Make a day out of ‘Matilda’ in London

Add more exciting activities to your family's West End theatre trip, such as visits to a children's museum, the circus, and a Roald Dahl-themed afternoon tea.

She’s brave, she’s clever, and sometimes she’s just a little bit naughty. Roald Dahl’s brainy heroine Matilda has been top of the class in the West End since 2011, starring in the beloved RSC stage musical version of the iconic children’s novel.

Winner of multiple Olivier and Tony Awards, this brilliant adaptation by Tim Minchin and Dennis Kelly remains a family favourite – and for good reason. Its witty book and indelible score make this a fantastic watch for grown-ups as well as kids, so it’s the perfect treat for all ages during a trip to London.

Of course, there are plenty of other great activities you can pack in before heading back to school with Matilda, including literary pursuits that she would definitely approve of, as well as other ways to explore Dahl and his magical, creative world.

Book Matilda The Musical tickets on London Theatre.

Roald Dahl Museum / Discover Children’s Story Centre

It’s well worth planning a short day trip out of London to visit the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre. It runs all sorts of workshops to fire up young creative minds, and it’s located in the village of Great Missenden, where Dahl lived and wrote many of his books. There’s an archive with original material, plus props and costumes from film and TV adaptations.

If you don’t have time to make that journey, fear not: there’s also the wonderful Discover Children’s Story Centre in east London. It boasts two floors of exciting immersive play spaces, called “Story Worlds”, where imagination can roam free.

Address: Roald Dahl Museum, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, HP16; Discover Children’s Story Centre, 383-387 High Street, London E15

Price: £

Young V&A

Matilda is all about that crucial period of childhood – whether you’re in the midst of it, or, like teacher Miss Honey, reflecting on how it’s shaped you. Both are beautifully catered for at the Young V&A (formerly known as the Museum of Childhood) with its three wonderful galleries: Imagine, Play, and Design.

Following a £13 million makeover, this museum is now a vibrant space with a real sense of fun that Dahl, and Matilda, would definitely love. The Play gallery is a tactile heaven with plenty of gems at crawling height, plus there’s a make your own board game section, a giant marble run, a dressing-up wardrobe, and much more.

Address: Cambridge Heath Road, London E2

Price: Free

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea

All of that creative effort is thirsty – and hungry – work, so stop off at One Aldwych for a Dahl-themed menu: the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea. It’s a truly scrumptious spread, worthy of Willy Wonka’s legendary chocolate factory (and unlike poor Bruce Bogtrotter in Matilda, you can eat without Miss Trunchbull looming over you).

Highlights include scones with snozzberry jam, “all the beans” ganache, fizzy lemonade lifting posset, “hair toffee” mousse, and a caramel chocolate milkshake – mixed by waterfall, naturally. Accompanying grown-ups can add specialist teas, a glass of Champagne or a Wonka-inspired cocktail to the mix.

Address: Aldwych, London WC2B

Price: £££

Foyles

Matilda’s defining trait is that she loves to read. If you and your children share her passion for getting lost in a good story, then before you head to the show you’ll need to make a stop at one of London’s many excellent bookshops – such as Foyles’ flagship store on Charing Cross Road.

This wonderful independent booksellers dates back to 1903, and its central London branch is a shrine for book lovers. It offers more than 200,000 books across a range of specialist areas (whatever you’re passionate about, Foyles will have the perfect volume), and it also hosts literary events such as sessions with emerging and famous writers.

Address: 107 Charing Cross Road, London WC2H

Price: £

Royal Observatory

Matilda is keen to learn as much about the world as she can, which is what makes her such an outstanding student when she attends Crunchem Hall – albeit one who quickly locks horns with the fearsome Trunchbull! She would definitely love taking a school trip to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich.

At this iconic 17th-century attraction you can stand astride the Meridian Line with a foot in each hemisphere, see the Great Equatorial Telescope, actually touch a 4.5 billion-year-old meteorite, and explore the mysteries of the cosmos.

Book Royal Observatory tickets on London Theatre.

Address: Blackheath Avenue, Greenwich

Price: £

Cirque du Soleil: Corteo

One of the exciting innovations in the Matilda musical is the addition of a plot line about two daredevil acrobats who perform in the circus. Matilda tells this enthralling tale to her librarian friend, Mrs Phelps, and it turns out to be a vital part of the main story once we discover the acrobats’ identity.

If that fires you up to see some real-life circus performers, pair your Matilda trip with another fantastic show: Cirque du Soleil’s Corteo at the Royal Albert Hall. This carnival celebration is packed with gravity-defying wonders, from an acrobat climbing up a huge free-standing ladder to a high bar act that has to be seen to be believed.

Book Corteo tickets on London Theatre.

Matilda

After all those brain-teasing and adventure-packed activities, you’ll definitely be ready to take in the incredible stage musical adaptation of Matilda. Follow this plucky heroine as she does battle with her oafish family and then with a seriously nasty foe: the headmistress of her terrifying new school, Miss Trunchbull.

Teeming with entertaining songs by Tim Minchin, such as “Naughty”, “Loud”, “The Smell of Rebellion” and “Revolting Children”, plus the deeply moving “When I Grow Up”, it’s no wonder this remains one of the very best West End family shows. Rebellious kids of all ages will love it!

Book Matilda The Musical tickets on London Theatre.

Photo credit: Manuel Harlan