What's On

Lido Swimming in the Serpentine

until 12 September

Hyde Park W2. Lido Swimming in the Serpentine is open 7 days a week. Private Sun-bathing area, supervised children's paddling pool, children's playground and refreshments. Adult £3.50-£4, Family from £9.00, Concession £2.50-£3, Child up to £1.
For futher information please contact: www.royalparks.gov.uk/parks/hyde_park

Family Activity Days

until 26 September

Leighton House Museum, 12 Holland Park Road W14 8LZ. Looking for a nice family activity on a Sunday afternoon? Bring the kids along to our creative and fun workshops for families led by engaging artists and musicians. Activities will take place in the garden, weather permitting. For the re-opening of Leighton House Museum we will have a special art display by the pupils of Bevington Primary School along with face-painting and other art events. From £3.00 per ticket.
For futher information please contact: www.rbkc.gov.uk/leightonhousemuseum

Watch This Space

23 July-10 September

National Theatre, South Bank SE1 9PX. Enjoy free theatre, circus, dance, music and entertainment as London's National Theatre brings back its al fresco festival of arts for all the family. For more information visit website.
For futher information please contact: www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/wts

Buckingham Palace Summer Opening

27 July-1 October

Buckingham Palace. Visit Buckingham Palace, one of the world's few remaining working royal palaces, in London this summer. This summer, see lavishly furnished rooms with some of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace. Highlights include: paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Vermeer, Poussin, Canaletto and Claude. Sculpture by Canova and Chantrey. Exquisite examples of Sèvres porcelain. Some of the finest English and French furniture in the world. The special Queen's Year exhibition at the Summer Opening of the State Rooms in 2010 presents the spectacle of the principal national and ceremonial events in the royal calendar. The Queen’s Year exhibit includes displays of ceremonial robes, gifts, uniforms and dresses, as well as archive photography and film to evoke the many and varied aspects of the sovereign's work. The exhibition shows the pageantry, tradition and ceremony of the State Opening of Parliament, the historic Garter Day ceremony at Windsor Castle and Trooping the Colour, as well as investitures, garden parties and State Visits.
For futher information please contact: www.goldentours.com/partner/visitlondon

A Garden Party to Make a Difference

8-19 September

Clarence House, Lancaster House & Marlborough House. The Prince of Wales is joining forces with musicians, comedians, environmental experts and some of Britain's best known companies to create a unique festival in the heart of London. The Prince is opening up his own gardens at Clarence House together with his neighbours' gardens at Lancaster House and Marlborough House this September under the heading 'A Garden Party to Make a Difference'. Lasting 12 days from 8-19 September, 'A Garden Party to Make a Difference' is part of The Prince of Wales's 'Start' initiative launched in February and aims to give people of all ages a fun day out while at the same time, via the exhibits, demonstrate the small steps that can be taken by all of us interested in building a more sustainable future. This is a rare opportunity to visit these historic gardens and entry will be from 10am-6pm daily, there will be timed entry at hourly intervals with final admission at 4pm. The 12 day Garden Party in the heart of London will be an intriguing blend of exhibitions, interactive displays, fun activities and live performances throughout the day from comedians, musicians and speakers. Each area of the Garden Party will be curated by a celebrity champion including: Jools Holland (music), Jonathan Dimbleby, Sanjeev Bhaskar & Clive Anderson (debate), Marcus Brigstocke and Hugh Dennis (comedy), Alan Titchmarch (growing & gardens), Kate Humble (food and outdoors), Roger Saul and Kevin McCloud (Ecocars) and Dame Vivienne Westwood (fashion). The event is also being supported by some of the biggest brands and household names such as Asda, B&Q, BT, EDF Energy, IBM, M&S, Virgin Money and Waitrose. Visitors will be able to step into the future with displays and interactive exhibitions about cutting edge green technology and ideas. Visit three fascinating gardens in the heart of London including the Prince of Wales's own vegetable patch and rose gardens. Design and sew bags from recycled materials and display them. Taste food and learn cooking tips from some of the country's top food experts. Listen to comedians, musicians and speakers on a rolling performance programme on two different stages. Visit over 100 displays and exhibitions. Tickets are priced at £15 (adult) & £7.50 (child) and are available from www.startuk.org or by calling 0844 248 5062. Tickets are timed for entry purposes only. Full details on the Garden Party website.
For futher information please contact: www.startuk.org

Eid

10-12 September

Various venues in London. Celebrate the Muslim festival of Eid. Previous years have included an event in Trafalgar Square, with live performances, food stalls, exhibitions and more! Eid in London. Eid celebrations in Trafalgar Square were first introduced in 2006. A huge event, Eid in the Square, was organised by the Mayor of London and the Muslim Council of Britain. Eid in the Square has been held annually ever since, and the London Eid party has gone on to get bigger and better each year! Last year thousands of people headed to central London to celebrate Eid in Trafalgar Square, with Asian music from star performers, Asian food stalls and displays on Islam. Eid in the Square is a wonderful opportunity for London's communities to come together. Watch this space for details of the next Eid celebrations in London!
For futher information please contact: www.london.gov.uk

The Royal Horse Gala

11-12 September

The O2, Peninsula Square, London, SE10 0DX. Horse and theatre lovers alike will be thrilled by the spectacle of 36 impressive stallions- Lipizzaners from the Lipica Stud; Andalusians from the Spanish Riding school of Samuel Lopez Ortiz at Albecete; Lusitanoes from different Portugese Riding School, Friesians from the Royal Stud of the Netherlands as well as the highly trainable Arabs performing flamboyant displays of classical dressage and horsemanship to the rhythmic sounds of flamenco music enhanced by spectacular theatrical lighting that will conjure up all the passion of Spain.

Elegance, harmony and power combine in a demonstration of the partnership and the special bond that exists between horse and rider. Among the performances that the stallions and their immensely talented riders in bright and exotic costumes will present are: a simulated garrocha – the work with the bull that will have spectators on the edge of their seats; a breathtaking piaffe to music and Pas de Deux – horse ballet at its best; incredible circus acts; group performances such as the majestic Grand Quadrille and the piece de resistance, a complete Grand Prix performance on the long rein by Raphael Lopez, Master Horse Trainer of Caballos Espanoles. French horse whisperer Jean-Marc Imbert, who trains his horses bareback using only his voice, will make a special guest appearance.

Tickets are available from the O2 Arena London on (0844) 856 0202 and on line from www.kililive.com, www.ticketmaster.co.uk, www.eventim.co.uk, www.ticketfactory.com
For futher information please contact: www.kililive.com

Battle of Britain 70th Anniversary Living History Weekend

11-12 September

Royal Air Force Museum, Grahame Park Way, Hendon NW9 5LL. The Royal Airforce Museum in London marks the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain with a series of themed events. Bring the whole family to the RAF Battle of Britain Living History Weekend to watch re-enactments and learn more about life during the battle. The museum's Battle of Britain weekend in September is a family-friendly event featuring re-enactors, talks, tours and much more. Highlights include: Flypast by a Spitfire and Hurricane from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (weather permitting), Living history areas with re-enactors, Performance by the RAFA band, Film screenings of the Battle of Britain and Deep Blue Sky in the Museum's 250-seat cinema, Archive film footage from the Battle of Britain including the White Eagle which examines the contribution made by Polish Fighter Pilots during the Battle of Britain, and Fighter Pilot which shows actual Battle footage, Outdoor vintage vehicle display, Dr Michael Fopp (historian and former Director General of the RAF Museum) giving a series of lectures about the Battle of Britain.
For futher information please contact: www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london

Heritage Open Days

11-12 September

Dorich House Museum, 67 Kingston Vale SW15 3RN. Heritage Open Days celebrates England's architecture and culture. Every year, over four days in September, buildings of every age, style and function throw open their doors to the public. Expect everything from castles to factories, town halls to barns and parish churches to Buddhist temples. Adult from £4.00 per ticket, Concession from £3.00 per ticket, Child free.
For futher information please contact: www.kingston.ac.uk/dorich

Battle of Britain Weekend

11-12 September

Royal Air Force Museum, Grahame Park Way, Hendon NW9 5LL. A family weekend consisting of re-enactors, talks, tours and much more. Telephone: 020 8205 2266.
For futher information please contact: www.rafmuseum.org.uk

Open House Weekend

18-19 September

Myddelton House Gardens (Myddelton House Gardens, Bulls Cross, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 9HG) and Three Mills (Three Mills Lane, Bromley by Bow, London E3 3DU). Suitable for everyone. xplore some of the wonderful buildings within Lee Valley Regional Park, London’s biggest open space, on this free open weekend, part of Open House London 2010. The annual campaign offers an opportunity to go inside interesting buildings across London – many which are usually closed to the public!
For futher information please contact: www.leevalleypark.org.uk

Lee Valley Indoor Minithon

19 September

Lee Valley Athletics Centre, Meridian Way, Edmonton, London N9 OAR. An athletics competition at London’s award winning, state of the art Lee Valley Athletics Centre. Open to school years Three – Seven, the minithon includes a range of different disciplines, including long jump, hurdles and shot putt. Medals will be presented by a top Great Britain athlete. Entry forms available on 020 8344 7230. Booking essential from £7.
For futher information please contact: www.leevalleypark.org.uk

My Garden in Autumn

25 September

Myddelton House Gardens, Bulls Cross, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 9HG. Take a stroll with our gardener to enjoy the colours of autumn and the many seasonal plants in the beautiful Myddelton House Gardens in Enfield. Take in the beautiful carp lake, conservatory, rock garden and a number of historical artefacts.
For futher information please contact: www.leevalleypark.org.uk