Published: 22/07/2019
Happy days! The weather forecast is in and it looks like we’re going to have a three-month scorcher on our hands. So, how to fill the long, sunny days in Hendon, Golders Green, Finchley and Hampstead? We’ve got you covered!Hendon
RAF Museum: An oldie but a goodie, thanks to its suitability no matter the weather. A rainy day? Spend some time inside, exploring three new innovative galleries and testing your flying skills. The kids will love running around jumping from plane to plane (and there are loads to choose from!). Boasting both an indoor play area and impressive outdoor play area for when the sun is shining, you can happily spend a few hours here.
Flip Out: Another great ‘whatever the weather’ choice, thanks to the much-needed shelter when it’s raining and the powerful air-con if it’s just too hot outside! Both kids and adults will love this trampoline arena, which includes a trick park, ninja skills centre, laser maze and foam pit. There’s even a separate area for the under 5s, featuring more age-appropriate fun.
Topsy Turvy: Save this much-loved indoor soft play centre for a rainy day and treat yourself to a mooch around Brent Cross afterwards!
The Beach at Brent Cross: Open throughout the summer, this double award-winning amusement park keeps on delivering, with more sand, space and water than ever before. You’ll love the range of both new and old rides, with something for everyone - no matter the age.
Dates for your diary:
Mon 22nd July, Sun 4th August & Sat 24th Aug: Circus WorkshopWed 24th July & Wed 20th Aug: Bubble ManiaTues 30th July, Tues 6th Aug & Tues 27th Aug: Pirates Treasure Hunt
Mon 12th Aug: Teddy Bears Picnic
Fri 16th Aug: Punch & Judy
Sun 1st Sept: Dragons & Unicorns
Claddagh Ring: The kids are finally in bed and you’d love a night out but are exhausted. That’s where this Irish gem of a pub on your doorstep comes in. Showing live sport, holding weekly poker nights and with a constant rotation of live bands playing, you really don’t need to venture any further out.
Golders Green & Hampstead
Golders Hill Park: A park like no other, with a water garden, butterfly house, zoo, tennis courts and croquet lawn, alongside an impressive play area – complete with a sand pit!
Kenwood House: Sitting atop Hampstead Heath, you can wander around the walls of this neo-Classical villa (children permitting!) and enjoy looking at the rich collection of famous paintings, or just enjoy walking around the grounds – stopping for a picnic amidst the beautiful views. Dates for your diary:Every Tues & Wed throughout July & August: Summer Quest and Craft
Sun 4 Aug: Family Craft
Sun 28 July & Sun 25 Aug: Kenwood Stories
Fenton House: Home to an impressive collection of porcelain, needlework pictures, Georgian furniture and early musical instruments, you can also enjoy walks around the walled garden (which includes a rose garden, apple orchard and working kitchen garden). You can even buy some honey produced by their bee colony!
Dates for your diary:
Throughout Aug: Garden tours
Every week: Musical Wednesdays (learn about instruments from the 16th Century)
Burgh House: This Grade I listed building (past home to Rudyard Kipling’s daughter!) boasts a terraced garden and basement café, serving Sunday roasts and cream teas. Regular concerts, recitals, talks and art exhibitions are also held.
Dates for your diary:
Wed 7 Aug: ‘All That Jazz’ Bach to Baby family concert
Belsize Beer Gardens: Enjoy a much-needed cold beverage at this pop-up beer garden, open until September.
Freud Museum: Lie back on his famous couch and soak in the history in this fascinating museum, featuring snapshots of the famous psychoanalyst’s life and a huge collection of over 2,000 Egyptian, Green, Roman and Oriental antiques – along with paper, books, notes, photos and home movies.
Primrose Hill: Boasting gorgeous views over London, it’s no wonder this has become such a popular spot for the young and famous. Walk along the canal and climb the steep slopes, before enjoying a delicious bite at one of the many nearby cafes, restaurants or pubs.
Keats House: After more culture? Look no further than the home of this exceptional poet. Peruse the collection of original material, including letters written by the man himself, books, original manuscripts, artefacts and the engagement ring given to his fiancée.
Dates for your diary:
Fri 2 Aug: Blue Stockings Society (literary discussion group on women’s protest literature)
Thurs 8 Aug: Summer Poetry and Jazz
Fri 16 Aug: Afternoon Poems Special
Sat 17 Aug: Guided Walk (Mary & Percy Shelly)
Sun 18 Aug: Family Day
Swimming Ponds: The UK’s only lifeguarded open-water swimming facilities open all year long – with stunning views to boot!
Hampstead Market: Open every Saturday, enjoy browsing everything, from handmade crafts to fruit and veg.
JW3: Finchley’s Jewish cultural hub is packed with events this summer!
Dates for your diary:
Mon 29 July – Fri 9 Aug: Summer Ulpan
Until 1 Sept: The Beach
29 Jul – 16 Aug: Summer Camp
And much, much more! Check it out here.
Spaniards Inn: Add a touch of class to an evening with alcohol (you deserve it!) as you sit in the same spot as the literary greats when they also needed to unwind. This 14th century pub is forever preserved in Charles Dickens’ The Pickwick Papers, whilst Keats’ Ode To A Nightingale was said to have been written within these walls, too.
Finchley
Arts Depot: There’s loads on this summer at Finchley’s art and performance centre!Dates for your diary:Until Thurs 1 Aug: #SelfCare Exhibition
Tues 23 July: Dance Theatre Workshop
Thurs 8 – Sat 10 Aug: David Baddiel – Work in Progress
Thurs 15 Aug: Mr and Mrs Hake and the Magic Princess Fish
Check out more here.
Stephens House and Gardens: Enjoy this green oasis made up of landscaped gardens, a rockery, wooded areas and large play areas for the kids.
Dates for your diary:
Fri 2 – Sun 4 Aug: The Wind in the Willows (open air theatre)
As locals to the area, we have all the insider track on the best things to do this summer, so feel free to call us on 0208 202 7222 if you need any more information!
Happy holidays!