With the Summer Holidays upon us, it’s time for a well-deserved break from lesson plans and marking work. Why not take this opportunity to broaden your own horizons a little. Whilst the holidays may make it an expensive time to go abroad, there are plenty of great things to experience right on our own doorstep. This summer, there’s a whole host of things on in London and here our eight of our favourites:
1. BBC Proms
When: 17th July – 12th September
Where: Royal Albert Hall
What: The ultimate festival of classical music, everybody has heard of the proms. From just £5 a ticket, ‘prommers’ can experience a vast array of different classical pieces across the duration. For more information on what there is to see on each day, see the proms website here.
2. Buckingham Palace Summer Opening
When: 25th July to 27th September
Where: Buckingham Palace
What: The royal residence opens for summer! We’ve already covered this in depth in this previous post. In short the opening of Buckingham palace gives a unique chance to see into the home of the Queen and an insight into what goes on behind the scenes of the world’s most famous palace.
3. Regent's Park Open Air Theatre
When: 15th May to 12th September
Where: Queen Mary’s Garden, Regent’s Park
What: Seating 1,240 the open air theatre offers a unique atmosphere, watching performances as the dusk rolls in is an experience all its own. This remarkable venue will see a range of performances this summer including drama, comedy and film screenings. For more information see the website here.
4. Notting Hill Carnival
When: 30th August – 31st August
Where: Notting Hill, W10 Area
What: Since 1966, the Notting Hill carnival has been a celebration of the culture of the UK Caribbean community. Lavish costumes, music, dancing, and authentic Caribbean food and are all staples of this unique fixture of the London Calendar. A singular experience not to be missed, to find out more about what’s happening this year, visit the Carnival Enterprises Trust website.
5. Camden Beach
When: 17th July – 23rd August
Where: The Roundhouse, Camden
What: Why not round out a trip to London with a visit to the beach? Thanks to ingenuity and 150 tonnes of sand, Camden has its very own 900 square metre beach. At the roundhouse they have everything you need to enjoy a trip to this inland beach: deck chairs, beach huts, pop up restaurants and a bar. The only thing they can’t guarantee is that the sun will be in attendance.
6. Camden Fringe
When: 3rd-30th August
Where: Venues throughout Camden
What: A performing arts festival set up as an alternative to the Edinburgh Fringe, the Camden Fringe has been giving performers the chance to try out new ideas for the last 6 years. Offering everything from musicals, opera and cabaret to stand-up and sketch comedy, there’s something in the Camden Fringe to suit everybody’s taste.
7. BBC Good Food Festival
When: 29th – 31st August
Where: Hampton Court Palace
What: Three days of exceptional food at Hampton Court Palace. Spanning the summer bank holiday, and coinciding with the 500th anniversary celebrations of the construction of the palace, the Good Food show promises some of the best food & drink that the UK has to offer. Watch some of the UKs top chefs cooking live on stage; enjoy the range of family activities and live entertainment; and of course sample the amazing food on offer.
8. London Street Food & Craft Beer Festival
When: 22nd August
Where: Alexandra Palace
What: Another food festival, though no less important, this is a celebration of the very best of London’s street food and craft beer scene. This free festival is perfect for late summer, good food, good drink and an expansive beer garden with great views. This is the perfect event for a lazy, relaxed day out with friends.