Yvonne Wee's Blog: Things To Do In London For The August Bank Holiday 2016

The last bank holiday of the year falls on Monday, August 29th 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 2016.

Carnivals and festivals

Notting Hill Carnival

The biggest free 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: 27th-29th August
Opening times: Panorama festival on Sat: 6pm to 10pm, Sunday Parade & Family Day: 10am to 8.30pm. Monday Parade and Grand Finale: 10am to 8.30pm
Further info: Website and Twitter

Festival of Love

Richard Woods Love Story via the Southbank Centre’s Festival of Love 2015

Feel all warm and fuzzy over the weekend, at the Southbank Centre’s annual shout-out to positive human emotion.

If the weather is nice, take a splash in Jeppe Hein’s fickle fountain, Appearing Rooms, with jets shooting out from all over, sometimes when you least expect it.

There are lots of art installations, pop up exhibitions and live entertainment to brighten up the three days off.

When: Saturday, July 9 to Monday, August 29
Further info: Website and Twitter

South West Four

SW4 main stage in 2015

One of the biggest festivals in the country takes place in London over the August Bank Holiday.

You’re going to here the best of Drum & Bass, House, Garage and Dance music on Clapham Common.

Headliners include The Chemical Brothers, Rudimental, Dizzee Rascal and Carl Cox.

When: August Bank Holiday Weekend: Saturday, August 27 to Sunday, August 28
Where: Clapham Common, London
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.

See 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.

This year there is a special exhibition to mark Her Majesty’s 90th birthday, Fashioning A Reign, 90 years of the Queen’s Wardrobe.

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

When: July 23 to October 2
Details: 9.30am to 7.45pm (last entry 5.15pm). Visits last between two and two and a half hours. The State Rooms cost from only £21.50, and to see the State Rooms, Buckingham Palace, the Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace and the Royal Mews it costs £37 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 26 to September 2 – excluding Bank Holiday Monday.
Details: Adults £25.50, concessions available: Book online. Guided tours last approximately 90 minutes.
More info: Website and Twitter

Travel Photographer of the Year

See the winners images from 2015 in a free exhibition featuring entries from more than a hundred different countries.

They have a new venue to view the breathtaking pictures from all over the world, with the exhibition heading to the Stockwell Building at the University of Greenwich.

When: Friday, July 22 to Sunday, September 4
Details: Sun: 10am to 4.30pm, Mon-Thur: 1oam to 6pm, 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 17th year, this gory and gruesome tribute to international fantasy and horror films is now a five day event in 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.

When: Thursday, August 25 to Monday, August 29
Details: VUE West End, West 12 Shopping and Leisure Centre, Shepherds Bush Green. You can buy tickets for individual films for £13.50, 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

You should also try the worlds highest slide, and also the longest tunnel slide, with 178m of sliding to enjoy as you hurtle to the bottom.

From The Slide – at the ArcelorMittal Orbit – you’ll get a view of some of London’s best attractions as you circle the structure a dozen times and whizz down in 40 seconds.

The slide was created by Belgian artist Carsten Höller, who was commissioned by the sculptor’s designer, Sir Anish Kapoor.

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.

We’ve put together a guide to day trips from London and here are a couple of places to visit within striking distance 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 underground Shell Grotto (discovered in 1835).

And here are more things to do in Margate.