Events in London

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London has a lot to offer the visitor, regardless of what interests he or she has. To help you out, we have listed a few events and attractions which are popular, well known and worth a visit. The list is far from exhaustive and it may be a good move to purchase a weekly published magazine specialising on London events or check the local press. If you are also interested in old buildings, museums, galleries, etc do not forget to check our Historical Sights and Cultural Life online pages respectively.

Changing the Guard/Guard Mounting (http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page378.asp)
Daily at 11.30am. Location: Forecourt at Buckingham Palace. Tube: St. James' Park/Green Park/Victoria.
Guard Mounting takes place in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace at 11.30am and lasts for about 45 minutes. There is no Guard Mounting in very wet weather. During the autumn and winter, Guard Mounting takes place on alternate dates e.g. January 2004 even days, February 2004 odd days. Check the official website for more details.

Chelsea Flower Show (http://www.rhs.org.uk/)
Usually held in May. Location: Royal Hospital Chelsea. Royal Hospital Road, London, SW3 4SR. Tube: Sloane Square.
For 4 days each May, the grounds of the Royal Hospital in Chelsea come alive with the sights and smells of one of the finest collections of flowers and fauna in the world. Check the above website for more details.

Chelsea Antiques Fair (http://www.rbkc.gov.uk/)
Usually held twice a year in March and September. Location: Chelsea Old Town Hall, King's Road, London, SW3 5EE. Tel: 01444-482514. Tube: South Kensington/Sloane Square.
A great fair to browse and buy a mixture of expensive and inexpensive antiques in every shape and form. Check the above website for more details.

Guy Fawkes' Day (N/A)
Around 5th November. Location: Throughout the city/country. Tube: Various.
November 5th marks the anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot; a conspiracy by Guy Fawkes and co to blow up Parliament and King James I in 1605. The capture of him and his men is celebrated with fireworks, bonfires and parties. Check the local press at the beginning of November for details of locations, and so on.

London Christmas Lights (N/A)
Usually mid December. Location: Trafalgar Square. Tube: Leicester Square/Charing Cross/Piccadilly Circus.
Each year Norway donates a gigantic Christmas tree to thank Britain for her help in World War II. The tree is erected in Trafalgar Square and a celebrity is chosen to turn on the lights in the presence of festive crowds and carol singers.

London Marathon (http://www.london-marathon.co.uk/)
Usually in April/May (2004: 18th April) - Location: Greenwich Park to the Mall. Tel: 020 7902 0189. Tube: Several.
The 26-mile course from Greenwich Park to the Mall, near Buckingham Palace, is watched by around 1/2 million spectators on the streets. A festive atmosphere is found en route and in the surrounding pubs. Check the official website for more details.

London Film Festival (http://www.lff.org.uk/)
Usually in November. Location: Several cinemas throughout the West End. Tube: Several.
The London Film Festival is one of the most prestigious in the world and the most important showcase for international cinema in the UK. Check the official website for more details. Check the official website for more details.

London Lesbian And Gay Film Festival (http://www.llgff.org.uk)
Usually in March/April. 2004: 24th March to 7th. Location: Several cinemas throughout the West End. Tube: Several.
Europe's largest Lesbian and Gay Film Festival showcasing new films at the National Film Theatre and other venues throughout the city. Check the official website for more details.

Lord Mayor's Show (http://www.lordmayorsshow.org)
Usually the 2nd Saturday in November. Location: London Guildhall, St. Paul's Cathedral, Courts of Justice and en route. Tube: Several.
A colourful procession dating back nearly 800 years ago, in which the Lord Mayor must make his way to the Royal Courts of Justice to pledge his allegiance to the Crown. Check the official website for more details.

London Proms (http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/)
Usually mid July to mid September. Location: Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AP. Tube: South Kensington, High St. Kensington. Tel: 020 7589 8212.
The world famous London Proms are supported by the BBC and comprise of over seventy prom concerts throughout the festive time.. Check the above website for more details.

Notting Hill Carnival (N/A)
Last bank holiday in August (2004: 28th/29th August). Location: Notting Hill, West London. Tube: Notting Hill Gate.
One of Europe's largest street parties with 1000s of people taking part. Music, dance, food and shows represented by London's ethnic communities.

State Opening of Parliament (http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page365.asp)
Usually in October or November. Location: Houses of Parliament. Tube: Westminster.
Wearing the Imperial State Crown and Parliamentary Robe, the Queen formally opens the new session of Parliament each year. She travels in the State Coach to the Palace of Westminster and then the royal procession sets out for the Houses of parliament. Check the above website for more details.

Remembrance Day Ceremony (http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page372.asp)
The second Sunday of November. Location: The Cenotaph at Whitehall. Tube: Westminster.
This famous ceremony, led by the Queen, is when the nation pays homage to those who died in the two world wars.

Trooping The Colour (http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page370.asp)
Annually on the Queen's official birthday in June. Location: Horse Guards Parade. Tube: St. James' Park/Green Park.
From Buckingham Palace along The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall and back again. During this ceremony, the Queen is greeted by a royal salute and carries out an inspection of the troops. Check the official website for more details.

Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships (http://www.wimbledon.org)
Usually late June to early July. Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Centre, Wimbledon, London, SW19 5AE. Tube: Wimbledon. Tel: 020 8944 1066/020 8971 2473.
This world famous tennis championship is probably the most prestigious in the world. Begins in late June and runs into July. Try and visit the museum too. Check the official website for more details.

Attractions in London

The London Dungeon (http://www.thedungeons.com)
28 - 34 Tooley Street, London, SE1 2SZ. Tube: London Bridge. Tel: 020 7403 7221.
The London Dungeon brings more than 2,000 years of gruesomely authentic history vividly back to life. Check the official website for more details.

The London Eye (http://www.londoneye.com/)
Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7PB. Tube: Waterloo/Westminster. Tel: 0870 5000 600.
Standing 135 metres high, this is the best place to get excellent views of Central London. Check the official website for more details.

London Planetarium (http://www.london-planetarium.com/)
Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5LR. Tube: Baker Street. Tel. 0870 400 3000.
London Planetarium is next door to Madame Tussaud's and is a great place to visit for star spotting of the celestial kind. Check the official website for more details.

London Zoo (http://www.londonzoo.co.uk)
Outer Circle, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY. Tube: Camden Town (N.B.: Passengers cannot travel from Camden Town station between 1.00pm and 5.30pm on Sundays). Tel: 020 7722 3333.
A great day out for children and adults in the heart of the city. Check the official website for more details.

Madame Tussaud's (http://www.madame-tussauds.co.uk/)
Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5LR. Tube: Baker Street. Tel. 0870 400 3000.
The globally famous wax museum is one of the most visited attractions in the capital. Check the official website for more details.

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