Celebrity Best Days Out – Ben Willbond

Ben Willbond is one of those actors whose face and voice you immediately recognise. He’s an actor, writer and all-round comedy powerhouse. Plus a founding member of the comedy collective that has given us Horrible Histories, Yonderland, Bill and the BBC smash hit Ghosts, where he plays The Captain with a perfect mix of deadpan authority and sheer bonkers-ness.

From playing mad monarchs on Horrible Histories to helping shape some of the funniest family TV in recent years, Ben’s career has been built on sharp writing, a warm comic touch and an ability to surprise. Did you expect him to crop us as a potentail murderer in Death on Paradise recently? No either did we….But it’s Ghosts – the multi-award-winning sitcom about a group of mismatched spirits co-habiting with the living — where he’s arguably become a household name.

And now the Ghosts gang are about to hit cinemas: Ghosts: The Possession of Button House because a film has been greenlit, with Ben co-writing the feature alongside his fellow creators including fellow Best Days Out friend  Laurence Rickard..

So, whether he’s making you laugh with historical chaos or spooking you in the quirkiest way possible, Ben’s blend of charm and absurdity has made him a firm favourite. Anyway, as you can see, he’s a very busy man – so a huge thanks to Ben from the KidRated team for finding time to share his Best Days Out with us.

What was your favourite place to visit in London as a kid and why?

As a kid I would love to come in to London and visit the theatre. I have a lovely memory of coming down to see a play at the National Theatre. I was utterly awe-struck by the scale of it all and the actors on stage. It was a formative moment – I thought maybe one day I could do that! 

Tell us one of your favourite places to eat as a family?

 I love coming in to London with the family. One of my fave places is the Dragon Castle in Elephant & Castle. It’s a massive dim sum place – perfect for families at the weekend. 

Where’s your favourite shop?

Favorite shop in London (with the kids) is probably the Lego Store. In recent times, however, it’s become an online store called The Games Workshop…

Where in the UK would you recommend to another family?

 I would recommend visiting the Isle of Skye. We are lucky enough to have family up there. It’s wild, beautiful, and there’s so much to do with the nippers.

What would be your perfect family day out?

 A perfect day out for me is a trip out to the theatre then going for something to eat. I love watching my boys when they are watching something on stage. I guess I’m trying to relive my own influences, but there’s something so magical about the theatre. Then we can go and wander around and find somewhere to eat in central London. Lovely. 

But to be more exact, here are three absolute winner London destinations and they’re especially good to help you through the cold months…The Natural History Museum; Shakespeare’s Globe and The RAF Museum in Hendon.

Bus, tube, taxi, walk or cycle?

 Tube and walking for us…

And finally, give us a tip or a London life-hack…

 My best life hack with kids is the Dad Day Pack. I’ve got it down now – possibly thanks to my training as a child in a military school – but my pack with have everything I need

– snacks, sandwiches, fluids, comprehensive first aid kit, hand sanitizer, gloves, changes of pants (crucial), wet wipes, balls, junior cricket bat, frisbee, Swiss Army Knife, torch.

A pack for all eventualities. I’m toying with doing a demo on YouTube for the dad about town…