London offers many different things to visitors throughout the year, so it’s up for debate which month is the best time to schedule a short visit to this incredible city.
July is traditionally regarded as a very tourist-friendly month, and it features a lot of annual or one-off events that draw large crowds. Another reason to visit in July is that you can get amazing deals on London hotels, making a trip to London viable even for travellers with modest budgets. By saving on accommodation, you can afford to run around the town and experience some fantastic events that are unique to London.
Here is an overview of the most exciting public events scheduled for June 2019 in London. Of course, this is just a tiny selection of all available entertainment options, so visitors with a specific taste can find plenty of other events to complement those from this list:
Watch elite tennis at Wimbledon
The first half of July is traditionally reserved for one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world, occupying the imagination of English sports fans.
Wimbledon Championships is the oldest tennis tournament in existence, entering its 133rd year in 2019, and it is the only Grand Slam competition still played on natural grass. This year’s event will take place at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club from July 1-14th. Of course, all the best players in the world will be competing, but there will be as much going on in the stands as on the courts.
Wimbledon attracts many celebrities from all over the world, so if you manage to find tickets you will be in great company. While you are there, help yourself to the traditional treat consisting of strawberries and ice-cream.
Pay a visit to the Buckingham Palace
Visits to the official residence of the Queen are restricted to a certain period, which begins on July 22nd.
Starting on this date, you can schedule a tour around this magnificent palace and take a closer look at some of its 775 rooms, including the State Rooms and the Throne Room. Some of the wonders you can see at the Buckingham Palace include countless pieces of sophisticated furniture from different centuries, an impressive collection of Sevres porcelain, and some of the most valuable paintings and other works of art in the world.
Audio guides are available in many different languages, so visitors can learn the history of each displayed item. After you finish the tour, you can relax and recuperate with coffee and sandwiches at the Garden Café on the West Terrace.
Chill outside at the British Summer Time festival
There is no point staying inside if you arrive to London in July, especially since you can go to an open-air music festival such as British Summer Time.
This stunning event takes place in the Hyde Park, and includes concerts by mainstream stars like Robbie Williams and Celine Dion, as well as many up-and-coming pop and rock acts. The festival covers two consecutive weekends, opening on July 5th and closing on July 14th.
In addition to music gigs, there will be open-air film projections and other fun activities in this period. Park Grand Paddington Court London is located nearby, making it a great base if you are planning to attend this fabulous event.
Get inspired at the Hampton Court Flower Show
You don’t necessarily associate flowers with a city nicknamed The Smoke, but you will after you attend the Hampton Court Flower Show and see masters of gardening at work.
This event lasts from July 2-7th, and is open daily from 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM. The activities at the show comprise lively displays of floral arrangements, gardening workshops and lectures, as well as plenty of great food and drink.
Organised by the Royal Horticultural Society, this family-friendly event can be seen in other parts of England on various dates, but gorgeous environment of the Hampton Court Palace and its large garden make a compelling case to make it to the July event in London. If you love gardening and happen to be staying in London in early July, you should make this flower show a priority on your to-do list.
Cheer for England at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019
Cricket is taken very seriously in England, and this summer the country is hosting a major international tournament. This means London will be full of cricket fans in July, and you won’t go wrong if you join them to watch a few matches in person.
The tournament started on May 30th and takes place at two iconic stadiums, The Oval and Lord’s, the latter of which will host the final match on July 14th. Ten national teams participate, many of them traditional rivals like Australia and New Zealand or Pakistan and India.
Of course, rules of cricket can be confusing for people from parts of the world where this sport is rarely practiced, in which case it’s highly recommended to enlist a local with solid knowledge of cricket to guide you through the rules.
Have a good laugh at the Underbelly Festival
South Bank is the location of the event dedicated to good-hearted fun and laughs. Now in its 11th year, Underbelly Festival features a combination of live comedy shows, daring circus acts, energetic cabaret performances and shows designed to keep the kids entertained. Some of the biggest comedy names scheduled for this year include Mark Watson, Ed Gamble, Vikki Stone, and Phil Wang, among many others.
There is also a large open-air bar that you can access without paying the entry fee, as well as a number of street food vendors lined up next to the river. Many top-rated shows are available throughout the month of July, so it’s probably wise to study the schedule and pick a date that promises the most entertaining experience based on the style of humour your prefer.
