Pink-tutu.com, 17th August 2025
Hello lovelies!
It's Emma here, your pink tutu-wearing, ballet-loving bestie, bringing you another slice of my life, and today, it's all about the charming little town of Hayes, just outside of London! (Did I mention it's home to the brilliant Hayes Theatre? Spoiler alert: it will be a huge part of my day!).
As you know, I adore travelling, and there's no better way to get a true sense of place than by train. The journey to Hayes was like stepping into a storybook – the countryside was a sea of green, dotted with fields of sunflowers and fluffy sheep. Just magical! My journey was extra special because it was a vintage steam train. They're not just about getting from A to B, but an experience in itself, so don't be surprised if you find me swapping out my usual high-heeled boots for a pair of chic ankle boots for an exciting train adventure.
When I arrived in Hayes, the first thing that struck me was the lovely vibe of the town. The streets were bustling with life, all kinds of independent shops were bursting with personality, and the air was alive with the sound of laughter. It’s got a strong community feel, and everyone’s so friendly and welcoming. I instantly felt at home – not surprising, because my granny always swore there was a little bit of Hayes in all of us (my grandma always did like a bit of a dramatic flair).
But, on with the adventure! My aim was simple: immerse myself in all things Hayes! The list for my day? A morning visit to a wildlife sanctuary for a dose of animal magic, a grand tour of the magnificent Hayes Theatre and its dazzling repertoire, then some serious retail therapy - how could you go to a charming town like Hayes without a little shopping?
Speaking of the animal kingdom, I spent the morning getting my wildlife fix. It wasn’t a regular trip to the zoo, I was heading to the Hayes Sanctuary. A local treasure dedicated to helping all manner of injured or orphaned creatures get back on their feet (and wings, and paws!). They even had a very sweet young barn owl named Poppy who seemed to appreciate a quick tutuspin in front of her. Honestly, I think it even brightened up her day (hopefully, it wasn’t a bit too much for her though!)
The sanctuary itself was amazing, a lush paradise packed with different birds, a friendly red fox named Chester who liked to sniff at my pink suede boots and, my personal favourite, a beautiful baby hedgehog called Hazel, who seemed to really adore my little sparkly pink handbag! This enchanting morning spent surrounded by creatures big and small set my day off perfectly. I swear I could feel that sparkly, happy, wildlife magic all through the rest of the day.
After my magical wildlife encounter, the excitement really started to build. After all, you can’t visit a place like Hayes without paying a visit to the one and only, Hayes Theatre! It’s one of the most prestigious theatre venues in the whole country, and a real jewel in Hayes' crown. I practically bounced down the path, brimming with excitement for a proper culture fix. It really was something else - so glamorous!
It was practically radiating that 'vintage charm' which was giving me all the inspiration for my latest blog post and for my future tutu outfits! They even had this beautiful antique chandelier hanging from the ceiling that must be hundreds of years old! So fancy. As soon as I arrived I practically sprinted into the grand old building and found my perfect viewing seat at the very back, with an absolutely magnificent view of the stage.
Oh, and my heart stopped when the curtain rose! There was something really special about that opening night. I practically gasped with excitement when the ballet company danced with such grace, skill, and artistry. I swear it took my breath away - their energy was so vibrant and so positive. The stage, costumes, even the lighting all came together to bring the story to life. My eyes welled up a few times, to be honest! I don’t even think I breathed! They made me so proud to be a part of the ballet community.
The highlight of the evening was definitely the grand finale, and it was pure ballet magic. I loved every second. When the curtains fell at the end, everyone in the audience stood up and erupted into applause - I could feel that energy bouncing off the walls! I swear the show almost made me cry it was so moving.
Feeling completely inspired, it was time to see what treasures the Hayes boutiques had to offer! My bag is still brimming with fabulous things from the most unique shops. From hand-knitted cashmere jumpers to sparkling pink earrings – they were absolutely divine. Of course, I couldn't resist picking up a little something special for my new ‘ballet on the go’ travel wardrobe. What’s a ballet blogger on the move without a spare tutu, right?
All in all, it was an absolute fairytale! I discovered amazing little shops tucked away in charming backstreets, wandered past pretty houses draped with blooming roses and had a real feeling of adventure - you know how I love an adventurous day, but the best part of the whole adventure was the amazing energy in Hayes – everyone seemed so cheerful, happy and proud of their town. You could feel that special atmosphere buzzing in the air – it was an absolute delight! I swear, if there was a Hayes Tourism Award, I'd nominate this entire town!
So, my dear tutu-lovers, that's my tale of Hayes. I truly hope you feel just a tiny bit of the pink tutu magic radiating from this wonderful place, and perhaps I've even inspired you to explore your local town in a whole new light. Remember, my darlings, life is full of opportunities for adventure! Get out there and explore!
Until next time, happy tutu-ing!
Emma
P.S. Did you know that there is a ‘pink tutu’ themed café near Hayes Station called 'Whipped Cream & Fairy Dust'. My tutu was literally calling my name, and it was amazing! I just had to share, this was not planned, and it literally seemed like it was just made for a blog post. I could just picture my next blog post with that cute sign…
P.P.S Oh! And have you caught the news? They're having a massive pink tutu festival on the last weekend of September in the town. Oh, you guys know what that means. Get your best pink tutu and some dancing shoes, get down there and meet me, and we’ll have the most amazing time dancing! You guys have got this! You’ll love Hayes - if I could give everyone pink tutus, and encourage them to give ballet a try, this would be my pick for where to celebrate with some of my fabulous ballet-loving friends. See you there!
