Overwhelmingly, we just want to see friends and family again without any restrictions, but here’s our more specific post-lockdown wish list.

Family wish list

Trip to the British Museum

Maria and Gabby are studying the Egyptians (Key stage 2), which they love. It would be great to see the museum’s vast Egyptian collection again. We also recently really enjoyed watching The Dig, so are keen to go and see the artefacts from the Sutton Hoo site.

Horse riding

The girls have wanted to go horse riding for a very long time. We had this planned last March for when we were visiting the Derbyshire Peak District. Sadly, the trip got cancelled (lockdown one). It’s very high up on the wish list.

Whitstable

This is one of our favourite seaside towns. We can’t wait to get back to visiting the coast and this will be one of our first destinations; crabbing, metal detecting, beach combing and great seafood. We had our first meal – after the so-called ‘Super Saturday’ relaxation of lockdown rules (July 4th) – at the brilliant The Lobster Shack.

Princess Diana Memorial Fountain

We had a great late summer’s day down here as part of Maria and Gabby’s birthday celebrations in 2019. The simple pleasure of splashing about in the water and grabbing an ice-cream.

Summer Holiday

We had a fantastic driving holiday last year and would love to repeat. It was amazing to stop in so many wonderful locations. I think it’s too risky to book lots of accommodation at this point. Instead I’ve nabbed some very cheap flights on EasyJet. If we can fly out come July, we’ll stay with family in Italy. If things look more positive in the run up, we’ll book accommodation in other parts of Liguria as well. I’m thinking Cinque Terre. We’ll see.

Visiting an antique shop

The girls love shiny things, curiosities and bargain hunting. We’ve had many visits to antique shops and this is something they can’t wait to resume. One of our favourites is The Hampton Court Emporium in East Molesey.

Mooch about London

Despite that, aside from Matt, we were all born in London and live just 15 miles outside, the capital still holds a fascinating appeal. We’d like a day visiting our favourite spots – including the church in Covent Garden where Matt and I got married (and where my mum is buried) -, taking a walk in a London park, strolling by the river, taking in a museum… I’d also like to take the girls to The View From the Shard to see all across London from up high. I fancy taking a tourist bus; as a Londoner it’s something I’ve never done.

Big Garden Party

A couple of years ago we had a big garden party and the kids absolutely loved it and still talk about it. We love entertaining and have missed socialising so much. We really want to do something on a big scale again for neighbours, friends and family. The girls want to get out the gymnastic equipment, have netball shoot outs and play badminton and other garden games with their friends. We love to feed people; we also need to have my dad on arrosticini duty – these were a huge hit last time.

Sleepover

The girls are desperate to have a sleepover at their friends’ or have friends over here. A simple pleasure that’s been denied for almost a year.

Bluebell Railway

Going on a steam train is quite magical in any case, but when you travel through 11 miles of wonderful countryside carpeted with 1000s of beautiful bluebells it’s something else. Fingers crossed it opens in time for the season. https://www.bluebell-railway.com/

Bowling

This is a perennial favourite (especially on a rainy day) so no surprise it’s on the wish list.

Sofia and my theatre trip

My eldest’s birthday is in December. For the last few years we’ve had a day out just the two of us along with her friend and friend’s mum: shopping, food and then The Rose Theatre. We missed out last year because of Covid; we’re already booked for December 2021!

Chessington World of Adventure

No explanation required!

Eating out

We all love eating out and it’s the focal point of most of our trips.

The girls unanimously said Flat Iron as their first port of call for a nice steak.

Then, in no particular order, as requested by the kids and ranging from inexpensive to Michelin star (!):

• Tozi in Victoria for cicchetti
• A banquet in China Town – spinny wheel in the middle of the table essential
• Galu (Mediterranean Bar & Grill) – our most local restaurant in Banstead, Surrey
• Haché – for a burger
• Locanda Locatelli – we were meant to go here on Mother’s Day 2020 but, you guessed it, it was cancelled
• Al Forno – family favourite in Kingston
• Cin Cin – an absolute gem in Hove, one of our favourite seaside towns.

Wish list just for the parents

Theatre

I’ve never seen Les Misérables at the theatre. After watching the film and the BBC series, we’d love to see it on stage.

Hotel stay

The kids have been bloomin’ amazing throughout this crazy period. However, it would be lovely to have a night or two away just the two of us.

Cinema

We’d like to see the postponed James Bond film No Time to Die. It’s currently scheduled for September 30th. I can’t remember the last thing we actually saw at the cinema.

Eating out

Minus the kids, Matt and I would like to have return visits to Restaurant Gordon Ramsay on Hospital Road and Trinity in Clapham. We also want to go to Al Boccon Di’ vino in Richmond. We have a reservation at another favourite (Sorrel) already in the bag for June.

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Entertaining the kids this half term

Bowling

Hollywood bowl is laying on lots of activities and prizes this February half term. Early birds bowling before 10am can get a 25% discount. Just enter the code ‘FEB2025’ at checkout.

Tenpin is offering two games of bowling and a burger meal for £8.70 for Juniors and £11.20 for Adults. This is available Monday to Friday until 5pm over the February half term.

Paintball

If booked via Groupon (link here) you can get a paintball experience for up to five at Paintball Network for £5. That includes 100 balls and light lunch each. For £10 and £15 you can get the same for up to 10 and 15 people. That’s a whopping 96% discount!

There are loads of venues throughout the country; players must be 10 or above.

Cinema

Vue – Children aged 2-12yrs can get cinema tickets from £2.49 every morning during the school holidays (accompanying adults also only pay £2.49 plus 75p booking fee). Vue’s Mini Mornings screen the best kids films and family films at lots of locations in the UK. Don’t forget, you can also pay using Nectar points

Odeon also has a great offer on during school holiday mornings. Adult and kids’ tickets at participating cinemas are £2.50 each for selected movies (there’s a 75p online booking charge per ticket). Showings vary between cinemas. See Odeon’s website for full listings

Golf

Topgolf is running its Eat, Drink, Play deal this February half term between the 17th and 20th (from 11-1pm and from 4-6pm) at its nationwide locations. Visitors get a meal, drink and two games for just £11 for juniors and £17 for adults.

Big attractions nationwide

Daysoutguide.co.uk in association with National Rail offers 2FOR1 on 100s of attractions nationwide including: LEGOLAND, London Dungeons, Thorpe Park, Liverpool Cathedral, London Zoo, Cadbury World, SEA LIFE Centres, Alton Towers and Chessington World of Adventures.

Go to: https://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/ for more details

National Trust

As always, I thoroughly recommend getting a National Trust membership. After the initial outlay of £126 for a family membership for a year (or £10.50 a month) you get access to 100s of great places countrywide all year round. It really is great value for money.

Kids eat free/£1 deals this half term

Plenty of high street favourites are offering kids eat free deals this February half term. Head to Bella Italia, Las Iguanas, Yo Sushi! or Brewers Fayre to bag a freebie meal this half term. You can even combine your weekly shop with a free meal for the kids at Morrisons. Carluccio’s, Toby Carvery and Stonehouse Pizza & Carvery  are offering £1 meals for children.

Something a bit posher or different?

Galvin, a family–run collection of restaurants founded by Michelin star brothers, is offering free meals for children 14th February- 22nd February.

If Vietnamese street food is your thing then get over to Pho for another freebie for the kids. For free Brazilian fare get over to Cabana.

Londoners can get children’s’ meals for free at Le Pont de la Tour right by Tower Bridge.

Even Gordon Ramsay is getting in on the act. Go to his restaurants from February 17th and children eat for free from the Tilly’s Treats menu.

Travel

National Express is offering half-priced children’s fares on its coaches this February half term. Just enter your travel details in its journey planner and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout. Get exploring!

Southeastern trains have Kids for a Quid all year round. If you buy one valid off-peak adult ticket on the operator’s services you can take up to four children for £1 each. Tickets need to be booked online or at the ticket office (not available from machines). Check terms and conditions before travelling.

Kids travel for £2 each on Southern if accompanied by a full-paying adult off-peak. Again check the terms and conditions first.

Lots of other train operators offer similar discounts so check online and bag yourself a bargain.

Happy half term!

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