Events in central London in July including Olympics and Paralympics London 2012:
Although the Olympic Games start on 27th July the major part of the games and, of course, the start of the Paralympic Games occur in August. However, these are a long way from being the only events in central London in August 2012. As a major global city, central London is the focus of many events of every kind throughout the year. The following are just a small sample of events in central London this August:
27th July - 12th August 2012
Olympic Stadium, Olympic Park, London E20 2ST and other venues
Whilst the Olympic Park is, of course, the focal point of the Olympic Games in London 2012 there are many other venues around the capital which are hosting specific events - such as the O2 Centre, the Aquatic Centre, Equestrian Centre and more. It is impossible to cover the events taking place here in the world's main sporting and athletics event of the next 4 years but it would be wrong to leave the Olympic Games out of an August schedule of events. The link given above takes you to a helpful schedule so that you can see when the events that interest you are taking place.
Travel: Travel advice will, of course, very much depend on the venue you are going to. We recommend you consult the Transport for London Journey Planner to get the best advice for your journey on the day.
28th July to 5th August 2012
Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7
Labelled "London's most sophisticated street party" this unique festival is a chance for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to show off its extensive refurbishment of Exhibition Road - one of central London's culturally most important streets. Exhibition Road hosts the Science Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum, Natural History Museum and Imperial College as well as leading to the Royal Albert Hall and a major facelift has just been completed, with pedestrian areas and a host of different types of cafe and restaurant at the South Kensington end. The free festival includes a number of scientific and cultural events and 12 writers have been commissioned to write a short story featuring Exhibition Road, which they will give live readings of during the festival.
Travel: Walk along passing South kensington tube station slightly to the north to come to the southern end of Exhibition Road (2 minutes' walk, at most).
7th August to 11th August 2012
Olympia Grand Hall, Hammersmith Road, London W14 8UX
We British are renowned for taking our beer very seriously - if sometimes to excess - and this annual festival attended by up to 70,000 visitors is proof of the basis for that reputation. Around 700 Real Ales and ciders from around the world, rather than the popular brews, are the main focus of The Great British Beer Festival and there are tutored tastings for those keen to learn the finer points of how a great beer is brewed. The Festival has Food Stalls and Live Music Acts and Thursday 9th August is 'Hat Day' - a tradition at the Festival. Although the Festival opens on 7th August that day, up to late afternoon. is for the trade only and the Festival opens fully to the public at 5.00 p.m. on 7th August.
Travel: Underground from South Kensington station direct to Olympia station (3 stops on the District Line).
12th August 2012
Olympic Stadium, Olympic Park, London E20 2ST
It is estimated that somewhere around four billion people worldwide watched the closing ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games so there is no doubt that all eyes will be on London right up to this last moment of the London 2012 Olympic Games. The Closing Ceremony celebrates the achievements of the athletes present and includes a handover of the games to the next host city - Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Called "A Symphony of British Music" in celebration of the fact that music has been one of Britain's most important cultural exports over the last 50 years, the Closing Ceremony will include more than 4,100 performers and a total cast of 15,000 that will also include some performers from Brazil to highlight the next games.
Travel: There are many ways to reach the stadium, with much improved transport links. We recommend consulting the Transport for London Journey Planner to get the best advice for your journey on the day.
15th August to 15th September 2012
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, City, London, EC2Y 8DS
Carousel was a huge success when it was launched on Broadway in 1945 and, again, when made into a film in 1956 starring Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones. Opera North are launching a new production with a new take on the story of Billy Bigelow for just 37 performances ahead of going to Paris next year. This new version of Carousel comes with superb reviews from some of the U.K.'s major daily newspapers and promises a compelling story supported by very moving music and stunning coreography.
Travel: Underground from South Kensington station direct to Barbican Station on the Circle Line.
16th to 20th August 2012
Lords Cricket Ground
St. John's Wood, St John's Wood, London, NW8 8QN
The final Test match of the English summer season with these two strong sides could result in either one taking the number 1 rank in Test match cricket. England were declared best team in the world in 2011 and South Africa, many would say, pose the greatest threat to them holding that position. This may be an appealing distraction from weeks of the Olympic Games or a wonderful follow on to them for you - or neither. In any event, this promises to be an exciting contest between two very evenly matched teams.
Travel: Underground from South Kensington station to Green Park station and change to the Jubilee Line to St. John's Wood Station for bus 82 from stop C.
19th August 2012
Gunnersbury Park, Popes Lane, London, W3 8LQ
London has a reputation as one of the world's culturally most diverse cities and the month of August 2012 sees 3 major festivals of different cultures. Two of these are combined in one at London Mela - an annual festival celebrating its 10th anniversary and conventionally a superb celebration of Asian music and culture that draws 55,000 visitors to London's Gunnersbury Park. This year, London Mela coincides precisely with the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr (generally referred to simply as "Eid") which is the festival celebrating the end of Ramadan - the holy month of fasting. In addition to the normal Asian music and culture there will be a varity of Muslim orientated events including the show culminating in a wonderful performance of Qawwali to delight all visitors to the festival.
Travel: Underground from South Kensington station direct on the Piccadilly Line to Acton Town station.
13th July to 8th September 2012
Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP
As they start in July, these are included in our July London events details but these concerts are so much a part of London cultural life during August too, we thought we should include them here too - to save you looking elsewhere. This year forming part of the London 2012 Festival - the cultural festival that runs alongside the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012 - this is the 118th season of henry Wood Promenade Concerts (as they are more formally called). As every year, the BBC Proms include a range of classical and contemporary music - this year the work of the still living French contemporary composer Pierre Boulez is featured alongside many older, much loved works. The Last Night of the Proms, featured in the video above and famous for the level of fun and audience participation inside and outside the Royal Albert Hall, does not, of course, occur until 8th September.
Travel: Walk up Exhibition Way (from by South Kensington station) to Kensington Gore and the Royal Albert Hall.
26th to 27th August 2012
Various Locations, West London
Europe's biggest street festival, Notting Hill Carnival takes over the streets from to the west of central London - as the name suggests, principally around Notting Hill but by no means limited to that. Held on the late August Bank Holiday weekend every year since 1966, Notting Hill Carnival celebrates the cultural diversity of London with a caribbean theme. The numbers are huge: normally 1 million visitors, 20 miles of exciting, vibrant and colourful participants winding their way through the streets, hundreds of Caribbean food stalls and over 40,00 volunteer participants. Sunday 27th August is Childrens Day and then Bank Holiday Monday - 27th August - is the day of the full carnival. The procession starts in Great Western Road and winds its way through Chepstow Road, Westbourne Grove and Ladbroke Grove. With the procession over in the evening, the partying begins !
Travel: Depends heavily on where you want to be to see the Carnival, of course. The Notting Hill Carnival organisers published a very useful guide here.
This is a just a taste of the events you may enjoy when staying at Harrington Court Serviced Apartments in central London in August 2012 - the month of the Olympics and Paralympics in London 2012.
Keep up to date with events in London in July 2012 as they are added by going to our Facebook page and pressing the "Like" button or by adding us to your circles on Google+ or following us on Pinterest. You can get travel directions to each from Harrington Court Apartments and you will see further London events posted by Harrington Court Serviced Apartments. You can add them to your own London events in August 2012, if you want to - to help with planning your London trip. You can also learn about events in central London in August 2012 and later months by following Harrington Court Serviced Apartments blog.
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