Any Londoner will tell you that summer is a glorious time to be in the capital, as the warmer weather brings with it an influx of outdoor events, adding to the city’s year-round rich cultural offering. Whether you choose to stroll through the Royal Palaces or take to the streets by bicycle, you’re sure to fall for London in July.
Buckingham Palace Summer Opening
The time has come again for the annual summer opening of Buckingham Palace, when visitors are given the chance to tour the magnificent State Rooms, as well as Buckingham Palace garden where wild flowers flourish amidst over 200 trees and by the tranquil three-acre lake. This year, the Royal Palace’s special summer exhibition will be ‘Fashioning a Reign: 90 Years of Style from The Queen’s Wardrobe’, in honour of the Queen’s 90th birthday.
Buckingham Palace Summer Opening
23rd July – 2nd October 2016
RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show
A former Royal Residence, Hampton Court Palace, will also be in the limelight in July as it hosts the celebrated horticultural event, RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. As the world’s largest event of its kind, the show attracts visitors from across the globe with its impressive floral displays, talks from horticultural experts and family activities.
RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show
5th – 10th July 2016
Prudential RideLondon
This two-day cycling festival is set to return to the capital in July to champion the virtues of cycling in London. With roads closed off, families can safely set out on bike rides throughout the festival period in central London. Professional cyclists will also be playing a part by competing in the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic and Prudential RideLondon Grand Prix.
Prudential RideLondon
30th – 31st July 2016
London Wonderground
Without missing a beat, Southbank continues its schedule of dynamic events with the return of London Wonderground, an amalgamation of circus, cabaret and other family entertainment. The 1920s-style Paradiso Spiegeltent will be the setting for these shows, with other attractions such as the 60-metre high Star Flyer, and a selection of bars and street-food vendors along the river.
London Wonderground
From 5th May – 25th September 2016
David Hockney at the Royal Academy
As the eminent artist returns to the Royal Academy for his latest exhibition, the focus falls on his recent portraits – 82 of them, in fact, in the exhibition titled David Hockney RA: 82 Portraits and 1 Still-Life. An anticipated collection from this celebrated artist, the paintings give an insight into Hockney’s last two years in the LA art world.
David Hockney RA: 82 Portraits and 1 Still-Life
From 2nd July – 2nd October 2016
Summer Series at Somerset House
Each year, as London makes the most of its long summer evenings, Somerset House hosts the Summer Series music programme, a line-up of open-air concerts within the historic venue’s resplendent courtyard. The programme spans an eclectic offering of genres, from the indie rocks sounds of Courtney Barnett to the house and jazz fusion by Caravan Palace.
Summer Series at Somerset House
Various dates throughout July
Georgia O’Keeffe at Tate Modern
The work of the American artist who’s famous worldwide for her iconic flower paintings will be on display at the Tate Modern from early July. See the vibrant New Mexico desert landscapes, animal skulls and magnified flower images that made O’Keeffe so important in the history of modernism. A staggering 100-plus works will be brought together in this greatly anticipated exhibition.
Georgia O’Keeffe at Tate Modern
From 6th July – 30th October 2016
BBC Proms 2016
While this event’s title of ‘the world’s greatest classical music festival’ is self-proclaimed, it certainly is hard to disagree. This eight-week extravaganza features an impressive line-up of show-stopper classical music concerts, many of which take place within the grand Royal Albert Hall, with talks, workshops and other events to take part in, too, culminating in the prestigious Last Night of the Proms at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
BBC Proms 2016
15th July – 10th September 2016
To take in all of the major sites on your wish-list, join one of our whistle-stop London city tours, set out along the magnificent River Thames on a scenic cruise, or take a break from sightseeing by indulging in a quintessentially English afternoon tea.
Image credits: Cover photo of the Somerset House Summer Series. Buckingham Palace Summer Opening © Royal Collection Trust. RHS Hampton Court Flower Show © Flickr / World Skills UK. Prudential Ride London © Flickr / See Li. London Wonderground © Fox Fotos. David Hockey RA © Barry Humphries / Royal Academy / photo by Richard Schmidt. Summer Series at Somerset House. Artworks by Georgia O’Keeffe © Flickr / Shinya Suzuki. The BBC Proms © Flickr / Yuichi Shiraishi.
