Best of 2024

Top 10 posts — Part I

Themed events were particularly popular this past year— it's not too early to mark your diary for 2025:

10. Wimbledon Walk — Sampling of stops to make, including this year's standout shops
www.londonviasurrey.com/2024/07/wimbledon-walk.html

9. Kids Eat Free Half-Term — . . . and beyond
www.londonviasurrey.com/2024/01/kids-eat-free-half-term.html

8. London Theatre Week — £15-£35 tickets for over 60 shows
www.londonviasurrey.com/2024/03/london-theatre-week.html

7. London Cocktail Week — Features signature cocktails for £8 at 200+ venues
www.londonviasurrey.com/2024/09/london-cocktail-week.html

6. International Chocolate Day — 7 of the best chocolatiers in London and Surrey
www.londonviasurrey.com/2024/08/international-chocolate-day.html



Best of 2023 — Part II will feature the best of the best from 2024.

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Seasonal Gifts

Starting at £5

Whether you are looking for an affordable stocking stuffer or a gift that adds to the season, here are some top picks:

M&S Scottish Chocolate Chip Shortbread Biscuit Tin (£5) — All-butter shortbread squares with dark chocolate chips in a decorative British Union Jack flag tin.

Liberty of London Chocolate Coin (£6.95) — Giant chocolate coins for kids and kids at heart!

Liberty of London Ornament (£8.95) — Glass ornament featuring iconic London landmarks.

M&S Jaffa Cake Clock (£11) — Tin includes bite-sized dark chocolate orange Jaffa Cakes and features a Lid with a working clock.

Alison Gardiner Palace of Westminster Puzzle (£12.92) — Palace of Westminster Christmas scene adorns this 1000-piece puzzle.

Clementine Gin Liqueur Snow Globe (£21) — Snow globe filled with clementine flavored gin liqueur with edible gold leaf.

Silent Pool Gin (£42.50) — Handcrafted English gin with 24 botanicals from the Surrey Hills.

Add-On : Pair with a rose gold wireless bottle lamp so it can become a table lamp after the gin is finished.

Give early so they can be enjoyed during the season and beyond!

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Festive Advent Calendars

Something for everyone on your list

With a week less between Thanksgiving (for those that celebrate) and Christmas, the holidays seem to be coming up much more quickly than usual.  Not to mention, Advent calendars have been on display beginning in early October. Stock up now for everyone on your list:

Lindt (£7) — A piece of milk chocolate behind each window — 24 in total.

Cadbury HEROES (£7.50) — Features miniature bites include Cadbury Dairy Milk, Cadbury Dairy Milk Caramel, aCreme Egg Twisted, Eclair, Fudge, Twirl, Wispa and a milk chocolate mini Santa. 

Pukka Tea (£11.45) — Assortment of 24 black and green teas and infusions.

Ferraro Collection (£15) — Selection of 24 gourmet chocolate including coconut, dark, hazelnut and milk chocolates.

Baylis & Harding (£33) — 12 days of pamper products, including bath bubbles, lotions, soak crystals, soap and shower wash and more.

Liberty of London Chocolate Advent Calendar (£34.95) — Selection of caramels, chocolates and pralines by Charbonnel et Walker one of Britain's first and finest chocolatiers.

Or if you want to go all out . . . . 

Liberty of London Beauty Advent Calendar (£260) — Worth over £1,205, it features 28 products, including 18 full-sized items from some of the best brands in fragrance, hair, makeup and skincare.

Liberty of London Men's Advent Calendar (£245) — Worth over £700, it complements Liberty's Beauty Advent Calendar and features 25 products, including 14 full-sized items for men's grooming needs.

Head to the shops or shop on-line before they are gone!

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Top Bonfire Night Fireworks

With Bonfire Night (Guy Fawkes Day) falling on Tuesday, November 5th this year, some of the major fireworks displays are taking place this weekend in London. The top ones include:

Alexandra Palace — Considered the 'Glastonbury of Fireworks' the Fireworks Festival will take place Friday, November 1st (gates open 6 pm) and Saturday, November 2nd (gates open 4 pm). In addition to fireworks, the festival includes a bonfire, family area, DJ / live music, German bier festival and more. 

Tickets: From £5.50, Child £6.
www.fireworks.london ✆ +44 2083 652121

Alexandra Palace Way, London N22 7AY

Battersea Park — While tickets are sold out Saturday, November 2nd, there are still tickets available for one of the biggest fireworks displays in London on Sunday, November 3rd for Battersea Park Fireworks.  The 'Family Fireworks Night' includes family-focused entertainment and fairground rides.

Tickets: Adult £13.10, Youth (5-15) £8.80

www.batterseaparkfireworks.com ✆ +44 2039 590015
Albert Bridge Road, London SW11 4NJ

Morden Park & Wimbledon Park — The Musical Fireworks Displays takes place Saturday, November 2nd (Morden Park) and Tuesday, November 5th (Wimbledon Park).  Both events include fun fair, food stalls and two different fireworks displays in one night (6;45 pm, suitable for young children and 8:30 pm).

Tickets: Adult £13.78, Juniors (5-15) £10.07, Family £40.28 (2 adults, 2 juniors)
www.merton.gov.uk ✆ +44 2034 41168
Morden Hall Road, Morden, London SM4 5JD
Home Park Road, London SW19 8AU

Between Halloween and Bonfire Night falling during October half-term, there is no shortage of fun for everyone!

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Best Pumpkin Patches

There is still time during October half-term to find the perfect pumpkin before Halloween:
Garson's Farm (Esher) —The 155-acre farm is the largest pick your own farm in the UK with over 25 different crops. Halloween coloring contest, pumpkin parade, picking and photo opportunities.
Through October 31st (pre-booking recommended)
£4 per person, Children under 2 free
www.garsons.co.uk
Winterdown Road, Esher, Surrey, KT10 8LS


Priory Farm (Redhill) — More than 10,000 pumpkins are grown at Priory Farm each year. Halloween Trail to find the missing pumpkins and tractor rides. 

Through October 31st 

£6.50 per person pick your own pumpkin, Children under 1 free
www.prioryfarm.co.uk ✆ +44 1737 823304
Sandy Lane, South Nutfield, Redhill, Surrey RH1 4EJ

Secretts Farm (Milford) — Pick from over 100,000 pumpkins of 11 varieties. Fancy dress competition and chance to win Halloween hamper.
Through October 30th
£5 per person (booking online required), Children under 2 free
www.secretts.co.uk ✆ +44 1483 520500
Chapel Lane, Hurst Farm, Milford GU8 5HU

While carved pumpkins only last a few days, uncarved ones can last up to 2-3 months and can be enjoyed throughout the fall season!

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London October Half-Term

October 25 - November 4

It seems like the kids just started school and it is already time for a break.  Four family-friendly outings worth checking out over October Half-Term:

Design Museum : The World of Tim Burton — Catch the last stop of a decade-long touring exhibition featuring paintings, photos, sculptural installations, sketchbooks and storyboards from the filmmaker who brought Batman, Beetlejuice, Edwards Scissorhands and The Nightmare before Christmas to life October 25 - April 21, 2025.
£19.69 / adult or £9.85 / children (ages 6-15)
www.designmuseum.org ✆ +44 2038 625937
224-238 Kensington High St, London W86AG

Kew Gardens : Halloween Trail — New spooky light trail open from dusk until dark October 18 - 25 6 pm - 10 pm, October 27 - November 3 4 pm - 10 pm.
Starting at £15 / adult (member) or £17 / non-members
www.kew.org ✆ +44 2083 325655
Kew, Richmond TW9 3AE

Natural History Museum : Wildlife Photographer the Year — 60th anniversary photography exhibition features some of the world's best wildlife photographs taken by professional and amateur photographers October 11 - June 29, 2025.
Starting at £15 / adult (member), £9,25 / child (age 4-16), includes free museum admission
www.nhm.ac.uk/wpy ✆ +44 2079 425000
Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD 

Southbank Centre : The Elmer Adventure — 55 minute musical adaptation of David McKee's Elmer books suitable for ages 3+, October 30 - November 3.
£16
www.southbankcentre.co.uk ✆ +44 2038 799555
Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX

Even if you miss out on these, keep these venues in mind for family-friendly programming throughout the year!

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London Cocktail Week

October 3 - 13

London Cocktail Week is an 11 day festival that features Signature Cocktails at some of the best bars in London. A £20 wristband entitles you to £8 (£6 non-alcoholic) drinks at 200+ venues. The festival also includes lunch and dinner pairings, masterclasses, parties, tastings, and more.

Some highlights include:

Balthazar(Covent Garden) — French-inspired bar will offer a Raspberry and Champagne Martini (Tanqueray Red gin, cacao blanc liqueur, raspberry liqueur, Champagne cordial).

Brasserie Zédel (West End) — Enjoy either Notorious (Vodka, Giffard Creme de Cacao liqueur, Oloroso sherry, Chamord, clarified milk) or The Thin Man (Tanqueray London Dry gin, passion fruit liqueur, lemon, sage)

Hutong (Southwark) — Shanghai Bar will serve up a Silk Road Martini (Aniseed-infused vodka, peated whisky, dry vermouth, rosemary garnish).

London Marriott Hotel (Grosvenor Square) — The Luggage Room will feature three choices: Riposa (Olmeca Altos reposado tequila, bitter aperitif, grapefruit soda, lime, egg white, cream), Oaxacan Up (Del Maguey Vida Puebla mezcal, Italicus Rosolio Bergamot liqueur, clarified lime cordial) and even a non-alcoholic option Naperol Sprtiz (Non-alcoholic bitters, orange, grapefruit, peach soda).

OXO Tower (Southbank) — Pop into this riverside bar for views and choice of three drinks: Kumor (Nikka Coffey vodka, Lillet blanc, lychee puree, yuzu citrus seasoning, orange bitters, orange syrup), Kiiro (Nikka Coffey Grain whiskey, chocolate bitters, Italicus liqueur, earl grey syrup, yuzu citrus seasoning, and a non-alcoholic Seeds of Change (Guava juice, crushed raspberries, lime juice, pomegranate syrup).  They will also offer a Nikka Whisky Experience for £25 (Flight of three whiskys accompanied by a a spiced pork belly bao bun).

Sea Containers Hotel (Southbank) — 12th Knot located on the top floor of Sea Containers hotel will offer a Lychee Cosmo (Grey Goose vodka, triple sec, lime, cranberry juice, lychee) and a non-alcoholic Jappy Colada (Citrus botanical spirit, orgeat, chamomile, lime, fresh pineapple, elderflower, vanilla, coconut cream, coconut water).

sketch (Soho) — Stop in at this stylish bar for A Punch as a Treat  (Dark rum, 12 yo rum, Chambord, lemon juice, lime juice, raspberries, vanilla yoghurt, sugar syrup) and a non-alcoholic They Demystify (Clarified pineapple juice, pistachio syrup, citric acid solution, topped with ginger bear).

St Pancras Renaissance Hotel (Kings Cross) — 1869 located in the iconic St Pancras Hotel, 1869 will offer Midnight Ritual (Buffalo Trace bourbon, Gonzalez Byass amontillado sherry, activated charcoal, bitters, Demerara sugar, applewood smoke), Pink Lady (Respirited vodka, grapefruit sherbet, rose syrup, lime and pineapple juice) and a non-alcoholic Unclover Club (Grapefruit sherbet, pineapple juice, cherry syrup, citric solution).

Whether you are looking for a stylish bar with great architecture, food and/or views, there is something for everyone during London Cocktail Week and beyond!

www.londoncocktailweek.com

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