No need to wait around for a bus again; download the London Bus Checker Smartphone app for your iphone or Android for a mere £1.99.  Real-time updates from busses en route, easily downloadable route maps with stops indicated on street maps … read my review, or download from itunes here

Also, head over to Earl’s Court Destinations: The Holiday and Travel Show on Sunday 5^th February, noon, theatre 1 to hear London dad, safari specialist, conservationist and National Geographic presenter Hayden Turner talk about his award-winning documentary “Hunters of the Lost World” where he followed and documented the hunting and survival skills of 7 rare tribes.  Hayden will also be on hand to discuss family safari travel … read more

Just for Babies:

Gate Cinema: Tuesday 7^th February.  Big Scream.  Come and see Carnage this Tuesday without the crowds, hassle or need to pay a sitter.  Doors open at 10am, movie begins at 10:30, free coffee and pastries http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Gate_Picturehouse/Whats_On/Clubs_Groups/

 For Toddlers and Babies

Classical Babies: Wednesdays, 11:00am, Belisize Park, Interchange Studios.  £10 per family for a delightful classical concert that is completely baby and toddler friendly, the perfect mid-week bit of brain candy read more about the fabulous bit of motherhood: My review. 

Classics with my Baby: a classical concert series for mums and tots.  Classical concerts specifically designed for mums and children (0-5 years) to enjoy together. Tickets: Adults £10, children FREE (special offers on website)

 Tuesday Febuary 7th Islington - Christ Church, Highbury N5 1SA 2012 10:00am:  ”Eat Cake and Mingle” 10:30am:  Concert begins. Ends by 11:30am Tickets:  Adults £10 at the door, discounts available online, children FREE

 Wednesday Febuary 8th 2012 Chelsea - Christ Church, Christchurch Street, off Flood Street, London, SW3 4AS 10:00am:  ”Eat Cake and Mingle” 10:30am:  Concert begins. Ends by 11:30am
Tickets:  Adults £10 at the door, discounts available online, children FREE

 Le Institute Francias: Baby French Tales, A La Decoouverte De Paris (ages 0-3) Saturday 4^th February, 11am.  1 hour, in easy French.  A new baby elephant has arrived in town looking for his big city adventure.  Bring your kids along to Baby French Tales and explore the fabulous South Kensington area before or after.  £7 per adult, £5 per child.  www.institut-francais.org.uk/kids-and-teens/baby-and-kids-french-tales

 For Bigger Kids:

Somerset House: Mini Make Believe. Sunday 5^th February from 11:30 – 12:30.  Bring your 2-5 year olds along to learn about pairs.  Look, sing, dance, make and learn in this fabulously designed and run little workshop for very young children.  Free, tickets allocated on arrival.  www.somersethouse.org.uk/learning/family

 Somerset House: Family Workshop, Imaginary Menagerie.  Saturday 4^th February, 2:00-3:30pm.  Construct your own weird and wonderful beasts and mythical monsters at this drop-in making workshop.  Free, no ticket required, but you may have to wait for a turn to make something http://www.somersethouse.org.uk/learning/family/free-family-workshops

 Saatchi Gallery Family Art Workshop: A Bag Full of Art.  Sunday 5^th February, 10:30, noon, 3:00 and 4:00pm.  Explore the exhibition highlights through family oriented tours that incorporate interactive conversations and drawing activities.  The tour begins with the opening of a bag that contains media used by artists in Gesamkunstwerk.  Children will have the opportunity to touch, experience and interact with the materials.  Ages 4-12, younger siblings welcome, £3.00 per child.  Book required valeria@familyartworkshops@gmail.com  www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/a_bag_full_of_art.htm

 Kids Club, Saturdays at Gate Picturehouse: Scooby Doo, PG
From 10am they have activities, then watch the foodie/kiddie feel good flick at 10:30.  £4 to join the Kids Club, but then tickets are £1 after, popcorn and juice for the kids £2.  http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Gate_Picturehouse/Whats_On/Clubs_Groups/Kids_Club/

 Read more about the day out here.

Wallace Collection Little Draw: Sunday 5^th February 1:30 – 4:30.  Bring the kids along to a drop-in art workshop.  Come here after going to the expansive Marylebone Farmer’s Market (10am -2pm Sundays in the car park just behind Waitrose) and the gorgeous Paddington Green playground, located in the park just beyond the car park. http://www.wallacecollection.org/whatson/activitiesforadultsandfamilies/familyactivities

 For the Family Over Half Term

Half term week is rapidly approaching.  I will have an in-depth list next week of what to look out for, but you may want to book into an art workshop at The Wallace Collection, weaving at The V and A, a family concert at Cadogan Hall, events at The Imagine Festival at Southbank, Lollibop Mini Disco at Ministry of Sound, events at the Holland Park Ecology Centre.  Not ready to commit?  Don’t worry, there are loads of drop-in events coming in the complete list next week.

 For Adults:

NCT Interior Design Short Course A fabulous fundraiser for the National Childbirth Trust, an interior design course at Whole Foods Market on High Street Kensington.  Put together with the help of London Property Makeover, you can learn the basics of interior design (how to write a brief, colour theory, how to mix fabrics, create a mood board, spatial planning and lighting – wow!!).  This is intended for mums creating a nursery for their new-borns, but I want to come, too!!  Four Wednesdays 8pm – 9pm, from 29^th February.  £80 for the course, donation to the NCT included.  Read on … 

Want to take your child to listen to the highest echelon performers in the classical music world at 10:30 in the morning? Do not miss the next Classical Babies concert in Knightsbridge where you and your progeny can enjoy passionate and enthusiastic music played by today’s leaders in the classical music field.

Classical Babies is the brainchild of Antonia Azoitei and Estella Garcia, both full-time mums and professionals in the arts who wanted to unite all their passions in one place. What a better way than to bring world-class talented musicians to vigorously perform classical repertoire to mums, dads, carers, babies, toddlers and children? This is such an amazing treat for anyone; whether you are a seasoned musician or a newbie to classical music, you and your offspring will enjoy a professional grade concert for £10.

 Antonia and Estella bring the highest calibre concert hall musicians; harpists, pianists, cellists, violinist, flutists to come and perform mid-morning concerts for children. Antonia has performed with the world’s leading musicians: she heads the Vilensky String Quartet, was a full-time member of the BBC Concert Orchestra, and continues to play with City of London Sinfonia and various other orchestras and performing groups.

Classical Babies Knightsbridge brings together all the elements for a perfect London-baby day: a world-class performance hall classical music concert a short walk from Sloane Square, around the corner from Harrods, ten minutes from the playground and Serpentine in Hyde Park: the perfect day out on the town with the little ones.

Have a coffee, browse the shops, treat you and your child to a beautiful concert, then top it all off with a trip to the playground near Hyde Park Barracks and feed the ducks to boot. You may even see the Regimental Cavalry out practicing, or better yet, returning from Changing of the Guard in full ceremonial attire. The Dell Restaurant just at the end of the Serpentine is particularly child and push chair friendly with a huge terrace filled with picnic tables (no one is really going to care if you buy a coffee and bring your own food for the kids) where the kids can lean against the rails and watch the water fowl.

Gate Cinema: Tuesday 20^th December, 10:30am: We Have a Pope.  A favourite at Cannes this year, directed by Nanni Moretti.   The film is about a reluctant, newly elected pope who is not sure he is up for the job and engages with a therapist to resolve his inner conflicts.  A feel-good movie making light hearted jabs at dogma where you can breast feed. More info

For Babies and Toddlers (and big kids this week)

Classical Babies, Belsize Park.  Come and listening to duelling cellos, bring the family for £10 and enjoy a fabulous child-friendly classical concert.  Mince pies and mulled wine to follow and Christmas Carols (we will be there barring illness or a previous commitment to the Lyric theatre) More info

National Gallery

Magic carpet Story Telling for the Under Fives: Sunday 18^th December 10:30 – 11:00 & 11:30 – noon.  Wednesday 28^th & Thursday 29^th 10:30 – 11:30.  Walk through the National Gallery, take a seat on a magic carpet and listen to a description of a story told in one of the masterpieces.  An absolute delight; makes you take a deep breath of pride and say with great confidence, raising kids in central London is a good thing More info

London Transport Museum

Storytime:  Tuesday 27^th December – Tuesday 3^rd January 11:00am.  Bring the under fives to hear a story and do some singing. more info 

Gruffalo’s Child Arts Depot Theatre, ages 3+, £12 per ticket or family ticket £40. I have won a ticket to attend this theatrical adaptation of the charming book.  Looking forward to taking the family to a new arts venue. 

 Family Activity: Celebrate Chanuka the Festival of Lights: Monday 19^th December, 10:30-12:30 and 2:00-4:00pm, Come and learn the story of Chanuka and make your own clay menorah to take home with you.  £7 ages 5+.  More info

Drop in Art Workshop: Make a Christmas Cracker.  Tuesday 20^th December, 2:00-4:00pm.  Come along and make a Christmas cracker and sing some carols.  Free, drop in ages 5+more info

Family Activity: Winter Wonderland.  Come and make a gold glittery transfer sticker snowflake inspired by ceiling roses and other ornamentation in the Wallace Collection.  Ages 7+, £7 book ahead more info

V and A

Make it Family Event: Tuesday 27^th – Saturday 31^st, 10:30 – 12:30 or 2:00-4:00.  Come and make a glittery box to keep your secrets in.  We have done loads of these workshops and they are brilliantly put together.  You take younger siblings and still help the older make a very special keepsake they can keep for a long time.  Loads of staff on hand happy to help out a bit.  £3, you need to book more info

The Imagination Station: Tuesday 27^th – Saturday 31^st, 10:30 – 5:00pm.  Make you own puppet and perform with it in a Winter Wonderland Storytelling Session.  Free, drop in, suggested age 4+ (but anyone is welcome to have  go) more info

Gallery Tales: Tuesday 27^th – Tuesday January 3^rd, 11:30, 12:30, 2:00, 3:00 & 4:00 daily.  Come and hear stories about fairies, magic, mystery and delight in a 30 minute interactive play.  Children are welcome to bring the puppets they have made and join in the storytelling.  Free, drop in. more info

London Transport Museum

Mosaic Making: Monday 19^th – Friday 23^rd December, noon – 3pm daily.  Head over to the Transport Museum, have a great look around and learn London’s history through transit, and head over and make a mosaic coaster or wall hanging to take home or give as a gift. Free and drop in more info

Kite Making: Tuesday 27^th December – Tuesday 3^rd January noon – 3:00pm.  Make a box or diamond kite with fabric and card.  Free and drop in. more info

 If you are not part of the 1% and still have the good fortune to live near Chelsea, read on because there is a hip, new martial arts gym in town.

 Technically it’s Battersea, but it is literally at the foot of Albert Bridge, just along the embankment.  If you want an efficient, innovative work out led by motivated professionals but refuse to pay astronomic gym fees, take a look at Stars.

 Stars Gym is located on the ground floor of the Albion Riverside building, literally the second building to the right of the bridge.  They have put together a hip, concise and welcoming scene: an independent urban gym run by trainers who are in the business to help others reach new fitness levels.  Taking full advantage of its proximity to Battersea and the riverside, Stars classes might meet at the gym and can wind their way into Battersea Park and back for a shower and sauna.  They have a beauty treatment room for facials, waxing, massage and nails.  They also have a physiotherapist.    

 In addition to free weights, spinning studio, cardio machines, resistance trainers, Pilates and pre-natal Pilates, the gym is big on martial art’s fitness.  They have a fabulous custom made boxing ring, mixed martial art’s cage and dojo / bag area with a fully sprung floor.  The instructors include 2012 Olympic prospects alongside past and present experienced fighters / athletes.  They offer women’s kickboxing, punch and crunch and circuit training incorporating boxing. They plan to start a triathlon and running training program in the New Year too.

 Further great news for local mums, they have children’s kickboxing and judo after school classes for extremely competitive rates.  Currently, they are offering kids kickboxing, 5 – 13 year olds, Thursdays 4:30 – 5:30.  Kids Judo, 5 – 9 year olds, Wednesdays 4:00 – 5:00 & 5:00 – 6:00. roughly £13 per class.

 The crowning glory of Stars gym, is the new Ofsted registered crèche run by an amazing staff.  My son dropped me like a hot potato happily played while his mum got to check out the gym and met the staff. They have a variety of equipment for different age children, clean and well looked after.  The crèche will be open from 9:30 – 11:30 Monday – Friday. 

 The very best part: pay as you go or become a member for deep discounts if you are going frequently.   For two hours in the crèche and a workout: drop-in £25, for members, £7.50 for the two hour session.  Its clean, it’s happy, it’s a place you would like to spend time in and I think two hours of gym and sauna is one of the best mum’s deals around.

Families local to the Pimlico Toy Library, please stop by the Toy Library Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings and buy raffle tickets to sell to friends and neighbours.  We are in desperate need of fundraising to keep our fabulous charity open.

For the Family:

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is open, we have been and you are in for such a big treat this year!!! 

We have been every year, with one toddler, a child and a baby, a big kid and and toddler and even with each changing dynamic, I cannot get over how much fun we have each year; it’s a great family event no matter how old your kids are.  Why is the woman who writes about textile ornament making telling you to go to Winter Wonderland?  It is just that much fun: rides, food, hot adult beverages, people watching and the kids just love every minute of it. 

The entry is free, the rides will costs upwards from £2 per child and adults are charged to ride.  SantaLand has a free grotto, small rides for the littlies and a gentle atmosphere.  The energy around the market and the “big kid rides” is a bit manic, as you can imagine.  The ice skating rink is outdoors and built around the bandstand this year instead of being housed in the temporary building (huge improvement).  Sadly, the antique “Parisian” car rides and gliders are not here this year, but perhaps we can persuade them to bring them back for next year.

If you can manage, go right at 10am on a weekday or on the weekends and you will be in a thinner more family crowd.  For all budgets, its a great time out.

South Kensington Literary Festival at Le Institut Francais: Thursday 24^th – Sunday 27^th come and book to see drawing duels with Alex Sheffler and David McKee, watch a film, get your book signed by your favourite children’s author:

Chelsea Physic Garden Christmas Fair, Saturday 26^th and Sunday 27^th November , 10-4pm.  Come and peruse the marquis covered gardens for fabulously crafted Christmas gifts.  Enjoy mulled wine, mince pies, game stews and hot breakfasts all provided by the fabulous Tangerine Dream Cafe.  £5 per adult, children under 16 free. 

Southbank Winter Festival: The Southbank Christmas Market (now through 24^th December) and Royal Festival Hall: Pack a picnic and enjoy shelter and entertainment in the Royal Festival Hall after walking through the Southbank Christmas festival and market.  Take in the views from the Southbank, watch the entertainers, eat in the market and ride the fabulous carousal and then pop into the Royal Festival Hall and check out Forkbeard Fantasy Theatre of Imagination(2^nd December – 8^th January) an interactive with life size puppets, peepshow boxes, mechanical gizmos and cartoons.  The Festival Hall is a community space, with toilets and highchairs and wifi for anyone to use.  You can bring your own food or buy food there.  Will write up more about the fabulous Christmas shows next week  

Christmas on Elizabeth Street, Sunday 4^th December, noon – 5pm: come and pet the reindeer, encounter the ice queen, see Father Christmas, listen to brass bands and carol singers … it is a fabulous family day for all to enjoy

Fortnum and Mason Storytelling of the Nutcracker: Saturdays and Sundays from 26^th November – 18^th December.  Plus, Monday 19^th and Tuesday 20^th December: 12:30, 2:00 and 3:30, £15 per child.  Come and listen to Father Christmas tell the story of the Nutcracker.

Just For Babies:

The Gate Picturehouse, Tuesday 10:30 am, Big Scream for infants under 12 months. This week’s picture: The Weekend, starring Chris New and Tom Cullen.   Huge thank yous to Gate Picturehouse for the tickets for the Westminster NCT Big Coffee Morning Celebrating Canadian and American Thanksgiving:

Babies and Toddlers

NCT Christmas Party at the Chelsea Theatre with Pippa’s Poppets:  Thursday 1^st December 11:15 – noon.  Come join the NCT Kensington and Chelsea Branch and Pippa’s Poppets for a fabulous free party complete with mince pies and Christmas carols, in addition to Pippa’s fantastic music class.  Pippa was joint winner of The Times Christmas Carol Competition this year and will be performing her carol at Codogan Hall. http://web.me.com/pippacleary/Pippas_Poppets/Home.html book a place by emailing: toddlersnctkensington@yahoo.co.uk or get in touch with the Kensington and Chelsea NCT http://www.facebook.com/KensingtonAndChelseaNCT

Classical Babies: come and see the duelling violins, babies, toddlers and older children welcome to come and watch a scream-friendly concert in Belsize Park, £10 per family.

Bigger Kids:

The Wallace Collection, Little Draw: Sunday 4^th December 1:30 – 4:30.  Join artist Julia Iwasz for a free drawing session. 

Do not miss, Family Art Workshops in the Saatchi Gallery on Sundays from 27^th November – 18^th December, £3 per card.  The fabulous Valeria will take your children on a guided discovery through the galleries and then teach them how to print Christmas cards.  http://familyworkshops.wordpress.com/about/

Also at the Saatchi Gallery, Wednesday 21^st December 11am – 5pm, free family day of workshops, tours and tea!!

Two Temple Place: Come and check out the newly opened, sumptuously restored, period home and now art collection located near The Strand.  Morris Christmas Craft Workshop, Saturday 17^th December.  Join Andrea Tierney for an afternoon of making Morris inspired Christmas baubles out of textiles.  10 – 4:30, £3

Just for Mums:

The Spa at Dolphin Square and I are putting our heads together to come up with a mum’s Sunday afternoon.  Dads will take the kids out to explore The Kids Zone at the Army Museum, or a day out in Covent Garden or scores of other fun activities while mum’s book in groups of four for the most luxurious and relaxing afternoon of pampering.  Watch this space!!

Gate Picturehouse Big Scream: Tuesday 15^th November, 10:30, babies less than 1 year of age.  The Awakening with Imelda Saunton, Dominic West and Rebecca Hall; set in a 1920’s English country boarding school, the film explores a sceptics encounter with supernatural phenomena. 

http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Gate_Picturehouse/Whats_On/Clubs_Groups/

Babies and Toddlers:

Classical Babies: Wednesday, 11:00,InterchangeStudiosBelsizePark, £10, babies and toddlers.  Come join Anna Wagstaff and Tanya Ursova Owens for a cello and piano recital. 

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=200150270059506

Babies, Toddlers and Children:

Hyde ParkWinter Wonderland: Thank you to the very fabulous Anna for giving my family tickets to the press opening; London-baby.com has moved to an asset from a liability in my husbands eyes. We look forward to posting a review of all the rides, food and cocktails next week!!

http://www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com/

Meet the Gruffalo at Selfridges: Saturday 19^th, 2-4pm, 4^th floor toy department Selfridges.  Come join the Gruffalo for storytelling and face painting (great way for one parent to get some shopping done)

http://style.selfridges.com/whats-on/meet-gruffalo-selfridges-london

Mini Maestro London Musical Arts Orchestra at St Martinin the Field, Saturday 19^th, 4:30 – 5:30, Beethovan’s Eroica Symphony, ages 4 – 12.   Fantastic, interactive orchestra who bring children into the performance. 

http://www.lmaorchestra.com/

South Kensington Festival:

Start booking for drawing workshops, film and book signing.  Quentin Blake and Lauren Child are just a few of the top children’s literati who will be working with our kids. 

http://www.institut-francais.org.uk/southkenkidsfest/events/sat26nov.html

 This weekend:

 Saturday 5^th November noon – 5pm, all ages

Wellcome Collection Day of the Dead: Come and experience the colourful and playful Mexican festival for what is honoured in the liturgical calendar as All Saints Day.  Religious in origin, the festival tries aims to interact and have fun with the idea of the afterlife.  Loads of crafts and interesting things to do while learning more about this fascinating Mexican festival. 

 Saturday 5^th November, all day, all ages

Regent Street Motor Show:Regent streethas been shut down and there will be 100 pre-1905 cars to view, cars from variousLondontoBrightonraces, 50 Mini Coopers … Loads to look at and roam around

 Sunday 6^th November, 3-5pm

Family Barn Dance: Cecil Sharp House, NW3.  Take the family to a traditional British Folk Dancing Party (no previous knowledge required).  An event for the whole family to learn and participate with the English Folk Dancing Society.  All ages, £5 adults, £3 children/

 Sunday 6^th November, 11:30

Mini-Make Believe at Somerset House:  Bring the under fives along to have a session of dancing, craft-making, singing and thinking about fireworks.  Free and brilliantly run. 

 Sunday 6^th November, 11:30

Daunt Books Heath Walk and Talk: Join Daunt Books on South End Road with your kids, dogs, prams for a walk in the Heath and a discussion about John Le Carre’s sublime novel, The Spy Who Came in From the Cold.  Free and all ages

 Wednesday 9^th November, 11:00

ClassicalBabies: BelsizePark, Interchange Studios, babies and toddlers.  £10 per family.This is such a great time on a Wednesday morning, the venue is just a few doors down from the tube, the neighbourhood is very kid friendly, you can walk to the heath (a long-ish walk) a great way to enjoy some culture with your child

 Friday 11^th November 10:30 and 12:30

London Symphony Orchestra concert for the Under Fives, St. Luke’s Church, Old Street EC1.  Book now for an interactive concert for the very littlies, two performances 10:30 and 12:30.  Tickets are £3 per person, babies under 12 months are free.

  Next Weekend:

 Saturday 12^th November

The Kensington Hotel, Lessons in Table Manners for kids, ages 5 – 10, 3-4pm, The Aubrey Restaurant: FREE!!! Bring the kids in for some etiquette lessons at The Kensington Hotel. Leave the kids at the table to polish up their manners and adults can go partake in their own tea or enjoy cocktails!!  The children’s tea is free! Ring 020 75896300 or Email thedoylecollection@77pr.co.uk to reserve a place.

 Saturday 12^th November

Family Concert from The Little London Music School, 10:15 – 11:00am, £6 children & £8 adult.  Come enjoy an interactive concert for children.  Held is St. Columba’s upper hall onPont Street(a block or two from Harrods), a great location, wonderful room and near-by loads of shopping and playgrounds.  A great day out!!

Mostly For Babies:

Sunday 9^th October, Little Angel Theatre,  11:00am, £8

The DaSilva Marionette Circus: This very special and intriguing marionette show has been touring for over fifty years.  The large marionettes perform circus tricks that involve balance, tricky movements and other feats of entertainment.  The Sunday performance is baby-friendly, so you can bring the littlies along.

Tuesday 11^th October, Big Scream, Gate Cinema, £8.50 (mention London-baby.com and have your £4 membership fee waived)

Tyrannosaur: Paddy Considine (the story of a working class man’s path to redemption after the untimely death of his wife)

Wednesday 12^th October, Classical Babies, Interchange Studios, Belsize Park, £10

Solo Violin Recital: This is such a treat with babies and small children, older children are very much welcome.  This is a proper classical concert, but there is room for your pushchair, places for babies to crawl around, toys and books for slightly older children.  It is extremely easy to get to from the Belsize Park Underground Station

Saturday 15^th October, Half-Moon Theatre, 11:00am, 1:00pm & 3:00pm, £6 (ages three and under)

Circles in the Sand: Take your very youngest children to the theatre for an interactive performance perfect for babies and toddlers.  An experiential performance about sand, everyone can watch and everyone can play, too. 

Tuesday 18^th October, Big Scream, Gate Cinema, £8.50 £8.50 (mention London-baby.com and have your £4 membership fee waived)

Midnight in Paris: Woody Allen’s latest story about a writer in Paris.

For Older Children:

Saturday 15th October, Storytelling with Art Activity, National Portrait Gallery, 10:30, ages 3+, free

Edward’s Expedition: Hear the story of a young boy’s adventure to a far away land and then make your own map to take home.

Saturday 15^th October, Treasure from Your Travels, National Portrait Gallery, 11:30 – 1:30, free, ages 5+

Work with Clay: What did Victorians like to collect from their travels?  What souvenirs did they like to return from their travels with?  Find out in this workshop and make your own mini-museum treasure using clay.   

Sunday 16th October, Family Day at the V and A, 11:00am – 5:00pm, free, all ages

Big Draw: Bring the entire family to the V and A and everyone can take part in various drawing activities.  Little ones can use the imagination stations, where they can draw, stick and cut out creations; older children can take part in the drawing workshops held hourly from 11:30.  Loads of other workshops, demos, events and competitions, too. 

Next week, look for half-term activities from the Wallace Collection, British Museum, V and A, Portrait Gallery and more …

Fancy a classical music concert for you and your baby or toddler to enjoy in Belsize Park? Come and enjoy a fabulous morning of culture (and after cake) at Classical Babies.

Classical Babies made such a strong impression on my dirt eating, half-Labrador puppy little boy.  For nearly 20 minutes my two year old sat transfixed in my lap listening to two Schubert pieces, Debussy’s Romance; during Rachmaninov’s How Fair is This Spot, my son gave me a little kiss on the cheek! Oh heaven.

Sitting in the concert hall, my irritation with housework, whining, homework, the worry over secondary school fees became fleetingly trifle affairs belonging to a different woman in a different life.  For the duration of that concert, I was granted a moment of pure Motherhood: sharing the very best life has to offer with my child.

Estella Ronan and Antonia Azoitei have put together a mother baby activity of the highest standard: a quality music recital for £10 for mums who have to bring babies and toddlers with them.   Oh how I could wax on about this.  If you have a little one, do not miss your chance to go.

Wednesdays, 11:00 – 11:45, £10.00, Belsize Park, Interchange Studios (take a left out of the tube, cross the street and its next to the cafe.  Recital is held on the ground floor, no stairs.  Toilets up a flight of stairs, but you can change infants in the room.  Push chairs are kept in the room with you.

Next door is an amazing, British, independent bakery .. very child-friendly and very delicious.  Sausage roll, latte and madeleines for lunch … yummy!!  Check out the Euphorium Bakery

The Gate Picture House at Notting Hill is promoting their Tuesday Big Scream Club by offering free memberships to London-baby.com readers.  In addition to this great offer, they have teamed up with Le Pain Quotidien, next door to the cinema, who will offer Big Scream ticket holders a 10% discount off purchases of their fabulous drinks and cakes.

Tuesday mornings from 10:30 you can bring children less than 1 year of age to The Gate Picture House for The Big Scream Film Club.  Enjoy a cinema experience without worrying about noise, nursing, bottles, pushchairs, nappy changing, or any of the rest of it, as the theatre is only open to carers and infants.  The lights are dimly lit and changing area provided and space to park your pushchair.

This week the feature is Melancholia staring Kiersten Dunst (Best Actress at Cannes 2011, Melancholia), Keifer Sutherland, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and Alaxander Skarsgard;  it is a strange plot, read the review http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117945258/

Taking the baby to the cinema is such a great treat; I urge all to take advantage of this opportunity while you can, because soon it will cost a fortune in babysitters for you to get out and catch a film.   The Gate Picture House is located next to the Notting Hill Gate tube stop, very close to the amenities of Kensington Gardens and the shops of Notting Hill.

Mention London-baby.com and have your £4 membership fee waived