After a shaky start - destroyed by fire 16 days after 'The People's Palace' first opened in 1873 - Alexandra Palace re-opened again two years later becoming the place from where the BBC beamed its first broadcast in 1935. The palace title maybe a little misleading - it's charm being more shabby chic than regal. Still, it's a great venue for the regular rock concerts, raves and exhibitions staged, with two massive indoor spaces. And, perched above the city, it boasts beautiful surroundings and wonderful views over London. From the first warm days of spring until the annual fireworks display in November, outside is the place to appreciate Ally Pally taking in the nearby boating lake, children's playground and parkland. A London institution.
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London's Top Exhibition Centres
London's Top Exhibition Centres
London is one of the largest and wealthiest cities in the world. Fantastic transport links to Britain and Europe, luxurious hotels, wonderful nightlife, and the capital’s status as a centre of international business combine to make it the ideal conference venue. All preferences and budgets are catered for, intimate meeting rooms contrasting with impressive modern spaces.
Alexandra Palace
Alexandra Palace Way, Wood Green, London, N22 7AY
Tube: Bounds Green Station
Events at Alexandra Palace
This weekly farmers' market at Alexandra Palace is the largest one run by City & Country - they also have markets at Dulwich, Eltham, Hammersmith, Lewisham, Oval and Woodcote Green. Every Sunday, ...more
£6.50-£8 (Adults), £5.50-£7 (Concs) | Happy Hour: Mon to Fri 4.30pm-5.30pm £5.50 (Adults), £4.50 (Concs)
The biggest (it has a total capacity of 1,250) and best permanent ice rink in London, Alexandra Palace Ice Rink is an ideal place for a festive skate because you don't have to rely on ...more
Friday 1st June and Saturday 2nd June 2012 - 9pm | adv £36.50
The renowned Parisian DJ and producer spins live house, mixed with upfront electronic dance, R&B, hip hop and electropop.
1st June 2012 to 24th June 2012 - 12noon-7pm | Free, there is a small charge to go on the rides
Friday 8th June 2012 - 7.30pm | adv £20
Twinkling guitar riffs from the Brighton-based indie-pop five-piece.
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, City, London, EC2Y 8DS
Tube: Barbican Station
Described by the Queen as 'one of the wonders of the modern world' , the Barbican Centre has also been voted 'London's ugliest building'. Ugly or not, this multi-faceted performance and arts venue is truly wondrous. Open 363 days a year, it offers the most diverse program of any London venue. As well as being home to the London Symphony Orchestra, the centre's giant Barbican Hall attracts a host of international classical, jazz, rock, and world music stars. Two theatres offer a year-round program of some of the finest in international performing arts, while three cinemas mix mainstream films with specialist seasons. The Barbican Art Gallery, several smaller exhibition spaces, shops, cafes, restaurants, bars, live music in the foyer, and a host of talks, signings, and events for children are also on offer. The building itself is a labyrinth and finding your route from the station or car park is an adventure in itself. Staircases twist around each other, directing lost patrons into mysteriously empty mezzanines, where odd snatches of music are the only guide back to the main lobby. The joy of coming across exhibitions, live music, or talks from a major arts celebrity in some odd corner of the building is a unique feature of this remarkable concentration of artistic talent.
Events at Barbican Centre
3rd May 2012 to 12th August 2012 | Adult £10 | Concession £8 | 13-17yrs £7 | Under 12 Free
This year the Barbican will be showcasing the biggest Bauhaus exhibition in the UK for over 40 years; Bauhaus: Art as Life. The exhibition's name aptly describes the intension of what the world famous art ...more
1st January 2012 to 30th December 2012 | £7.50-£10.50
With everyone currently falling in love with the film the Artist silent films are more relevant than ever thus creating the perfect timing for the Silent Film and Live Music Series at the Barbican. With ...more
Business Design Centre
52 Upper Street, Islington, London, N1 0QH
Tube: Angel Station
Exhibitors love this venue and it's easy to see why. The Business Design Centre in Islington is in a great location just one mile from The City and two from The West End. It also perfectly combines architectural beauty with modern facilities, offering a huge space to host the most stylish of events. One of its best features is the natural light that pours through the high barrel-vaulted roof of the Mezzanine. The ground level, Gallery Hall and Conference Centre combine to offer 6,000 square metres of flexible space in total and room enough to seat up to 1,500 visitors.
Events at Business Design Centre
27th June 2012 to 7th July 2012
Young designers gather in their thousands to showcase their fresh and innovative creations at the Business Design Centre this summer. Acting as a springboard for young graduates exiting the safety of higher education the exhibition brings together ...more
7th Nov to 11th Nov 2012 | TBC
In preparation for Christmas, the Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair brings a taste of rural England to the Business Design Centre, with all the cosy traditionalism that goes with it. With over 400 exhibitors there's ...more
Central Hall Westminster
Storey's Gate, Westminster, London, SW1H 9NH
Tube: St James's Park Station
Combining its dual functions as an event/conference venue and a Methodist church, the imposing Central Hall Westminster also offers visitors (curious about exploring the inside of this Edwardian structure) free admission and free guided tours daily from 9.30am to 5pm. Of the 30 meeting rooms, the largest holds 2,160. While refurbished to meet the needs of a modern functions host, the venue still has a strong period feel to it and has featured in a number of films, including 'Calendar Girls' and 'Jekyll and Hyde'. Gandhi, Churchill and the Price of Wales have all spoken here. The hall also played host to the first General Assembly of the United Nations in 1946.
Earls Court Exhibition Centre
Warwick Road, Earls Court, London, SW5 9TA
Tube: West Brompton Station
The Earls Court and Olympia exhibition centres are the most popular in London for major public exhibitions. Located down the road from fashionable Kensington, this venue is as familiar to shoppers as it is to companies, and was selected as one of Britain's 'Superbrands', alongside Shell, Samsung, and Rolls-Royce. The centre has its own conference rooms, hotels, bars and a huge range of additional facilities. Events here are always well catered and set up for wireless internet use.
Events at Earls Court Exhibition Centre
30th May to 4th Jun 2012 | £10, adv £8
Mind Body Spirit 2011 is the essential show for anyone seeking the tools or methods to change and empower their lives. A series of seminars and exhibitors will be available to promote alternative health methods ...more
7th Jun to 10th Jun 2012 - Various Times | phone for prices
Exhibitions of works by artists from the region, Spain and Portugal, including Matilde Perez, with a programme of lectures and debates.
Saturday 9th June 2012 - 5pm-9.30pm | phone for prices
2nd Sep, 3rd Sep, 4th Sep and 5th Sep 2012 | Trade only (see website for more info)
As the UK's leading jewellery event, International Jewellery London features the biggest selection of high quality, design led jewellery, more high end manufacturers than any other event of its kind, a huge range of products ...more
20th Sep, 21st Sep, 22nd Sep and 23rd Sep 2012 | Trade visitors Free; Students £10 (Sat and Sun only); Public £15 (Sun only)
Describing itself as the UK's first and leading contemporary design event, 100% Design is a four day extravaganza held at Earls Court devoted to the latest product launches, ideas, designs and technology. You can expect ...more
ExCel Centre
Royal Victoria Dock, London, E16 1XL
Tube: Canning Town Station
A stunning architectural achievement, gigantic amounts of floor space accompanied by shops, bars and hotels, London's purpose built ExCel Exhibition Centre, opened in 2000, is an exciting venue in the city. The range of flexible, high-spec rooms is second to none, as is their customer support service. Though not as close as other venues to the major airports and central London, it's very close to City Airport and the presence of a DLR stop inside the centre means it remains convenient for public transport.
Events at ExCel Centre
Saturday 2nd June and Sunday 3rd June 2012 - 9am-6pm | phone for prices
Interactive entertainment zones featuring combat and strength sports such as fencing, boxing, arm wrestling and MMA, with tournaments, open mat sessions, workshops and professional boxing matches.
Saturday 9th June 2012 at 1pm-6pm & Sunday 10th June 2012 at 8am-8pm | phone for prices
Friday 15th June and Saturday 16th June 2012 - 10am-5pm | phone for prices
Exhibitors and trade stands with advice and guidance about the developmental disability.
Saturday 16th June and Sunday 17th June 2012 - 12noon-3pm | Free
8th Oct, 9th Oct, 10th Oct and 11th Oct 2012 | Conference £2,499; Register for Free entry to the exhibition
Organised "by the industry, for the industry," the Gastech conference and exhibition is about bringing together thousands of professionals working in the gas industry to promote fresh business opportunities, exchange ideas and innovations across the ...more
Royal Horticultural Halls and Conference Centre
Greycoat Street, Westminster, London, SW1P 2QD
Tube: St James's Park Station
This architecturally unique venue boasts two halls and a conference centre. Lindley Hall, overlooking leafy Vincent Square, is a popular venue for corporate events. Since it re-launched in 2001 it has been the location for Paul Smith's fashion shows and Decanter Wine Awards. Originally built in 1904, this classical Edwardian structure has state-of-the art contemporary facilities including fully integrated sound system. Next door, Lawrence Hall has gorgeous high vaulted ceilings. This Art Deco style multi-purpose hall has become well established for hosting niche market trade shows such as antiques shows, wine fairs and classic car auctions. When combined with the Conference Centre - which can house any number from two to 200 people - it has proved a successful choice for exhibition organisers looking for up to 1,800m² of stunning space.
Events at Royal Horticultural Halls and Conference Centre
13th November 2011 to 9th December 2012 | £4, accompanied accompanied under 16s Free
The Adams Antique Fair is the longest running Sunday antiques fair in the whole city, having been taking place since 1971. Vendors from across the UK and Europe all flock to the The Royal Horticultural ...more
Olympia Exhibition Centre
Hammersmith Road, Kensington, London, W14 8UX
Tube: Kensington (Olympia) Station
The Olympia Exhibition Centre is the most popular in London for major public exhibitions. Located down the road from fashionable Kensington, this venue is as familiar to shoppers as it is to companies, and was selected as one of Britain's 'Superbrands', alongside Shell, Samsung, and Rolls Royce. The facilities here are first rate and the in-house technical and support staff are the most experienced in Britain. They can cope with just about any request.
Events at Olympia Exhibition Centre
7th June 2012 to 17th June 2012 - Various Times | phone for prices
Over 150 dealers from Britain and abroad showcase their collections of antiques, jewellery, paintings, ceramics and contemporary designs.
Wednesday 27th June and Thursday 28th June 2012
Having secured its place as the UK's premier marketing show in 2011, Marketing Week Live sees 13,000 visitors flock to the Grand Hall of Olympia. Actually a two-day event, despite the misleading name, Marketing Week ...more
12th July, 13th July and 14th July 2012 | See website
So life begins at 40? Not according to the 50+ Show! Formerly known as the Retirement Show, this event is aimed at anyone who's reached the big 5-0 and is looking to enjoy every day ...more
7th Aug to 11th Aug 2012
Over 66,000 people flock to this massive celebration of our national drink, which features over 700 real ales, ciders, perries and beers from around the world. Although the Great British Beer Festival sounds like ...more
Wednesday 19th September and Thursday 20th September 2012 | £495 for one day; £795 for both days
Ad:Tech London is a chance for the online marketing and advertising community to gather and reveal the stats and latest trends in the digital world, share tips and address the challenges currently posed to the ...more
EDITOR
Sophie Wallace
31st May 2012
IN THIS ARTICLE
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Alexandra Palace
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Barbican Centre
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Business Design Centre
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Central Hall Westminster
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Earls Court Exhibition Centre
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ExCel Centre
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Royal Horticultural Halls and Conference Centre
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Olympia Exhibition Centre
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