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Christmas Education Family life
November/December 2021
Familiesonline.co.uk
Familiesonline.co.uk November/December 1
Enter our Christmas Gift Giveaway! More details in the Gift Guide T&Cs apply
Young Drivers Driving Experience
Brave Girls’ Book Club 10 boxes available
2 le availab
Storytime magazine subscription
Silverstone Lap of Lights Experience
10 annual subscriptions available
SnapWatch
3 available
2 November/December
3 available
Waboba Moon Ball
5 available
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So Slime DIY Ice Cream Station
3 available
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CHRISTMAS
Where to find Father Christmas? Compiled by Melissa Reynolds
Nothing says it’s Christmas like a visit to see Father Christmas. Families has all the details about where to find the jolly old man in red and how best to see him. Important to note, book well ahead! London Transport Museum
Winter’s Tail
Legoland
www.ltmuseum.co.uk From 4 December Meet Santa and help him fix his sleigh to keep delivering his presents!
Chessington World of Adventures www.chessington.com 27 November to 24 December Meet Santa in his grotto and then head on over to his very own toy workshop where children can choose a gift to take home. Every ticket to Winter’s Tail allows entry to the grotto.
www.legoland.co.uk 27 November to 3 January Enjoy your holiday with a bit of LEGO magic including lights, snow-dusted pine trees and seasonal festivities! Meet Father Christmas in his log cabin and receive a special LEGO gift. Don’t miss his parade as it makes its way around the park!
Royal Albert Hall www.royalalberthall.com 2 – 21 December Father Christmas is back at Royal Albert Hall and will be waiting in his enchanting winter grotto. Enjoy a story time session with Santa and his head elf Crumpet before taking home your own gift!
ZSL London Zoo www.zsl.org 27 November to 3 January Find out what the zoo animals want for Christmas by taking the fun, family trail and then mail off their lists at Mrs. Claus’ post office! Book your special time to meet Santa in his magical grotto 4 - 5 and 11 - 24 December.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com
From 19 November Enjoy some rides, games, shows and festive food before taking a meeting with Santa himself. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for his parade which will make its way through the park area.
Hamleys www.hamleys.com TBD London’s biggest toy store will likely welcome back the big man in red again this year. Times and dates to be announced!
Chelsea Theatre www.chelseatheatre.org.uk Enjoy the pantomime Dick Whittington with your family then pay Santa a visit! See what’s on for details.
Christmas at Kew www.kew.org 17 November to 9 January Enjoy Kew’s magical trail of lights complete with tunnels of light, colourful trees, and waterside reflections before saying hello to Father Christmas along the way!
Chelsea Physic Garden www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk 4, 5, 18, and 19 December Gather around as Father Christmas tells his tale of life in the North Pole as well as his love for trees, plants, and our planet. Photo opportunity and a gift follow.
Rainforest Café www.rainforestcafe.co.uk 18 November to 24 December Join Santa for breakfast and be sure to bring your wish list!
Fulham Palace www.fulhampalace.org 26 – 28 November This Santa meeting takes place during Fulham Palace’s Christmas Fair weekend. Enjoy the Christmas market, carols, live music, face painting and more! Santa tickets are extra.
Lapland www.laplanduk.co.uk Lapland offers a great holiday experience. Visit the Enchanted Forest, the Toy Factory, Mother Christmas’ kitchen, the Elven Village, all before meeting Father Christmas himself!
Greenwich Market www.communityhospice.org.uk 17 November to 24 December
Greenwich and Bexley Community
Hospice will be holding a Greenwich Grotto and a Danson House Grotto, check dates when booking. There is also story time with Santa at the Greenwich Grotto, or the chance to meet with Santa via Zoom!
Hard Rock Café www.hardrockcafe.com 4 December Join Father Christmas for a rockin’ good breakfast that includes an unlimited buffet, donut wall, face painting, games, and a visit from Jolly St. Nick himself!
Santa in a Cadillac All around Putney Saturday 4th December 9.30am - 3.00pm See if you can spot Get Set Go’s Santa out and about in Putney— he's going to be in a giant red Cadillac so it will be hard to miss him!
Letters to Santa Everyone loves to get some post now and again, especially young people! Send out your letter to Santa and get a reply from the big man himself!
Royal Mail Letters to Santa must be posted by 10 December to receive a reply. If you miss that date, download the card he is sending on the Royal Mail website www.royalmail.com.
Bocketts Farm www.bockettsfarm.co.uk 25 November to 24 December Hop on board the Santa Express trailer and head to Santa’s workshop. Meet the big man in red in his grotto and receive a special golden coin to spend in his toy shop! Professional photos and souvenirs available.
14 Families South West • November/December 2021
familiesonline.co.uk
EDUCATION
DIY Christmas gifts for teachers Fabulously creative and low-cost presents that will excite your kids and delight their teachers.
Make Christmas brownies in a jar
Create origami bookmarks
Make a homemade candle
Make scented soap
Bake a bird feeder
Paint a Sharpie mug
Plant a succulent mini pot
Make a rice heat bag
Create a tissue paper vase
6 November/December
Familiesonline.co.uk
The Nutcracker at Saddler’s Wells
The best shows
Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas
Dick Whitttington Chelsea Theatre 7 World’s End Place, King’s Road, SW10 0DR www.chelseatheatre.org.uk 18 –24 December Jump onboard for an actionpacked, fun-filled journey with Dick Whittington as he seeks his fame and fortune in the glittering streets of London, to win the heart of the beautiful Alice and become Lord Mayor of London. Chelsea Theatre and Rah Rah Theatre Company have joined together to present an inventive and magical panto full of toe-tapping, singalong songs and audience interaction with laugh-out-loud comedy for audiences of all ages. All tickets: £10
There May Be a Castle Little Angel Theatre N1 2DN www.littleangeltheatre.com 13 November - 23 January On a frozen Christmas Eve, Mouse’s extraordinary quest through a world of wonder covers love, loss and the power of the imagination. Awardwinning writer Piers Torday’s story is adapted into a musical puppetry production. Ages 7-11.
Aladdin Lyric Hammersmith W6 0QL www.lyric.co.uk 19 November - 2 January Join Aladdin, the Genie and their friends and go on a magical carpet ride in search of fortune and true love. Expect the usual Lyric twist on all of your favourite characters as well as live music, magic lamps, plenty of laughs and a journey to a faraway land.
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe Putney Arts Theatre Ravenna Rd, SW15 6AW www.g64.org.uk 9 -11 December Join Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy as they embark on a magical mystery adventure. As you step through the wardrobe, you will discover that it is forever winter, and never Christmas, a spell put on the whole of Narnia by the White Witch. Join them along with Aslan, Mr Tumnus and Mr and Mrs Beaver as they battle to save Narnia. Performed by Group 64 Theatre for Young People.
Cinderella: The Awesome Truth Polka Theatre SW19 1SB www.polkatheatre.com 12 November - 30 January Think you know the story of Cinderella? Meet Cindy and Ella, the REAL ugly sisters. Cindy wants to be rich and famous, and is glued to her phone. Ella’s been practising kickboxing and just wants to have FUN. When they meet a Prince who isn’t so charming, and a fairy godmother who’s not what she seems, Ella vows to save her sister from a terrible fate before midnight strikes. Ages 5+.
The Snowman Peacock Theatre WC2A 2HT www.peacocktheatre.com 20 November - 2 January The Peacock’s festive favourite is a magical adaptation Raymond Briggs’ much-loved book. The enchanting mix of dance, live music, storytelling and magic have been captivating audiences for 23 years.
Lyric Hammersmith W6 0QL www.lyric.co.uk 24 November - 24 December Santa awakes from a dream of sun, sea and sand only to find it is the busiest day of the year: Christmas Eve. Watch as he prepares for his Christmas deliveries, feeds his reindeer and finally takes flight into the snowy night. A great introductory theatre experience for young children, bursting into life with live music, playful puppets and a magical set. Ages under 6.
A Christmas Carol New Wimbledon Theatre SW19 1QG www.atgtickets.com/venues/newwimbledon-theatre 29 November - 4 December “Christmas? A poor excuse for picking a man’s pocket every twentyfifth of December!” exclaims Ebenezer Scrooge in the opening stave of ‘A Christmas Carol’. It’s also an excuse for the Dickens Theatre Company to bring you their joyously authentic staging of the Victorian Classic. Ages 8+.
The Night Before Christmas Polka Theatre SW19 1SB www.polkatheatre.com 4 December - 16 January It’s Christmas Eve but Grandad is being extremely grumpy, and Amber’s favourite snow-globe gets broken. When her world is turned topsy-turvy by a surprise visitor, Amber begins an adventure she will never forget. Ages 3+.
The Nutcracker Sadler’s Wells Theatre EC1R 4TN www.sadlerswells.com 7 December - 30 January Indulge your sweet tooth with
Matthew Bourne’s acclaimed Nutcracker. With family-sized helpings of Bourne’s trademark wit and magical fantasy, it’s a treat for all.
Nutcracker London Coliseum WC2N 4ES www.ballet.org.uk/nutcracker 16 December - 8 January English National Ballet’s magical Christmas tradition returns in full splendour, with half price tickets for children.
The Fir Tree Shakespeare’s Globe SE1 9DT www.shakespearesglobe.com 20 - 30 December Based on an original fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, this is an enchanting new family show. Gather with warm drinks to sing and laugh in the ‘Wooden O’, as it quite literally returns to its roots with the story of Christmas told from the perspective of the tree.
Dick Whittington New Wimbledon Theatre www.atgtickets.com/wimbledon 4 Dec – 2 Jan Join our hero Dick Whittington (and his trusty cat Tommy) as he seeks fame, fortune and happiness journeying to become the Lord Over 50,000 Mayor of London. theatregoers attend Book early for this the Wimbledon action-packed pantomime each pantomime full of laughter, music festive season! and dance.
A Christmas Carol Studio at New Wimbledon Theatre www.atgtickets.com/wimbledon 29 November - 4 December A joyously authentic staging of the Victorian Classic. Ages 8+.
The Nutcracker , English National Ballet
24 Families South West • November/December 2021
Photo: Simon Phipps Photography
Sleeping Beauty and The Beast at Battersea Arts Centre
Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas at The Lyric, Hammersmith
familiesonline.co.uk
family Christmas The Nutcracker
Royal Albert Hall SW7 2AP www.royalalberthall.com 28 - 31 December Journey through a fantastical winter wonderland of dancing snowflakes to the kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Created exclusively for the Royal Albert Hall, with gorgeous period costumes, stunning lighting and dazzling projections, this Christmas classic is brought to life by Birmingham Royal Ballet’s worldclass dancers and the Royal Ballet Sinfonia.
to boo, hiss and cheer in this hilarious, song-filled musical pantomime. Ages 3+.
Panto at The Palladium London Palladium W1F 7TF www.palladiumpantomime.com 4 December - 9 January Celebrating the very best of pantomime, with comedy in abundance and big show-stopping numbers, this feel-good show is as star-studded as they come, with Donny Osmond, Julian Clary, Paul Merlin, Nigel Havers and Gary Wilmot.
Cinderella Colourhouse Theatre SW19 2RD www.colourhousetheatre.co.uk 20 November - 9 January Poor Cinderella must clean, wash and scrub the house for her nasty stepmother and ugly stepsisters. The only person she can see is her good friend Buttons. But when the Royal Palace announces there will be a ball to help find a wife for the handsome Prince, every girl in the kingdom is invited! Will Cinderella finally get the fairy tale ending she deserves? It’s time to believe in Fairy Godmothers,
Treasure Island Lantern Arts Centre SW20 8RA www.lanternarts.org/treasureisland 8 - 12 December Long John Silver and his fearsome crew may think that treasure is within their grasp, but they’ve reckoned without the ladies of the Smuggler’s Cove Women’s Institute. Filled with mischief, custard pies, songs and laughter, this is a family-friendly voyage into panto mayhem, me hearties.
Rah Rah artistic director and chorographer gearing up for another panto season! Chelsea Theatre
Battersea Arts Centre Group 64, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Putney Arts Theatre
Sleeping Beauty and the Beast Battersea Arts Centre SW11 5TN www.bac.org.uk 26 November - 30 December Ever wondered where Pantomime villains go at the end of the story? They go to Goodie-versity: the institute for reformed baddies, where Headmasters Beast and Belle teach them to be good. This Christmas Eve, DISASTER STRIKES just one day before Gooduation… someone has sent Beast to sleep and he won’t wake up! Without Beast, there can be no Gooduation! We need your help to crack this Christmas case! Sleeping Trees, return to BAC this Christmas with Sleeping Beauty and the Beast, a panto mash-up, full of songs and interaction for all! Tickets are Pay What You Can - Book now and bring the whole family!
The Snowman, Peacock Theatre
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FamiliesSWLon
November/December 2021 • Families South West 25
CHRISTMAS
Great Christmas gifts for kids Check out our Families gift guide for ideas that will inspire and excite your child - many without lots of packaging!
Brave Girls’ Book Club subscription box
Storytime magazine subscription
Baked In Junior Baking Club subscription box
Diverse stories & powerful protagonists. Ages 7-12. £17 per month.
For story-loving kids! Ages 4-11. From £38.99.
Child-friendly recipes for mini-bakers. Ages 5-11. From £7.50 per month.
Young Driver driving lessons
Scamp & Dude superpower PJs
So Slime DIY Ice Cream Factory
SnapWatch
Waboba Moonshine Ball
Get behind the wheel for a memorable driving experience. Ages 4+.
Snaps around the wrist and stays. Interactive, easy to use. Ages 5-12. £9.99 + p&p. 10 November/December
PJs with Superpower Button! Boosts and comforts when most needed. From £28.
Pops, lights up and bounces to 100ft! Ages 5+.
Create three squishy slime ice creams - fluffy, icee and scented. Ages 6+. £20.
Wildflower kit
Three bamboo pots ready to plant. Six hundred seeds to attract bees! £20. Familiesonline.co.uk
CHRISTMAS
Christmas gift ideas for adults Eco-friendly, no-clutter and truly memory-making. Check out the Families guide to gift experiences for parents.
Silhouette sitting with Charles Burns Virtual sitting with the famous silhouettist of Royals/celebs. From £45.
WSET Level 1 Award in Wines
Give the gift of wine knowledge! Highlyregarded award, perfect for beginners.
Box 42 Uncharted Love Island box Tropical fun. Themed activities & Spotify playlist. From £31.99 per mth.
Books that Matter Silverstone driving Bloom & Wild book box experience letterbox flowers Thought-provoking and inspiring novel, plus feminist and bookish gifts. From £17 per mth.
Epsom Bakehouse bread making Learn to bake, online classes. Baguettes to brioche. From £19.99.
Familiesonline.co.uk
Huge range of letterbox bouquets delivered monthly for your giftee to curate.
Get behind the wheel of a single-seater race car or top of the range supercar. From £189.
Flying lesson
Fender Play guitar lessons
Learn how to pilot an aircraft in two amazing thirty minute lessons.
Legendary guitar brand with online platform. Easy-to-follow lessons.
November/December 11
CHRISTMAS
Christmas audiobooks for the family Grab some blankets and mugs of hot chocolate and curl up to listen to these fabulous Christmas tales.
A Christmas Carol
Mog’s Christmas
A Season of Gifts
Enid Blyton’s Christmas Stories
A Boy Called Christmas
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Ages 6+ (2 hours & 44 minutes).
Ages 2+ (8 minutes).
Ages 9+ (3 hours & 50 minutes).
Ages 7+ (4 hours & 42 minutes).
Ages 9+ (4 hours & 26 minutes).
Ages 3+ (12 minutes).
Tumtum and Nutmeg’s Christmas Adventure
Mrs Claus and the Christmas Adventure
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Ages 3+ (1 hour & 26 minutes).
12 November/December
Ages 4+ (1 hour & 9 minutes).
Ages 8+ (1 hour & 26 minutes). Familiesonline.co.uk
10 Families South West • November/December 2021
familiesonline.co.uk
CHRISTMAS
Best family Christmas recipes For the best fun cooking and eating!
Kid-friendly fruit mince pies
Gingerbread men
Strawberry Santa pancakes
Snowman marshmallow pops
White Christmas crackles
Peanut butter cookie dough reindeers
Snowman pizza
Easy family Christmas nut roast
Cheese stars
14 November/December
Familiesonline.co.uk
EARLY YEARS
The Ladder Challenge
Help your child take on a difficult challenge – one step at a time! Download this activity and instructions to get started.
The Ladder Challenge Taking on a difficult challenge – one step at a time Instructions for use We face new challenges every day, and some can seem so big that we want to run in the opposite direction to avoid them! The best thing to do to make a challenge less scary is to break it down into steps so you can build up the confidence to tackle it. Look at the ladder on the next page to see how a big challenge can be broken down into simple steps. Now use the empty ladder and write the thing you find most challenging at the top. Next, think about what smaller steps you can take to reach your goal and write them on each step – ask your grownup to help if you like. Building up your confidence with each step will equip you with the positive mindset needed to tackle any challenge. The Ladder Challenge is an activity for children taken from The Happy Workbook: The Feel Good Activity Book by Imogen Harrison, published by Summersdale.
Final rehearsal the night before
Practise in front of your family
Sing song loudly on s way to sc the ho in the car ol Practise front of yoin grown-upur
Read alou on your owd n
DOWNLOAD FOR YOUR KIDS HERE!
16 November/December
Familiesonline.co.uk
Helping children believe they can do anything Singing, dancing and acting classes for 4 - 18 year-olds
BATTERSEA 07956 288928 battersea@stagecoach.co.uk stagecoach.co.uk/battersea
NEW MALDEN 0208 540 7791 newmalden@stagecoach.co.uk stagecoach.co.uk/newmalden
FULHAM 07498 213142 fulham@stagecoach.co.uk stagecoach.co.uk/fulham
PUTNEY 020 8099 9861 putney@stagecoach.co.uk stagecoach.co.uk/putney WIMBLEDON 020 8946 3400 wimbledon@stagecoach.co.uk stagecoach.co.uk/wimbledon
Stagecoach Performing Arts is the trading name of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited. Stagecoach Theatre Arts schools are operated under franchise and are independently owned by their Principals. Stagecoach and Creative Courage For Life are registered trademarks of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited.
22 Families South West • November/December 2021
familiesonline.co.uk
CHRISTMAS
Make you own Christmas decorations Get the whole family in the mood for Christmas with a crafty decoration-making afternoon.
Lemon star biscuits
Button snowflake
DIY wrapping paper
Sugar charms
Christmas crackers
Glue string ball
Paper snowflake wreath
Paper Christmas tree decorations
Festive pine cone mouse
20 November/December
Familiesonline.co.uk
CHRISTMAS
Christmas song sing-along Tunes to get the whole family busting their lungs and up and dancing!
Santa Shark
Underneath the tree
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer
Last Christmas
Frosty the Snowman
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
All I Want for Christmas is You
Merry Christmas Everybody
Familiesonline.co.uk
November/December 21
To find out more: Call (020) 8871 6666 wandsworth.gov.uk/fostering fosteringrecruitment@wandsworth.gov.uk Produced by Wandsworth Design & Print. wdp@wandsworth.gov.uk CS.1933 DC 1 (4.21)
CHRISTMAS
Christmas games for the family Some of the best fun at Christmas can be had playing games. Here’s our top seasonal picks.
Christmas song emoji guessing game
Christmas bingo
Outdoor Christmas scavenger hunt
Christmas charades
Christmas memory match
Christmas scent game
Candy cane fishing game
Who am I?
Pin the nose on the reindeer
22 November/December
Familiesonline.co.uk
CHRISTMAS
Top tips for a sustainable Christmas Why not buy recycled toys this year?
Choose a gift that last
Even Selfridges has opened a pop-up shop selling preloved toys! Customers can also donate their unwanted toys, which will either be sold in the shop or sent to the department store’s charity partner The TOY Project. The charity shops Fara are everywhere and brimming with great value toys.
Make every gift count by purchasing things with value, purpose and meaning. Choosing to gift fewer presents will also ensure people don't end up with lots of little ones they don't need.
Make your own Christmas presents Whether you love baking, sewing or painting, why not get creative with the children this season. Make puppets from milk bottles, flowers from tissue and pipe cleaners, mobiles from milk bottle tops etc. The Work and Play Scrapstore is a fantastic treasure trove of waste and surplus goods at nearly no cost. www.workandplayscrapstore.org.uk
Buy organic Try to buy just a little bit more organic this year. From fruit and veg to toiletries we can all make a little difference. By working with nature, organic farmers build healthy soils which store more carbon.
Try and avoid plastic Make it a family challenge: each member of the family has to find a plastic free alternative suitable for each member of the family. Start with loose fruit and veg (easy), move up to washing up and shampoo soap bars. Cook more from scratch.
Choose plastic free Christmas crackers Keep an eye out for recyclable and plastic free crackers—you can even find reusable crackers in some stores. Or make your own, it’s fun and easy.
Switch to eco-friendly wrapping paper Sticky tape, ribbons and paper covered in glitter can't be recycled, so stay away from those types. Switching to brown eco-friendly paper that you then decorate yourself instead, will help to minimise the high levels of waste produced at this time of year.
Buy plantable Christmas cards A zero waste alternative is plantable Christmas cards. When the biodegradable paper is planted in a pot of soil, the seeds will grow and eventually the paper will decompose. Look on Etsy.
R OYA L A L B E R T H A L L A N D B I R M I N G H A M R OYA L B A L L E T P R E S E N T
28 – 31 December 2021 7 PERFORMANCES ONLY THE TIMES
‘…wonder and spectacle’ LONDONIST
‘The biggest Nutcracker in London’
royalalberthall.com/christmas Birmingham Royal Ballet is registered charity No.1061012 and is funded by
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FamiliesSWLon
November/December 2021 • Families South West 15
CHRISTMAS
What can I recycle after Christmas? Christmas trees
Christmas cards
Cut, real Christmas trees: can be recycled and councils often have a specific collection for this. Living Christmas trees: can be replanted for use next year. Artificial Christmas trees: CANNOT be recycled. Reuse or give away.
Save to make into gift tags. Cut into pieces for kids’ projects. Or recycle BUT only AFTER cutting off any glitter, ribbons, foil, plastic and other unrecyclable elements.
MORE INFO
MORE INFO
Wrapping paper
Decorations
Plastic based or containing foil or glitter: CANNOT be recycled.
Plastic, glitter or glass: CANNOT be recycled. Reuse or donate to charity shops if in good condition. Natural wreaths: compost if they have no glitter. Fairy lights: CAN be recycled at household waste recycling centres. MORE INFO
Other paper: scrunch into a ball. If it stays scrunched it can probably be recycled. Remove all sticky tape and decorations first. AND check with your council as some won’t take it. MORE INFO Familiesonline.co.uk
November/December 23
Highlights of seasonal
The Junction in the Clapham Junction in the heart of Battersea plays host to a rich abundance of small independent restaurants, tucked off its bustling high street. We’ve sampled just a small selection of different restaurants which exemplify the enormous range of superb dining experiences across The Junction as we approach the festive season. Whether it’s the small intimate
surroundings of a gastronomic Gallic for a cool date night, or a full-on Roman feast for the family at an Italian favourite—Christmas is coming and we all need the perfect excuse to spoil ourselves, inspiration on where to entertain our friends and rellies… or simply suggestions on where to buy that perfect gift token pressie.
Kibou Buzzy and vibrant are appropriate adjectives for this sushi bar with its humorous motto of ‘sashimi over to our place’, funky artwork and comfy velvet banquettes; stylish and seriously good are others. Located at the southern end of fashionable SW haunt, Northcote Road, Kibou, the Japanese hot kitchen, ramen and sushi bar, serves up sumptuous bao buns stuffed with juicy crab and a flash of ginger, warming bowls of Yaki Udon—hot with chilli and crisp tofu, handsome Futomaki Volcano rolls, handmade sushi and sashimi. Accompany with one of their cracking cocktails with an oriental twist. Northcote Road, SW11 6QF. 020 7223 8551 www.kibou.co.uk
VE Kitchen A newcomer to The Junction this year, VE Kitchen’s vegan food philosophy is simple: ‘create deliciously nutritious, freshly prepared plant food dishes in a 100% green energy, all electric, deliver no plastic kitchen’. Well, it certainly ticks all the boxes. The handsome helpings look very pretty on the plate and taste equally as yummy. Bouncing with flavour, choose from Modern Classics such as the brilliant Mac & Cheeze (VE’s signature dish made with cashew), Katsu curry to VE Kitchen’s ‘Game Changers’: dishes designed according to the Ayurveda principles of eating mindfully. Wash down with fresh vegan spirit cocktails and smoothies. 39 Northcote Road, SW11 1NJ 07828 509113 www.vekitchen.com
Taverna Trastevere This Italian star, serving-up real homemade Roman food, on foody St John’s Hill, is the business. Decorated in rustic tones, it welcomes families with open arms and is owned by Alessandro Grappelli (who also has the eponymously named butcher and deli on Northcote Road—Pizzicheria Grappelli). Quality olive oil drizzled over melt in-the-mouth salt and peppery Suppli (Roman fried rice balls filled with mozzarella) and tomato-laden bruschetta were just the ticket. The consistency of the Prosecco risotto was perfect, accompanied by an avalanche of sumptuous truffle shavings. Their chocolate tiramisu is not for the fainthearted: a supremely creamy take on this classic Italian dish. Heaven! 112 St John’s Hill, SW11 1SJ. 020 7228 7772 www.tavernatravestere.com
Sinabro Exceptional, classic French flavours with a modern twist are what to expect from this exceptional little gem on Battersea Rise—recommended by the Michelin 2021 Guide. While the kitchen is headed-up by French native Yoann, whose 28-year career has seen him working in some of the finest Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris and London, his beautiful wife Sujin manages front-of-house with effortless ease. With a set menu that changes bi-monthly to reflect seasonal fresh ingredients and new inspiration, top dishes include the buttery cod brandade, fragrant duck with creamy celeriac, succulent lamb rump with cavolo nero and their signature, star dish—creamy rice pudding with pistachio. There’s a fab wine list too. 28 Battersea Rise, SW11 1EE. 020 3302 3120 www.sinabro.co.uk Top tip: Book on a Tuesday or Wednesday to secure a table 18 Families South West • November/December 2021
familiesonline.co.uk
deliciousness at
By Roz Lloyd-Williams of the Junction BID @claphamjunctionBID
heart of Battersea Hannah
Sister to Heidi in Balham, this trendy bar and restaurant offers a great selection of PYO (pour your own) self-dispense wines, beer, cocktails and a killer brunch menu including the astounding good Great British Benedict Rosti - Gruyère & potato rosti, porchetta, hollandaise with poached egg, plus fabulous Sunday roasts with all the trimmings! Look out for date night cocktails, small plates with highlights including tasty gyoza, grilled octopus, and our favourite—the roasted cauliflower with rose harissa. The large, covered terrace area is also a bonus. Keep up to speed with their live DJ music sessions and special promotions, detailed on their website. 281 Lavender Hill, SW11 1LP 020 7223 8513 www.hannahbattersea.com
Dan & Angel We love this family run restaurant, winner of countless local awards and headed-up by patriarch Abraham Valverde. Always with a wide grin on his face, you’ll find him busy in the kitchen cooking-up tasty treats like enormous pizzas from the stone-based oven, Spanish tapas and Mediterranean mains. Great value for money and the first restaurant in London to use ingredients such as quinoa and whole grain flour for their pizza bases, the restaurant has recently undergone a colourful refurbishment. We particularly enjoyed the Calzone—a huge semi-circle of deliciousness crammed with ham and cheese and the chunky, hot halloumi salad with peppers. There’s a healthy kids’ menu the eatery is now open for lunch every day from midday. 143 St John’s Hill, SW11 1TQ 020 7738 1222 www.dnarestaurant.uk
The Schoolhouse With seasonally changing menus, this upper St John’s Hill favourite gastropub is a throwback to the best bits of your school days. Hearty winter dishes on the menu include old British classics like meaty stew, creamy mash and gravy and crispy pork belly with butternut squeak and savoury cabbage. One of our favourites is the Nawty Burger (with oh-so-good rosemary chips) which we rated as one of the best burgers we’d ever munched—with its super soft brioche bun with 100% 21 day-aged local beef, (the vegan alternative is equally as good). The collection of over 60 craft beers is something to behold. 137-139 St John’s Hill, SW11 1TD 020 7223 6288 www.theschoolhouse.london
Humble Grape If you’re an oenophile you’re going love this place! This hangout for vino lovers boasts the best stock of imported sustainable wines (include a plentiful supply of organic) from small producers across the globe (to quaff and also for sale). The split-level interior with wooden, low-level tables and walls, with ambient lighting is perfect for a date night, catapulting you across the Channel into France. The simple modern European dishes include charcuterie platters and salads, but we loved the superb Sunday roasts, accompanying by super tasty gravy and damn good, crunchy roast potatoes! 2 Battersea Rise, SW11 1ED. 020 3620 2202 www.humblegrape.co.uk/winebar/battersea
For more information on restaurants, bars and dining please visit https://visitclaphamjunction.com
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FamiliesSWLon
November/December 2021 • Families South West 19
FAMILY LIFE
Become weight neutral!
It’s all too easy to talk about food and weight with and in front of our children in a way that may foster unhelpful attitudes towards body image and nutrition. Do you use either of the comments below or similar? Download our chart for some suggestions for alternative ways of thinking and speaking which may help foster more nurturing, mindful, conscious and intuitive eating habits and skills.
I can’t eat dessert because I’m on a diet.
Cakes and chocolate are bad for you.
Say This Nothing!
Swap these often used for others phrases Instead of Th is
Any comment about your ow child’s weight. n or another adu lt/ I wish I was ligh any thing that ter/heavier, had more muscl good bodies. rejects yours es…or or their body. Being overwe ight is unheal All bodies are thy. different and worth looking after. We have to los e weight to get I love moving happy. my body in new healthy and be and different ways. I nee d to exercise I’m not hungry more so I can for dessert rig eat treats. ht now. I can’t eat des sert because Are you hungry I’m on a diet. in your head or in your tummy ? You can only hav dinner. (Overr e dessert if you eat up all idin of moralising goo g hunger and fullness cue your s and d/bad/treat/hea guilt/virtue cyc lthy reinforces We can enjoy le). a cakes and cho and carrots and colate and pep pers grapes and app Cakes and cho le and banana colate are bad s… for you. Did you know veggies can hel bodies do am azing things? p our brains and You must eat up your veggie s because the good for you. y are I’m hungry! a burger sounds nice today. I’m going to be Let ’s get outsid bad and have a burger for lun e for some fre sh air. ch. We need to go We’re not hav for a walk to bur ing n some calorie and yoghurt ins cake right now, we’re hav s. ing fruit We’re tead. not having cak e for snack, bec healthy. ause it’s not Our bodies are am azing! They’re change shape designed to many times as I wish I cou older. we grow up and get be big and ld lose the baby weight; boy s should strong! Isn’t it wonde rfu kinds of faces l to have 7.5+ billion differe and bodies on nt Isn’t so-and-so the planet? (appearance really pretty, handsome, stro pra good/bad/bet ise reinforces stereotypes ng (to someone ter/worse)? and who has change d weight) However well How are you? inte will always hav ntioned… ‘weight change e praising an eat unknown impact , we cou praise’ ld ing condition or sim disorder, an underlying be health ply equating wo rth with body size. Nothing!
All bodies are
With thanks to through intuit Nutriri, an organisation cre ive eating an ated by volun d movement for joy courses, teers to offer weight neutr al support, hypnotherapy 1:1 or in group s.
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November/December 17