Adrenaline rush

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Five fun ways to get an adrenaline rush — and burn some calories at the same time.

AirHop (Guilford)

Imagine 50 trampolines connected together with padded walls and pits of foam and you have AirHop, the first of its kind in England.  You can now practice slam-dunking like Michael Jordon, play a game of dodge ball or practice moves you have only dreamed of.  This place is a great place for kids to burn off energy or 1,000 calories an hour for £10/person.
www.airhoptrampolinepark.com ✆ +44 1483 504750
12 Midleton Industrial Estate Road, Guildford GU2 8XW

Anti-gravity Yoga (Godalming)

The Fitness Hangout was the first studio in the UK to feature this New York City craze.  If you want to learn how to fly, flip and invert — this is your chance.  Using a silk hammock it combines traditional yoga poses and principles with elements from aerial arts, dance, gymnastics, Pilates, and calisthenics.  As well as being fun, it’s a complete workout that is certain to get you in shape while realigning you — we walked away an inch taller and smiling.
www.thefitnesshangout.co.uk ✆ +44 7779 110773
Unit 14, Woodside Park, Catteshall Lane, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1LG

Climb Over O2 (London)

Up the O2 is really a climb over the roof of the O2 on a raised walkway. At the top, there's an observation platform with 360° views of London and its landmarks including Canary Wharf, Olympic Park and River Thames. You’ll also have a chance to star in your own movie with help of motion trackers. But hold on tight for the climb, which is 52 meters above ground level and reached via a fabric walkway. There is talk about a zipline being added from the O2 over the Thames.  I’ll be there!
www.theo2.co.uk ✆ +44 2084 632000
Peninsula Square, London SE10 0DX

National Centre for Circus Arts (London)

Have you ever wondered what it was like to run away and join the circus? National Centre for Circus Arts, (formerly Circus Space) is a chance to become a pro under the Big Top. Sessions are taught by professional circus instructors at one of the top circus schools in Europe. During the workshop you learn how to juggle, walk a tight rope, swing on a trapeze and climb ropes like a circus star. We had to cheer each other on to be able to step off the trapeze platform.
www.nationalcircus.org.uk✆ +44 2076 134141
Coronet Street, London N1 6HD

Parkour (Multiple)

Originating in France, this is a form of fitness training that improves strength, speed, agility, coordination, stamina, endurance and precision. Parkour became popular after the famous jump scene in the James Bond movie Casino Royale. Learn how to overcome obstacles as quickly and efficiently as possible only using your body. We hired an instructor from London to teach us the fundamentals (running, jumping and climbing) and built on these skills to pass over, under, around and through obstacles with more complex movements. They also boast the UK's first and only dedicated parkour centre and gym in Canary Wharf. All you need is a pair of tennis shoes and a sense of adventure for this full-body workout.
www.parkourgenerations.com ✆ +44 2036 513364

Small museums with big names

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From a side street in London to two villages beyond Surrey, these three museums with famous names attached to them are worth visiting.

Home of Charles Darwin (Kent)

Down House maintained by English Heritage is where Charles Darwin spent 40 years of his life with his family. The study has been left from Darwin’s time. There is a chance to go through the garden where Darwin’s children helped test his theories and you’ll see the ‘stair slide’ that was put in place for them to enjoy — mark of a true genius!
www.english-heritage.org.uk ✆ +44 1689 859119
Luxted Road, Downe, Orpington BR6 7JT

Roald Dahl Museum & Story Centre (Great Missenden)

Having read Roald Dahl books growing up and now with kids who have read his stories, I was particularly keen to get a glimpse into the life of this writer and what inspired his fantastical stories and enduring characters (Willa Wonka is 50 years and counting). Here you will find on display his Writing Hut left as is — including the ball of foil wrappers from the three bars he ate nearly everyday (consequently he needed false teeth at 21 — also on display!) and part of his hip bone and the handcrafted writing table finished with cloth from a pool table.  I was surprised to learn of his ties to the US from marrying an American actress to having surgery in the States and ordering US pencils and legal pads of paper he used to write over the course of 36 years. While the museum is on the small side, it is well-organized with interesting displays, including an interactive writing area for kids 6 to 12 using magnets, movies, sticky notes and more. This is a fun place to visit if you are a Roald Dahl fan or have a budding writer at home.
www.roalddahl.com ✆ +44 1494 892192
81-83 High Street, Great Missenden, Bucks HP16 0AL

Sir John Soane’s Museum (London)

One of the most interesting places to visit with a range of artwork and artifacts collected and displayed in Sir John Soane’s home. In looking at the guest book the day of our visit, we were the only 'locals'. Though not large in size, the Museum has so many objects crammed into every bit of available space you could easily go and see something new each time. There is no admission fee to go inside and the guides are happy to answer questions or share overviews of the works of art. Official guided tours are available Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays for £10/person.
www.soane.org ✆ +44 2074 052107
13 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3BP

London Fashion Weekend

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London Fashion Week (LFW) is one of the highest profile fashion events in the world and one of the ‘big four’ (New York, London, Milan and Paris). 

London Fashion Week is limited to members of the press, buyers or if you are a celebrity. However, tickets for London Fashion Weekend February 25-28, which follows directly from LFW, uses the same exhibition and catwalk venue. You can also add the designer shopping event to shop from designers of LFW caliber, from the high profile to the emerging and includes a ‘catwalk’ show. Go to soak up the atmosphere and inspire your wardrobe.
www.londonfashionweekend.co.uk
Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York's HQ, King's Road London SW3 4RY

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