Fair dos; the Royal wedding may now be behind us but visiting London this year is still more than worthwhile – after all, the wedding itself actually took place in the town of Windsor, which lies several miles outside the capital itself. So, should you be intending to visit the UK capital at some point during the rest of 2018, what can you look forward to in this mega metropolis in the summer and autumn months?
Well, if you’ve chosen for your stay accommodation in the centre of the city (like the Park Grand hotel Paddington) you’ll be right in the heart of things; perfect for all that’s going on – speaking of which here’s our lowdown of highlights not to be missed by any visitor who means business…
Wimbledon (July)
The annual Wimbledon Championship is the oldest and most prestigious tennis event in the world, and one of the highlights of the London social calendar. Each July, the country is gripped by tennis fever as the world’s greatest players take to the famous grass courts. It’s also a time when London breaks out the Pimms and lemonade as well as the famous strawberries and cream – it’s tradition, after all. If you don’t have tickets to the matches, you don’t have to miss out on any of the action as large screens are erected all over the city. The atmosphere is just as good as being there, we think. We’ll be posting about where you can watch the matches closer to the time, so be sure to watch this space.
The BBC Proms (July-September)
The annual BBC Proms is the musical event of the season and kicks off in July. Each year, the Royal Albert Hall is the venue to be if you’re a fan of classical music. Over the course of two months, you can expect some of the most famous names gracing the iconic stage, as well as the latest acts on the classical music scene. It’s a sumptuous musical affair and is certainly one of the top events to attend during the summer. The atmosphere alone is electric, particularly on the famous Last Night of the Proms, which always guarantees a night of spectacular music and celebration.
Buckingham Palace (July-September)
One of the most exciting and anticipated attractions of the summer is the opening of the magnificent State Rooms at Buckingham Palace. This is an opportunity to see behind the gates into the London residence of Her Majesty the Queen. You will have access to all 19 rooms which are used for ceremonial events, many of the rooms containing priceless artefacts from the Royal Collection. In 2018, there will also be a special exhibition celebrating the 70th birthday of The Prince of Wales. This is a day out designed for anyone with a love of history, make sure you book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Christmas (December)
Finally, sure; we may be biased but we think London at Christmas is the most magical city in the world! The historic buildings glow with the flicker of fairy lights and the views of the River Thames are breath-taking. We also happen to have some of the most stunning properties in the city, close to all of the top attractions, as well as traditional pubs and Michelin-starred restaurants. And, of course, you must pay Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland festival venue a visit (it’s open all month) – absolutely perfect should you have chosen for yourself one of the hotels near Hyde Park, of course!
