· · · · · · ·

Looking for family-friendly luxury in London this summer?

London is a great place for a luxury family break, whatever the time of year, whether it be seeing a great show in the West End or indulging in strawberries and cream at Wimbledon. Here are five ideas of things happening in the capital between June and September 2013 that will prove popular with both adults and children alike.

1. Kids Week, around town

Throughout August, this annual event sees children aged 5-16 go free to a number of West End shows when accompanied by a full-paying adult. Shows and performances are held throughout the West End and beyond, in venues such as WyndamÂ’s Theatre, the Theatre Royal, SadlerÂ’s Wells and the Barbican. Tickets for the best shows go fast and so itÂ’s well worth booking up in advance if youÂ’re planning a visit to London during this time. As well as the shows, there are loads of other goings-on, such as backstage tours, workshops, and dance, writing and singing classes, to name a few of the things on offer.

Kids Week

2. Wimbledon

In 2013, the world’s most iconic tennis tournament begins on Monday 24th June and ends on Sunday 7th July 2013. Getting tickets can be a chore unless you know someone on the inside, especially since this year’s ballot has already closed. If you don’t already have tickets and don’t think anyone important is going to offer you theirs, then the remaining option is to join the queue. While this might sound daunting, it’s a properly British experience! Wimbledon remains one of the very few major UK sporting events where you can still buy premium tickets on the day of play. And the anticipation is half the fun. If you’re not lucky, head up to Henman Hill, or Murray Mount, with some Pimms and strawberries and cream for a quintessentially British day out.

Wimbledon

3. Battersea Park Foodies Festival

The beautiful Battersea Park is home to the Foodies Festival for three days in mid-August – an annual event which travels around the country in the summer months. Enjoy drink masterclasses with tastings, the chefs’ theatre with Michelin-starred experts cooking, pop-up restaurants, live music and entertainment, food and market stalls. There’s also a cookery theatre for the kids too, where they can get hands-on. Buy tickets in advance.

Food festival

4. City of London Festival

Booking for this fantastic event is now open, and it takes place from the 23rd June to the 26th July 2013. The City’s unique buildings and famous outdoor spaces are brought to life with a huge and varied programme of music, visual arts, film, walks and talks. And much of it is free to the public. Choose from an orchestral concerts in St Paul’s Cathedral to intimate chamber recitals in the City’s beautiful but hidden livery halls, or from innovative aerial acrobatics to jazz bands in the Guildhall Yard. Check out the website for a detailed list of whatÂ’s happening.

City of London Festival

5. Jolly Day Out, Hampton Court Palace

Usually falling at the end of August or start of September, this event at HenryÂ’s VIIIÂ’s former home really draws in the crowds for a mixed bag of activities. The palace, on the banks of the Thames in South West London, is a fantastic attraction in itself, but this family mini-festival also features such delights as pig racing, sheep dancing, welly wanging, live music and fun fair rides. ThereÂ’s a theatre tent, circus, and mini-farm as well as market stalls for sample local produce. Buy a Pimms and lemonade, and watch the kids entertain themselves while you relax on the grass.

Coconut shy

Stuart Leckie is Director of Sales & Marketing at St. Ermin’s Hotel.

If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

Did you enjoy this article?

Receive similar content direct to your inbox.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *