Come sun, fog or rain, there is never a dull moment in London, and with the UK capital playing host to the Olympics this summer expect there to be even more buzz about the city than usual.
The London authorities are planning ‘A Summer Like No Other’, a series of free outdoor events to celebrate the 2012 Olympic Games
The London authorities are planning ‘A Summer Like No Other’, a series of free outdoor events to celebrate the 2012 Olympic Games.
Local high streets, parks and outdoor spaces will come alive with free performances by UK and international artists, while some of London’s best young musicians will be chosen to busk on the London Underground and in spaces around the city.
London is in a festive mood, buoyed by the recent Diamond Jubilee celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II, and flags, banners and bunting are everywhere.
Bridges along the Thames will light up with a dazzling display of colour during the evenings of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
London can be all things to all people. Some visitors flock to historic palaces, world renowned museums and regal parks, others hit the ground-breaking nightclubs, quirky live music venues and cutting-edge galleries.
From the glittering skyscrapers of The City and Canary Wharf, to the historic pomp and circumstance of central London, this is a city sure of its own importance.
London’s famed theatres and first-class shops cluster around the West End, where Billy Elliot The Musical, Rock of Ages and Matilda The Musical are currently wowing audiences.
Over in the East End, which houses the Olympic Stadium and many other Olympic venues, visitors can find an intoxicating mix of dynamic markets, funky bars and Asian restaurants.
The Thames’s South Bank comes alive with the music and dance extravaganza of the Thames Festival on September 8-9, the closing weekend of the Olympic Games, while juggling and dance acts can be seen on the National Theatre’s lawns.
Sit outside the cafés and restaurants dotting the river to admire the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye while enjoying a pre-performance snack.
Shopaholics will never want to leave London. Hit Camden or Portobello markets for unique vintage clothing, vast department stores like Harrods and Selfridges for international designer gear and Mayfair for good,old-fashioned luxury.
The royal parks of London are perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle for a few hours.
Hyde Park is a great place for a picnic if the sun breaks through the clouds, while further afield, deer can be spotted roaming around the rolling greenery of Richmond Park.