A Parent’s One-Stop Summer Holiday Guide in North London
By Andrea Krase, Owner and Founder of Sophia’s Diary (www.sophias-diary.com)
Do you have your summer holiday planned? Will your kids be entertained over the long summer break. We have over 60 great ideas about surviving the summer holidays. Don’t forger to purchase our discount card to benefit from local offers. Join our facebook group for updates and more events
Festivals and Family Events
Reggae on the Lawn
Raggae on the Lawn returns to Forty Hall. The music will be excellent.
Sunday 12th August, 12 – 6pm, Forty Hall, Forty Hill, Enfield EN2 9HA
https://www.fortyhallestate.co.uk/whats-on/reggae-on-the-lawn/
Enfield Food Festival
Enjoy good food and drink and a fantastic atmosphere for the whole family at the Enfield Food Festival. There will be talks, demonstrations and workshops at this popular event.
Sunday 26 & Monday 27 August, 11am – 5pm
Forty Hall Farm, Forty Hill, Enfield, EN2 9HA
Local Shows
Chickenshed
The Stink
David Walliams fans will be excited to know that The Stink will be shown at the Chickenshed Theatre. What happens when Chloe invites a homeless man and his dog to stay in their shed? Watch the show to find out.
Chickenshed, Chase Side, London, N14 4PE
18th July, 2018 – 5th August, 2018
https://www.chickenshed.org.uk/Event/mr-stink
Tales from the Thousand and One Nights
This is a magic carpet of a show! Experience tales of wonder and magic, as words of imagination written in gold unfurl and fly before your very eyes.
Chickenshed, Chase Side, London, N14 4PE
21st July, 2018 – 4th August, 2018
https://www.chickenshed.org.uk/Event/thousand-and-one-nights
Summer Shed
Bring the kids along to Chickenshed for lots of drama, dance, story-making, music and fun.
Week 1 Monday 23 – Friday 27 July
Week 2 Monday 30 July – Friday 3 August
https://www.chickenshed.org.uk/Event/summer-shed
Planet Play
Join the Tales team for a fun and interactive sensory session based on the stories and fables from our main summer show, Tales from the Thousand and One Nights. This is great for younger children
July 25 (Wednesday) 9:00 am – August 4 (Saturday)
https://www.chickenshed.org.uk/Event/planet-plays-thousand-and-one-days
Forty Hall
The Midnight Gang
Heartbreak invites you to join us for the grand opening of The Lord Funt Hospital Playground, a spectacular new play area for the convalescent child. Tom and his friends will be there, too, but you might know them best as The Midnight Gang. When everyone else is sweetly sleeping, they gather in the middle of the night in the name of magic, mischief, and memory making.
Sunday 19th August at 5pm
Forty Hall, Forty Hill, Enfield EN2 9HA
https://www.fortyhallestate.co.uk/whats-on/the-midnight-gang/
ArtsDepot
Together Fest
This is a fantastic community event where the whole family can enjoy workshops, activities, arts, book swapping and performances.
21st July 11am
ArtsDepot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner North Finchley, London N12 0GA
https://www.artsdepot.co.uk/family-events/togetherfest
Central London Shows
Aladdin. Aliens Love Underpants, Matilda, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid and Paw Patrol Live are just some of the family friendly shows that are on at Central London Theatres this summer. Do not forget to check Kids Week as kids can go free in August
https://officiallondontheatre.com/kids-week/
Workshops and Classes
Children’s Workshops at Forty Hall
Forty Hall has an extensive programme of workshops and events for children. They include
- Photography Fun
- The Tudors
- Summer Time Stories
- Meet the Cook
- Falling Leaves
20th July – 5th September
Forty Hall, Forty Hill, Enfield EN2 9HA
https://www.fortyhallestate.co.uk/whats-on/
Active Enfield
There is an extensive range of activities for kids to enjoy from Active Enfield. These include Summer Athletics, Horse Riding, Golf, Trampolining, Tennis, Climbing, Yoga and Gymnastics. Please ensure you book in advance
https://www.activeenfield.co.uk/whats-on/
TrackPlay UK
Bring your kids along to play with our giant train tracks! There are different time slots to suit all, with limited places at each one to ensure everyone has plenty of space to play. Sophia’s Diary Users will receive 30% off. Please use the code LOVESOPHIASDIARY
Tuesday, 7th August 2018
Forty Hill School, Forty Hill, Enfield EN2 9EY
http://trackplay.co.uk/enfield-tuesday-7th-august-2018/
Classes for Babies, Toddlers and Pre-schoolers
Monkey Music Enfield and Barnet, Debutots, Get Set Boogie, Fitmums Bible, a, b, c’s and 1 2 Please, Baby Sensory, Toddler Sense, Move Play Learn, Super Stars Enfield and Babyfit are just some of the classes running over the summer holidays. Pro Elite are running football sessions too
Please look up venues and times from find them on our groups pages
https://www.sophias-diary.com/enfield-groups-and-classes/
https://www.sophias-diary.com/barnet-groups-classes/
Outdoor Fun
Farmyard Fun
Kids will enjoy a farmyard craft activity, and a trail in the farm too.
Tuesday 7 August, 11am – 12.30pm & 2pm – 4pm
Forty Hall, Forty Hill, Enfield EN2 9HA
https://www.fortyhallestate.co.uk/whats-on/farmyard-fun/
Lazy Sunday Afternoon At Hillyfields
Bring a picnic and enjoy Live Music at Hillyfields. This supports a local charity too.
5th August, 3pm – 5.30pm. Other dates are available too
The Bandstand, Hilly Fields Park, Enfield, EN2 9AJ
https://www.enfieldfestivals.co.uk/whats-on/lazy-sunday-afternoons-in-hilly-fields-3/
The Beach at Enfield Market
Why drive to the coast when the beach is coming to Enfield? Entry is free too.
19th – 28th July
http://www.enfieldmarket.co.uk/
Jungle Falls
Enjoy this stunning 18 hole golf course in a stunning jungle marsh, cascading waterfall and tropical palm tree setting.
Trent park country club, Bramley Rd, N14
https://www.junglefalls.co.uk/
Farm Fun
Visit a farm such as Willows Farm and Lee Valley Farm. In addition to seeing the animals, they also have lots of fun things for kids to do.
https://www.willowsactivityfarm.com/
Paradise Wildlife Park
Little ones would love to see Wildlife Animals, The new Dinosaur Park, use the Soft Play and play in the outdoor areas.
White Stubbs Lane, Broxbourne EN10 7QA
Wildlife a bit further away
London Zoo, Colchester Zoo, Whipsnade and Woburn are so fantastic places to visit for a great day out too
Book an Outdoor Day Out
Popular family days out include Legoland, Thorpe Park, Chessington, A day at South Bank, Kensington Gardens and Princess Diana Memorial Playground.
Audley End Miniature Railway
Kids will love going on an enchanted walk to look for fairies, the miniature train ride, and a picnic and play at Audley End Miniature Railway
https://www.audley-end-railway.co.uk/
Visit a local Park
Enfield has some stunning parks and outdoor spaces. Bury Lodge, Oakwood, Grovelands, Aldersbrook and Broomfield Park are just some examples of parks with fantastic play facilities.
https://new.enfield.gov.uk/services/leisure-and-culture/parks-and-open-spaces/green-enfield/
Summer Holiday Camps
Young Notes Music Video Camp
Who has a child that loves to sing? Would they like to star in a professional music video? Join Young Notes Music Video Camp! It’s going to be epic!
Monday 13th August to Friday 17th August from 10am – 3pm
Chase Side Primary School, Trinity Street, Enfield EN2 6NS
https://www.youngnotes.org/summer-camp
Fitness Vibe
Fitness Vibe have a fantastic Creative Workshop Camp running over the holidays. Sport, Art and Dance activities will be organised. Younger children can attend and they accept child care vouchers too.
Highlands Village Hall, N21 1UG
https://www.sophias-diary.com/listing/fitness-vibe-childrens-holiday-camps-adults-fitness-classes/
Neverland Events
Kids will enjoy Cupcake Decorating, Magic Shows, Disco’s and Arts and Crafts at Neverland Events Fantastic Summer Camp
7th 9th, & 10th August, 9am-330pm
St Margaret’s Nursery, EN4 9NT
https://www.sophias-diary.com/listing/neverlandevents/
Orion Activity Camps are offering a wide number of activities to suit all children. Our activities include sports such as; Football, Kwik Cricket, Netball, Basketball, Benchball, Handball, Tag Rugby, Uni-Hoc, Rounders, Kinball, Dodgeball, Ultimate Frisbee, Cone Ball, Tennis, Table Tennis, Badminton, Trampolining. A variety of dance sessions; Street Dance, Zumba, Boxerxise, Dance Competition, Modern and Contemporary Dance, Jazz Attack, Heartbeat Hop.
Foundation Sports have a camps in Enfield and Barnet and have varied activities to suit children with different interests.
Skool of Skillz
Skool of Skillz run holiday camps where children will be entertained with a variety of sports and creative activities, and also get the chance to meet and make new friends in a safe and structured environment. Children can play football, basketball, cricket, tennis, rugby, netball. Hockey and more.
https://www.sophias-diary.com/listing/skool-of-skillz/
Dance Camps
Kids that love dance will enjoy camps from our reputable Dance Stables, Impress Theatre Art and The Dance Studio
https://www.sophias-diary.com/listing/dance-stables-kids-ballet/
https://www.sophias-diary.com/listing/impress-theatre-arts/
https://www.sophias-diary.com/listing/the-dance-studio/
Book a place at Camp Imagination with Sarah from Flip Learning
Does your family know how to swim. Swimming Class UK provide one to one sessions or small group bookings too. They have fantastic results too
Babies and Toddlers can learn to swim with Turtle Tots too
Family Fitness Sessions
Evolve Coaching & Fitness are holding a weekly bootcamp for the whole family every Sunday @ Trent Park, Cockfosters entrance, 11am. Kids can take part for FREE! Our sessions include a variety of fun and challenging circuits. We aim to increase your strength, speed and overall fitness with a variety of cardio, muscle-building & mobility drills. With up to three coaches involved in the sessions to ensure that each client is accurately performing each exercise you receive the benefits of a personal training session within a group setting (plus at a fraction of the price!). We accommodate to all levels with both progressive and regressive options available. Creating a fun atmosphere for the whole family to join in.
Instagram: evolve_coaching
Indoor Places to Go:
Going Pottery
Going Pottery is a North London ceramic art studio where adults and children can relax and show their creative side. They also serve snacks, home-made cakes and also do afternoon tea
156 Lancaster Rd, Enfield EN2 0JS
https://www.sophias-diary.com/listing/going-pottery/
Pots of Art
Create original colourful pottery masterpiece and fantastic ceramic pieces at the fantastic Pots Of Art. There is also a play area too
Phoenix Rose Garden Centre, Crews Hill EN2 9DP
Curious Minds
There is an extensive programme of fun things to do for kids at Curious Minds. Circus Tricks, Crafty Chefs, Zoolab, Arts, Disco and Scalextrics are just some examples.
220 Green Lanes, N13 5UD
https://www.sophias-diary.com/events/curious-minds-summer-programme/
Eventful Ideas
Eventful Ideas have an action packed summer holiday programme
We also have lots on over the summer.
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Roller Station
Learn how to Skate or just enjoy some skating time at Rollerstation. Adults can join in too.
AYLWARD ACADEMY, WINDMILL ROAD, LONDON N18 1NB
https://www.rollerstation.co.uk/
Jump In Enfield
Visit Jump In Enfield for the best way to keep active and keep out of the sun at Jump In Trampoline Parks this Summer. They have an offer 5 one hour jumps for £35, on sale from 16th April 2018 and available until 31st August.
22 Lumina Park, Lumina Way, Enfield EN1 1FS
https://www.gojumpin.com/news/hot-summer-discounts
Flip Out Trampoline Parks
Are you looking for the most fun summer camp around? Flip Out Brent Cross are taking bookings now!
What’s included? Free jumping sessions, Drama, Art, Back to booster classes, T-shirt and much more!
Date: Mon 23rd July to Fri 24th August
Ages: 6 to 14 years old
Time: 8am to 4.30pm
Price: £100 a week/£25 a day/sibling discount 10% off a full week
Unit 7, Staples Corner Retail Park, Geron Way, London NW2 6LW
https://www.flipout.co.uk/locations/london-brent-cross/
N20 KidsClub
Visit this fantastic indoor soft play area that has a multi-level play frame, fresh food, coffees, baby changing facilities, free parking and wifi.
1105 – 1111 High Road, London,N20 0PT
Local Leisure Centres
Check out what is on at your local leisure as they have great facilities for families. Most have a swimming pool, kids classes and soft play too.
http://www.fusion-lifestyle.com/contracts/enfield
https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/london/barnet
SoftPlays with an Outdoor Area
Rye Assic Adventure Park and Fun Junction are fantastic softplays that have an outdoor area too.
http://www.rye-house.co.uk/rye-assic-adventure-park
Book an Indoor Day Out
Popular indoor days out include Shreks Adventure, Museums and London Aquarium
Family Friendly Places to Eat
Family Friendly Venues
Did you know that our local theatres have lovely places to eat? The Plough in Crews Hill also has an outdoor area for kids to play too. The Winchmore Pub is also a great place to visit with the family and the food is fantastic. Nanny Apples also offer free babyccino if you show present a Sophia’s Diary discount card. Trent Park Country Club is stunning and welcomes children too. Thymari has the most amazing food too
https://www.sophias-diary.com/going-out/
Book a Holiday
Call a Travel Agent
If it all gets too much and you need to get away, local Travel Agent Marios can check deals and, advise you on family friendly destinations and venues too. Travel Agents often have excellent deals with hotels and do the hard job of looking for you.
https://www.sophias-diary.com/listing/marios-constantas-travel-agent/
Have a Clear Out
Cheeki Monkeys have organised a nearly new sale on 28th July. Why not make some cash whilst decluttering. The kids can also play at the event too
