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**_My husband was a joker and a family man. But one day, he collapsed on the sofa and our lives changed forever. By Tina Ostler, 43_**

You were a force of nature from the moment we met at a mutual friend’s get-together and you chatted my ears off.

I thought you were funny, but I wasn’t interested in a romantic way, as you were eight years older than me, and tattooed guys weren’t really my type.  
But you lived nearby, and we kept bumping into each other.  
‘Hey, it’s you!’ you’d call out, when you spotted me in a shop or on the street. ‘How are you doing?’  
I’d joke and say: ‘Not you again!’  
But I was struck by your confidence and ability to chat to anyone about anything.  
As time passed, I got to know you better.  
You were the life and soul of every party.  
Everyone had a good time when you were around, including me.  
And it wasn’t just your confidence I found attractive.  
I came to realise you were kind to everyone you met and a hard worker at your factory job.  
When you asked me out on a date, I accepted.  
You supported me as my grandad was dying, and before long, we were deeply in love.  
I’d return home after a long day of caring for Grandad, and you were always there to give me a hug.  
At his funeral, you held my hand and kept me strong.  
In time, I fell pregnant.  
You were so excited, and when we found out I was carrying a baby girl, you said: ‘Let’s call her Emily.’

I laughed and said: ‘But your friend just named his new baby Emily.’  
‘He won’t mind,’ you said. ‘I really like that name.’  
When little Emily arrived, you were so proud.  
We settled into life as new parents, and as the months passed, our home was filled with so much love and laughter.  
Emily ran rings around you.  
One day, we discovered she’d redecorated our bathroom using a whole tub of cream.  
The room was a complete mess, but we couldn’t help  but laugh.  
Years passed, and we went on to welcome two more daughters — Freya and Bella.  
You were soft, and the girls knew they could get away with anything around you.  
You worked hard to provide for our family, but in your free time, you took the girls on bike rides and dog walks, often stopping to see the horses, too.  
If anything needed fixing around the house, you were quick to sort it out.  
It made me laugh how obsessed you were about the paving in the back garden.  
You ripped it up and replaced it more times than  I could count.  
Our friends found it funny as well, and I’d update them whenever you decided to tinker with the paving.

I’d text: _He’s at it again._  
When Freya was a teenager, we started growing our own fruit and veg.  
I bought a greenhouse and you stepped in to build it  for us.  
But in the middle of putting it up, you came back inside with a pained expression on your face.  
‘Tina, I don’t feel well,’ you said.  
I joked and said: ‘Are you trying to get out of your work?’  
‘No, there’s something wrong,’ you said.  
You asked me to fetch you a glass of milk.  
After drinking it, you sat down on the sofa.  
But you started being sick and your body was convulsing.  
You were always such a joker that at first, I wondered if it was some sort of elaborate prank.  
‘Stop messing around,’  I said, slapping your face.  
But I realised something was seriously wrong.

You were struggling to breathe, and a terrible rattling sound came from your throat before you collapsed.  
I told Freya, 14, to take Bella, 11, into the other room.  
Then I shouted for Emily, 22, to come and help.  
Emily was a student nurse and you would have been so proud of how quickly she leapt into action and started CPR.  
As I dialled 999, Emily kept tearfully pressing down on your chest.  
But by the time paramedics arrived, it was too late.  
You were my best friend, and the most wonderful dad our girls could have wished for, and now, you were gone.  
Even worse, our girls had witnessed the whole thing.  
Later, I learnt you’d had a clot in your leg that we were unaware of and it had led to coronary thrombosis and sudden cardiac death.  
We felt utterly heartbroken, and I wished I could erase your daughter’s horrifying memories of your final moments.  
The girls and I agreed your funeral should be happy and fun, in memory of your joyful personality.  
‘My girls feel sad enough,’  I told the funeral director.  ‘I want them to celebrate their dad.’  
We invited close friends and family to join us in writing messages and drawing on your coffin.  
Your workmates held a collection and raised money to cover the cost of your funeral.  
On the day, so many people turned up to pay their respects.  
We played your favourite Lewis Capaldi songs, and had a photo of you showing your bottom so you were mooning your mourners.  
It was the kind of silly humour that made everyone love you so much.  
As your funeral fell on my birthday, the funeral director surprised me with flowers and a card signed with your fingerprints.  
The girls and I made heart-shaped jewellery with your ashes.

But we wanted to do more to honour your legacy.  
On the night of your  death, as I’d watched Emily fight to keep you alive, I’d remembered there was a defibrillator at our local supermarket.  
But it was too far away, and I wondered whether we could have saved you if there’d been a defibrillator closer to hand.  
So, we began fundraising to have defibrillators installed outside local pubs, so anyone could access them at any time.  
Freya struggled with anxiety and autism, and had a fear of bridges.  
But she overcame her challenges to complete a sponsored walk across Humber Bridge, near our home in Hull, East Yorkshire, and raised more than £400.  
I told her: ‘I’m so proud  of you!’  
The broadband company Connexin heard about Freya’s triumph and covered the rest of the donation for a defibrillator to be installed outside our local pub, The Barrowman.  
And The Oliver King Foundation, a charity started by a dad who lost his 12-year-old son to cardiac arrest, gave me CPR training.  
We’re still fundraising for defibrillators to be installed outside more pubs, and to support The Oliver King Foundation so they can keep up their life-saving work.  
But we miss you so much, Kevin.  
Emily left her nursing course, as the memories of the night you died upset her so much.  
But when we think of you, we want to remember all the laughter, not the tears.  
I was painting our fence recently, and accidentally  spilt paint on your beloved paving.  
I laughed, looked up to the heavens and said: ‘You’re going to haunt me for this, aren’t you, Kevin?’  
We’ll always smile when we think of you, and we’ll do our best to raise as much money as we possibly can for The Oliver King Foundation, and to have more defibrillators installed in public places.  
We don’t want other families to lose someone who feels as precious to them as you were to us.

● To donate, visit aeddonate.org.uk/projects/aedinmemoryofkev  
● Tina is donating her fee from this story to the fundraiser.

Letter from my heart: Soulmate collapsed and died in front of our girls

_**With his own bedroom, wardrobe and extravagant birthday paw-ties, Jade's dog lives the high life...**_

Finally sitting down for a breather, I took in  the chaos unfolding around me.

I worked in television and was on the set of  a CBeebies show called Twirlywoos.  
It was an episode with a lot of pug puppies in it. And while they were causing havoc, they were so darn cute!  
‘I wish I could take you home,’ I said to one, as he licked my face.  
Since childhood, I’d been a huge dog lover. And ever since watching 101 Dalmatians, I’d been determined to have a spotty pup of my own.  
But now I had a new obsession — pugs!  
I was still living at home with my mum and sister, but one evening, I thought I’d try my luck.  
‘Mum…’ I started. ‘How would you feel if  I brought home a little bundle of joy?’  
Her eyes widened.  
‘No, not a baby!’ I said quickly. ‘Well, not a two-legged one anyway.’  
A pup-fan too, she was happy for me to look for  a furry friend.  
‘You’ll have to care for it, mind,’ she said.  
A smile swept across my face and  I began searching for local dog breeders.  
I discovered an owner who was only 10 minutes away. She had a pug called Lola who had just birthed her first litter.  
It’s a sign, I thought.  
Before I knew it, I was being introduced to Lola and  her brood.

‘We’ve got three puppies to choose from, two girls and a boy,’ her owner explained.  
‘They’re actually jugs —  a quarter Jack Russell and three-quarter pug. This means they’re less likely to suffer with the health issues pugs are prone to,’ she added.  
As I looked at the puppies in the pen, I was drawn to the little lad. Playful and energetic, he looked so sweet.  
At this point he was 12 weeks old, so I was able to take him home that day.  
Bundling him into a dog carrier, we headed off.  
I’d already bought a bed, blanket, a few toys and some bowls, so he could get settled in right away.

‘Have you thought of a name?’ Mum asked, as we watched him play.  
‘What about Gizmo?’ I asked.  
‘Love it!’ Mum smiled.  
Now he had a name, my new fur baby finally felt part of the family.  
Gizmo slept so well that night, and the next day we went on a jug-gy shopping spree.  
I splurged on toys, clothes and accessories for Gizmo.  
It took him no time to feel comfortable in his new digs, and everyone who visited was as besotted with him as I was.  
Gizmo quickly became accustomed to being around people, which made it easy to take him anywhere.  
He particularly liked our local pub. The staff and punters all fawned over him, and my pooch loved the spotlight!

As he grew in confidence,  I entered him into local dog competitions.  
He was fur-ever coming home with prizes and rosettes.

‘I’m so pleased everyone sees what I see,’ I told him, after he won Best In Show at one event.  
People gravitated towards Gizmo, so I set up his own Instagram page. Likes and followers soon flooded in.  
One day, I was scrolling through Instagram when I noticed something interesting on another’s dog’s profile.  
He was celebrating something called ‘Gotcha Day’ — the day when you got your dog.  
‘Look, Gizmo, we can celebrate your birthday and your Gotcha Day,’ I cooed. ‘Just another excuse to spoil you!’  
For his first birthday, I pulled out all the stops.

He had a special breakfast and dinner, along with a pup-friendly cake and a sea of presents.  
I also decorated the house, and invited friends and family around for a tea party to raise a toast to my boy.  
It became tradition to do the same for every following Gotcha Day and birthday.  
A few years later, my boyfriend Chris and I moved into our own house.  
‘You know the third bedroom is Gizmo’s,’ I said to Chris.  
‘I wouldn’t expect anything less,’ he laughed.  
I was so lucky he understood there was another man in my life!  
Once  we’d settled, I got to work putting together Gizmo’s room.  I painted the walls a calming grey colour and papered one of them.  
Next, I bought him his own sofa, as well as a paw-drobe for all of his outfits.  
‘He’s got more clothes than I do!’ Chris joked as I put Gizmo’s outfits on to little hangers.

As Gizmo’s social media following grew, some brands started to send him freebies, including food and treats.  
We often donated them to local dogs’ homes, though. Otherwise my hound would have ended up being the size of a house!  
Months on, Chris and I were  on holiday in Lanzarote, when  my phone rang. It was my Mum, FaceTiming me.  
‘Hi, Mum. How’s my little Gizmo doing?’  
‘He’s got something to show you,’ she said, before panning the camera towards him.  
Then I let out a little squeak!  
He was wearing a vest that read: _Mummy, will you marry Daddy?_

Nearly dropping the phone,  I turned to see Chris, who was down on one knee with a ring!  
‘Of course I will!’ I cried.  
Now we’re planning the big day, and of course Gizmo will play a huge part!  
We’ve found a dog-friendly venue so he can be ‘Best Boy’ for the day.  
I’ve already had a special harness custom-made, that matches Chris’s suit.  
Gizmo will carry the rings down the aisle, and I can’t wait!  
After all, I’ll be at the altar next to my two favourite men!

**_Jade McKenna, 30, Coventry, West Midlands_**

Top of the Pups – Gizmo is one pampered pooch!

_**Aissata was minding her own business cooking dinner, when her housemate flipped...**_ _**By Aissata Keita, 29, Newport**_

I tucked my two-year-old son into bed and gave him a kiss on the forehead.

‘Goodnight, Mummy,’  he said.  
‘Night, baby,’ I smiled.  
Then, I went downstairs for  a cup of tea and bumped into  my housemate Mariama in the kitchen.  
I’d just moved in with her and hoped we could be friends.  
Both our families were originally from Guinea and we liked cooking traditional food.  
‘I’ll take you to the local African shops tomorrow,’ I said.  
‘OK,’ she replied.

Next day, we made small talk as we wandered around the shops looking for the best meat and spices.  
She wasn’t the chattiest, but we were still getting to know each other.  
But when we got talking that evening, she said something odd.  
‘I like arguing and fighting,’ she said.  
‘But that’s wrong, it goes against our Islamic faith,’ I told her.  
Her face fell.  
From then on, she never had a kind word to say to me.  
Every day, she either ignored me or gave me a dirty look.  
Then, she started being aggressive towards my little boy.  
If he touched anything of hers, she’d burst into a rage.  
‘Get off! You’ll break it,’ she’d shout.  
After that, I made sure to keep him away from her.  
It saddened me that my son and I weren’t welcome in our own home and I had to tread on eggshells around her.

Being a full-time mum meant  I was home a lot, but thankfully Mariama was often away visiting family.  
Having the house to myself was bliss.  
But when she’d come back, the whole atmosphere would change.  
No matter how friendly I was, she treated me with contempt.  
I’d never met someone  so rude.  
_How can she hate me when she doesn’t even know me?_  I thought.  
As we shared the bathroom and kitchen, it was hard not to bump into her.  
One evening while she was in her bedroom, I decided to start making dinner.  
Walking into the kitchen, I spotted the door to the garden was open.  
‘It’s freezing,’ I muttered as I closed it.  
I got out a chopping board and started cutting up chicken and onions for my favourite stew.

Then, I set them aside and poured oil into a pan.  
It was just starting to sizzle when Mariama walked in.  
Oh no, I thought.  
Without saying a word, she went over to the back door and opened it.  
‘Please keep it closed, it’s too cold,’ I said as I closed it again.  
Mariama’s face was like thunder.  
She opened it again.  
_What on earth is she doing?_  I wondered.  
Once again, I walked over to the door and closed it.  
While we had our tug-of-war,  I tried to keep an eye on the pan of boiling hot oil.  
After opening it for the fourth time, she stormed over to the pan.  
Exasperated, I closed the door again.

As I turned around, she was reaching for the pan.  
I assumed she was going to move it, but suddenly she  picked it up and threw the oil over me.  
As it splashed on to my stomach, I was in agony.  
‘Why? Why?’ I screamed.  
‘You stopped me going to the toilet!’ she shouted angrily.

But it didn’t make sense.  
I hadn’t been blocking her way to the bathroom at all.  
I quickly ran out of the house and my screams attracted the attention of the neighbours.  
‘Please help!’ I yelled.  
After calling for an ambulance, a neighbour went to get my son from inside.  
I was relieved, because I was worried that Mariama would harm him too.  
With every second that ticked by, the pain only seemed to get worse.  
I was hysterical.  
Thankfully, the ambulance arrived minutes later with police following closely behind.  
Mariama was arrested and  I was rushed to hospital.  
Then I was quickly transferred to one that had a specialist burns unit.  
When the doctor lifted my T-shirt to check the damage,  big painful blisters had already formed on my stomach and groin.  
‘We’re going to give you an anaesthetic so we can pop  those and cut off any loose skin,’ he said.  
I was terrified.

When I came round from the procedure, the areas were covered in bandages and it was too painful to move.

‘You suffered burns to four per cent of your body,’ the doctor said.  
‘You’re likely to have lifelong scars,’ he added.  
I burst into tears.  
Then, I found out my son had been placed in emergency foster care, because I had no family nearby.  
‘He’s never been away from me,’ I sobbed.  
I was furious with Mariama.  
Not only had she hurt me, but she was affecting my son too.  
The next day, I was discharged from hospital.  
I was given strong pain medication and special moisturiser to put on my burns twice a day.  
With help, I was able to move straight into a new home.  
Then, I got my son back but  I couldn’t be the mother I was before.  
I couldn’t play with him or pick him up because moving was agony.  
Even normal daily tasks like getting out of bed or going upstairs were excruciating.  
I hated Mariama for what she’d done to me.  
Every week for two months, I had to get  my bandages changed at hospital.  
Seeing how horrific the scars looked was distressing and I’d break down crying.  
_I can’t believe I’ll never look the same again_, I thought.

Soon, Mariama  was charged with wounding with intent.  
A year later, the case went to trial.  
I went to court but asked to sit where I couldn’t see Mariama.

I told the jury how her attack had impacted my life.  
Mariama Bah, 30, was found guilty and given eight years in prison at Cardiff Crown Court.  
Then, the judge addressed her.  
‘You walked over to the cooker and picked up the pan of hot oil on the hob and flung it at her. This was a deliberate act in a moment of anger,’ he said. ‘Your victim has been left with permanent and irreversible injuries.’  
Mariama will only have to serve two-thirds of her sentence before being released on licence.  
It’s no justice for the mental and physical trauma I’ll have to deal with for the rest of my life.

It took six months to get most of my mobility back and I recently got an infection in one of my scars.  
It was agony and thanks to Mariama, I could have problems like that for years to come.  
I used to be a confident, happy person who was proud of the way she looked.  
Now, my scars make me feel ugly and unconfident.  
I’ve had to get rid of some of my clothes because I can’t wear anything that shows my stomach.  
Even fitted tops are out of the question as they show the shape of my scars.  
For some reason I now get a burning sensation when eating spicy foods that I love, so I’ve had to cut them out too.  
I’ll never be the same person  I was before Mariama’s attack, but I hope one day I can gain some confidence back.  
I’m just glad she’s behind  bars so she can’t ruin anyone else’s life.

Flatmate chucked BOILING OIL all over me – The state of our LOO made her SEE RED

## Scroll to the bottom and enter for your chance to WIN a Family Palace and Play Pass worth £165

A masterpiece of Baroque architecture, sitting proudly in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, Blenheim Palace is the seat of the 12th Duke of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. It's surrounded by beautiful Formal Gardens, and visitors can explore its 2,000 acre Parkland. It's the perfect day out for adults who fancy an historical outing, but there's loads on offer for children too, with a maze, little train, butterfly house and an incredible Adventure Playground that's a day out in itself!

I visited with my husband and sons Odhran, 9, and Reuben, 6, on a lovely Summer's day at the end of June. Blenheim Palace is open throughout the year except for Christmas Day. :a[The Adventure Playground]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/holidays/take-a-break-holidays/we-discovered-the-perfect-day-trip-from-london-with-kids-this-summer/' } is open during Spring, Summer and school holidays. During Autumn and Winter, it's open Friday to Sunday. Different parts of Blenheim Palace and Gardens open and close at different times. For example, The Palace and Formal Gardens close before the Parkland and the Adventure Playground, and the miniature train tends to stop running around 3.30pm. So visit blenheimpalace.com/app to get up-to-date opening times for the day of your visit.

I've started with the Adventure Playground because we arrived through the main entrance, and as the boys cycled up towards :a[The Palace]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/holidays/take-a-break-holidays/we-discovered-the-perfect-day-trip-from-london-with-kids-this-summer/' } , they spotted the sign for the Adventure Playground and started veering left, adamant we visited there first. I had to promise them we were only heading on towards The Palace to drop the bikes at the ticket kiosk (a little black hut to the left before the entrance to the East Courtyard). There, they spotted an ice-cream kiosk and I was pleased we indulged in this treat early in the day, as when we returned later, there was a long queue.

Turning back on ourselves, we walked for about another 10 minutes before we reached the Walled Garden. There's a :a[miniature train]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/holidays/take-a-break-holidays/audley-end-miniature-railway-review-a-chuffing-good-day-out-for-train-and-fairy-fans-this-summer/' } that runs from The Place to the Walled Garden (£1 each way to ride, under 3's go free) but one had just departed and the boys didn't want to wait for it to return, as they were too excited to get to the playground. After all the walking, I was happy to see that all the kiddy-friendly parts of the attraction were located next to each other (The Adventure Playground, Hedge Maze and Butterfly House) in the family-friendly Walled Garden area of Blenheim Palace.

There was a marquee with a kids-friendly theatre show taking place on the day we visited. The next show was in a hour and a half's time. We thought that would give us enough time to explore the playground before going to see the show. But as soon as we walked through the flower archway into The Adventure Playground, it was obvious the boys were going to be in no hurry to leave and we would miss the show.

The boys' eyes lit up when they saw all the climbing structures, and Odhran dived straight into the little man-made stream that trickles through the middle of the playground. With a water pump and water features including little water fountain jets, this part of the playground was a big hit, with lots of little kids splashing about in swimwear.

But there are also fantastic wooden structures, including giant carrots, with slides, tunnels, nets and rope bridges. There's a designated are for toddlers and zip wires for bigger kids. We had a great time playing hide and seek, and Odhran was having such a great time, he slipped and badly grazed his elbow and leg. I'd come unprepared without wipes or plasters.

Another mum jumped to my help before a member of staff was quick to offer assistance, and phoned for a first-aider. A lot of the staff are first-aid trained and on-hand to help with any issues that may arise. The first-aider was super helpful, and took us into a room (which doubles up as a first-aid room and a room can be used for children who might become over-stimulated and need a bit of time out). He cleaned Odhran's cuts with antiseptic wipes and bandaged him up well, all the while chatting in a friendly and reassuring way. We were super appreciative of his lovely, helpful manner, which allowed us to carry on and fully enjoy the rest of our day.

The first aid care is just an example of how the playground has been so carefully thought out. There are toilets and changing facilities within the playground area, picnic tables and plenty of areas for parents to perch while their children play, a kiosk selling ice-cream and hot drinks, and a standalone water fountain to fill up your water bottle.

:a[The Adventure Playground]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/holidays/take-a-break-holidays/hobbledown-heath-review/' } is an attraction in itself. It's suitable from toddlers up to kids around 12, and kids could easily spend three hours in here. We just accepted that we would probably miss out on seeing some other part of Blenheim Palace as a result, but the boys were having such a fun time, we didn't want to drag them away.

The boys love a game of chase around a maze, and the promise of this was what eventually lured them out of the playground. Their dad was 'It', while myself and the boys tired to find our way out of the maze before he caught us. We had to climb the wooden structures in the middle a couple of times to get a bird's eye view and establish our route out, but eventually we managed to escape without being caught. If your family love a maze, then you'll want to make time to visit this part of the attraction.

Next, we headed for Butterfly House. Here, a member of staff showed the boys how to gently coax the butterflies on to their finger, and Reuben was delighted when a butterfly landed on his head. One attached itself to Odhran's arm and seemed reluctant to fly away.

There were lots of different species and we spent more time in here than I thought we would. Just be careful there aren't any still attached to you before you leave! I had to step back inside, as, much to the boys amusement, one was trying to make a cunning escape by attaching itself to my bottom.

After the Butterfly House, we went to The Palace. The day was getting on and there was still lots to do. I wanted to make sure we didn't leave without even setting foot inside The Palace! I was glad we did this after The Adventure Playground, Maze and Butterfly House, as I feel if we'd done The Palace first, the boys would have rushed us round to get to what they considered the fun bits! But, after being entertained for hours, they were happy to indulge us. At our time of visiting, there was a fantastic Icons of British Fashion exhibition taking place, and I loved following the route around this showcase of clothing, shoes and accessories by legendary designers through the decades, including Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood and Lulu Guinness. As we wandered around, I heard another visitor telling his friends how amazing Blenheim looked at Christmas, and I could only imagine how magical the rooms would look, filled with baubles and giant Christmas trees. I also loved reading about the history of The Palace. Before our visit, I only knew that it was the birth place of Winston Churchill. So, I abandoned my husband to rush ahead with the boys, while I took my time to read all the information about Churchill's grandfather and how Blenheim Palace came to be built. I found all the information really fascinating.

This new interactive space invited families to explore the important role of bees and other pollinators in our ecosystem. It's a hands-on experience where families can learn about bees, hedgerows and the best plants for attracting pollinators to their own gardens. There are immersive activities here for little ones to enjoy.

There is so much to do at Blenheim, and that's even before we get into the boating, paddle boarding and kayaking! On top of this, there are so many different events taking place at Blenheim Palace throughout the year that you could visit several times and find something new to explore on each visit. In celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the birth of Winston Churchill, Blenheim Palace was hosting a special event when we visited. I loved the exhibition that allowed us to discover the pivotal moments of Churchill's life that unfolded at Blenheim Palace. After a family day out at Chartwell (former home and gardens of Sir Winston Churchill in Kent), it was really interesting to put further aspects of his life into perspective. My nine-year-old was interested in Sir Winston's not so exemplary school report card! And I was moved by his childhood letters begging his parents to visit him in boarding school. It added so many more dimensions to such a historical figure, and I'm always hoping that little bits of history seep into my sons' brains as we wander round these places.

Blenheim thinks of events for kids and adults alike. Bridgerton fans can stand in stunning locations from the hit show on The Bridgerton Trail. This :a[Halloween]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/holidays/take-a-break-holidays/the-farm-where-you-can-pick-pumpkins-under-moonlight/' } , there's a spooky Illuminate Trail, and Christmas market at Blenheim is always a hit. So, check the website to make sure you visit at a time that offers the most exciting events for you.

Whether you choose to explore the :a[Formal Gardens]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/holidays/take-a-break-holidays/we-visited-the-world-famous-gardens-where-you-can-take-a-walk-through-the-trees-59-feet-off-the-ground/' } or the land extending around Blenheim Palace, there is plenty of ground to be covered here! The Tree Trail will take you on a journey through the magnificent landscaped across the estate, and the Formal Gardens reflect the styles throughout the ages. Standing on the bank of The Lake is The Harry Potter Tree, which fans of the 2007 film Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix won't want to miss out on.

There are cafés, restaurants and ice-cream and hot drinks kiosks on site. So, if whether you're after a hearty meal, and afternoon tea or a quick bite, you're covered. The Orangery Restaurant offers a touch of sophistication for those wanting to treat themselves to something a bit fancy. The Oxfordshire Pantry and The Stables Café are a good pit-stop for those in search of a quick sweet or savoury bite to eat. The pizzeria is well places next to The Walled Garden for lunch times with kids. We packed a picnic (there are lots or spots to relax and eat, including picnic tables both outside and inside the Adventure Playground. We stopped for a treat in the courtyard and spent £17 on a Rocky Road, Scone with jam and butter, and three Mansfield ice-pops.

## How long does it take to go around Blenheim Palace and Garden

We didn't manage to see everything in a day. The boys spent so much time in the Adventure Playground alone that by the time we'd finished, their little legs were exhausted. So, although, I've loved to have explored the grounds around Blenheim, we were lucky to get a glance at the Formal Gardens. We'll definitely be back when we're next in the area.

All tickets must be booked in advance and you can even book online on the day of your visit. There are different passes. But if you're looking to visit The Palace and its gardens and the Adventure Playground, you'll need the Palace and Play Pass - adult ticket costs £51, child £41 (free for under 3s), or a family ticket (two adults, two children) costs £165. A Palace Park and Gardens Pass (not including Adventure Playground) costs £41 for an adult, £24 for children over age three, or £110 for a family ticket (two adults, two children). But both these tickets included unlimited access for 12 months after date of purchase. It's also possible to purchase just a Park and Gardens ticket (so not including Adventure Playground). This costs £31 for an adult, £15 a child over age three, or £85 for a family ticket. A single visit Adventure Playground ticket can be added to the Palace Park and Gardens, and the Park and Gardens Pass at a cost of £5 for an adult and £7 a child. But if you're planning to return, it's more cost effective to purchase the Palace and Play Pass.

**Discounts:** NHS staff, blue light card holders and member of the Armed Forces can enjoy 10 per cent off the cost of entrance (not available on :a[Christmas]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/holidays/take-a-break-holidays/chessingtons-winters-tail-even-the-rain-couldnt-spoil-this-wonderfully-festive-family-day-out/' } at Blenheim Palace tickets). Email customerservice@blenheimpalace.com to access a special discount code.

Blenheim Palace is a day out that has something to offer everyone in the family, from grandparents and parents to kids. There's more to pack in than you can manage in a single day. So, it's a good job the pass is valid for 12 months. But even if you live a distance away and are only likely to make the one trip, we found it to be full and fun-packed day that makes it still worth the money. It's also, an attraction that's definitely worth the journey. We rate it a 5/5 attraction.

Blenheim Palace has partnered with Darwin Escapes to create Blenheim Palace Lodge Retreat - a collection of luxury self-catering lodges set in the grounds of the Blenheim Palace Estate. We had a three-night stay here, and from the moment we arrived, we could tell it was going to be a relaxing and restorative break. The grounds around the lodges were so peaceful and serene, with wildflower beds around each lodge. We stayed in Vanbrugh Lodge, which I later learnt was named after John Vanbrugh, the English architect who designed Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard. We've stayed in chalets and lodges before. But as we stepped through the doors of our lodge at this retreat, we were instantly struck by the sense of luxury and the quality of the design, colour schemes and materials used in the creation of these lodges. The luxury lodges at Blenheim Palace Lodge have featured in the final of the TV show Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr, and you can choose to stay in one of the two lodges that the two finalists designed.

Our lodge wasn't one of these, but still it felt like a very large suite in a fancy boutique hotel or a stay in a chic little holiday home. It was so stylish and cosy. Two double bedrooms were separated by a living area that included a kitchen with an island and breakfast table, and a comfortable living space with a sofa, coffee table and flatscreen TV. There were two shower rooms opposite each bedroom - each with a waterfall shower and stocked with luxury shower and body products from Arran Aromatics. There was great use of space in the lodge, with plenty of storage and a cute dressing table with a touch sensor light-up mirror in the area between each bedroom and its opposite shower room. Glass panelled doors opened out on to a back area where there was rattan furniture to relax on with a drink while we watched the sunset during the evening, or to enjoy breakfast outdoors on a morning. Our lodge overlooked a wild meadow, and we cut through here to make the short walk (about 15 minutes) to the entrance gate to Blenheim Palace. Even the bedding felt luxurious, and we had the most comfortable sleep.

The lodge came equipped with everything you need to enjoy a :a[break away]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/holidays/take-a-break-holidays/bluestone-review-we-visited-with-toddlers-heres-what-we-thought/' } . I'd packed a hair-dryer and an iron but the lodge was already equipped with these things, including an ironing board. There was a fully equipped kitchen with fridge, freezer, microwave, washing machine and dishwasher. We were even provided with tea, coffee and milk sachets, and a sponge for washing dishes, dishcloth and a single dishwasher tablet. There were fluffy towels and toilet paper - pretty much everything you need to just whack your clothes in a bag and set off for a weekend away without having to thing about all the finer details (bring some laundry powered if you think you might need to wash clothes). The only thing that would have added to the experience is if the TVs (they're in the bedrooms as well as the living area) had been set up so we could connect to our personal Netflix account. It's also worth mentioning that the lodges are pet friendly, so your four legged friend is welcome to join in your family break away.

Blenheim Palace Lodge Retreat is ideally located within walking distance of Woodstock and you'll find a Co-op food store nearby to top up in supplies. Woodstock is a charming town and we stopped off for a drink and chips and dips in the beer garden of the Back Lane Tavern. You'll find nice pubs, restaurants and boutique shops here to explore. Bring your bikes, as nearby, there's Cutteslowe and Sunnymead Park, and little ones will enjoy Cogges Manor Farm. Further afield, there's Oxford Botanic Garden, Bicester Village (if you're looking for a bit of designer shopping!) and Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens.

If you're looking for a tranquil retreat, from which there's plenty to explore, then Blenheim Palace Lodge Retreat ticks all the boxes. We returned from our visit feeling completely relaxed and restored.

Blenheim Palace is marking 75 years since first opening its doors to the public with a summer of celebration, featuring ‘75 Things To Do’ across the Palace, Park and Gardens.

From history lovers to families and adventure seekers, the summer-long celebration promises something for everyone. Among the highlights is a unique chance to experience Life Below Stairs, offering visitors a glimpse into the day-to-day workings of a grand country house. The new immersive experience showcases a recreation of a Victorian Kitchen and its adjacent quarters, with visitors entering into the Delivery Room, before being guided through the Ale & Wine Cellar, the Scullery, the Kitchen, the Butler’s Pantry and the Servants Hall with the Housekeeper’s Desk.

Families with young children can step into the world of Pip and Posy as they embark on a Rainbow Treasure Hunt, inspired by an episode from Pip and Posy Magic Light Pictures’ hugely popular pre-school series which airs on Sky Kids and Channel 5’s Milkshake. The all-new interactive experience will captivate visitors with 3D character installations, themed activities, and a magical treasure trail to delight little explorers.

For a view like no other, visitors can also visit the new Rooftop View experience, launched as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site’s ongoing roof restoration project. For the first time, guests can access a specially built platform on the rooftop and enjoy views over the Estate. The viewing point offers a rare chance to see the Grand Bridge, Great Court, and the Column of Victory from above. It’s a unique opportunity to explore the scale of the building from a new perspective, available for a limited time only.

With all-new garden tours and walks launched, a Bridget McCrum sculpture trail, a visit to the Standing with Giants installation, stepping inside the Rowse Honey Hive, and a packaged calendar of events - this summer at _Britain’s Greatest Palace_ has a fantastic line-up of events and activities for every visitor. All are included in standard admission unless otherwise stated.

https://xd.wayin.com/embed/af880469-34b0-4e21-be42-771c9ed4e7b8?mode=responsive&scrolling=no

## A brief history of Battersea Power Station

Battersea Power Station is a stunning Grade II\* listed Art Deco building, and its four tall white chimneys make it an iconic part of the London Skyline.

Designed by renowned architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, it stands grandly on the banks of the River Thames, and if you're on a train from Gatwick into London Bridge it's sure to grab your attention.

It served as a coal-fired power station that generated electricity for London from the 1930s up until 1983. At its peak, it was providing a fifth of London's power.

After it was decommissioned, Battersea Power Station's future remained uncertain.

There were lots of fruitless proposals about what to do with the site (including ideas of turning it into a theme park!).

But in 2014 it was bought by a Malaysian consortium of investors and underwent huge redevelopment to breathe new life into the iconic building.

The renovated Battersea Power Station was officially opened to the public in October 2022 and is now a swanky development, featuring residential, commercial and cultural spaces. It's a place to live, work, shop, eat, drink, and play, and it's an attraction that has transformed Battersea into one of the most desirable areas to live in London.

Lift 109 opened at Battersea Power Station in November 2022. It's a paid-for experience that includes a glass elevator ride to the top of the Power Station's north-west chimney.

I visited with my husband and our two sons, Odhran, 10, and Reuben, 7, on a Friday evening during the summer holidays.

Reuben still talks about the time we went to the top of 'The Walkie-Talkie' building in central London, and he enjoyed the view from :a[ArcelorMittal Orbit]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/holidays/take-a-break-holidays/we-went-on-the-worlds-longest-and-tallest-tunnel-slide-would-you-brave-this-attraction/' }, so I knew he'd be excited to hear we would be going up one of the chimneys at Battersea Power Station. It's also nice for the kids to have the opportunity to step inside some of :a[London's most iconic buildings]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/holidays/take-a-break-holidays/walk-in-the-footsteps-of-the-bard-at-one-of-the-most-unique-theatre-attractions/' } and have the opportunity to learn more about the history of the city they're growing up in.

The Lift 109 experience begins at the Power Stations Art Deco Turbine Hall. There was a bag search and we had to step through a metal detector before entering a small exhibition space, where there were displays detailing how Battersea Power Station has evolved through the decades and been reinvented and transformed. I wasn't aware it held such cultural significance in terms of its role in film and music history. So, it was interesting to follow the timeline of its evolution, and the boys enjoyed the big interactive display table in the centre of the space. There's a small bar if you wish to purchase a drink before your ascent.

We were in a group of about 12 people, including another family, a couple, and a group of three friends. After the exhibition space, we entered a room with interactive walls for a lights show, where swirling energy particles react to your touch. Then we had to climb 39 steps to the main lift for the chimney ascent (Hint: try to enter first to you can nab a seat at the centre of the lift for the best view as the circular glass elevator makes it's way up the north-west chimney ). It's a short but impressive ride through a tunnel of lights. There was a collective 'wow' as the elevator emerged from the top of the chimney and we were presented with incredible 360° views.

Standing 109 metres above ground (hence the name Lift 109), the panoramic view takes in loads of other London landmarks. There were little information plaques around the lift pointing out attractions to search out. The boys enjoyed spotting the Elizabeth Tower with Big Ben, The Shard, the London Eye, and St Paul's Cathedral. But it was also a great way to get a birds eye view of Battersea Power Station itself, and there was something incredibly relaxing about allowing your gaze to wander down along the Thames, especially as it was a clear evening with the sun setting. But it felt like we only had about 10 minutes viewing time and I would have liked five or 10 minutes longer to find all of the places highlighted on the information plaques.

Overall, we loved the Willy Wonka style glass elevator, and the views from the top of the chimney were truly spectacular.

It's cheapest to purchase your tickets online in advance. A booked time slot will cost from £16 for an adult (16+ years old) and from £12 for a child (3-15 years old). Kids aged 2 and under can enter free of charge and do not need a ticket. A family ticket (admission for four guests, max two adults) will cost you from £48. There are options to purchase flexible tickets, where you can reschedule if necessary, or an Any Time Ticket (allowing you to arrive at any time on your selected date. But these will cost you more.

It's worth noting that pushchairs are not allowed into the experience but can be stored in a buggy area. There are 39 steps to climb up and down during the experience. If you need step free access you need to reserve the Accessibility Lift during the booking process.

The Lift 109 experience is open seven days a week and until 8pm Thursday to Sunday. Find out more :a[here]{href='https://lift109.co.uk' }.

## Where to eat with kids at Battersea Power Station?

You'll be spoilt for choice with dining options, but we were drawn to Arcade Food Hall & Bar. It has 13 kitchens, serving a variety of street food under one roof. But there's the sense of being in one restaurant, as you take your seat and a waiter comes to your table to take your order from a menu that lists the offerings from each kitchen. There's everything from burgers, tacos, Middle Eastern food and dumplings, to pizza, Indian food, dim sum, and sushi. The venue is low-lit and stylish. But there are big family-friendly tables.

Arcade also has two bars, and we spent time pouring over the extensive drinks menu. The cocktail section had a broad range of classics with a twist and signature offerings. The Solero - gin, spiced Brandy, syrup, passionfruit, yogurt and coconut - sounded tempting. But after much indecision, I ordered the Baijiu Bramble - blackberry gin, tarragon, lemon juice and raspberries. It was one of the best cocktails I've ever had! My husband was equally impressed by the Piña Colada Old Fashioned - a lovechild of two popular classics. Cocktail prices are between £9 and £16. Arcade has an 888 offer - 8 select cocktails, for £8 each, from 8pm.

It took us a while to order, as the menu is extensive and it all sounded so appetising. Reuben ordered and polished off the Sushi Set - six pieces with a choice of salmon or tune (priced £15.50/£17). Odhran opted for a choice of bao buns, priced from £6.50 each. I went for vegetable MOMO - handmade Nepali dumplings, served in a hot and spicy sauce. You can choose between three or five, priced £9.50 or £13.50. My husband went for a chicken version of the same dish, priced £10 or £14.

There is something here to tickle all tastebuds, and there are also sharing menus available. The staff at Arcade were friendly and the atmosphere was relaxed. We ate before doing the Lift 109 experience and didn't have time for dessert, but the choice of sundaes, puddings and tortes, (priced from £6) sounded delicious. Family days out can involved disagreements around what to eat. Arcade takes away the headache by offering plenty to keep everyone happy!

## Where to shop with kids at Battersea Power Station?

Battersea Power Station is home to the only official, standalone Transformers store in the World! Fans travel from all across the globe to visit this store, which sells all sorts of merchandise, from comics, clothing, and accessories, to toys, gifts and collectibles. Visitors can play video games and enjoy the photo opportunities. Reuben was keen to have his picture taken next to a giant D-16. I thought this was Megatron, but apparently D-16 is the character who later becomes Megatron. There are other fan favourites standing guard at the top of the stairs outside the store, and Odhran hopped in for a picture next to Bumblebee.

The staff are exactly as you'd hope for in this kind of store - passionate about Transformers and incredibly knowledgeable on this specialist subject. We loved watching a demonstration by one of the sales assistants of the transforming figures. Through voice recognition he was also to command them to transform and engage. Around me, kids were turning to parents and saying 'I want one of those!'. But these were prototypes of big boy toys with hefty price tags. Still, it was great fun to watch. And from smaller transformer figures to stationary and plushies, there are plenty of pocket friendly items on offer if you want to treat your child.

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