One trench is available for users with mobility access requirement; this trench can be booked in advance.

Minimum age: 4
FREE: tickets on application.

Dates and times:
Saturday, 24 July, 10.30 – 11.30
Saturday, 24 July, 12.30 – 13.30
Saturday, 24 July, 14.00 – 15.00
Saturday, 24 July, 15.30 – 16.30
Sunday, 25 July, 10.30 – 11.30
Sunday, 25 July, 12.30 – 13.30
Sunday, 25 July, 14.00 – 15.00
Sunday, 25 July, 15.30 – 16.30

Spread across three floors, Marvel Super Heroes 4D brings to life some of the world’s best loved Super Heroes through a mix of 4D animation, interactive themed areas and startlingly realistic wax figures.

A group of young Marvel fans were the first to enjoy the new attraction, taking their seats in the newly installed 4D cinema to view a specially commissioned animated 3D Marvel film short with added high impact “4D” effects. Eleven year old, Nathan Wilson from Ealing, London was suitably impressed. “The film was awesome; the Heroes came right out of the screen over your head and you could feel the robots scuttling past your legs when they invaded. I liked it best when the Hulk clapped and sneezed – even though we got pretty wet!”

The youngsters also got up close to six Super Hero wax figures and tried out a range of Super Hero interactives from turning invisible with The Invisible Woman (as portrayed Jessica Alba), going green with the gargantuan 4.5m Hulk and trying out Wolverine’s deadly adamantium claws alongside the mutant hero (as portrayed by Hugh Jackman). The other wax figures featured are Spider Man, featured in a cleverly inverted office where guests can literally “hang out” on the ceiling, Head of S.H.I.E.L.D (Supreme Headquarters International Espionage Law-enforcement Division), Nick Fury (as portrayed by Samuel L Jackson), and Ironman.

“This is the biggest new experience we have introduced here at Madame Tussauds London since we re-developed the Chamber of Horrors over seven years ago,” commented General Manager, Edward Fuller. “We’re delighted with the results. The 4D film action spills out of the screen right over the audience who should expect special effects involving water, smoke, seat tremors and wind. Every centimeter of the huge 70m dome is fully utilised and people are absolutely loving it”.

The nine minute film presentation (a short clip of which is above) unites a crack team of Marvel Super Heroes – Hulk, Captain America, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Wolverine and Ms Marvel – in an all new adventure set in London, and is the first time ever that a group of Marvel Super Heroes have been brought together in a 3D film.

Shakespeare’s Globe’s annual celebration of the birthday of its founder, Sam Wanamaker, returns this month with a free day of workshops, demonstrations and platform discussions for all the family.

A host of Globe professionals will lead sessions around the Globe site on storytelling, music, movement, voice, Shakespeare on Film and Building the Globe throughout the day.

The sessions are free of charge and bookable on the day on a first come, first served basis from 9am.

Adventure Valley incorporates five zones offering a number of play opportunities, including the Indoor PlayTown, Action Creek and the FarmYard. A venue for educational activities and a car park are also planned.

Union Hall farm managing director Marco Calzini said: “We are hoping to offer a day out that rivals the feel of an American theme park with first-class attractions, facilities, animal fun and an all essential indoor area for children in recognition of the great British weather.”

Visit the new website for more details.

1. Latitude, Henham Park, Southwold Suffolk
The festival hosts an impressive bill of musicians and bands who perform on four stages – The Obelisk Arena, The Uncut Arena, The Sunrise Arena, and the Lake Stage – as well as including theatre, art, comedy and more. Children under 12 get in free with a ticket holder and there is a dedicated family campsite with special activities laid on. However, the main attraction for families is really the Kids Arena. In this area a magical mini-festival for kids takes place. It is as diverse as the rest of Latitude, with books, art, music and theatre, heaps of participation and fun, from drama workshops to an insect circus, making your own pizza to joining their Glee club.

2. Bestival, Robin Hill, Isle of Wight
Bestival is one of the smaller, boutique festivals. It has a special Bigtopmania Kidzone Team with a host of artists and activities designed to keep the kids happy and far from bored with all that adult partying!! There is a baby Big Top for the shows, a Crafts Marquee, a Toddlers Under 5s Area, Jan’s infamous Van, a dressing up tent, a bouncy castle, face painting, and an outdoor play area.  The kids area is located right next to the family camp area and it is a bit of a peaceful haven for the kids to play in away from all the hustle and bustle.

3. Big Chill, Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Worcestershire
The Big Chill calls itself UK’s most family-friendly festival. Children under 13 get in for £4 and at the Kids Zone, children can enjoy performances from No Strings Puppet Theatre, Crazy Comic Club, Scamp Theatre’s production of Pinocchio, John Hegley and many more. There are also ongoing activities and workshops for kids in movement and dance, drum making, arts and crafts and giant 3D sculpture. There are several options for sleeping at The Big Chill 2010 – you can bring your own tent to camp, bring a camper-van, or you can try a bit of luxury camping in the form of a yurt or pod pad.

Other festivals worth checking out are WOMAD, Charlton Park, Wiltshire and Green Man, Glanusk Park, Wales, both of which let young children in free and are very childfriendly.

Top tips for when you are there include writing your mobile phone number on the back of their hands, packing plenty of baby wipes and snacks, ear plugs (for when you or the kids want some sleep!) but most importantly go with some other friends with kids so you can share this extraordinary experience.

Maybe I’ll see you there!

Museums will be unrolling an imaginative array of activities across the country. From candle-lit readings, paranormal investigations, sleepovers, night-time tours, musical events and much, much more.

This year’s programme sees the return of firm favourites, like Cabinet War Rooms sleepover and the Old Operating Theatre at St Thomas Church, plus exciting new additions such as the; Helicopter Museum’s ‘Back to the Blitz’ experience, follow a night shift at Cornwall’s Geevor Tin Mine and the chance to see a ‘Light in the Night’ at Cromer’s Lifeboat Museum.

You can find up to date listings at the Culture 24 Website

Who needs an overseas Safari holiday when an African Reserve is right on your Surrey doorstep? Zebras, antelopes and the very rare Scimitar Horned Oryx will take centre stage at the brand new Wanyama Village & Reserve opening at Chessington World of Adventures for the Summer Half Term this year.

Visitors to the theme park will be able to enjoy an African inspired adventure starring Grevy’s Zebras, Sitatunga Antelopes and the Scimitar Horned Oryx as they graze quietly in a field. A raised wooden walkway will lead adventurers to a viewing tower in the middle of the field, where evening feeding sessions, animal talks and close encounters around the watering hole will all be part of the adventure.

David Smith, Chief Explorer at Chessington, says: ‘2010 is an extremely exciting year for Chessington – but this is just the beginning! You are seeing the future of Chessington – a world of different adventures for the whole family to enjoy, starting with the launch of Wild Asia in March, followed by the Wanyama Village & Reserve in May. We will continue to work hard to establish the park as Britain’s Wildest Adventure, so watch this space!”

You can even turn your visit into a short break with a Roar & Snore package at the safari-themed Holiday Inn Chessington, where you can enjoy themed rooms, an indoor swimming pool & spa and a fantastic family restaurant.

For more information visit www.chessington.com