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London is the perfect place to visit as a Family, there are plenty of activities to do, one being attending a professional football match. There are 12 professional football clubs in London, 6 of them play in the English Premier League and the other 6 play in the Football League. It may not seem that football matches are suitable for families, yet it is highly popular. Regardless if you are not a football fanatic, it is a great family day out filled with an exciting atmosphere. This article will give you all the relevant information you need when visiting a football game as a family in London. 

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Premier League Teams: 

The 6 London football teams that play in the Premier League are:

• Chelsea – They play at Stamford Bridge in Fulham, London. They are probably one of the well known clubs in London, as they have 6 league titles. Their current manager is Frank Lampard, who is argued as one of the Chelsea’s best players of all time. The stadium holds over 40,000 seats. 

• Tottenham Hotspur– Or commonly known as Spurs moved from White Hart Lane to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, in Tottenham, North London. It is the largest stadium in London and third largest in England, as it has the capacity to seat over 62,000. 
• Arsenal – Play in the Emirates Stadium in Islington, North London. The football club’s  nickname is also called ‘The Gunners’. It is accessible from the Piccadilly line. The stadium holds over 60,000 seats. 
• West Ham United – Play in London Stadium which is based in Stratford, East London. The stadium seats over 60,000 seats. They are known for selling tickets for families at affordable prices. 
• Crystal Palace F.C. – Are based in Selhurst, South London. This stadium is smaller compared to other football teams in the premier league with only holding the capacity of just over 25,000. To get to Selhurst Park it requires the train from either Victoria or London Bridge. 
• Fulham F.C. – Play at Craven Cottage, with the stadium being able to seat over 25,000. They are London’s oldest professional football club. At the end of 2019/2020 football season, Fulham were promoted to the Premier league, after being relegated in 2018/2019.  

Is it safe to bring children to a football match?

Over the years, football stadiums have imposed stricter rules regarding drinking during games, this is to reduce drunken conflict and to protect the welfare of staff and spectators. With this it has increased the safeness of bringing children to a football match. Football clubs have also introduced family sections which are dedicated to children, with most adults not being able to sit there unless accompanied by a child. Most football clubs also have children entertainment in that area to create an unforgettable family experience. Although there is not an age restriction on football stadiums, most stadiums do not have pram storage facilities and there are restrictions on bag size for safety reasons. 

Whilst there are stewards throughout the stadium and a family zone, be prepared to hear adult language with adults shouting and chanting. It is also worth noting, that if you have younger children and have no preference on matches, you should go to a smaller game and avoid the big games like derby days (Arsenal vs Tottenham) as rivalry can be intense and can become overwhelming for children.

Plan for Weather Changes

As it is England, the weather is constantly changing and is unpredictable. It is important to prepare for all seasons when taking your children to a football match. Although the majority of stadiums are semi-covered and spectators are sheltered from the rain, it is cold to stand and watch, especially during the winter periods. It is important to make sure your children are layered up to keep them warm during the game as temperatures at night drop. 

Plan Ahead Before Traveling:

Although the London transport system is great and you can get across London on the underground or railway, it is important to make sure you plan ahead especially when going to a match. Match days can make some stations extremely busy, so it is important to make sure you give you and your family plenty of time to get to the stadium. It might be worth going earlier to beat football traffic and to allow your children to feel safe. With big crowds on the transport, it can be easy to lose people, especially little ones, so make sure they stick with you and not wander off.

In addition, there is always maintenance work throughout London, so make sure you give your family plenty of time for travelling to the match. It does not matter if you are extremely early at the stadium as there is always an atmosphere and food truck fenders. You can even take your family into the official merchandise store and get them a football kit.

How to purchase tickets for the games

Unfortunately, the only way you can purchase direct tickets for a premier league match is from the football club through becoming a member. Membership prices vary depending on the club, but usually are starting from £35-£50 depending on the membership. Memberships would need to be linked in order to connect them when purchasing tickets and to make sure you and your family are sat together. 

Once you have the membership, tickets for that game will be released early morning and with big games it can be extremely difficult to purchase tickets as they sell out within minutes. If you plan to only visit a London football match as a family a couple of times, a membership may not be worth it for your family.

The quickest way of comparing ticket prices for the English Premier League is via recommended website Seat-Compare.com.

If you plan to visit one game, there are package deals available through each club, where you and your family can purchase hospitality, which includes food and beverages, however, prices for hospitality are not cheap and can set you back at least a few hundred pounds.

Some hotels do overnight stay packages with tickets. For example the Millennium and Copthorne hotels in London offer an overnight stay with breakfast included with a ticket to watch Chelsea football club play at Stamford Bridge. In addition you also receive a match day programme, team sheet line up and a Chelsea Football Club gift. There are no prices available and do vary depending on the game. For more information you can require via email at hotelsales@chelseafc.com or telephone: 020 7565 1412. 

 

Today, everyone has a tote bag. It is a medium to a large-sized bag with two parallel handles. The parallel handles from the side are easy to sling onto the shoulder. Tote bags have evolved since the design was first created centuries ago. Newer styles, sizes, and materials, but the basics remain the same.

Over the years, many people have come to prefer tote bags over other forms of handbags for their daily use. The reason is that tote bags are easily one of the most fashionable and functional. You can use a tote bag for various divergent purposes since it comes in differing forms.

Uses of a Tote Bag

Tote bags are popular mainly because of their versatility. You can do a lot with your tote bag; some uses are highlighted below.

Everyday Purse

Almost everyone has a tote bag that they use for everyday errands. You can take it to the office, school, library, hangouts, or anywhere. Many people use tote bags as daily purses because of their versatility. For example, you can easily remove your laptop from your tote bag after using it as an office bag and put it in your gym gear as you head out to exercise.

Picnic Bag

Tote bags are great for picnics. The ample space allows you to pack some snacks, drinks, and a portable game. You can also throw in a jacket in case of the weather changes during your picnic, and you need protection from the cold.

Shopping Bag

Tote bags are fast becoming the go-to option for eco-friendly shoppers. Disposable plastic bags are going out of trend due to their unsustainability. Tote bags are better alternatives because they are large enough to hold average purchases. They also have durability that will give you peace of mind during transit.

You only need to wash your tote bag when it becomes dirty and keep it for another shopping trip.

Gym and Beach

You no longer have to lug around a gym bag once you buy a good tote bag. Your versatile tote bag can hold your gear and leave more space for your wallet and phone. It is also suitable when you need to pack a change of clothes or two. This includes going to the beach or for overnight trips.

Types of Tote Bags

Image Via: Meekah

The tote bag design has undergone much evolution since it started. Today, tote bags are mainly differentiated by their materials and size. However, you can consider a few other elements when purchasing a tote bag.

Material

Tote bags come in different materials nowadays. The trend that started with nylon, cotton, and canvas has now spread to leather and other quality materials. The material can determine a lot, such as how to use the bag and the best way to maintain it.

Size

Another element that differentiates tote bags is size. Most people generally categorise tote bags as large, medium, or small. The large ones are usually big enough to hold many items simultaneously. The medium is smaller but still big enough to hold a bottle of water and a notebook, in addition to your essentials. The small tote bags can only fit needs like your phone, keys and wallet.

Once you get the material and size you want, it is easier to sort through other categories. For example, you can look for your preferences in style, strap length, closure, and other minor details.

Conclusion

A tote bag is a simple bag with a rectangular shape to carry your daily essentials. It completes a simple dressing nicely and has excellent functionality. Everyone needs at least one tote bag in their closet.

Whether for career or personal goals, mentors have a strong role to play because they can have a profound impact on somebody’s thought process. Therefore, looking for the best mentor is important, as they will recommend you to become a better version of yourself in your personal and professional life. Before we dissect this topic and unleash the essential reasons to hire a mentor, let’s begin with a formal introduction.

What is a Mentor?

Simply put, a mentor is an individual with strong knowledge and will assist you to motivate yourself in life for various reasons. So whether it be personal or professional goals, a mentor will always be by your side. Like teachers and coaches, mentors will assist you to instil strong values in life and look forward to taking up challenges with a positive attitude. If you want to find a mentor online, don’t forget to go through the reviews, so you can rest assured about the veracity of their services. Mentors are a little different from the rest of the coaches because they charge money for their services. Here’s why you need one in your life:

Increased Knowledge

There’s no doubt about the fact that mentors are the powerhouse of knowledge. So whether it’s about starting a new business or taking up a tough task at work, they would have gone through similar experiences in their life. Therefore, look for a mentor who will be the perfect source of knowledge and assist you in every sphere of life. Because they have gone through relatable situations, they will give the best advice on various things.

Personal Growth

Mentors are actively focusing on personal growth. After all, once they understand your skillset, they will see how you can bring value to a certain task. Depending on how you perform, they will throw another challenge at you. They will also provide detailed feedback on how you have performed in each of the tasks. The teaching moments that they walk you through will instil many new qualities in your personality.

Constructive Criticism

Friends and loved ones might shy away from providing the kind of feedback that might upset you. However, once a mentor has analyzed your personality, they will provide constructive criticism and honest feedback. After all, unless you don’t have proper insight, it will be hard to rest assured about personal growth. Therefore, always encourage the mentors to improve your strategy to reach your goals much better. On the contrary, those who are self-obsessed and have a very hard time digesting a negative comment on their life will find it hard to expand their horizons in the future.

Words of Encouragement

When you need an extra shot of confidence, mentors will always be there to support you. Therefore, not having a mentor might make it hard for you to get rid of negative thoughts and similar comments in real life. Especially when one has to deal with a major subject, a mentor can be of great support. No wonder positive encouragement is always very helpful in boosting one’s confidence and compelling one to be a better person. No matter how many challenges you have, words of encouragement will always be a big plus.

Unbiased Opinion

Because mentors have a concrete position in everyone’s lives, they will always provide unbiased opinions on every situation. If you want several ideas for a business, mentors will be hands-on to provide the best suggestion. In connection with their past experiences, they can give the best opinion, which will be the right fit for every situation. 

The Netherlands is a tiny country with a lot to offer. There are windmills, canals and fields of tulips to see in the spring. The Netherlands is also home to the infamous city of Amsterdam and numerous picturesque villages.

You can visit most places in The Netherlands in one day and within a two-and-a-half-hour car journey from Amsterdam. Make your trip into a cycling holiday, and explore areas of the country like a local. 

Here are the top five places to see in The Netherlands.

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Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the main attraction of The Netherlands. It is the capital city and features numerous iconic spots. Spend an afternoon walking through the Van Gogh Museum or take a trip down the Red-Light District for a truly shocking experience. You can rent a bike and cycle down the cobbled streets like a local. Just make sure to take in the canals as you bike past and stop off at the Anne Frank House. Unfortunately, there is not an elevator to the top floor of the Anne Frank House, so it may not be accessible for everyone. 

Geithoorn

Once you have spent a few days in Amsterdam, it’s time to visit ‘Little Venice’, also known as Geithoorn. There are only 2,600 locals in Geithoorn and over 20,000 visitors every year. While the town is quite tourist-heavy, it’s also filled with canals and hundreds of charming bridges stretching across them. You should grab an Instagram photo outside one of the traditional Dutch farmhouses. It’s one of the most beautiful places in The Netherlands, especially if you embark on one of the surrounding hikes. 

Kinderdijk

Kinderdijk is another popular place in The Netherlands. The windmill system here was one of the first major technological innovations in the 13th century. The system pumped inland water out of the town and into the rivers. The 17 remaining windmills are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a fantastic tourist attraction. The Netherlands continues to be ahead of the curve with water management.

Utrecht

Back in the day, Utrecht was the most important city in The Netherlands and was founded back in the Stone Age. Although, officially, it was found by the Romans in 50CE. Utrecht was a religious centre for The Netherlands in the early stages of Christianity, and bishops used to gather there. Now, it has a young population and rich cultural scene with theatres, music halls and museums. You can find a few unusual restaurants tucked in wharf basements along the canals.

De Hoge Veluwe National Park

This National Park is eight kilometres north of Amsterdam and spans over 13,750 acres. It’s incredibly diverse as well – you can see forests, sand dunes and plenty of wildlife. Cycle or hike through the trails and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of The Netherlands.

Lockdown was a time for making big decisions. Some people bought a house, some left their jobs, and some got a dog. 

Dog breeders in the UK experienced a huge demand for puppies in 2020, while BBC news reported there are around 12 million dogs in the country.  

After a long period of travel bans and a disappointing lack of sunny escapes, Covid restrictions have slowly starting to lift. With holiday planning in full swing, dog owners will have to consider what to do with their pet if they want to take a trip away. 

Here are some of the options.

Call in a favour with a friend or family member

Ask a friend or family member to take care of your dog while you’re away. 

This is a great option if you’re anxious about leaving them behind, as you’ll feel at ease knowing they are with someone you trust. 

This could be an ideal solution if your dog is nervous around new people, providing they know the person you choose and are comfortable around them. 

Hire a dog sitter 

If you can’t find a friend or relative to look after your dog, a dog sitter could be a good alternative. Dog sitters will watch your dog from their own home or from yours. 

Ensure you choose a reputable service and meet with the sitter in advance to make sure you are confident in their abilities and your dog is happy to be around them. 

To make the transition easier for your dog, leave them with their favourite toy, usual bed and favourite food. This will ensure they feel more at home, even in a strange environment.

Find a reputable kennel

If a dog sitter isn’t an option, consider boarding your dog at a kennel. 

Make sure you research the kennel company and check their recent reviews to confirm their reputation. 

If possible, arrange to have a tour of the kennel facilities. It can be nerve-wracking leaving a beloved pet in an unfamiliar environment but having a look around and getting to know the staff may put your mind at ease. 

Bring your pooch along for the trip

For some people, leaving their dog behind for a week or two may be too difficult. In this case, consider a trip closer to home, in a dog-friendly destination. 

There are plenty of holiday spots that will welcome your furry friend. Try glamping in a cabin or book a quaint cottage. There are even pubs and hotels that will be happy to have you and your dog if you fancy a fully catered experience.