THERE are still a good few weeks to sneak in a trip to the capital for some shopping and quality time with the Children before Christmas or even if you are thinking about having a weekend break in the new year ARRON HENDY gives you five reasons to head to London with the family.

Shrek’s Adventure!

Next to Westminster Bridge

Can you believe it’s been 17 years since the big green ogre with a temper and a softer side first appeared? That means there have been quite a few generations who have fallen in love with the film, its wonderful sequels and all its colourful characters. I am one of those people and we loved Shrek’s Adventure! There is an element of mystery as you arrive right next to Westminster Bridge and the London Eye, and I don’t want to ruin the surprise. But I can confirm it is a uniquely entertaining and jaw-droppingly fun attraction which we adored.

There are 4D special effects, you meet amazing characters and head through a labyrinth of different parts of the film. You really are transported into the world of Far, Far Away. if you’ve never seen the film you are missing out. Watch it, then head to Shrek’s Adventure!

This Christmas visitors should get ready for a blast of sparkly snowflakes and festive frolics as Santa welcomes guests into the magical Grotto. Santa’s trusty elves will be on hand to spread the Christmas spirit and be the cheerleaders of all things festive on weekends until December 16, then every day until Christmas Eve.

The London Eye

Right next to Shrek you can have a go on London’s big wheel. The whole experience is special, from jumping on the moving ride to the journey up and down. The view from the top is sensational on a clear day, stretching right up to North London towards Alexandra Palace and south to the countryside. You are right next to the Houses of Parliament and it is perfectly suited to look across St James’s Park to Buckingham Palace. That is a bonus as it means you can quickly look at those two places without having to walk over to see them, if you want to save time. Tickets which include Shrek’s Adventure! and other attractions are available.

The Tower of London

Since having children we have always loved going to castles. You can learn about history while also basically being a kid yourself, wandering through passages and on top of these amazing structures, imagining you are in a battle.

The Tower of London is full of amazing stories and you can spend hours there, marvelling at the history and the items on show. We loved reading about the famous people who had been there, like Sir Walter Raleigh.

You get a great history lesson, learning about how he lived in the Bloody Tower. The Bloody Tower is most strongly associated with the supposed murder of the 12-year-old Edward V and his younger brother, Richard, in 1483. They stayed in these rooms on the orders of their uncle, the future Richard III. The princes’ disappearance remains one of the most intriguing stories of the Tower’s history. Another favourite part of its history was learning about the animals that were kept there, after being handed over as gifts by royalty from other countries, including lions, and even an elephant.

Matilda the Musical

Cambridge Theatre

There are, of course, a plethora of fantastic musicals to choose from in London but Roahl Dahl’s Matilda the Musical has a new cast and is perfect for families. When we went there was a standing ovation at the end for a multitude of reasons. Thc ast is amazing from the youngsters to the amazing Hayden Tee, who plays Mrs Trunchbull. What they do with the stage, with things coming up out of the floor, is sensational. The set and the whole experience will be a highlight of your weekend. The songs, by Tim Minchin, are a huge part of it and you will be singing them long after you have returned home.

As well as the current London run Matilda the Musical will head out on tour, including a trip to the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton from Tuesday, June 11, until Saturday July 6.

Natural History Museum

South Kensington

Thankfully still free to enter, this is another world of wonder. We went to the Science Museum, but that has quite a few sections where you need to pay, and did not seem to grab the imagination of the children, so we headed to the Natural History Museum, just down the road. It is full of fun, from the huge, moving dinosaur models to the clock from the Andy’s Dinosaur Adventures CBeebies show, we had a great time. The great hall and the rest of the building has a treasure trove of exhibits. If your children love wildlife and nature, it is perfect because you can go from learning about creatures in great detail or just stroll around enjoying the sights.

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical is at the Cambridge Theatre, Earlham Street, London. Tickets are from £20. Tuesday to Friday 7pm, Wednesday 2pm, Saturday 2.30pm and 7.30pm, Sundays 3pm. Cambridge Theatre 020 7087 7745/ticket hotline 01789 331111. www.matildathemusical.com

Shrek’s Adventure! ticket prices on the door are £27.50 (adult), £22.00 (children), book in advance online to save up to 30 per cent. shreksadventure.com

A Family saver ticket (two adults and up to three children) for the Tower of London is £57.80 purchased online. You can get into the seasonal spirit at the tower as it plays host to a Victorian Christmas. From December 27 to 31 visitors will discover how modern impressions of Christmas were shaped in the era of Dickens and Queen Victoria. This year the popular ice rink also returns. Meanwhile Carols by Candlelight is an evening of Christmas hymns performed in the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula. hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london

London Eye tickets are £30 per adult online, £24 for children up to aged 15 with children under three free. londoneye.com

London Bridge Hotel weekend rates start from £99 per room per night subject to availability and inclusive of VAT. Call 020 7855 2200 or visit www.londonbridgehotel.com.

SOUTHERN: Save time and book your off-peak and super off-peak tickets online at https://www.southernrailway.com/ and up to four children can travel with you for just £2 each. There’s no online booking fee and a guaranteed refund if plans change.