August is the peak ‘summer’ month in London (though, as any English person will tell you, you can still experience all four seasons in one day in this month!) However, temperatures are hopefully warm enough to stroll outside in the Royal Parks, wander along the River Thames and eat al fresco in the evening - not to mention enjoying all the other amazing attractions that London offers inside (think hip galleries, world-class museums, unusual exhibitions, and top theatre)
Many Londoners head out of the capital this time of the year, on their annual summer holidays, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be plenty going on - after all, this is a city that welcomes millions of tourists a year. Let’s take a look at some of the things you can do this month in our fantastic capital city…
1. The Promenade Concerts (‘Proms’) - Ongoing through August
We mention them every year in this blog but how could we not? The Proms (or ‘Promenade Concerts’) take place every night of August, in the heart of London’s fashionable Kensington district, and we think it safe to say that there’s nothing like this classical musical festival anywhere else in the world.
The venue in which they are set - the Royal Albert Hall - is magnificent (it holds over 5,000 and its distinctive red bricked exterior is actually made up of 80,000 blocks of terracotta and 6 million red bricks!).
Historically, a promenade concert was held in a pleasure garden and audiences were encouraged to move around as the performance progressed. They’ve been held here since 1895 and today - although they comprise predominantly of classical music concerts - there are jazz offerings, and specially-themed events for children (‘Dr Who’ and ‘Wildlife Jamboree’ have proved very popular in previous years).
Whether you buy a seat or stand in the arena, you’ll have an incredible time - and the ‘Last Night’ event is extraordinary, with people singing ‘Rule Brittania’ and waving Union Jacks. This is about as British as it gets so try and fit in a performance.
2. Enjoy an Outdoor Screening of ‘Grease’ at Waterloo’s Lower Marsh - 28th August
There’s nothing more fun than attending an outdoor movie screening in the summer in London - and all over the capital this August you can find opportunities to see a film for free. Whether you head to Canary Wharf, Kings Cross or the centre, the deckchairs are free - just arrive early to get your spot!
The one we’re recommending however is close to Waterloo Station and South Bank. ‘Lower Marsh Lates’ are offering some cool singalongs, including Mamma Mia, Dirty Dancing and the iconic movie Grease. Lower Marsh Street boasts fantastic street food stalls and cocktail bars, and who can’t enjoy an evening drinking a margherita, noshing away and singing ‘Hopelessly Devoted to You’ at the top of their lungs?
A true fun night out.
3. ‘Good Night Oscar’ - theatre at the Barbican through August
Coming to the West End - the Barbican - for a limited seven week run, this Tony award-winning play is well worth seeing. Set in 1958, it takes a look at the life of Oscar Levant, a brilliant pianist, composer and conductor, who also possessed a razor-sharp wit and plenty of neurotic charisma to go with it.
Born in 1906, Levant was a piano prodigy who not only knew George Gerswhin well but performed Rhapsody in Blue to a degree that left audiences spellbound. ‘Good Night Oscar’ opens to the scene of a late-night tv talk show…with Oscar as the guest. But behind the laughter lies something about which few are aware - his battle with his mental health. Indeed, Levant would end up addicted to prescription drugs and committed to a psychiatric hospital by his wife.
Levant’s mood swings - from famous manic highs to unbearably cruel depressions - and his neurotic, tortured ways, are sensitively explored in this play and a must-see for anyone curious about the highs and lows that often come with creative genius. And, to boot, Sean Hayes gives an outstanding performance…
4. ‘Meet the Scientist’ at the Natural History Museum - Mondays, Tuesday and Thursdays throughout August
If you’re a parent, then the summer holidays can seem endless, stretching from mid July to the beginning of September (which is a lot of hours to occupy the little ones). Fear not, because London’s full of incredible museums, which are all free to enter, and one we can’t recommend highly enough is the Natural History Museum, in the heart of South Kensington.
World-famous, for all the right reasons, it’s the kind of place you return to again and again - with so much to see. A blue whale skeleton, the
Volcanoes and Earthquakes’ gallery, exhibitions on Darwin, an extraordinary gemstone collection, an open-air pond, the magnificent Mastodon skeleton…it’s truly awe-inspiring!
And this summer, the Museum is running ‘Meet the Scientist’ events throughout August, where kids can rock up and meet scientists who work here, ask all of their burning questions and even find out more about careers in the field.
History at this museum is never boring!
5. Notting Hill Carnival - 23rd. 24th and 25th August
Arguably one of the greatest festivals in the world, the Notting Hill Carnival is - as usual - one of London’s top events in August, taking place on the Bank Holiday weekend at the month’s end. Celebrating the music, food and unique culture of the British West Caribbean community, it’s the kind of event you go to and remember years later.
On Saturday, there’s the steel band competition, Sunday is family day (kids are definitely welcome!) and Monday is the climax of the festival with a huge parade, sound systems and plenty of reggae on the live stage.
Expect dazzling and colourful costumes, extraordinarily- decorated floats and endless and plenty of bands playing music so loud that you might think you’re going to end up deaf. Grab yourself some of the amazing street food (think Jamaican jerk chicken, peas and rice and Guyanese pepper pot!) and have a blast at this special street party.
Even better, it’s free entry.
Finally, if you’re looking for a place to stay whilst in London, then why not head north to leafy Hampstead, to our comfortable, family-run and family-owned guest accommodation. La Gaffe Hotel London is just three minutes walk from the tube, a quick stroll both to the lush, green Heath and charming Hampstead Village, and we offer you a warm welcome and a great breakfast cappuccino…
To find out more about our story or to book a room directly, feel free to contact us by email or phone. We’ll be happy to welcome you to our special corner of London!