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Hampton Court Palace is a Grade I listed royal palace and former home of Henry VIII. It's managed by Historic Royal Palaces, a charity set up to preserve several unoccupied royal palaces. It's located in the beautiful London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, which is in London Travelcard Zone 6, meaning you can use an Oyster card or contactless bank card to tap in and out at the train station. I visited with my husband and two sons Odhran, 9, and Reuben 6, on a sunny Saturday at the end of May. It's so close and easily accessible from central London but it feels a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of the city. As we explored the historic site and stunning gardens, I had a relaxed feeling, reminiscent of visits to the Cotswolds. A trip to Hampton Court Palace is more than a day out. It feels like a mini-break - a chance to peacefully explore, while taking a rest from hectic London living.

## Why Hampton Court Palace is the perfect day out with kids...

There comes a school age when most kids will be intrigued by Henry VIII and the gruesome aspects of his life. 'Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived' is a well recited mnemonic referring to the fates of his six wives. Odhran is a fan of :a[Horrible Histories]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/holidays/take-a-break-holidays/horrible-histories-tour-2025-heres-why-you-should-book-the-kids-in-for-a-history-lesson-they-wont-forget/' } and intrigued by those Terrible Tudors, so a visit to Hampton Court Palace was a great way to connect his learning with the physical history of the times. Reuben listened wide-eyed to the audio guide tale of Catherine Howard, Henry VIII's fifth wife, who is said to haunt gallery in the Palace. Legend has it that after being arrested for adultery and treason, she escaped her guards, and ran through the gallery, pleading for her life.

The boys enjoyed sitting like kings at the top table in the Great Hall, adorned with 500 year old tapestries. On special occasions, the Great Hall was used for plays and dances. As a fan of :a[Shakespeare]{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/' }, Odhran was interested to hear how James I's court spent the Christmas of 1603 at Hampton Court to escape the outbreak of a plague in London, and during the festive celebrations, William Shakespeare and his company of players performed _A Midsummer Night’s Dream_ in the Great Hall.

There's also the stunningly ornate Chapel Royal, which has a rich musical history and has witnessed significant historical events. Productions such as Bridgerton and even Pirates of the Caribbean have been filmed at Hampton Court Palace. But as a fan of Wolf Hall, I loved sitting round the table in the Council Chamber - the room of power and politics where Henry and his Privy Council made some of the biggest decisions in English history. It was fascinating to sit and imagine the scheming and skulduggery of the times.

We also loved stepping back in time to see how the more lowly staff lived during these times, and wandering through the labyrinth of kitchen spaces. There were demonstrations taking place showing the old-fashioned methods of using natural products to remove all kinds of stains from clothing.

If you enjoying roaming around :a[beautiful 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/' }, then that's reason alone to visit Hampton Court Palace. You can picnic in the Great Fountain Garden and we saw a family having a small birthday celebration for their child. It's a beautiful, relaxing, space to stroll around or sit in the sunshine. There's also the Privy Garden, Rose Garden, Royal Kitchen Garden, Pond Gardens, the Great Vine, and the Wilderness. It's not very big, but you will also want to visit Hampton Court's famous maze, which is the UK's oldest surviving hedge maze.

Let's be honest, this is the jewel in the crown for kids visiting Hampton Court Palace, and a place where their imaginations can run wild. There's a giant dragon, colourful towers to climb, and connecting bridges. There are water pumps, fountains to splash in, and sand. Alongside, Lilidorei at The Alnwick Garden, and :a[Blenheim Palace]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/holidays/take-a-break-holidays/blenheim-palace-review-everything-you-need-to-know-when-visiting-this-unesco-world-heritage-site-with-kids/' } Adventure Play, this is one of the best playgrounds we've visited. The boys loved it and didn't want to leave when their time was up. We arrived at 3.10pm and had a time slot until 4.30pm. We were given a coloured wristband and you must leave when your colour is called. What's also great about the Magic Garden is that it's been carefully designed with families in mind and has all the practical elements - there are toilets and baby changing facilities, a shop selling drinks and snacks, and a fountain to fill your water bottle.

Hampton Court Palace hosts many exciting events throughout the year. But for kids this summer, you can look forward to Henry VIII's Joust this weekend (19-20 July), and little ones can hop along on a magical garden trail as part of The Peter Rabbit Adventure from 25 July to 7 September.

## How much time will you spend at Hampton Court Palace?

Over the summer holidays Hampton Court Palace and Gardens is open every day from 10am to 5.30pm. The Magic Garden is open 10am to 6pm during the summer holidays but last entry is at 5.15pm. You'll need at least three hours at Hampton Court Palace, but we suggest making a full day of it.

At the Privy Kitchen Café my husband enjoyed a delicious frittata with slaw, potatoes and carrots, at a cost of £13. I wasn't so hungry and ate a blueberry muffin with a cup of tea, at a total cost of £6.50. The boys had the children's meal deal - this consists of a sandwich (ham or cheese), a snack, crisps, and a carton of juice for £7.50. There's also the Tiltyard Café with soup, sandwiches and hot meals. And when we visited there were food vans in the Great Foundation Garden selling

BBQ foods such as pulled pork burger for £12.50, with vegan options also available, and sweet and savoury crepes starting from £7. The boys were happy to see an ice-cream stall.

Hampton Court train station is a five-minute walk from the Palace. National Rail train services run from London Waterloo every 30 minutes , calling at Vauxhall, Clapham Junction, Earlsfield, Wimbledon, Raynes Park, New Maldon, Berrylands, Surbiton, Thames Ditton and Hampton Court. Trains returning to London Waterloo depart Hampton Court at regular times - Monday to Saturday: 24 and 54 minutes past the hour - Sunday: 05 and 35 minutes past the hour.

If you're travelling by bus from Kingston, you can jump on the 111, 216, 411, 461, and 513. Or from Richmond, you can catch the R68.

There is a very limited amount of parking at Hampton Court Palace, at a price of £1.80 per hour. It's also possible to travel there by boat!

## Tips for visiting Hampton Court Palace with Kids

• **Grab a guide** \- You're given a map at the entrance, which is handy for planning your visit and finding your way around. Head straight to the gift shop where you can pick up your free audio guide. But don't do what I did and hit play without scrolling down to discover there's a special guided tour designed for kids with a young character talking them through everything in a more entertaining and age-appropriate manner.

• **Check timings** - Certain parts of the attraction may close earlier. For example, the maze closes as 4pm. And on our visit, the Magic Garden has a last entry time of 5.15pm

• **Don't forget swimwear** \- While I was aware of Hampton Court's fantastic Magic Garden playground, I didn't realise it had sand and water pumps and fountains for the kids to splash in. So the boys ended up playing in their pants and going commando for the rest of the day!

• **Stay sun safe** \- The Magic Garden is a bit of a sun trap. So, be sure to pack sun cream and maybe a sun hat for the kids. There's a drinking fountain to fill up your water bottle and make sure the kids stay well hydrated.

• **Pack a bucket and spade** \- When we visited, lots of kids were joining together to make a river through the sand. Some were pumping water, while others were digging a route for the water to make its way from one end to the other. Reuben wanted to join in by filling a section with water, but as we had no bucket I ended up giving him my water bottle.

• **Check out the horses** \- If you want to do something a bit different on your day out, you could take a shire horse carriage ride, which will take you on a 15 mile journey around the gardens. This doesn't need to be pre-booked, so you can decide to do it on the day. It costs £5 per person.

## How much does a visit to Hampton Court Palace cost?

You can book tickets in advance online of on the day at the ticket office. Prices vary depending on whether it's peak or off peak. Peak time is weekends and bank holidays. Your ticket includes access to the place, courtyards, gardens, maze, and the Magic Garden. Adult ticket costs £28.00 off-peak, £30.90 peak. A child's ticket and a young person's ticket (16-17 years) costs £14 off-peak, £15.50 peak, under 5s go free. A senior, disabled concession and student ticket costs £22.50 off-peak and £24.70 peak. Hampton Court Palace offers £1 tickets for those on benefits. Find out more on their website.

On select days you can visit Hampton Court Palace Gardens for free. This is part of Open Garden Days, which this year will take place on 13-14 September, 18-19 October, 22-23 November, and 26 December (The Wilderness Garden only). You'll be able to visit the Great Fountain Garden, the Privy Garden, the Kitchen Garden, the Pond Garden, and the Lower Orangery and Terrace, free of charge on these dates. Entrance to the Palace, the maze, and the Magic Garden still requires a ticket. Check the website closer to the dates for further info.

We discovered the perfect day trip from London with the kids this summer…

**_Shannon was excited to be a new mum. Until the intrusive thoughts set in…_**

Looking down at the little white stick,  two lines stared  back at me.

Having had anorexia in my teens, I’d been unsure about whether I could ever have a baby, but now I was pregnant.  
‘I’m so happy for you!’ my mum squealed.  
It was all I’d ever wanted, but six months in, I found myself constantly comparing my situation to the traditional families I saw on social media.  
I was going it alone with only my parents for support.  
‘Are you excited?’ my dad asked one night.  
‘Of course,’ I said.  
But I’d started to experience suicidal thoughts, thinking I wasn’t enough for my baby.  
I tried to think how I could end my life, while keeping the baby alive.  
Worried, my mum contacted my GP and I was put under the care of a mental health team.  
I was admitted to hospital when I went into slow labour, which lasted seven days.  
‘It’ll be worth it when baby’s here,’ people kept saying.  
But when my daughter, Orlagh, was born, the instant rush of love didn’t come.  
She was beautiful, but a dark fog had descended over me.  
Paranoid that someone would take my baby away if they found out, I didn’t tell anyone how I was feeling.  
Then, when Orlagh was three weeks old, I made the decision to end my life.  
I thought she would  be better off without me, and  I knew my parents would look after her.  
The following morning, I got ready to leave the house to do the unthinkable, when  I burst into tears.  
My mum found me on my bedroom floor and, after I told her everything, she called my mental health nurse.  
I was diagnosed with postnatal depression (PND)which had led to postnatal psychosis, and it was decided that I would benefit from inpatient care.  
On the way to the mother and baby unit, I felt relief wash over me.  
I wanted to live and be a mummy to Orlagh, I just didn’t know how.  
Over the next 14 days, I learnt how to care for her.  
At first, it was hard. My mental health was so poor, I felt like a robot completing tasks.  
But by the time we left the unit, I’d bonded with Orlagh and I was on medication for my depression.  
Now, Orlagh and I have a lovely life, and every time I look at her, I feel that rush of love.  
It’s a journey, but I’m learning to be the best mum  I can every day.  
I want to share my story, so other mums suffering with PND know they aren’t alone.

**_Shannon Finan, 30, Coventry, West Midlands_**

• To listen to Shannon’s podcast on PND, search ‘The Only Prams Podcast’  on Spotify.

Post Natal Depression left me suicidal

**_When these readers  were in trouble, they discovered help can come from unexpected places_**

It was cold as my little sister Lesley and I left our ballet class to walk home.

Although we were just seven and four, we didn’t have far to go and our parents trusted us to head straight back.  
As we walked past a big pond, I noticed that it had frozen over.  
‘I wonder if I can walk on it,’ I said to Lesley.  
But the moment I put my foot down, the ice cracked.  
As I was plunged into the freezing water, I just managed to grab hold of two tufts of grass to stop me being completely submerged.  
On the bank, Lesley burst into tears.  
There weren’t many cars around, but thankfully one passed by and spotted me clinging to the grass.  
Seconds later, I felt strong hands pulling me out of the water. I was wearing my best coat with its fur collar, and I must have been very heavy.

My saviour squatted down in front of me to check I was OK.  
‘I’d better drive you two home,’ he said.  
So we sat on his back seat, totally soaking the upholstery.  
When we arrived and he told Mum what had happened, she couldn’t stop thanking him.  
After that, we got a lecture every winter about not stepping on the ice.  
It gave me a healthy respect for water, and now, more than 60 years on, I’ll swim happily in a pool but I’m nervous about open water.     
Had that  man not been there to save me, I could easily have drowned.

**_From Adrienne Hinton, 68, of Burnley, Lancs_**

I looked at the clock at work, and quickly packed up my stuff so I could make it to the hospital for visiting time.

I’d recently lost my dad, and now my mum had been admitted to hospital with COPD.  
Every evening after work, I would go to keep her company.  
It meant getting two buses home, with a wait in the freezing cold in between them, but  I didn’t mind.  
It was so late, I was often the only passenger on the buses and I noticed it was always the same driver on the first one.  
One night, as I was climbing off to wait for the next bus, he called out to me.  
‘You might as well stay on,’ he said. ‘Save you waiting outside in the cold.’

‘Oh, that would be amazing,’ I replied.  
Every night after that, the driver, whose name was Ken, did the same and we’d chat until my next bus.  
‘You’re a good daughter for visiting,’ he said, kindly, when I told him about  my mum.  
Soon after, Mum was moved to a different hospital, and I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye and thanks to Ken.  
But his simple act of kindness made a huge difference to me at one of the hardest times of my life.

**_From Amy Christian, 39, of Sheffield_**

After meeting friends for coffee in town, I caught the bus home.

I’d made the journey in my wheelchair plenty of times, but today, as we bounced along, I felt myself slipping out of the seat.  
My new pressure cushion doesn’t fit properly! I thought.  
It was the wrong shape for the seat, and was pushing  me out.  
Seeing the panic on my face, a young man standing opposite asked if I was OK.  
‘I’m not actually,’ I replied.  
‘Can I do anything to help?’ he asked.  
‘You can try!’ I said.  
He wrapped his arms around me and helped me back into my seat, while another passenger shouted: ‘Stop the bus!’  
The driver pulled up and came to see what was happening.  
Together they got the cushion out from under me.  
‘Thanks so much!’ I said.  
I asked the young man his name, and he said it was Alex.  
‘It would’ve been awful if I’d fallen out,’ I said. ‘I could kiss you!’  
His look of alarm very clearly said: ‘Please don’t!’  
When we reached my stop  I thanked him again, before wheeling off and blowing him a kiss.

**_From Karen Dennis, 61, of Barnstaple, Devon_**

Standing outside the corner shop with my pals, we opened the packet of jawbreakers and took one each.

They were the new ice-cream flavoured ones everyone had gone mad for, and we couldn’t wait to try them.  
But minutes after popping one into my mouth, I laughed at something my friend said, and the sweet got lodged in my windpipe.  
I was only seven and the big round ball filled my entire throat.  
Struggling to breathe, I began to feel dizzy.  
My pals, who had no idea what to do, were just staring at me in shock.  
Then a passer-by spotted  what was happening, ran over and gave me a huge thump on the back.

The gobstopper flew out across the road and I gulped in some huge, welcome breaths.  
When I looked up, the man was gone, and I hadn’t had the chance to say thank you.  
Back at home, I told my parents, but they thought I was exaggerating.  
Looking back now, I was incredibly lucky that man came along.  
Sometimes I wonder if he was my guardian angel!

**_From Lisa Tomlinson-Cowie, 48, of Billingham, Co Durham_**

I packed up some ham sandwiches and a flask of tea, then climbed in the car with my hubby and daughter.

We were off to see High Force waterfall, in County Durham.  
I’d always loved waterfalls and rivers and now I was losing some mobility, I wanted to see as many as possible while I still could.  
It was just as spectacular as I’d imagined, and we walked to the top to admire the view.  
But just as we were about to head back down, I felt myself slipping on the wet rocks.  
I love water, but I don’t want to go in like this! I thought.  
I cried out and a young man grabbed my arm.  
He began slipping too, but managed to right himself and haul me back up.

‘Oh my God, my hero!’ I gasped. ‘Thanks so much!’  
My husband and daughter ran over and thanked the man too.  
‘I think I need to sit down and drink some tea,’ I told them.  
It was only back home later, that it really hit me how much worse it could’ve been.  
That brave stranger had saved me from a watery grave!

**_From Sue Just, 63, of  Kendal, Cumbria_**

Saved by a stranger! Five life-affirming stories of rescue and acts of kindness…

**Issue 01 2025**: Page 15 Picture Pointer = Fantasy

**Issue 02 2025**: Page 15 Picture Pointer = Appendix

**Issue 03 2025:** Page 15 Picture Pointer = Flattery

**Issue 04 2025**: Page 15 Picture Pointer = Mixture

**Issue 05 2025**: Page 15 Picture Pointer = Express

**Issue 06 2025**: Page 15 Picture Pointer = Crystal

I**ssue 01 2025**: G Balaggan, Workingham, Surrey

**Issue 02 2025**: D Kinnish, Carnforth, Lancashire.

**Issue 03 2025:** D Boddy, Chelmsford, Essex.

**Issue 05 2025**: L Stuart, Huntley, Aberdeenshire.

**_She was wearing her dream frock, the wedding guests were waiting… so where was Rebecca’s groom?_**

Scrolling through Pinterest, I added a few more pics to my wedding board.

I’d just been made redundant, and hours of job searching every day had got depressing.  
So, I cheered myself up by planning out my dream big day.  
The colour scheme was pistachio and peach, and I’d spent an age designing my perfect dress.  
I loved the idea of a short, swingy hemline.  
My partner Daniel and I had been together since I was 18, but whenever I mentioned marriage, he’d change the subject.  
Gradually, all our mutual friends tied the knot.  
They were always asking when we were planning on following suit, and 10 years into our relationship, I was losing patience.  
Though I’d never wanted children, I was desperate to become a wife.  
My sense of self-worth was closely tied to the idea of someone ‘choosing’ me.  
One New Year’s Eve, Daniel and I decided to throw a party.  
But while we were setting everything up, we got back into the old argument about marriage.  
‘Are you ever going to propose?’ I asked him.

‘It’s not even on my mind,’ he replied.  
‘Well then, it’s over,’ I said. ‘If you’re not sure about me after a decade together, you’ll never be.’  
I texted all our friends to cancel the party, and over the next year, our relationship broke down completely.  
Keen to get myself back out there,  I decided to join a few dating apps.  
No marriage-phobes! I specified on my profile.  
I wasn’t going through that again.

It wasn’t long before I started chatting with a guy named Tom, and things moved quickly between us.  
On our third date, we were lying on my sofa when he asked me about my profile.  
‘I feel the same way about marriage as you do,’ he told me. ‘It’s really important to me.’  
Tom seemed totally devoted and it wasn’t long before we moved in together.  
I felt sure I had finally found  my future husband.  
And the fact that my ex had just married his new girlfriend didn’t bother me in  the least.  
But after four years together, Tom began to change.  
He’d stay out all night, but not say where he was.  
Our relationship was on the rocks and I ended up moving out while we continued to work on it.  
During that time, I was at my office when I stumbled across an article that caught my attention.  
It was about an Italian woman who had married herself.  
The idea appealed to me, and  I made a Facebook event for my 40th birthday, still a few years away.  
Then I invited Tom.

‘If I’m not married by 40, then I’m going to marry myself,’ I told him. ‘You don’t have to be the groom, but I’m having a wedding!’  
But then, my whole world turned upside down.  
First of all, my beloved cat Gladys passed away.  
Then I discovered the true cause of Tom’s weird behaviour — he’d been having an affair for the past year.  
I blocked him on everything and sorted out more permanent accommodation.  
Not only was I under enormous emotional strain, but I was also strapped for cash.  
With vet bills for Gladys and a deposit for renting a new flat, I ended up £11k in debt. So over the next 10 months, I threw myself into paying everything off.  
I worked five jobs, adding cleaning, bar work and an Etsy shop to my day job as a customer consultant.  
My workload was so exhausting that I barely had time to think about my relationship.  
Meanwhile, I also completed a short therapy course provided by my job.  
‘What’s your goal with these sessions?’ asked the therapist.  
‘I want to stop caring about getting married,’ I told her.  
And a year later I was stronger, more independent, and totally debt-free.  
To my delight, I was able to move into a house on my own.  
Shutting my front door behind me, I felt liberated.  
After both of my previous break-ups, I’d ended up in flat-shares or tenancies with  no furniture.  
Now, I had something no one could take away from me.  
Gradually, I began to realise that, although we lived in a very couple-oriented society, I was actually happier by myself.  
That was when I received a Facebook reminder about my upcoming 40th.  
And suddenly it seemed like the perfect plan.  
No way was I letting all my wedding mood boards go to waste!  
‘I’m going to go through with it,’ I told my sister. ‘I’m marrying myself!’  
‘Don’t give up on meeting someone yet,’ she said.  
‘You don’t understand, I don’t want to meet someone,’ I replied. ‘Besides, I need to wear my dream dress while I’m still young enough to pull it off!’  
Scrolling through my old Pinterest boards and Excel spreadsheets, I found myself looking back at how far I had come.  
Now, I was so much more in control of my own life than I’d ever been before.

However, all my old traditional plans seemed out of place for a solo wedding. I’d always loved Glastonbury, and eventually decided on a festival theme, with bunting, garlands, pom-poms and karaoke.  
I promised myself I’d only work with people who were just as enthusiastic about my mission as I was.  
Luckily, almost all the suppliers I spoke to were on board.  
For the venue and catering, I booked a large function room at a nearby hotel.

The only element of the wedding which stayed identical to my original vision was the dress I’d designed all those years ago.  
A quick search online led me to a dressmaker who was happy to put it together for a reasonable price.

And when I zipped myself up, it looked as beautiful as I’d always imagined.  
In total, there were 76 guests. Instead of traditional pastels, my bridesmaids all wore jewel colours.  
My brother-in-law James was a stand-up comedian in his spare time, so I asked him to MC.  
‘Who’s going to tell her the groom hasn’t shown up?’ James joked with guests as they arrived.  
As the opening bars of Good Thing by Reel Big Fish filled the function room, I kicked my way through the double doors.

I strode down the aisle as trumpets blared, and friends ‘played’ inflatable saxophones in true Glastonbury style.  
After my big entrance, everyone sat round the tables for a speech from James.  
‘Right, everyone get to your feet,’ he said. ‘And repeat after me — THIS. ISN’T. WEIRD!’  
All the guests were in stitches and the party got started for real. The whole event was me to a tee.  
We served cocktails with little moustaches as drink tokens and a tea-flavoured cake as a nod to my favourite beverage. There were Task Master challenges for the guests, and of course, we all joined in the karaoke.  
I opened the night with Woman by Kesha and Young Hearts Run Free by Candi Staton.  
Then my sisters, best friends and I belted out Simply the Best to cheers from the audience.  
‘That’s hands down the best wedding I’ve ever been to,’ said friends and relatives as we headed off.  
‘It’s the best wedding I could have asked for,’ I replied. ‘A groom would have ruined it!’  
After the party, my bridesmaids had a surprise for me.  
‘We’ve upgraded you to the bridal suite,’ they said.  
‘You guys are the best,’ I sobbed, pulling them in for a hug.  
That night, I stretched out on the kingsize bed, luxuriating in the extra room. When I was younger, I thought I needed a man to make me happy.  
Now I realise that being happy alone isn’t a consolation prize.

**_Rebecca Holberry, 40,  Stockport, Greater Manchester_**

• Daniel and Tom's named have been changed

Me, myself and AISLE! Guests giggled when my groom was a no show (But I got the last LAUGH)

Looking for a fun, creative, and screen-free way to keep your kids entertained this summer? Whether you're heading off on a long car journey or simply looking for something to break up the days at home, our :a[Bumper Kids' Activity Book]{href='https://www.greatmagazines.co.uk/bumper-kids-activity-book-mid-summer-2025?utm_source=takeabreak&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=puzzles_specials&amp;utm_content=article' } is just what you need!

Packed with engaging puzzles, games and drawing prompts, this book is designed to keep children happily occupied no matter where summer takes you. Inside, they’ll find everything from tricky mazes and mind-bending code crackers to wordsearches that spark curiosity and sharpen vocabulary. It’s perfect for curious minds and restless hands.

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Looking for a fun, creative, and screen-free way to keep your kids entertained this summer?

Closing date for August Issue is midnight 28th August 2025. Only one entry per person.


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  <form action="https://competitionform.bauersecure.com/formhandler.php" method="post" accept-charset="UTF-8" name="competition-form" onsubmit="return validateCompetitionForm()">


        <input type="hidden" name="brand_code" value="TSS" />
        <input type="hidden" name="issue_number" value="TSS2507" />
        <input type="hidden" name="channel" value="web" />


        <fieldset class="competition-form-details">
          <legend>Your Details</legend>
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            <label for="first_name" required >First name</label>
            <input type="text" id="first_name" name="first_name" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" required autocomplete="name fname" />
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            <input type="text" id="address_1" name="address_1" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" required autocomplete="shipping address-line1"/>
          </div>
          <div>
            <label for="address_2">Address: Area</label>
            <input type="text" id="address_2" name="address_2" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" autocomplete="shipping address-line2"/>
          </div>
          <div>
            <label for="city" required >Address: Town or city</label>
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            <label for="state">Address: County</label>
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          <div>
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            <input type="text" id="postcode" name="postcode" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" required pattern="([a-zA-Z0-9]{2,4} [a-zA-Z0-9]{3,4}|[eE][iI][rR][eE]) ?" autocomplete="shipping postal-code"/>
          </div>
        </fieldset>
        <fieldset class="competition-form-answers">
          <legend>Competition Answers</legend>


          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 3</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108676">£50 Cash</label>
              <input type="text" id="108676" name="108676" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
          </fieldset>


          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 9</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108748">Electric shower and shower kit</label>
              <input type="text" id="108748" name="108748" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
          </fieldset>


          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 15</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108724">£100 Cash</label>
              <input type="text" id="108724" name="108724" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
          </fieldset>


          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 16</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108688">£100 Iceland vouchers</label>
              <input type="text" id="108688" name="108688" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
          </fieldset>


          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 18</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108652">£1000 cash</label>
              <input type="text" id="108652" name="108652" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
          </fieldset>


          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 24</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108664">Big Relax</label>
              <input type="text" id="108664" name="108664" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
          </fieldset>


          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 29</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108760">Wookey Hole break</label>
              <input type="text" id="108760" name="108760" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
          </fieldset>


          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 30</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108700">£100 Homesense vouchers</label>
              <input type="text" id="108700" name="108700" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
          </fieldset>


          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 36</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108628">Big Bonanza</label>
              <input type="text" id="108628" name="108628" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
          </fieldset>


          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 44</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108712">£100 John Lewis vouchers</label>
              <input type="text" id="108712" name="108712" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
          </fieldset>


          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 52</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108796">£100 restaurant vouchers</label>
              <input type="text" id="108796" name="108796" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
          </fieldset>


          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 54</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108784">£100 Cash</label>
              <input type="text" id="108784" name="108784" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
          </fieldset>


          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 59</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108772">London theatre break</label>
              <input type="text" id="108772" name="108772" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
          </fieldset>


          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 61</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108736">Brighton break</label>
              <input type="text" id="108736" name="108736" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
          </fieldset>


          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 62</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108640">Malta holiday</label>
              <input type="text" id="108640" name="108640" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
          </fieldset>


          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 69</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108808">Supermarket Spree</label>
              <input type="text" id="108808" name="108808" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
          </fieldset>


        </fieldset>
        <fieldset class="competition-form-optins">
          <legend>More Competitions, Offers and News</legend>
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Closing date for issue 29 is midnight 4th August 2025. Only one entry per person


<div class="competition-form">
  <form action="https://competitionform.bauersecure.com/formhandler.php" method="post" accept-charset="UTF-8" name="competition-form" onsubmit="return validateCompetitionForm()">


        <input type="hidden" name="brand_code" value="TAB" />
        <input type="hidden" name="issue_number" value="TAB2529" />
        <input type="hidden" name="channel" value="web" />


        <fieldset class="competition-form-details">
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            <input type="text" id="last_name" name="last_name" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" required autocomplete="name lname" />
          </div>
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            <label for="email" required >Email</label>
            <input type="email" id="email" name="email" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" required autocomplete="email" />
          </div>
          <div>
            <label for="phone">Phone</label>
            <input type="text" id="phone" name="phone" value="" size="40" maxlength="128"  pattern="[0-9 \+]{10,}" autocomplete="tel" />
          </div>
          <div>
            <label for="address_1" required>Address: Building and street</label>
            <input type="text" id="address_1" name="address_1" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" required autocomplete="shipping address-line1"/>
          </div>
          <div>
            <label for="address_2">Address: Area</label>
            <input type="text" id="address_2" name="address_2" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" autocomplete="shipping address-line2"/>
          </div>
          <div>
            <label for="city" required >Address: Town or city</label>
            <input type="text" id="city" name="city" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" required autocomplete="shipping address-level2"/>
          </div>
          <div>
            <label for="state">Address: County</label>
            <input type="text" id="state" name="state" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" autocomplete="shipping address-level1"/>
          </div>
          <div>
            <label for="postcode" required >Address: Postcode <sub>(UK: Please include space. ROI: Please enter Eire)</sub></label>
            <input type="text" id="postcode" name="postcode" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" required pattern="([a-zA-Z0-9]{2,4} [a-zA-Z0-9]{3,4}|[eE][iI][rR][eE]) ?" autocomplete="shipping postal-code"/>
          </div>
        </fieldset>
        <fieldset class="competition-form-answers">
          <legend>Competition Answers</legend>


          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 3</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108319">10 x £20 4-Squared</label>
              <input type="text" id="108319" name="108319" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
          </fieldset>


          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 5</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108309">10 x £20 Mega Snap</label>
              <input type="text" id="108309" name="108309" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
          </fieldset>


          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 8</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108289">£1000 Big Bonanza</label>
              <input type="text" id="108289" name="108289" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
          </fieldset>


          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 14</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108209">2 x £100 And Then Sum</label>
              <input type="text" id="108209" name="108209" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
          </fieldset>


          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 14</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108249">2 x £100 Now 4 Something Different</label>
              <input type="text" id="108249" name="108249" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
          </fieldset>


          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 20</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108229">2 x £100 Find The Money!</label>
              <input type="text" id="108229" name="108229" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
          </fieldset>


          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 22</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108259">£1500 Big Relax</label>
              <input type="text" id="108259" name="108259" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
          </fieldset>


          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 28</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108239">2 x £100 Code Breaker</label>
              <input type="text" id="108239" name="108239" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
          </fieldset>


          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 38</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108219">2 x £100 Question Time</label>
              <input type="text" id="108219" name="108219" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
          </fieldset>


          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 43</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108279">£1500 Cash</label>
              <input type="text" id="108279" name="108279" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
          </fieldset>


          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 44</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108329">2 x £100 Picture Pointer</label>
              <input type="text" id="108329" name="108329" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
          </fieldset>


          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 46</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108269">10 x £20 Starscope</label>
              <input type="text" id="108269" name="108269" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
          </fieldset>


          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 47</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108339">2 x £200 Supermarket Spree</label>
              <input type="text" id="108339" name="108339" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
          </fieldset>


          <fieldset>
            <legend>Page 50</legend>
            <div>
              <label for="108299">£6500 Big Cash Stash</label>
              <input type="text" id="108299" name="108299" value="" size="40" maxlength="128" />
            </div>
          </fieldset>


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            <label for="partner_opt_in">Opt in to Partner Competitions, Offers and News alerts (You can opt out again at any time)</label>
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            <label for="terms_and_conditions" required >Tick to confirm that you have read and accepted our <a href="http://www.bauerlegal.co.uk/competition-terms.html" target="_blank">competition terms and conditions</a></label>
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    </form>
</div>



**Here's a sneak peek at issue 28's cover stories**

**_When Emma’s mum got ill, one delay after another proved detrimental…_**

When there was  a knock at the door, my kids Amber, seven, and Oliver, four, came running down the stairs.

With my one-year-old Sophie on my hip, I opened the door.  
‘Nanny!’ shouted the kids as they barrelled up to her.  
‘Oh, wow, what a welcome,’ Mum laughed, hugging them.  
‘Hi Mum,’ I chuckled. ‘I’ll  get the dogs and we can go  for a walk.’  
As we wandered around the park, she told me all about her new job.  
She was a beauty therapist and had just landed a role at a new company.  
Mum loved bringing a smile  to people’s faces with massages and Reiki.  
A few months later, she told me she wasn’t feeling well.  
Mum was rarely ill, and even when she was, she would just get on with it.  
‘You should call your GP, Mum,’ I told her.  
‘No, no, I don’t want to waste their time,’ she replied.  
But when she wasn’t getting better, I kept pestering her to call, as did my siblings Brandon, Eleanor and Andrew.  
Eventually she relented, but it took six weeks to get an appointment.  
In the meantime, she’d started vomiting, lost weight and had diarrhoea too.  
‘It’s probably just norovirus,’ she told me. ‘It’s going round  at the moment.’  
Eventually, she went for her GP appointment.  
They’ve told me to go to A&E, she messaged me.  
There, they told her she had gastroenteritis.

I was angry that she’d been given some medications and sent away without having any scans.  
The next day, Mum was still in agony, so she went back to A&E.  
Four hours later, she was back home again.  
She’d had a blood test, but still no scans were done because the hospital insisted that she had gastroenteritis.  
She was crying in pain.  
‘She can’t eat anything because she vomits it back up,’ my stepdad told me.  
‘This isn’t right,’ I said. ‘I’m going to ask the GP to refer her for a private MRI scan.’  
Five days later, I took Mum to her appointment.  
The day after, Mum was back in A&E vomiting green liquid.  
I rushed up to the hospital, and the next day we were given the results of the MRI.  
‘There’s a 40mm blockage in her colon,’ the doctor said. ‘We need to remove it now and then we’ll send it for biopsy.’  
‘I just want the pain to go away,’ Mum said.  
Once they get this blockage out, Mum can get better, I thought.

While she was having surgery, I researched online about colon blockages. One particular word popped up, and I panicked.  
Cancer.  
But I knew I had to try to stay calm until we had some more answers.  
Mum recovered well, and before long she seemed back to normal.  
Six weeks later, I was shocked that she still hadn’t been given the biopsy results.  
Then she received  a letter from the consultant.  
‘The biopsy showed  it’s cancer,’ Mum said, matter-of-factly.  
‘Oh, God!’ I cried.  
The blockage had been a tumour, just as I’d feared.  
Although as much as possible was removed, there were still cancerous lymph nodes in Mum’s body.  
‘They’re offering me chemo  as a preventative measure,’ she said. ‘But the side effects are horrendous and there’s only a small chance of it working, so  I don’t want to do it.’  
It was hard to accept her decision, but I had to respect it.

Because Mum seemed OK,  I assumed she’d still be able to live a normal life for years to come.  
But seven months later, her symptoms were getting worse, so she went to her GP. And it wasn’t good news…  
‘The cancer has spread,’ Mum told me.  
I broke down sobbing as she explained it had spread to her bowel and one of her ovaries.  
Now, Mum felt she had to do the chemo.  
The consultant hoped it would shrink the cancer enough for them to operate.  
Frustratingly, there was a three month wait to start her treatment.  
And then, it was gut-wrenching to see how much chemotherapy changed her.  
Her hair became thinner and she lost so much weight.  
As always, Mum put a brave face on and stayed positive.  
After three rounds of chemo, her consultant asked to  speak with her.  
I went along and we were hopeful for good news.  
‘I’m afraid the chemotherapy hasn’t worked,’ he said. ‘Your only option now is palliative care.’  
I burst into  tears.  
With Mum’s permission, I asked him how long she had left.  
‘Nine to 12 months,’ he said.  
All the way  home, we were  too shocked to  say a word.  
But as was  typical of her, she soon went into action mode, and we found a pioneering treatment in Germany which would involve injecting chemotherapy directly into the tumour.

We fundraised the  £4,000 needed, and  Eleanor and Brandon  flew out with Mum.  
Each round of treatment only took a day, and after  the third one, the doctor  was hopeful.  
A week after Mum got home, my stepdad told me he’d called an ambulance  as she’d been up all night vomiting.  
At hospital, it was discovered she had sepsis.  
And the next day, my stepdad messaged me with devastating news.  
The tumour is growing and there’s nothing they can do,  it read. It’s end of life care now. She has two weeks to live.  
I couldn’t believe it and I broke down.  
But Mum was determined to  defy the prognosis.  
Two weeks  later, she was transferred to Springhill Hospice  in Rochdale. The staff there were incredible, and we took it in turns to visit Mum.  
‘I’m going to keep fighting,’ she told me. ‘I’m not going to die.’  
Some days she was her normal bubbly self, but I knew I had to come to terms with what was happening.  
I tearfully told the kids and then took them to visit her.  
‘Nanny, Mummy says you’re going to be an angel soon,’ Oliver told her.  
I went red with embarrassment but Mum just burst out laughing.  
Two weeks later, she was allowed to go home.  
I was astounded.  
She really is fighting, I thought.  
Shoving her wheelchair and Zimmer frame into my car, I drove her home.  
We stopped for a McDonald’s and had a giggle like old times.  
Later, I helped Mum up to bed before heading home.

Then at midnight, Eleanor messaged to say Mum was screaming in pain and vomiting.  
I rushed over and nurses soon followed.  
‘Mum, I’m here,’ I said, taking her hand.  
Minutes later, an ambulance arrived.  
Paramedics found her blood pressure had dropped dangerously low.  
‘If we take her to hospital she could die in transit,’ one said.  
This is it, I thought.  
We quickly got Andrew to come over, but sadly Brandon was too far away.  
With us by her bedside, Mum closed her eyes  and took her last breath aged 55.  
It felt surreal.  
The day before, she’d been her chirpy self and now she was gone.

The grief was overwhelming.  
As the weeks went on, I kept thinking back to those first two A&E visits.  
If a scan had been done then, Mum’s tumour could have been spotted much earlier.  
Maybe she’d still be here.  
It’s been four months, and I’m still angry that she was fobbed off for so long.  
That’s why I’m fighting her corner now and sharing her  story to raise awareness.  
Mum always put a brave face on things, and never gave up hope.  
She was a true warrior  and that’s how I’ll always remember her.

**_Emma Revell, 32, Greater Manchester_**

RACE against TIME: Mum’s tummy bug turned out to be cancer

**_When Tracey-Ann met her niece’s boyfriend he seemed well-mannered. But she had no idea of what he was capable of…_**

Sending my mum Dolet upstairs for a shower,  I started hatching my secret plan.

‘See you in a bit,’ I said, before scurrying into the garden.  
I gathered all the party decorations I’d hidden and brought them inside.  
‘I’m so glad we pulled this off,’ my sister Tanysha, 45, said.  
As Mum was the one who always organised family events, we decided that this time we’d throw her a surprise party for her 64th birthday.  
We quickly put up the banners, then I laid out her gifts and her favourite fruit cake I’d made.  
Her partner Denton, 58, was in on the whole thing.  
‘This looks great,’ he said, as he walked in.  
Tanysha and I were living in the family home to support Mum, while she underwent cancer treatment.  
Sometimes I’d pop home, but  I loved it when we were all under one roof.  
Suddenly we heard the shower turn off and Mum’s footsteps down the stairs.  
When she saw our handiwork, she smiled.  
‘I knew something was going on,’ she said.  
Soon, our friends and family came over, and Mum’s face lit up.  
We had a blast, laughing and dancing the night away.  
A month later, I went over to Mum’s to cook everyone dinner.  
As usual Mum, Denton and Tanysha were there, as was Tanysha’s daughter Samantha, 27, who was with a man I didn’t recognise.

‘Hi, baby,’ I said, as I gave her a hug.  
‘Auntie Tracey, this is my boyfriend,’ she replied.  
I was surprised, as no one had mentioned she’d met someone.  
‘Hi, I’m Joshua,’ he smiled.  
‘Would you like some dinner?’  I asked.  
‘Unfortunately, I have to go in a minute,’ he said.  
As I started rustling up a meal, I gave him a snack so he wouldn’t go hungry.  
‘Thank you,’ he said.  
After eating it, he said his goodbyes to everyone.  
Then I plated up dinner and Samantha told me she and Joshua had been together for  six weeks.  
‘Maybe you’ll finally have that baby we’ve been asking you for,’ I said, cheekily.  
‘Who knows, Auntie,’ she laughed.  
When it was time for her to go, I gave her a big hug.  
‘Bye, baby, I love you,’ I said.  
‘Love you too, Auntie Tracey,’ she replied.

I decided to go home and a few days later, I called Mum on my way to work as usual.  
Mum and I texted and spoke on the phone every day, and she always answered my calls.  
But on this occasion, she didn’t answer.  
That’s odd, I thought.  
I tried Tanysha and Denton, but they didn’t pick up either.  
Suddenly my phone rang. It was Tanysha’s husband.  
‘She’s not answering my calls,’ he said, worriedly.  
‘I’ll go home and check on them,’ I said.  
I got on the bus and he rang me back on the way.  
‘The police are looking for Samantha,’ he said, anxiously.  
‘Why?’ I asked.  
‘I don’t know,’ he said.  
Something’s not right, I thought.

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