Laura Nightingale

Spinnaker Tower and Solent Cruises are launching the Harbour Lights experience in Portsmouth on September 2. The evening will begin with a sunset cruise from Gunwharf Quays Marina through Portsmouth Harbour, followed by a three-course dinner, live music and night-time views from Spinnaker Tower’s Sky Bar. The event is designed to showcase Portsmouth’s waterfront and maritime heritage.

West Midlands Safari Park in Bewdley, Worcestershire, offers overnight stays in safari lodges overlooking giraffe, lion, rhino and other animal enclosures. The review highlights a two-storey giraffe lodge with private balcony views, family-friendly facilities, dinner and breakfast hampers, and two-day park admission. Guests can also take part in daily giraffe-feeding sessions. Prices start at £509 per night for two guests, including meals, park admission and seasonal theme-park wristbands.

Laura Nightingale reviews Squire's Garden Centre in Wokingham as a family-friendly destination near Surrey, highlighting its Mini Maker’s Mornings, children’s planting activities, play area, café, farm shop, free parking and baby-changing facilities. She praises the venue’s food, including its signature strawberry cream slice, and notes a £9.99 anniversary cream tea marking the garden centre’s 90th anniversary. The centre’s summer children’s sessions run through August 26, with opening hours and visitor details provided.

Brookwood Cemetery near Woking will open several historic mausoleums, including its Grade II-listed Columbarium, to the public on September 12 as part of Heritage Open Days 2026. The free event will run from 10am to 3pm and include self-guided grave trails, a guided walk led by the Brookwood Cemetery Society, refreshments and access to the cemetery grounds. Visitors will learn about the site’s Victorian funerary architecture and notable figures buried there, with no booking required.

Laura Nightingale visits Food Hall Squires Wokingham in Berkshire, near Camberley, to test whether a farm shop can offer good value on a £10 budget. She buys reduced milk and porridge oats alongside raspberries, steak burgers and free-range eggs, spending £10.68 in total. Although some products cost more than supermarket equivalents, the shop offers numerous everyday items at comparable prices while supporting local producers.

Adriatico Wine Bar has opened on Guildford Road in Lightwater, Surrey, replacing the owners’ former Adriatico Italian restaurant and pizzeria. The venue offers wines from around the world alongside artisan cheeses, charcuterie, small Italian-inspired dishes and an aperitivo-style experience. It will host regular wine tastings and events, and is open Tuesday to Saturday from 5pm.

Spice Lounge, an Indian restaurant and takeaway in Mytchett near Camberley, won Curry Expert of the Year at the 2026 English Curry Awards. The awards, organised by Oceanic Awards and held in Wolverhampton, recognised restaurants, chefs, takeaways and other hospitality professionals across England. Spice Lounge manager Mr Choudhary credited the restaurant's team and its focus on good food, service and value, while customer reviews praised its dishes and delivery.

The family-run Crèche has opened on Church Street in Godalming, offering pay-as-you-go childcare for children aged six months to school age. Parents can book sessions without a minimum attendance requirement, long-term commitment, deposit or registration fee, with prices starting at £20 an hour. The setting is designed for families with changing work patterns, gradual returns to employment and children with SEND, and includes meals, nappies, activities and app-based updates. Registered with Ofsted in July 2026, it has not yet received an inspection report.

Cotswold Water Park, a wetland landscape spanning more than 180 lakes across Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, is presented as a quieter alternative to crowded Cotswold villages such as Bourton-on-the-Water and Castle Combe. The feature highlights De Vere Cotswold Water Park hotel, its lake views, family-friendly accommodation, self-catering apartments, nature reserves, lakeside activities and restaurant terrace. Rooms are reported to start at £129 including breakfast.

The Father Christmas Express will run from Ropley station on the Watercress Line in Hampshire on December 12, 13, 19, 20, 22, 23 and 24. Families will take a steam-train journey to Medstead, meet Father Christmas, collect gifts and enjoy festive activities including reindeer-food making, an elf-door trail, miniature railway rides and seasonal refreshments. Tickets range from £12 for children under one to £27.50 for children aged one to 15, with adult tickets priced at £22.50.

The Lexicon shopping centre in Bracknell is hosting a free Dragons at The Lexicon trail throughout August. Families can find five animatronic dragons, ten dragon eggs made by local schools and colleges, a LEGO dragon, dragon-themed train rides, character meet-and-greets, face painting and storytime sessions. Visitors can also enter a social-media competition with prizes worth £1,000.

Pho in Guildford has launched SABZU Pink Sriracha, described as the world's first pink sriracha, in partnership with Bamboomart London Limited. Made with white Thai chillies and hibiscus, the sauce has a bright pink colour, fruity sweetness and considerable heat. Laura Nightingale found it gloopy but enjoyable with prawn summer rolls, while also praising Pho's beef noodles and outdoor setting. The sauce is available at Pho restaurants until the end of August, alongside a £5 Pink Wednesdays menu for customers wearing pink.

Laura Nightingale reviews De Vere Cotswold Water Park, a family-friendly lakeside hotel near South Cerney that is about an hour from Surrey and within easy driving distance of Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold. She highlights the spacious two-bedroom apartments, kitchen facilities, lake views, dining options, breakfast and swimming pool, presenting the resort as a peaceful alternative to the Cotswolds’ busier tourist villages. Rooms are advertised from £129 with breakfast.

The Spa at Pennyhill Park in Bagshot, Surrey, offers an outdoor 18-metre turquoise pool surrounded by woodland, loungers, shaded areas and a pool bar. Access is available through a spa day booking or an overnight hotel stay, with private cabanas also available to rent. Facilities include hot tubs, hydrotherapy pools, saunas, steam rooms, cold-water experiences and an indoor 25-metre pool, alongside food, drinks and spa treatments.

Chobham is presented as a picturesque Surrey village near Woking, combining historic half-timbered houses, independent shops, gastro pubs and an Alice in Wonderland-themed tearoom with convenient access to London. The village benefits from proximity to Chobham Common National Nature Reserve and the historic Church of St Lawrence. Average house prices reached £683,281 over the previous year, above the Surrey average, with detached homes commanding the highest prices. The gallery showcases the village's high street, businesses, church and traditional English character.

The Queen of Tarts, an Alice in Wonderland-inspired tearoom, opened on July 20 on Chobham High Street in Surrey. The family- and dog-friendly café serves cakes, pastries, pasties, toasties, sandwiches and coffee in a whimsical setting decorated with chequered tables, teacups, playing cards and mismatched signs.

Secretts Farm in Milford near Godalming will host its Sweetcorn Weekend on September 5 and 6, 2026. Visitors can pick sweetcorn, sunflowers and wildflowers, while enjoying activities including reptile encounters, hay-bale jumping, space hoppers and a prize-winning gnome trail. Food, drinks and paid extras such as crafts and glitter tattoos will also be available. Entry costs £8 for adults and £12 for children, with free parking on site.

A photo-led feature showcases The Inn on The Lake in Godalming after its summer refurbishment. The pub offers a large lakeside garden with patios, lawns, courtyards and four secluded foliage-covered domes for private drinks and dining, alongside a menu featuring seafood, steaks, desserts and children's meals.

Laura Nightingale reviews Côte Brasserie in Farnham’s Lion and Lamb Yard, praising its Parisian-style setting, garden terrace, attentive staff and French-inspired menu. The refreshed offering includes a lower-priced Prix Fixe menu, expanded breakfast and brunch options, Plaice Frites and returning customer favourites. Nightingale particularly enjoys a blue-cooked 7oz fillet steak with unlimited fries and recommends booking an outdoor table.

Cazaro Lounge, part of The Lounges restaurant chain, will open at the Brightwells development in Farnham on August 12, 2026. The child- and dog-friendly venue will serve food and drinks throughout the day, including all-day brunch, gluten-free and vegan options, sandwiches, burgers, curries, mezze and tapas. It will also offer board games, children's toys and treats for dogs, with its name inspired by nearby Farnham Park.

Longacres Beach has opened at Longacres Garden Centre in Bagshot for the summer holidays. The free attraction features a large toy-filled sandpit on the terrace of The Green House Café, where parents can order food and drinks while supervising children. It is open daily during garden-centre hours, with shaded areas, parking, toilets and baby-changing facilities. A separate children’s paint-your-own activity runs from noon to 1 p.m. for £7.50.

The Ivy Asia in Guildford has launched a £55-per-person Experience Set Menu featuring dishes inspired by Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. The sharing menu includes sushi, seafood, salads, optional premium mains and a theatrical dessert of warm ube and coconut doughnuts with vanilla soft serve, popping candy and a cloud of smoke. Reviewer Laura Nightingale praised the food, presentation and immersive dining experience, and highlighted the Ube Colada as a fitting cocktail pairing.

Ten parks and green spaces in Waverley, Surrey, have received 2026 Green Flag Awards, recognizing their management, accessibility and environmental standards. The article highlights Farnham Park, Broadwater Park and Mare Hill Common as family-friendly or scenic destinations, while listing seven other winners: Badshot Lea Pond and Orchard, Bealeswood Common, Blackheath Common, Frensham Common, Lammas Lands, Summerlands Estate and Weybourne Nature Reserve. Keep Britain Tidy and Waverley Borough Council praised the awards as recognition of work by council staff, contractors, volunteers and community groups, with visitors encouraged to protect the sites by taking litter home, avoiding barbecues and campfires, and respecting wildlife.

Aldershot Lido, just over the Surrey border near Farnham, offers families a large outdoor pool, three water flumes, a diving board, fountain, paddling pool, sandpit, basketball hoops and lawn areas. It is open daily from 10am to 6pm during the summer holidays, with swimming priced at £12.50 for adults and £9.50 for children, while on-site snack shacks sell ice creams, waffles, drinks, burgers, paninis, nachos and salads, including vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Laura Nightingale reviews breakfast at Gordon Ramsay Plane Food Market in Heathrow Terminal 5 after visiting before an early flight. She praises the stylish restaurant, quality ingredients and efficient service, particularly enjoying the avocado on toast and finding a friend's nearly £20 full English breakfast generous and well cooked. The restaurant serves breakfast daily until noon, with options including pancakes, eggs royale and avocado on toast, and remains open from 5am to 9:30pm.

Beaulieu has announced Alice’s Christmas Wonderland, a festive attraction running from 21 November 2026 through January 2027, excluding Christmas Day. The experience will transform Palace House in Hampshire with Alice in Wonderland-themed installations, soundscapes, projections, decorated rooms, character displays and a large Wonderland Christmas tree. Visitors will also be able to enjoy themed afternoon tea, purchase decorations and access Beaulieu’s wider attractions, including the National Motor Museum and new exhibitions. Tickets are expected to go on sale in early August through the Beaulieu website.

Christmas at Kew will run from November 13, 2026 to January 3, 2027, featuring a redesigned three‑kilometre light trail with new installations, returning favourites, adult‑only evenings and quiet access sessions. Highlights include large‑scale artworks, immersive soundscapes, illuminated displays and seasonal attractions such as the Christmas Cathedral, Fire Garden and Palm House Pond show. Visitors can enjoy festive food and drink across the trail, with tickets available in advance from Kew.

Aldi has reintroduced its wooden sandpit as a Specialbuy, attracting attention for its stylish design, versatility, and affordability. Priced at £34.99, it includes benches, a UV-protective canopy, and can double as a small playhouse, making it a hit with young children. Additional outdoor toys are also available, though sand must be purchased separately from retailers such as B&Q or Amazon.

A new Gordon Ramsay Plane Food Market has opened in Heathrow Terminal 5, offering dishes from several of Ramsay’s restaurant brands along with dine‑in, takeaway and pre‑order options. The venue provides travellers with a wide range of global cuisines, a market‑style atmosphere and complimentary activity backpacks for children dining with adults.

The Inn on The Lake in Godalming has reopened after a four‑week refurbishment featuring a redesigned bar with a cocktail station, refreshed dining areas, and an upgraded courtyard and garden. The pub’s 20 bedrooms and function room have also been updated, with new audio‑visual equipment for events. The revamped menu, curated by head chef Maciej Jedzrejewski, highlights modern British pub dining, while guests can access special offers through the Premium Country Pub Collection app.

A family‑friendly splash pad in Guildford’s Stoke Park offers free entry, shaded gardens and nearby facilities including toilets, parking and a playground. Beside the paddling pool sits a small outdoor café serving a wide range of ice creams, snacks, hot food and indulgent milkshakes, providing visitors with refreshments during summer visits.

Guildford Cathedral in Surrey offers guided tower tours featuring a 249‑step climb leading to panoramic views across Guildford and toward London. Tours run on selected dates until October with limited group sizes and a £10 ticket price. Visitors pass through ringing and bell chambers before enjoying the 360‑degree summit view and on‑site café. The cathedral, known as The People’s Cathedral, has strong community roots dating back to a wartime fundraising effort that included Queen Elizabeth II. Additional summer events include concerts, a silent disco and family activities.

A visit to Guildford’s Stoke Park Paddling Pool highlights its lush surroundings, clean and well‑maintained water, family‑friendly atmosphere and free facilities, making it an appealing summer destination with convenient parking, nearby amenities and ample space for picnics and outdoor play.

Legoland Windsor’s summer Lego Festival runs from July 20 to August 31 and features a new Pokémon‑themed Play Zone offering hands‑on activities, interactive play, and Lego Pokémon Smart Play sets. Visitors can explore areas such as a nurture zone, build a Lego Poké Ball, and see a giant Lego Pikachu. The resort provides full details on opening hours, ticket prices, and booking options, with a promotion allowing entry to two Merlin parks for the price of one.

A family-run pick‑your‑own fruit farm in Wokingham, located just over the Surrey border, offers strawberries, raspberries and blackcurrants along with parking, a play area and a small shop. The farm is operating its biggest summer yet before closing permanently in October 2026, providing visitors an opportunity to enjoy the site during its final season.

Aviator Hotel in Farnborough was ranked fifth among the UK and Channel Islands’ top 25 hotels in Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards, recognized for its service, amenities and dining options. The aviation‑themed hotel overlooks Farnborough Airport and offers luxury rooms, a brasserie, a cocktail bar and afternoon tea. Tripadvisor praised its cleanliness, staff and facilities. Fewer than one percent of eight million listings receive the award. Several highly rated London hotels were also included in the rankings.

A family trail based on Enid Blyton’s The Magic Faraway Tree will run at Claremont Landscape Garden in Surrey from July 18 to August 31, offering a scenic walk through historic grounds once enjoyed by Queen Victoria. The National Trust site also features picnicking spots, boat trips and family facilities. Additional summer events include outdoor theatre performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Three Musketeers and Beatrix Potter adaptations. Opening times, prices and visitor information are provided.

Slindon Patisserie has opened a new bakery stall in The Square in Camberley, offering a wide range of sweet and savoury baked goods including cakes, pastries and artisan breads. The long‑established family business from the South Downs plans to operate daily and will soon introduce online ordering.

Thorpe Park ranked among the UK’s best day-trip destinations in AttractionTickets.com’s Big Day Out Index, which evaluates attractions based on reviews, search interest and repeat attention. The list blends historic landmarks with major entertainment venues, with Disneyland Paris taking the top spot. Thorpe Park’s high ranking reflects its reputation for high-adrenaline rides, led by the record‑breaking Hyperia coaster, alongside several other major attractions suitable for a range of visitors planning summer outings.

New security procedures at Gatwick and Heathrow allow liquids up to two litres to remain inside cabin bags, removing the previous 100‑millilitre limit and eliminating the need for clear plastic bags. Passengers may keep large electronics in their bags, though reusable metal bottles must be emptied before screening. Travellers returning through other airports should check local rules, as many still enforce the older liquid restrictions.

A Georgian country villa in Haslemere, Heatherfield Hall, is available to rent through Oliver’s Travels, featuring a private tennis court, heated outdoor pool, extensive gardens and space for 14 guests. Positioned in the Surrey Hills, it offers seclusion, scenic surroundings and family-friendly amenities, making it suitable for group stays, celebrations and relaxing getaways.

Attendance tips for the sold-out BST Hyde Park festival highlight transport options, gate times, expected performance schedules for Lewis Capaldi, free water availability, on-site food and drink prices, and hot weather precautions. Festivalgoers are advised to plan journeys carefully, arrive early, stay hydrated, and prepare for high temperatures with limited shade.

A simple two‑ingredient cottage cheese bread recipe, popular on Instagram, uses only cottage cheese and flour to create a high‑protein, low‑fat loaf that can be cooked in an air fryer or oven. The method involves mixing the ingredients, shaping the dough, scoring it, and baking until cooked through.

The Victoria Oxshott launches Big Screen Summer, featuring World Cup matches, Wimbledon coverage and open‑air film nights on a new outdoor screen. The pub expands its landscaped garden with new seating areas, firepits and an outdoor bar, accompanied by a new seasonal menu and a weekly Tapas Club. Upcoming events include a schedule of July film screenings and the return of VICFEST over the August Bank Holiday.

Images show the newly remodelled PizzaExpress in Camberley, featuring expanded indoor and outdoor dining areas, refreshed decor, and highlights from its updated summer menu.

A long-running family bakery, Slindon Patisserie, has opened a stall in The Square in Camberley, offering a large range of baked goods including doughnuts, sourdough bread and focaccia. Run by Joby Turner-Cross, the business is expanding its retail presence and plans to introduce online ordering, collection and delivery services, along with new coffee kiosks across Hampshire, Surrey and Sussex. Customers will have access to more than 200 products, including specialist and dietary breads.

Reigate Fort, a 19th‑century stronghold built as part of the London Defence Scheme, will open to the public for a rare weekend event during the Surrey Hills Military History Festival. Visitors can explore the normally closed site through guided tours, demonstrations, military displays and expert talks covering topics from the Secret Operations Executive to local Second World War history. Several museums and historical organisations are collaborating on the festival, with admission offered at a modest fee and no advance booking required.

Cobham High Street is highlighted as a picturesque and affluent Surrey destination featuring boutique shops, popular eateries and an accessible riverside picnic area along the River Mole. Recent improvements from the Riverhill Project have enhanced pedestrian access between the river, The Tilt and the high street. With strong transport links and high property values, the village is described as an attractive place to visit and live.

A visit to Cobham highlights the village’s tranquil atmosphere, boutique-filled high street and attractive riverside setting, standing out even more than its high property prices. Charity shops offered strong finds, and lunch at The Ivy Cobham Garden provided a standout dining experience, with seasonal dishes enjoyed on a secluded terrace overlooking the River Mole. The trip emphasised Cobham’s blend of affluence, charm and community feel.