London is one of the most spectacular cities in the world. History on every corner, great culture hub, great shopping…only, it’s expensive and the weather can really cast a pall. I used to live in London, and manage to get back fairly frequently, so I’m still sort of in touch.

There’s so much going on in London, you’re really spoilt for choice.

I wanted to share with you what my friends and I know about London but once I started researching it, I realised there was way too much information for just one story. So for today, I’m going to look at the mind-boggling fantastic events and festivities held in and around London during the summer months. In a couple of weeks we’ll look at logistics and insider’s recommendations.

OK strictly speaking daffodils are spring, but isn’t it lovely?

As a destination, there’s so much to see and experience in London, and there are lots of guidebooks to tell you what to do. London has a spectacular host of museums, galleries, music, theatre, opera, clubs, bands, sights at all times of the year, but there’s an amazing explosion of activities during the summer months. Whatever your interest, there’ll be something on this list that will appeal. And this is just a small selection of what’s on…

Summer Sales

London has fantastic sales. To catch the summer sales, aim for end June/early July. It can be quite heady stuff, as we’re not talking 10 – 20% off, but generally 30 – 50% off. You can get really carried away, let me warn you!  All the shops have great sales, but the really good bargains are the department stores – Harrods, Harvey Nicks, Liberty, Selfridges. You can get designer togs (including bags) for a lot lot less than usual – I’ve seen 60% off designer bags at Liberty. AND, you get to claim VAT back when you leave – that’s a whole other 15% off.

Claiming VAT

You do this on your last exit from the UK, at the airport, on most purchases you’ve made in the UK. You’ll need to get the shop you’re purchasing from to give you a VAT Refund form, duly filled in (ask at the cashier’s as you pay, and you’ll need to show your passport). Shops set different thresholds to qualify for VAT Refund, so ask. You stand in line at the airport (the lines can be very long, prepare for a wait), with your goods and your form/s, so you should do it before check-in. You can opt to get your 15% back in cash. You can’t claim VAT for books or food.

Hot Air Balloon
late April to mid-August

Wow, I’d love to do this! It does say they cancel if the weather’s not great so it’s a bit chancy, but what fun would this be?!

Music

Whatever your taste in music, there’ll be something going on for you.

Pop/rock

Glastonbury 23 – 27 June Everyone knows the Glastonbury Festival. It’s one of the world’s most famous music festivals, held in the English countryside since the 1970’s. Generally associated with mud (when it rains), tents,  great music, great music and more great music. It’s the Brit equivalent of Woodstock.  Previous acts in recent years – Coldplay, JayZ, The Killers, Leonard Cohen, Morrisey…Tickets are sold out for next year, but will surely surface through ticket agencies.

That's Bruce Springsteen

Hyde Park Calling – late June weekend Multiple stages featuring lots of great acts right in the middle of London, in Hyde Park, over a weekend. This year’s line up included Bruce Springsteen, the Dave Matthews Band, The Pretenders, James Morrison to name a few…Next year’s line-up is not yet announced. Count on a dozen bands or so.

Hyde Park Calling

Wireless Festival – early July

Also multi-night event, held in Hyde Park. This year’s headliners were Kanye West and Basement Jaxx.

Kenwood House July-August weekends

A gorgeous stately home on Hampstead Heath, given over to great music, for a slightly older crowd…picnics, fireworks, The Gipsy Kings, Motown, Simply Red, Russell Watson, Jools Holland.

Classical Music

Glyndebourne Season runs May – Sept

Another world famous summer event, this time for the Opera world. Glyndebourne, a Victorian country house, has turned itself into a fabulous opera auditorium. An hour outside London, make it a weekend of a nice B+B, picnics and opera. A must if you love opera. Next year’s lineup includes Cosi Fan Tutti.

Opera Holland Park

In West London, in Holland Park. Terribly civilised. Bring or book a picnic before the opera. 2010 season features Carmen, Don Giovanni and Fidelio. Fabulous productions.

The BBC Proms July - September for 9 weeks

Lots of wonderful classical music at The Proms, which is a bit of an Brit classical music institution (it’s been running for over 100 years), especially The Last Night of the Proms, which is a romp through the greats of British classical music, Elgar, Pomp and Circumstance, Jerusalem…stomping, cheering and flagwaving.  That’s just the Last Night though…the rest of the season is fabulous, maybe more sedate, and held in the lovely Royal Albert Hall. Multiple orchestras are featured throughout the season.

By the way, it’s called “The Proms” because they are promenade concerts – meaning some or part of the audience is standing (and swaying).

Shakespeare

Such a treat for Shakespeare fans!

Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park May - Sept

Lovely (if the weather’s good). Outdoor theatre in Regent’s Park. A lovely summer’s evening. A great picnic. A bottle of wine. Convivial company. And Shakespeare. Fantastic.

Shakespeare at The Globe May - Oct

The Globe is a recreation of the original Globe, the theatre that Shakespeare wrote for/in. It’s 200m from the original Globe. ‘Original’ means open-air, standing, how it was originally enjoyed when he wrote (you’ve seen Shakespeare in Love right?) I have long wanted to go to something at The Globe. It’s on my must-do list.

Art

Royal Academy of Art Summer Exhibition June to August

One of my favourite things to do in the summer in London is to go to the Summer Show at the Royal Academy of Art. It’s been going since the 1700’s!  Lots of artwork of all kinds, a huge variety. Gorgeous.

Get a taste of the exhibits here

Chelsea Flower Show late May

The famous Chelsea Flower Show is a wonderful garden festival, it’s a world-famous event, so expect some spectacular plant/flower/tree/garden displays.

London Literature Festival July

Literati head for the South Bank Centre for the London LitFest. This year hosted Arundhati Roy, Hanif Kureshi, DBC Pierre, Vikram Seth among others. 2010 not announced yet.

Buckingham Palace

The State Rooms at Buckingham Palace are open to the public during August and September. I doubt you’ll bump into the Queen but you never know.

Coincide your visit with The Changing Of the Guards. A short ceremony, when the palace guards change duty with as much pomp and pageantry as you could wish for, bearskin hats and all. Every other day 11.30am, and schedules change, so please check.

Tennis

Wimbledon 21 June - 4 July 2010

Tennis fans, there’s nothing like Wimbledon. It is a tennis feast, in gorgeous surroundings.  Just being there is great.  If you aren’t looking for the big games (eg semi’s onwards), you can queue and get tickets on the day.  But the big games are awesome.  Even if you aren’t much of a tennis fan, go for the occasion, athleticism and great atmosphere. Wimbledon as a venue is so historic, it’s impressive.

Be prepared for all weather situations…from scalding to cold and rainy. It’s expensive inside, but you have to do the strawberries and cream and the English summer drink, Pimms. It’s a MUST.

AEGON Tennis Championships 7 – 13 June 2010

This is the run-up to Wimbledon, held at Queen’s Club in West London.  It used to be the Stella Artois Championships. I used to live right by there and loved it. Because it’s a smaller venue, you are just about standing on the court and tickets are easier to get. You get to watch some greats in action, so close they can flick their sweat at you! I watched a really young Pete Sampras make his debut there. Remarkable even then.

Cricket

Summer is cricket time in England, and you can catch some test matches at Lord’s, the home of cricket.

Read more here.

There’s tons more going on but then this article would never end!

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