🦊 Sunburnt & Snacky

Morning, London! Happy Thursday. Look, I know weather chat is basic… but it’s been hot. The Central Line has turned into a pressure cooker, the Wimbledon queue is basically a desert endurance challenge, and beer gardens can’t rinse a glass fast enough to keep up with the pints. We are all slightly sunburnt, mildly confused, and running on Calippos and vibes.

Might not be surprising, but the most popular holiday destinations for Brits this summer are in. Top of the list is Spain, followed (somewhat heroically) by the UK. Think Devon, Dorset, and beach barbecues under unpredictable skies. After that it’s the usual dreamy suspects: Italy, Greece, France and Portugal. Basically anywhere with guaranteed sun, warm sea, and a decent chance of a €3 rosé.

This week’s Scoop includes a lovely feature from Amy, who runs one of the best music camps in London. If your child likes singing, strumming, or just making joyful noise, you’ll want to check it out.

Settle in, grab a cold drink and let’s make the most of this glorious city of ours.

. LONDON SNIPPETS .
Bits that caught our eye

🐘 Superman Spotted. Superman’s taken a break from saving the world to float above The Shard, cape flapping in the London breeze. It’s the UK’s highest-ever public sculpture, perched 1,000ft up to promote the new DC flick. He’s 11ft tall, ripped, and clearly not afraid of heights.. Did you spot him? Full story

🎸 Stop Crying Your Heart Out, They’re Back. Oasis is officially reuniting after 15 years of sulking, with the Live ’25 tour kicking off in Cardiff this Friday. Soundchecks have already been heard, scalpers are rubbing their hands, and fans are praying Liam and Noel don’t implode again before they get to London. Full story

💷 Pimp my Pound. The Bank of England is giving our banknotes a makeover for the first time in 50 years and wants the public to help. Fancy your favourite animal on a tenner? Or your kid’s drawing? Now’s your chance to suggest it. Deadline July 31. Full story

. SUMMER SOUNDS .
A note from Amy at The Strings Club

Hi London parents, I’m Amy, founder of The Strings Club. A musician, but more importantly, a mum. I set it up in 2012 because I couldn’t find a holiday camp that felt exciting, creative and genuinely enriching for my own child.

Since then, we’ve welcomed over 500,000 children to our award-winning camps across London and the Midlands. Designed for ages 4 to 11, our camps offer small group sizes and a focus on joyful learning.

Each day includes music sessions on instruments like guitar, violin or ukulele, plus themed workshops, outdoor play and a mini concert at the end of the week. Weekly themes range from Pixar favourites to Eco Warrior Week.

What makes it special is the team. These are not babysitters. They are talented musicians and passionate educators who truly care and bring out the best in every child. Come for a day or stay the whole week. We’re flexible, it’s friendly and the kids always leave with a smile.

Amy x

P.S. Here’s a little something for all the London Scoop readers: use code TLS25 for a discount on your first camp!

. CASUAL EINSTEIN .
2 for 1: Wow your kid, and outsmart the other parents

Fun Fact: You know that smell when it starts to rain; earthy, fresh, weirdly nostalgic? The scent is called petrichor, and it comes from a mix of plant oils and a soil-dwelling bacteria called actinomycetes. Basically, the Earth letting off steam. 🌧️

London Fact: All the unmarked swans on the Thames officially belong to the King. It’s a royal tradition that dates back centuries. Each summer, there’s even a ceremony called Swan Upping where they row along the river, count the swans and check on their health. A feathery royal roll call. 🦢

. EVENTS SCOOP .
What’s on this week?

🌸 Garden Festival @ RHS Hampton Court Palace
Date & Loc: Jul 3-6, Hampton Court
Bask in blooming gardens, dazzling floral displays and a spot of stylish outdoor shopping at the UK’s prettiest plant party.
Age: Everyone | Price: Children free | Info

🧪 Summer Science Exhibition @ Royal Society
Date & Loc: Jul 3-6, Westminster
Explore groundbreaking science through hands-on demos, talks and workshops at this brilliant (and totally free) family-friendly exhibition. Curiosity very much encouraged.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🎶 Mini Makers @ Walpole Park
Date & Loc: Jul 4, Ealing
Creative sessions for under-5s with messy play, music, and movement. A joyful mix of textures, tunes and tiny wiggly humans.
Age: under 5s | Price: £15 | Info

🩰 A Jazz-Age Cinderella @ Sadler’s Wells
Date & Loc: Jul 4-6, Holborn
A sparkling new spin on Cinderella set in the glitzy Jazz Age, performed by 50 young dancers from London Children’s Ballet. Expect live orchestra, vintage glamour, and a touch of Shirley Hughes magic.
Age: 3+ | Price: £18 | Info

🦆The Ugly Duckling @ Lyric Hammersmith
Date & Loc: Jul 5, Hammersmith
Join the Story Man as he floats downstream with this charming puppet adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale. Music, magic, and a journey to find your place in the world.
Age: 3+ | Price: £10 | Info

🎉 Summer Festival @ Young V&A
Date & Loc: Jul 5, Bethnal Green
Creative celebrations for families to move, play and make together. Two sessions (0-2 2-5 yo)
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

📖 Story Explorers Festival @ British Library
Date & Loc: Jul 5, King’s Cross
This one sold out fast (no surprise), but tickets occasionally pop back up, worth checking!. A magical day of storytelling, theatre, music, planting and messy fun. From rainforest soundtracks to moon myths and zine-making, it’s a full adventure for curious minds.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost (book req) | Info

🎩 I Want my Hat Back @ Polka Theatre
Date & Loc: Jul 9-10, Wimbledon
Three charming hat-based tales come to life with puppets, cardboard magic and deadpan animal drama. Expect Bear, Fish, Turtles… and one very coveted hat.
Age: 3-8yo | Price: from £16 | Info

⭐Paw Patrol Live @ OVO Wembley
Date & Loc: Jul 5-6, Wembley
Join Ryder and the pups on a swashbuckling mission in this action-packed musical for mini adventurers. Songs, silliness, and pirate pups await!
Age: Everyone | Price: from £20 | Info

🎉 Happy Streets Festival @ Battersea
Date & Loc: Jul 5-6, Battersea
A joyful two-day takeover of Thessaly Road with live music, face painting, beatboxing, crafts, pizza-making, and even pedal-powered smoothies. Free, colourful, and packed with fun for all ages.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🎭 Family Sunday @ Royal Opera & Ballet
Date & Loc: Jul 6, Covent Garden
Discover opera, ballet and the Royal Opera House with fun-packed creative activities for all the family.
Age: 3-10 yo | Price: £10 | Info

🎭 Moving Waves @ Jacksons Lane’s
Date & Loc: Jul 6, Highgate
A feel-good explosion of dance, music and community spirit, starring the talented students of Moving Waves. A decade of creativity, celebrated on stage.
Age: Everyone | Price: £18 | Info

🎪 Hampstead Big Fair @ Heath Street
Date & Loc: Jul 6, Hampstead
Street food, live music, 110 stalls, circus school, funfair rides and even a giant chess set, Hampstead goes all out for its summer bash.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🛍️ Summer Market @ South Bank
Date & Loc: Jul 6, South Bank
Browse 60+ indie makers selling everything from art to kids’ gear, with free creative workshops and a buzzing riverside vibe. DJs, street food, and giant screens seal the deal.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🦋 Midsummer’s Daydream @ Horniman Gardens
Date & Loc: Jul 6, Lewisham
Floaty outfits, flower crowns and top DJs, the BFLF crew are back with a dreamy garden rave for all ages. Expect big beats, bubbles and butterfly wings.
Age: Everyone | Price: £15 | Info

🎺 Harmonise! @ Southbank Centre
Date & Loc: Jul 14, Southbank
Young musicians from Brixton Hill Music Centre and In Harmony Lambeth join together to showcase their amazing musical skills in a spectacular concert.
Age: Everyone | Price: £6.50 | Info

🎨 Pavilion Family Day @ Serpentine
Date & Loc: Jul 19, Hyde Park
A day of art, play and creativity in this year’s Serpentine Pavilion, with hands-on fun and performances for the whole family, all under a striking new design by Marina Tabassum.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🧱 The Play Pavilion @ Hyde Park
Date & Loc: Ongoing until August, Hyde Park
An immersive LEGO powered world where kids (and grown-ups) can build, explore and let imaginations run wild. Part art, part playground.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🌍 Our Story with David Attenborough @ Natural History Museum
Date & Loc: Ongoing, South Kensington
Get ready to immerse yourself in the epic tale of people and planet in this new 360° experience, presented by Sir David Attenborough.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £20 | Info

🦖 Jurassic World: The Experience @ Battersea
Date & Loc: Ongoing, Battersea
Step through the iconic gates and explore 10 immersive zones from the blockbuster dino franchise.
Age: 3+ | Price: from £25 | Info

🎭 The Paper Dolls @ Little Angel Theatre
Date & Loc: Ongoing, Islington
When a little girl cuts out a string of paper dolls she takes them by the hand and together they go on a fantastical adventure whirling through their home and garden.
Age: 3-8yo | Price: from £13 | Info

🎭 Krafty the Urban Fox @ Little Angel Theatre
Date & Loc: Ongoing, Islington
Follow a curious fox on a magical night-time city adventure.
Age: 2-5yo | Price: from £13 | Info

📚 Story Explorers: Imaginary Worlds @ British Library
Date & Loc: Ongoing, King’s Cross
Sold out for May, but June has slots. Expect books, sounds, odd creatures, and a furry octopus.
Age: 2-9yo | Price: no cost (book req) | Info

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. MUSIC .
The Scoop’s Soundtrack

. SPREAD THE LOVE .
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