re advised to arrive at the venue around half an hour, ahead of your first challenge’s start time – to allow for time to check in and get ready to kickstart the day’s experiences. <a href="https://www.beargryllsadventure.com/tickets/activity-tickets/" target="_blank">Ticket prices</a> vary by activity, but range from £25 to £125.
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Maximise the autumnal half-term fun – plan and book family-friendly activities using your <a href="https://www.caxtonfx.com/cards/currency-card" target="_blank">Caxton pre-paid currency card</a> here in the UK, and enjoy fee-free spending. <a href="_https://myaccount.caxtonfx.com/Account/login" target="_blank">Log into your account</a> to top up your card. Or learn more about how you can <a href="https://www.caxtonfx.com/cards" target="_blank">spend and save money</a>, when you <a href="https://myaccount.caxtonfx.com/Account/Register" target="_blank">register an account</a> with us.
