Party Directory

We’ve collected together all our favourite links to help you create the best party in town. The best venues for a party, the funniest entertainers, the cleverest face painters, the most impressive birthday cakes, the most inspiring party blogs. If you know of an amazing party specialist that should be featured here, get in touch!

CAKES

Paul’s Creative Cakes Colchester, Essex paulscreativecakes.co.uk

The most AMAZING cakes we have ever seen. An ice cream sundae, a packet of Custard Creams, a bleeding skull (for the boys!) and a tarantula. All made of cake! The website does not do them justice, but check out their Facebook page.

Hills Kitchen Southend on Sea, Essex hillskitchen.co.uk Wonderful creations from this passionate cake maker who has been baking since she was fourteen! Cupcakes, cake pops, cakes, cupcake flowerpots, in fact, everything cake.

Clevercow Cakes Bournemouth clevercow.webs.com Cakes with the ‘WOW’ factor. Choose anything from a London bus to Peppa Pig or even a box of Chinese noodles! They also do a great rainbow sponge cake and fabulous wonky Mad Hatter cakes.

The Pop Bakery Everywhere popbakery.co.uk The original ‘lollipop’ chocolate cake on a stick and delicious to boot! Russian dolls, ladybirds, princesses, penguins, teddy bears, racing cars, pandas, mermaids, scary skulls, Hello Kitty. You name, they do it!

Cake Pop Princess Gravesend, Kent cakepopprincess.co.uk She may be the Cake Pop Princess but she is definitely the Queen of cake pops. Mini Mouse, Peppa Pig, Upsy Daisy, Iggle Piggle, Star Wars, Ben 10, Toy Story, Dr Who, Noddy, Angelina Ballerina, Waybaloo, birds, fish, dinosaurs, flowers, stars, mermaids, footballs, whatever your heart’s desire. Choose from chocolate, choc mint, choc orange, lemon and white chocolate too. Gluten and dairy-free also available. Nationwide delivery.

The Clever Little Cupcake Bury, Greater Manchester cleverlittlecupcake.co.uk Bespoke cupcakes made fresh on the big day (and creator of the gorgeous cupcakes on this page). Stunning handmade flower decorations, including cupcakes covered in miniature sugar roses. Beautiful!

Purple Cupcakes Barnoldswick, Lancashire purplecupcakes.co.uk Delicious cupcakes with the most exquisite handmade decorations from flowers to buttons and even woolly hats. You name it, they do it.

CATERING Hats and Bells London hatsandbells.com Offering a wide selection of ‘healthy, not so healthy and seriously naughty’ party food for all ages. From homemade organic shepherd’s pies, mini burgers and fish and chip cones to chocolate fudge brownies and personalised cookies, there’s something for everyone.

Ice My Biscuit London icemybiscuit.com Fabulous iced gingerbread biscuits for children of all ages. Gruffalo, daisies, flip flops, racing cars, trains, whatever your heart’s desire. Nationwide delivery.

Vintage Scoops Whaddon, Milton Keynes vintagescoops.co.uk Decked out in colourful bunting, Betty, a gorgeous vintage ice cream van will turn up at your party (within 30 miles of where she lives) serving lollies and ice cream, including banana and butterscotch, sticky toffee fudge and double chocolate flavours, as well as cloudy lemonade and ginger beer.

ACTIVITY PARTIES

Fun Science Parties Bath, Bristol & Surrounding Areas www.fun-science.org.uk Fun science birthday parties, which include slime, explosions and lightening. They offer various party packages ranging from chemical reactions, to forensics and electrical extravaganzas!

Rafting party Harefield, Middlesex hoac.net Raft building party at Hillingdon Outdoor Activities Centre. Divided into two groups, the children build a raft and then race against each other.

Pony riding parties Nationwide Most local riding stables offer children’s parties including mini gymkhanas and picnics amongst the hay bales. Novices usually welcome.

Wacky Woods Bollington, Cheshire wackywoods.co.uk Birthday parties can include nature trails, outdoor games, den building, bow and arrow making, camp fires, woodland jewellery making, mud slides and a low ropes course, all in a secret wood. Prepare for plenty of fun, fresh air and mud!

CRAFTY PARTIES The Makery Bath, Somerset themakeryonline.co.uk Children between seven and fourteen can get creative making their own jewellery, bath time treats, handbags, fashion accessories, sock monkeys or anything else you can think of. And all that hard work can be followed by a yummy tea party. T

he Creation Station Nationwide thecreationstation.co.uk Arty parties for 1-11 year olds with a choice of activities such as treasure box decorating, mask painting, clay modelling, T-shirt painting and much more. Stress-free, inspiring and fun with something to take home at the end of it.

Build a Bear Party Nationwide buildabear.co.uk Each guest can select an undressed animal to stuff, dress and accessorise to make their own. It even comes with its own birth certificate!

Funky Art House Bath, Somerset funkyarthouse.co.uk Enchanting children’s crafts, art, interactive storytelling and magical quests hosted by two fancy dressed leaders to fit your theme. Each party is also broken up with a game or hunt with prizes at the end.

Kidz Krystals Parties Essex / London kidzkrystalsparties.co.uk Kidz Krystals offer a variety of children’s party packages perfect for children of almost any age and allowing them to use their imagination and indulge their creative side! Party options include Crystal rhinestone design a t-shirt parties, Design a Onesie Parties, Jewellery parties, Princess Art Castle Party, Knights, Wizards and Dragons Party, Rocket Art Party, Fairy Wishes Party, Pirate Party, Deco patch Art party, Cupcake Decorating, Chocolate Making, Alice in Wonderland, Wizard of Oz, Cowboy’s and Indian’s and many more.

MUSIC AND DANCE PARTIES Whippersnappers London whippersnappers.org Fun-packed parties for all ages which include music, African drumming, puppet shows, discos, face painting and dancing competitions.

Popstars Academy Nationwide popstarsacademy.com All instructors are trained in Street and Hip Hop and they provide the music, lights, glitter microphones, pom poms, dance ribbons and hats. All you need to do is hire the hall.

BelleStars London bellestars.co.uk The party can record their own CD to take home, star on the cover of a magazine and have a photo shoot in their very own home. Real little pop stars!

ENTERTAINERS Royal Bella Princess Parties Kent, Surrey, South East London www.royalbellaprincessparties.co.uk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoyalBellaPrincessParties/ Number: 07849612742 Royal Bella is here to help make your little ones birthday or your special event extra magical.

The Action Station London theactionstation.co.uk Storytelling, face painting and entertainers including fire-eaters, clowns, acrobats and jugglers.

Sharky & George London sharkyandgeorge.com Brilliant entertainers who will create pretty much anything from a mini disco, girly party (fancy making a princess tiara?) or chocolate making to SAS-style survival party and great treasure hunts.

Boo! Productions London booproductions.com From pirate coves and glittering fairy glades to spooky dungeons and tropical jungles. Give Boo! the venue and they will transform it into your child’s dream paradise along with fabulous entertainment too.

FACE PAINTING

Rainbow Faces Nationwide rainbowfaces.co.uk Face painters with more than 80 designs to choose from, as well as glitter tattoos.

Face Fantastic Manchester facefantastic.co.uk Brilliant and unusual face painting and glitter tattoos.

PARTY ORGANISERS Jelly Bean Events London jellybeanevents.com Take the stress out of your child’s party and let somebody else do it for you. Whether it be a pirate island, the wild west, a circus, pixies, elves and fairies or an ice cream parlour, Jelly Bean will source the venue (garden, park, hall or tepee) and organise the food, cake, decorations and entertainment. They’ll even clean up at the end so all you have to do is sit back and relax.

PROPS A Most Curious Party Norwich amostcuriousparty.co.uk In need of inspiration for an Alice in Wonderland party? Then look no further. Vintage over-sized playing cards on sticks, standing looking glass, Eat Me and Drink Me labels, over-sized teapot and teacup, black raven, cake stands, tablecloths and big fake flowers. Most ideas with a vintage theme catered for.

VENUES The Little Tent Company Cheshire thelittletentcompany.co.uk A great alternative venue: a 5ft bell tent that can be set up in your garden or local park. It comes with traditional wooden games, bunting, mini tables and chairs, soft lounge area and picnic-ware. Also available for party sleepovers.

Tea Party London teaparty.uk.com The ultimate girly party in this private tea room with vintage china, lemonade in teapots, a scrummy cream tea and cupcakes. Rummage through the Tea Party Dressing Up Box for hats and jewellery, and entertainers, crafts and a make-up artist can also be arranged. For 6 years and above.

The Science Museum London sciencemuseum.org.uk What could be more exciting than all-night hands on workshops and camping amongst the Science Museum’s amazing exhibits, all followed by a tasty breakfast in the morning?

Hamley’s London, Glasgow and Dublin hamleys.com If budget is not an issue, how about the ultimate dream sleepover at the world’s most famous toy shop? Welcomed with a red carpet the night includes a photo shoot, VIP tour of the store, sweet shop stop, treasure hunt, midnight movie, birthday cake, goody bags, and breakfast. A night to remember!

FAMILY FESTIVALS

Camp Bestival Lulworth Cove, Dorset (June) campbestival.net The most famous of family festivals, you can enjoy a weekend of fancy dress, fairgrounds, a circus, storytelling, workshops including a ballet workshop run by the English National Ballet, shows from Mr Tumble and the Zing Zillas, and plenty of arts of crafts.

Just So Festival Nr Leek, Staffs (August) justsofestival.org.uk Theatre and puppetry, trails through the woods to find the fairy queen, Famous Five picnic, donkey rides, midnight feasts, cabaret, Gruffalo, music, dance and much much more. Plenty of camping or glamping too.

BLOGS & WEBSITES

Cookie Girl cookiegirl.co.uk Xanthe Milton, aka Cookie Girl, started selling her cookies and cupcakes at Portobello Market and now sells to Selfridges and has a best selling book, Eat Me. She offers cupcake decorating classes but her piping technique tutorials on You Tube are BRILLIANT!

Martha Stewart marthastewart.com The ‘homemaking queen’ still has what it takes. Brilliant party ideas for cakes, cookies and crafts which are all surprisingly easy to do!

Birds Party birdsparty.com Packed with inspiration, ideas, tutorials, recipes and all things party, as well as great printable accessories that you simply buy and print. Brilliant!

The Party Dress thepartydress.net Another fabulous website packed with ideas and inspiration from fabulous jars of sweets on the table, to hanging paper decorations and napkins tied with striped lollies. Gorgeous!

Catch My Party catchmyparty.com Get inspiration and ideas from other people’s parties, including plenty of great recipes, our favourite being the lazy cake pops!

The Party Wagon party-wagon.com The most inspiring party blog packed with wonderful ideas, tips, tricks, recipes and ideas from this US-based mum and self-taught party planner and designer.

Cupcakes Take The Cake cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com Everything you ever wanted to know about cupcakes from three cupcake-loving New Yorkers. If you’re stuck for cupcake ideas or inspiration they will not disappoint.

Sweetharts Cakes and Bakes sweethartscakesandbakes.com Packed full or recipes and tutorials on how to make Rolo cupcakes, mint choc chip cupcakes, Oreo cupcakes, toffee brittle cupcakes, Terry’s Chocolate Orange cupcakes to name but a few! All from a mum who loves to bake.

Choc A Blog chocablog.com Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate! Recipes, reviews and features all about, you guessed it, chocolate. Delicious recipes include white chocolate cupcakes, caramel mud cake, Malteser cake and a 3-minute chocolate cake.

Bake at 350 bakeat350.blogspot.com Deliciously brilliant blog if you’re mad about cookies and other fattening goodies. Great for ideas, tips, recipes and inspiration.

Oh Sugar! Events ohsugareventplanning.blogspot.com Another fabulously inspiring party blog from this California-based party planner. And the most incredible decorated cookies too.

Cupcake Project cupcakeproject.com If you like the sound of chocolate peanut butter cupcakes loaded with chocolate chips, topped with peanut butter frosting, then dipped in more chocolate, you’d better check this blog out. She talks about cupcakes and nothing else. Yum!