July 2008

Londoners head out to open spaces in July, with flower shows, festivals and fun runs all hitting the streets and the suburbs. Indoors, there's the start of London's best classical music series, and the summer opening of Buckingham Palace.

Henley Royal Regatta 2008

Henley-on-Thames, London, RG9 2LY
2nd July 2008 - 6th July 2008

Henley Regatta is set in a riverside village that has hardly changed in the last two centuries, bringing some serious competition to the water in one of the world's most physically challenging sports. It has been running since 1839, and has grown from a local event into one of the biggest meetings in rowing, attracting crews of international quality to an array of Challenge Trophies. The draw is still conducted on a knock-out basis with only two boats racing in each heat. Nineteen events take place over the five days including six classes of races for Eights and aces for Coxless Pairs and Double Sculls. Come and admire one of the country's loveliest areas and some of the toughest sports stars in the world.

More info: Henley Royal Regatta 2008 Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Guilfest

Stoke Park, London, GU1 1HB
4th July 2008 - 6th July 2008

We're not absolutely sure when this happened, but at some point this sleepy jazz and folk festival in London's least fashionable suburb turned into an absolutely kicking live event. For one weekend every summer Guilfest takes over Stoke Park as music fans set up camp. In spite of some pleasingly naff sponsors (Radio 2 and The Surrey Advertiser both hosted stages in 2007) and performers (Uriah Heep anyone?), they now also attract some brilliant musicians and DJs. This festival is most famous for its role in showcasing all the best of the past rather than the latest craze - though it's always very varied don't expect much ground-breaking stuff.

More info: Guilfest Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Big Dance 2008

Various,
5th July 2008 - 13th July 2008

Dance is the fastest-growing artform in the capital, and the reason is visible everywhere you look. London is perhaps the most multi-cultural city in the world, and the traditional, popular, artistic and religious dances of dozens of cultures have made our city a paradise for anyone who loves to tap their toes, shake their bootie, or just stroke their chins (in the case of 'contemporary dance' fans). The scale of Big Dance is huge. Suffice to say that you should not be surprised if - when venturing into any public space in London during this period - it turns out to have a troupe of female Morris dancers, a posse of head-spinning hip-hoppers, or a whirlwind of spinning capoeiristas girating around. More than half the events offer participation or free classes, so if you're a closet groover this is your chance to strut your stuff.

More info: Big Dance 2008 Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Dolly Parton

The O2 Arena, London, SE10 0AX
5th July 2008 - 6th July 2008

Country music goddess and cosmetic surgery supremo Dolly Parton arrives in London as part of a rare UK tour. She is so big in the US that the singer-cum-songwriter-cum-actress has her fingers in just about every pie, with her own restaurant, theme park and even a literacy programme. But you don't manage four decades in the music business without a bag of talent and she'll wow the crowds with highlights from her broad repertoire. Hits like 'Nine to Five', 'Jolene' and 'I Will Always Love You' have survived the test of time nearly as well as Dolly's body.

More info: Dolly Parton Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Pride London 2008

Trafalgar Square, WC2H 7BP
5th July 2008

For the past few years London's Pride Parade has been growing in scale and ambition. Now increasing numbers of straight folk are also turning up to join in the heady mix of fun and politics in what has become one of Britain's biggest street parties. This year around half a million gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and straight people will flood into Oxford Street and Regent Street for the parade. Entertainment is provided by 80 floats and more than 200 costume groups and walking bands. The serious stuff takes place in Trafalgar Square, where community stalls and music support a rally, with major speakers celebrating a year of successes for the Gay Rights movement. Soho and Leicester Square host more frivolous activities, with cabaret and bands in the square, and a huge market and food festival in Soho. The hundreds of lesbian and gay bars and clubs in the area will, of course, keep the celebrations going all night long.

More info: Pride London 2008 Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

The British 10K London Run

Start - Hyde Park Corner | Finish - Whitehall, SW1X 7TA
6th July 2008

Now in its seventh year this huge annual fundraiser has made the first Sunday in July all its own. Thousands of participants gather together at Hyde Park Corner to run the course which heads down Piccadilly and Pall Mall to Trafalgar Square, along the Embankment to the City, taking in St. Paul's and Tower Bridge, and finally back to Whitehall, looping around the London Eye on the way. The runners are joined by a bunch of celebrities and athletics champions. Both Steve Cram and Haile Gebrselassie have participated in previous races. Ten kilometres is a fair old click but by no means impossible even if you're not really in shape. If you fancy the challenge of racing against 35,000 fellow Londoners, drop them a line or visit www.theBritish10klondon.co.uk.

More info: The British 10K London Run Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Hampton Court Palace Flower Show

Hampton Court Palace, London, KT8 9AU
8th July 2008 - 13th July 2008

Henry VIII built one of the finest gardens in the world at Hampton Court Palace, so it is only fitting that the world's largest horticultural show should take place there. The show includes displays from over 150 specialist nurseries. Some are beautiful, complex works of living art, filled with rare blooms and water features. However, many are on a smaller, more English scale, and should give you ideas for improving your own garden. The Festival of Roses is Britain's largest annual display of roses in full bloom; the sweet scent is overwhelming, as is the sight of thousands of stunning roses blooming all under one roof. The Inspiring Spaces show gives visitors tips on how best to utilise those difficult spaces and tricky corners. Water gardens reflect the event's beautiful location beside the River Thames. During the final afternoon many of the exhibitors sell off their plants at bargain prices - you can bet the gardening gloves come off for this free-for-all.

More info: Hampton Court Palace Flower Show Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

The Chap Olympics

Bedford Square Gardens, WC1B 3DP
12th July 2008

Not so much a sporting occasion as a celebration of buffoonery and sporting ineptitude, orchestrated by The Chap magazine, for gentlemen of good taste. Bedford Square, one of the best preserved set pieces of Georgian architecture in London, is a fitting backdrop for such a spiffing sporting event. The ten Olympic races can all be entered by members of the public - as long as they're not wearing sportswear. Sporting events include Umbrella Hockey, using brollies and a bowler hat instead of sticks and a ball and The Hendrick's Steeplechase: the first stallion (guy) to carry their jockey (girl) over the hurdles of beer cans wins. Hilarious fun - and the two free gin and tonics will go down well too.

To find out more and to register as a competitor email olympics@thechap.net.

More info: The Chap Olympics Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Rise 2008

Finsbury Park, London, N4 1EE
13th July 2008

Last year's Rise Festival in Finsbury Park was truly one of the most magical days of the summer, with 100,000 Londoners of all colours and creeds gathering to take a stand against racism. They tend to finalise the music line-up at the last minute, so keep checking nearer the time for details. Alongside big names, there is usually an entertaining mixture of credible London musicians and hilariously sketchy local acts. Because it's free, safe and friendly, there's an enormously varied crowd taking time to chill in the sun, munch on some jerk chicken and celebrate everything that is best about our multi-cultural capital. Kids are very welcome and will love the costume and dance acts, the funfair and the general carnival atmosphere.

More info: Rise 2008 Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

The Proms 2008

Royal Albert Hall, London, SW7 2AP
18th July 2008 - 13th September 2008

The most popular season of classical music in England goes from strength-to-strength each year. A varied but accessible programme regularly draws huge audiences, concluding on the last night with seas of Union Jack-waving Brits belting out their national anthem. The aim, for the past 100 years, has been to mix the popular and familiar with the surprising and innovative, so if you go to a concert to hear some favourite piece, you may leave having discovered a whole new composer. Five hundred standing tickets for each concert are available on the door for just five pounds, so top international orchestras and soloists, programmes that mix the adventurous and the accessible, and a real sense of fun can all be had for less than the price of a cinema ticket. There are also chamber music concerts in Cadogan Hall, and outdoor events throughout the country. You should turn up early for the biggest stars - and queue overnight if you want to get into the Last Night.

More info: The Proms 2008 Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

WOMAD

Charlton Park, London, SN16 9DG
24th July 2008 - 27th July 2008

The world music explosion has turned Peter Gabriel's WOMAD into a massive international event. The crowd, who once consisted largely of ageing prog-rockers with ponytails, are now among the most diverse of any festival, covering all ages, races and backgrounds. WOMAD is the most kid-friendly of all the festivals and has a really warm atmosphere as a result. Every paying adult is entitled to bring two children free of charge, so the festival site is teeming with face-painted young ones. They won't get bored either, with a huge array of workshops, games and a funfair for them to enjoy. The festival is just as participatory for adults too - get involved in the brilliant workshops aimed at helping you learn to drum, dance and sing.

Line-up to be confirmed.

More info: WOMAD Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

The State Rooms, Buckingham Palace Summer Opening

Buckingham Palace, SW1A 1AA
31st July 2008 - 29th September 2008

For two months in the summer visitors have the chance to look round Buckingham Palace and admire the interiors of the principle royal residence. Thousands have visited since the palace first opened its doors, to enjoy the astonishing luxury in which the British royals have immersed themselves for the past few centuries. The tour includes a look at some exquisite royal gifts including Faberge Eggs, a walk through the Royal Mews and access to the State Rooms, which are still used by the Royal Family to receive guests on state and ceremonial occasions. Decorated in lavish fashion, they include paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens and Canaletto, Sevres porcelain and some of the finest English and French furniture in the world. This is a fascinating opportunity to admire the taste - often wonderful, sometimes comically bad - of Britain's monarchy, and the astounding art and antiques collected over the last 500 years by the world's most famous family.

More info: The State Rooms, Buckingham Palace Summer Opening Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Hadrian: Empire and Conflict

British Museum, Reading Room, WC1B 3DG
24th July - 26th October 2008

Think of Hadrian and one word automatically and instantly comes after it. Wall. The great Roman emperor who reigned from AD 117 to 138 most famously left his mark on this country in the shape of a stone division running the breadth of the UK, from Segedunum at Wallsend on the River Tyne to the shore of the Solway Firth. This special exhibition gives us an insight into the man who ruled over much of Europe, northern Africa and western Asia. His empire building remains as his legacy today with landmarks like the Pantheon in Rome, the Temple of Zeus and an aqueduct in Athens as well as his villa at Tivoli - more like a small town - still standing as testament to his passion for design, architecture and Greek culture. With objects on loan from 35 museums worldwide backed up by information unearthed by recent excavations, this exhibition takes Hadrian beyond the wall.

More info: Hadrian: Empire and Conflict Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube