Things To Do In London For The August Bank Holiday

The last bank holiday of the year falls on Monday, August 31st and there are plenty of ways to eat, drink and party over the three-day break.

Perhaps you live here, maybe you’ll be just visiting: either way, there are carnivals, festivals, and other (much less energetic) ways to spend a long weekend in the city.

Here are our tips on making the most out of the August Bank Holiday in London for 2015.

Carnivals and festivals

Notting Hill Carnival

(c) Notting Hill Carnival

The biggest street party in London returns for its annual Bank Holiday celebrations.

The streets of west London are transformed into a Caribbean carnival, with music, food and drink on offer.

Steel Bands are the order of the day on the Saturday evening opening night, which is the precursor for the colourful Children’s Parade on the Sunday.

More than 60 bands and thousands of dancers will entertain the crowds at the Grand Finale on Monday as they make their way through the streets to the stage at Powis Square.

When: 29th-31st August 
Opening times: Notting Hill. Sunday Parade & Family Day: 10am to 8.30pm. Monday Parade and Grand Finale: 10am to 8.30pm
Further info: Website and Twitter

South West Four

South West Four at Clapham

Clapham Common will be home to dance music fans during this two-day extravaganza featuring more than 100 acts.

There are plenty of stages to choose from at this festival which keeps getting bigger and better.

Electronic masters, Faithless, have been around for 20 years and will be playing their hit-filled back catalogue on the Saturday.

Special guests, Basement Jaxx, will be making their SW4 debut on Sunday, with Skrillex headlining the frenetic finale.

When: 29th – 30th August
Details: Tickets start from £70 bookable online.
Further info: Website and Twitter

Capital culture

London is blessed with some of the best museums, art galleries and cinemas in the world – so there are plenty of places to be entertained, as well as educated, over the long weekend.

Visit the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace

State Banquet Royal Collection Trust (c) Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, 2015

While Her Majesty The Queen’s away on her holidays, you can head behind the scenes to see what goes on in a royal residence.

The State Rooms are where the Royal Family host official occasions and welcome visiting dignitaries and are home to some of the finest furnishing and art from the Royal Collection – see if you can tell a Canaletto from a Van Dyck.

If you want to extend your visit on a Royal Day Out, then you can also see the Royal Mews, a working stable and where the historic coaches and carriages are kept as well as the Queen’s Gallery, which has an ever-changing exhibition of paintings.

Buckingham Palace – Royal Collection Trust (c) Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, 2015

When: July 25 to September 27
Details: 9.30am to 7.30pm (last entry 5.15pm). Visits last between two and two and a half hours. The State Rooms cost only £20.50, and to see the State Rooms, Buckingham Palace, the Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace and the Royal Mews it costs £35.60 per adult (concessions apply).
Further info: Website and Twitter

Visit the Houses of Parliament

Houses of Parliament

With all the MPs enjoying their summer recess, now’s the time to take a sneak peak behind the scenes.

You can take a Blue Badge guided tour through the corridors of power, where the experts will explain all the complicated and historic rules that govern the House of Lords and House of Commons.

The tour includes Westminster Hall, the Queen’s Robing Room and the Members Lobby among other places of note.

When: Mon-Sat: from July 4 to September 4 – excluding Bank Holiday Monday.
Details: Adults £25, concessions available: Book online. Guided tours last approximately 90 minutes.
More info: Website and Twitter

Travel Photographer of the Year

The Royal Geographical Society in Kensington is showcasing the winners images from 2014 in a free exhibition featuring entries from more than a hundred different countries.

Using the Society’s Pavilion, terrace and garden, this is a splendid venue to see some breathtaking pictures from all over the world.

British photographer, Philip Lee Harvey, who is the overall winner, also has more of his work on contemporary travel on view.

When: Friday, July 24 to Saturday, September 5
Details: Sun-Thur: 1oam to 5pm, Fri-Sat: 10am to 7pm. Entry is free
More info: Website and Twitter

FILM4 FrightFest

A Christmas Horror Story 3 @ FILM4 FrightFest 2015

Now in its 16th year, this gory and gruesome tribute to international fantasy and horror films is now a five day event in the West End of London.

The film festival has previews, personal appearances, signings and some surprises that go bump in the night.

Expect a mixture of short films, premières and cult classics – see full film schedule.

When: Thursday, August 27 to Monday, August 31
Details: VUE West End, Leicester Square. You can buy tickets for individual films for £13.25, a day pass from between £30-£60 and a four day festival pass for £185. Passes must be booked in advance online.
More info: Website and Twitter

@ FILM4 FrightFest 2015

Enjoy the great outdoors

London’s parks

If the weather’s nice, head down to one of London’s parks where you can go rowing, cycling, swimming or just do a bit of sunbathing.

We’ve put together a list of some of the best parks and green spaces in the capital to give you a steer.

Herbaceous border at Greenwich Park

You can even feel the sand between your toes at Beach East at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

This is the UK’s largest Urban beach and its free to go along and sit in the sun, visit the funfair or take part in the family-led activities going on.

Beach East at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Day trips from London

If you want to escape from the big smoke for a day or even a weekend break – jump in the car or take the train or bus out into the countryside.

Here are a few places to visit within striking distance of London over the long weekend.

Brighton

Brighton Wheel on the beach

Catch the quick train and you can be in Brighton within an hour and with parking at a premium down on the South Coast, this is usually the best option.

Start the day off with a bracing breakfast or brunch.

We’ve found 44 things to do in Brighton to get you started, from beachside bars to vintage shopping.

If you love live music, then Brighton has one of the best gig scenes in the country – and here’s where to find those seaside sounds.

If you want to make a night of it, we’ve put together a list of 15 of the best Brighton Hotels to stay in.

Margate

View from the Turner Contemporary terrace (c) Kirsten Beacock

In just under two hours you could be in this quintessential seaside town with its pretty beach and harbour.

Dreamland Margate re-opened in 2015 and pays homage to the Golden Age of the day trip with it’s refitted retro rides and traditional entertainment.

They have rides from every decade, lovingly updated for those who love a bit of nostalgia, as well as modern ones to thrill the adrenaline seeker.

The Turner Contemporary art gallery is free to visit and is right on the harbour. Once you’ve looked round have a glass of wine or beer on their seafront terrace.

You can then see if you can uncover the mystery of the Shell Grotto (discovered in 1835). Head underground to find out more about these spooky caves.

Essential weekend links

Summer in London

Find more inspiration for things to do in London here.

Visit the Transport for London website for all the latest news and travel information

If you’re planning on spending more than a day in London, then we have plenty of places to stay.

Finally, remember to check out the weather forecast to make sure you make the most out of the August Bank Holiday weekend 2015.

And don’t worry – we’ve even put together a list of things to do if it rains.

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