All good things are wild and free

   

 ... is the motto for the Woodlandia and the rules are leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures, kill nothing but time. A gentle reminder of what is actually important in life. I don't necessarily believe it should be take nothing but pictures, I think it should be memories instead. Modern technology has taken over and people forget to be completely and utterly present and take in everything around them. This is why one of my new years resolutions is to spend less time on my phone and more time conversing and creating wonderful memories that I can cherish forever.

Woodlandia is on the rooftop of Queen of Hoxton and there is quite a few stairs to tackle to get to the top but it is worth the trip. As you walk out onto the rooftop you are taken aback by the beautifully decorated teepee that is taking up the majority of the roof. They have pulled out all the stops to make you feel like you are in a magical fairytale land where you would imagine fairies and elves would live as you perch your bottom on cushioned mushrooms or raw logs. The room is filled with fairy lights and the floor is covered with a layer of wood chips that crunch with every footstep you take, reminding you of the playgrounds you spent your childhood years in. It has a very youthful, warm, friendly vibe to it. In the middle is a huge fire pot, filled with sizzling charcoal, burning away ready for the barbecue to commence. Yes they have a barbecue. They don't miss a thing because how else do you eat when you live in the wild? The bar is fully stoked with wines and spirits to create hot cocktails that come in recycled tinned cans. There was not a single detail missing that could possibly take away fanatical feeling.

As you leave the teepee it's like walking into a cute little village where everybody knows everyone. There are three communal fire pits that you share with strangers. Be careful not to burn yourself on the embers or get too much smoke in your eyes (which happened several times). And of course, you could buy marshmallows on sticks to melt over the fires. Bam, you're shot straight back to scouts camping trips where you sit around the campfire telling ghost stories and making s'mores.

Seriously, this had to be the perfect way to spend a magical, wintery evening with Olly. Obviously had to end it with some fun in a photobooth! Queen of Hoxton's one is great as you can't see what your photos are going to look like, it's a nice surprise once all four have been taken and come up on the screen. I highly recommend this venue for a chilled evening on the rooftop or a fun night out in the main bar area.