What's on in London during July, 2009. A summer of Royal pageantry, music, fine art and food festivals, performing arts, antiques and retro fairs, together with sporting highlights of tennis at Wimbledon, rowing at Henley, cricket at Lords. From the diary of Burlington Bertie, OfftoLondon's Man About Town.

Hampton Court Palace
Date: Daily, Summer opening times 10am- 6pm, 2009.
Tickets: £14, ( concessions and online booking discount).
London Transport: Nearest Tube: Richmond.
Description: Hampton Court Palace really comes to life this year, the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII's accession to the throne. Historic Royal Palaces, the organization which runs this and the infamous Tower of London where Henry had his cast-off wives beheaded, has marked the occasion with spectacular events, exhibitions and re-enactments here and at the Tower, (joint ticket discount available). Check for specific dates and event highlights, including archery, fencing, falconry, re-enactments, lectures, Tudor Kitchen.
Of particular interest are the River Coronation Pageant, (20-21 June), Tudor Jousting Tournament, (29-31 August), and Tudor Christmas, (28 December-3 January, 2010). See also my article Hampton Court Palace and Tudor Banquets.
Venue Hire You can hire Henry VIII's magnificent Great Hall and other Palace venues with costumed guides, etc., for entertaining, conferences, wedding and civil partnership receptions, your own sumptuous banquets, functions or film location. Check Venue Hire at Hampton Court Palace for details, 2009 special offers and bookings.
Wheelchair Accessibility: Yes. The ground floor of the Palace is wheelchair accessible and there are limited facilities for viewing the upper floors with the use of an elevator. Accessible Toilets. See Palace Disabled Access for full details.

Buckingham Palace State Rooms
Venue: Buckingham Palace, Westminster, SW1A 1AA.
Date:. Book now for summer opening 1 August-27 September daily 9.45am-6pm, 2009
Tickets: £16.50. (timed entry). Take advantage of special online discounts and advance booking.
London Transport: Nearest Tube: Victoria Rail Terminal; Hyde Park Corner; Green Park.
Description: The State Rooms form the heart of The Queen's working palace and have been lavishly decorated by succeeding monarchs and furnished with some of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection - paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Poussin and Canaletto; sculpture by Canova; exquisite examples of Sèvres porcelain; and some of the finest English and French furniture; a feast of Fine Art, artifacts and historical royal heritage that should not be missed. This year's special summer exhibition mounted in the State Ballroom shows dresses, jewels, photographs and gifts presented to The Queen during 60 years of the Commonwealth, of which She is titular head, and over 170 Royal Tours made by Her Majesty to Commonwealth countries.
Time your visit to see the colourful Changing the Guard ceremony outside. This takes place daily, weather permitting, at 11.30am May through July and on alternate days thereafter. See Shophound Alexia's Free London for details.
Wheelchair accessibility: Yes. Adapted Toilets: Yes.

Kensington Palace
Venue: Kensington Gardens, W8 4PX. Tel: 0870 751 5170.
Date: Daily. Summer opening times 10am-6pm, 2009.
Tickets: From £11, (concessions and online discount). Book Online
London Transport: Nearest Tube: High Street, Kensington.
Description: As well as the fascinating exhibition of Court Ceremonial dress which gives us a good idea of the splendour of the British Court, (compare this with the V&A Museum Exhibition The Magnificence of the Tsars), there is a great deal worth seeing, from the Cupola Room, where Queen Victoria was baptised, to the exquisite trompe d'oeuil ceiling executed by Palladian architect William Kent for George II, (1722). While the original State Rooms have been turned into a museum, this is still a working palace and Royal Residence, housing working members of the Royal Family. Princess Diana lived here after her divorce.
Wheelchair Accessibility: Yes. Adapted Toilets: Yes

Banqueting House Lunchtime Concerts
Venue: Banqueting House, Whitehall, SW1A 2ER, Tel: 0870 751 5187
Date: 29 June, 6 July, plus Autumn dates. 2009. From 12 noon.
Tickets: £17.50 inc. light buffet lunch at 12.15pm preceding performance. Tickets available from the Banqueting House or by telephone 0203 166 6153.
London Transport: Nearest Tube: Westminster, Embankment.
Description: The renowned monthly lunchtime concerts of chamber music and song recitals. This is the perfect way to admire the Rubens ceiling, a pictorial paean to the Stuart belief in the 'Divine right of Kings', a concept that cost Charles I his head. See website for concert details and Offtolondon's Banqueting house for descriptive details of this exquisite relic of the great Stuart Palace of Whitehall.
Venue Hire You can hire the historic and impressive Banqueting House for entertaining, conferences, wedding and civil partnership receptions, functions or film location. Check Venue Hire for details and bookings.
Wheelchair Accessibility: Yes for portable/standard size wheelchairs.

Buckingham Palace State Rooms
Venue: Buckingham Palace, Westminster, SW1A 1AA.
Date:. Closed. Book now for summer opening: 1 August-27 September daily 9.45am-6pm, 2009
Tickets: £16.50. (timed entry). Take advantage of special online discounts and advance booking.
London Transport: Nearest Tube: Victoria Rail Terminal; Hyde Park Corner; Green Park.
Description: The State Rooms form the heart of The Queen's working palace and have been lavishly decorated by succeeding monarchs and furnished with some of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection - paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Poussin and Canaletto; sculpture by Canova; exquisite examples of Sèvres porcelain; and some of the finest English and French furniture; a feast of Fine Art, artifacts and historical royal heritage that should not be missed. This year's special summer exhibition mounted in the State Ballroom shows dresses, jewels, photographs and gifts presented to The Queen during 60 years of the Commonwealth, of which she is titular head, and over 170 Royal Tours made by Her Majesty to Commonwealth countries.
Time your visit to see the colourful Changing the Guard ceremony outside. This takes place daily, weather permitting, at 11.30am May through July and on alternate days thereafter. See Shophound Alexia's Free London for details.
Wheelchair accessibility: Yes. Adapted Toilets: Yes.

Clarence House
Venue: St. James's Palace, SW1A 1BS, (entry from the Mall). Tel: 020 7766 7303.
Date: Closed. Book now for summer opening. 10am-3pm, 5 August-27 September 2009.
Tickets: £8, (concessions), Take advantage of special online discounts and advance booking.
London Transport: Nearest Tube: Green Park.
Description: Built by John Nash for the Duke of Clarence who became King William IV from 1830 until 1837 and used it as his palace, it was later the home of The Queen, then Princess Elizabeth and The Duke of Edinburgh following their marriage in 1947, and thereafter the London home of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother from 1953 until 2002. It is now the official London residence of Charles, Prince of Wales and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.
Wheelchair Accessibility: Yes. Adapted Toilets: No

The Royal Mews
Venue: Buckingham Palace, Westminster, SW1A 1AA, London. Entrance in Buckingham Palace Road.
Date: Daily. Summer opening timesDaily.11am-4pm until 31 October, 2009.
Tickets: £7.50, (concessions), Take advantage of special online discounts and advance booking.
London Transport: Nearest Tube: Victoria Station.
Description: The Mews houses the Queen's horses in what are undoubtedly one of the finest working stables in existence. Also on view are the Monarch's State Coach and other official vehicles.

Kew Palace
Venue: Kew Gardens.
Access: Daily. 11am-5pm, Mon. 10am-5pm Tues-Sun, 2009.
Tickets: £5, (concessions). This does not include entry to Kew Gardens.
London Transport: Nearest Tube: Kew Gardens.
Description: The country palace of George III, (d.1820) and his Queen Charlotte, Kew Palace has recently been meticulously refurbished under Royal patronage and is a masterpiece of Georgian taste, decor and furnishings.

Palace of Westminster
Venue: Westminster, London SW1A 1AA.
Date: Summer opening 3 August- 3 October, 2009. Guided tours daily, Monday to Saturday inclusive during Parliament's summer recess.
Tickets: Book Online, (strongly recommended), or buy on the day at the Jewel Tower ticket office opposite. Check website for prices, concessions and possible security restrictions.
London Transport: Nearest Tube: Westminster.
Description: This is a fascinating guided tour and an unrivalled opportunity to see the Victorian Neo-Gothic magnificence of the Palace of Westminster with its debating Chambers of the 'House of Commons' and 'House of Lords'.
Wheelchair accessibility: Yes. Adapted Toilets: Yes.

The Golden Hinde
Venue:Pickfords Wharf/Clink St., London SE1 9DG. Tel: 020 7407 7056.
Date:Daily 10am - 5.30pm, 2008.
Tickets: £7. (Concessions).
London Transport: Nearest Tube: London Bridge.
Description: This is an exact working replica of Sir Francis Drake's Naval Flagship the Tudor warship Golden Hinde in which Sir Francis Drake circumnavigated the world 1577-1580. This exact reconstruction, a fully working ship, was launched in Devon in 1973. Since then she has circumnavigated the globe and sailed over 140,000 miles - many more than the original. Her present berth is the St Mary Overie Dock on Thames South Bank, just a short walk from the Clink Prison Museum, Shakespeare's Globe and Tate Modern. This is a living history experience of particular interest to maritime history buffs and children from six to sixty! Explore the 5 decks and the 22 canons.
Venue Hire You can hire the Golden Hinde for entertaining, conferences, wedding and civil partnership receptions, functions or film location. Families can also arrange sleepovers on the gun deck. Check website for details and bookings.

City of London Festival.
Venue:Various, including St. Paul's Cathedral, 6 historic City churches rebuilt by Wren after the 1666 fire, the Barbican, Museum of London, and Bank of England.
Dates: 15 June - 15 August, Day and Evenings. 2008.
Tickets:From £5- £45. Plus many free open air events.
London Transport:Nearest Tube: St. Paul's, Bank, Blackfriars, Chancery Lane.
Description: A summer feast of international classical, contemporary, jazz and World Music and the arts, covering orchestral and chamber music, recitals, opera, literature, visual arts, film, a student film and video competition and architectural walks and talks. In addition there is a programme of jazz, late night comedy, and other entertainment afloat on the River Thames and lots of free open air gigs and street entertainment. See website for full details, booking info, etc.
Dress:No dress code.
Wheelchair Accessibility: Check website for Wheelchair Accessibility, special seating arrangements, and Accessible Toilets at individual venues and events.

V&A. Hats
Venue: Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, , South Kensington, SW7 2RL.
Date: Until 31May, 2009. Daily 10am-5:45pm, Fri 10am-10pm.
Tickets: £5, (Concessions). Book Online or at door.
London Transport: Nearest Tubes. South Kensington .
Description Working with radical hat designer, Stephen Jones, the V&A presents an 'anthology of hats'. Drawn from V&A and international collections and ranging in style and period from a 17th-century Puritan's hat to a 1950s Balenciaga couture piece to hats by Jones and his contemporaries including to the latest creations by young milliners such as Noel Stewart, the exhibition investigates the cultural and historic importance of millinery.
Wheelchair accessibility: Yes. Adapted Toilets: Yes.
See also Shophound Alexia's FREE London.

Sherlock Holmes Museum
Venue 221b Baker Street, NW1 6XE. Tel: 020 7935 8866.
Tickets Adult £6, Child £4. Daily 9:30a.m. - 6:00p.m. Discount Group admissions for 10 + persons. Advance booking telephone: 020 7738 1269, Online or email: info@sherlock-holmes.co.uk
London Transport Nearest Tube. Baker Street. Nos 13 and 139 buses run between Baker Street and Trafalgar Square. The trams and horse drawn hansom cabs of Holmes's day are regrettably a thing of the past.
Description Permanent Exhibition. Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson lived at 221b Baker Street, (built 1815), between 1881-1904, according to Holmes's biographer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The famous 1st floor study, where the world's most illustrious detective played the violin while pondering and solving those mystifying cases before the use of fingerprints or DNA made detection so much easier, is still faithfully maintained as it was kept in those late Victorian and Edwardian days of gaslight, horse drawn Hansom cabs and London fogs. Nothing has changed. The rooms are exactly as described by Conan Doyle. Sherlock Holmes's possessions are in their usual places: his deerstalker, magnifying glass, calabash pipe, violin, chemistry equipment, notebook, Persian slippers and disguises, soda water gazogene on the sideboard. Dr Watson's hand-written notes made at the time of the famous case of the Hounds of the Baskervilles may be perused and visitors will be interested to admire a waxwork in the likeness of the infamous Moriarty. Strongly recommended to all admirers of Holmes.
Wheelchair Accessibility: No.

Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms
Venue: Clive Steps, King Charles Street, SW1A 2AQ.: 0207 416 5320.
Date: Daily, 9.30am-6pm.2009.
London Transport: Nearest Tube: Westminster; St.James's Park..
Tickets: £12.95.(Concessions). Book online. The rest of the museum is FREE.
Description: Experience the Cabinet War Rooms, housed beneath London's streets, where Winston Churchill and his War Cabinet led the country throughout the Blitz and through the Second World War. This is also a museum devoted to the life and work of Winston Churchill.  
Wheelchair Accessibility: Yes. Adapted Toilets: Yes. Accessible cafe.

Leighton House Museum and Art Gallery
Venue: 12 Holland Park Road, W14 8LZ.
Date: 11am-5.30 pm daily except Tuesdays, 2009.
Tickets: £3, (Concessions). Pay at door.
London Transport: Nearest Tube: Kensington; High Street, Kensington. Carparking: Olympia Hylton NCP.
Description: Permanent Exhibition. Victorian opulence in art and architecture shown at its best and most spectacular, (or worst and most decadent if your taste is for modern minimalist). The former studio-house of the great Victorian artist Frederic, Lord Leighton (1830-1896), who designed and decorated it between 1864 and 1879, the house is one of the most extraordinary buildings of the nineteenth century. Filled with golden mosaics, gilded walls, elaborate paintwork, domed ceilings, trickling fountains, cool marble and peacock blue tiles. Leighton House also became home to the owner's extensive collection of Victorian paintings, 81 of which are exhibited here together with a fine collection of ceramics and lustreware. Over 1000 Islamic tiles adorn the Arab Hall, reflecting the influence the East had on Lord Leighton following his travels. It forms the centrepiece and focal point of the house.
The Arab Hall, Dining Hall or Studio are available to hire for receptions and functions.
Wheelchair accessibility: No.

241st Royal Academy Summer Exhibition Venue: Burlington House, Piccadilly, W1J 0BD. Tel: 020 7300 8000.
Dates: 8 June-16 August, 2009. 10am-6pm daily. Fridays 10am-10pm.
Tickets: £9, (Concessions). Book online or Tel:0844 209 1919.
London Transport: Nearest Tube. Green Park; Piccadilly Circus.
Description: The two centuries old Royal Academy Summer Exhibition is now world's largest open submission contemporary art exhibition, with a tradition of showcasing work for sale by unknown and emerging artists alongside that of more established and even august names. Past Royal Academicians include William Blake and JMW Turner, whose work is now permanently on exhibition at Tate Britain, (see Shophound Alexia's Free London for details), and more recently Sir Peter Blake and David Hockney,
The Summer Exhibition attracts about 9,000 paintings, sculptures, photographs, drawings, prints and architectural models, most of which you can buy, though what you may like may well have received a red sticker at the opening Private View. This event is very much a part of the London social scene and tickets to the Private View, (obtainable from the Special Events Manager), are a notable and sometimes memorable occasion.
Friday late evenings are now a popular option, with table service dining and jazz music, (advance booking recommended).
Dress: Artistically casual - or casually artistic. The opening Private View is artistically smart or artistically eccentric, or possibly an idiosyncratic and occasionally flamoyant fusion of the two.
Wheelchair Accessibility: Yes. Accessible toilets Yes. Two designated disabled parking slots. Full details Online

Bonham's 101 New Bond Street, W1S 1SR. Tel: 0207 447 7447.
Christies, 85 Old Brompton Road, SW7 3LD. Tel: 020 7930 6074.
Sotheby's, 34-35 New Bond Street, W1. Tel: 020 7293 5000.

Sadler's Wells: Ballet & Dance
Date: July, 2009.
Venue: Sadler's Wells Theatre, Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TN and Peacock Theatre, Portugal Street, Holborn, WC2.
London Transport: Nearest Tube. Angel.
Tickets: Book Online, in person at Box Office, or Tel: +44 (0)870 737 7737. Early booking advisable.
Description: A summer season of classical and modern dance at Sadler's Wells and London Coliseum includes Matthew Bourne's acclaimed Dorian Gray, the return of the monks from the Shaolin Temple, the Jazz Dance Company, and Carlos Acosta.
Wheelchair Accessibility: Yes. Accessible toilets Yes.

Shakespeare's Globe: 2009 Summer Season
Date: Until 10 October, 2009.
Venue: 21 New Globe Walk, SE1 9ED. Tel: 020 7401 9199.
Tickets: £5 - £33. Book online
London Transport: Nearest Tube. Southwark.
Description: The July programme features new productions of Romeo and Juliet, As You Like It, Troilus and Cressida, Love's Labours Lost. Step back in time at the Globe to Tudor London and join in the hearty audience participation!
Dine before or after the performance, at the nearby Oxo Tower Restaurant or the Yakitori. Venue Hire You can hire the Swan at the Globe with its view overlooking the Thames for entertaining, conferences, wedding and civil partnership receptions and functions or film location. Check website for details and bookings.
Wheelchair Accessibility: Check website for special arrangements.

77th Regent's Park Open Air Theatre Summer Season
Venue: Regent's Park, NW1 Tel: 0870 060 1811
Date: Until 12 September, 2009. Morning, afternoon and evening perfs.
Tickets: £. Book online
London Transport: Nearest Tube. Baker Street.
Description: A program of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, The Tempest, Much Ado About Nothing, Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Ernest, and the musical Hello Dolly in the most perfect open air parkland setting. Check website for diary and details.
Wheelchair Accessibility & Toilets: Check website for special seating arrangements and discounts. Make your requirements known when booking.

BBC Henry Wood Promenade Concert Season 2009
Venue: Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AP, and other venues.
Date: 17 July - 12 September, 2009
Tickets: Book online, telephone +44 (0)20 7489 8212 or apply in person at BBC Proms Box Office, Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7. 1400 Standing places are available nightly on a first come first served basis. If you are aiming to attend the 'Last night of the Proms', book seats now or be prepared to dress up and queue on the night with the dedicated for standing only Arena tickets. Avid prommers will buy the new BBC Proms Weekend Pass at special discounted price.
London Transport: Nearest Tubes. Knightsbridge (Piccadilly Line), High St Kensington (Circle and District Lines) and South Kensington (all three lines), are 10 minutes walk away. Bus nos 9, 10, 49 and 52 pass the Hall. Car parking space in the area is limited.
Description: For nine weeks every summer, the Royal Albert Hall, London's historic and majestic musical venue, resounds to the sound of more than 70 great concerts. The season, which began in 1895, covers choral, operatic and symphonic works of music from the 15th century to today's living composers. A widely ranging programme of music ancient and modern, from Purcell to Stan Tracey, 'the godfather of British jazz', features performances by orchestras, soloists and choirs from all over the world. In addition to the nightly Royal Albert Hall concerts, weekly Monday lunchtime performances of chamber and solo music are performed in nearby Cadogan Hall, (in Pont Street, off Sloane Street). In addition, there are musical and literary introductions, interviews, workshops and other Proms-related events, (either free to all or free to Prom ticket holders). Times and venues vary.
Open air Prom concerts are televised live from London's Hyde Park, Belfast, Glasgow, Swansea and Manchester during the Prom season's final week, and of course 'The Last Night of the Proms' has achieved worldwide popularity through the medium of radio and television. BBC Radio 3 broadcasts every nightly promenade concert live both on air and online, and over half are shown live on TV.
Dress: No dress code but Arena Prommers dress in party gear for the famous Last Night of the Proms.
Wheelchair Accessibility: Yes. Adapted Toilets: Yes. Inform box office of your requirements when booking.

English Heritage Picnic Concerts 2009 - Kenwood House
Venue: Kenwood House (Iveagh Bequest), Hampstead Heath, NW37JR
Date: 7.30pm. 27 June - 22 August, 2009.
Tickets: From £29-£39. Book concert and picnic online.
London Transport: Nearest Tube: Highgate, (20+ mins). Car parking at Kenwood House.
Description: The delightful annual series of open air concerts in the beautiful lakeside grounds of English Heritage managed Kenwood House is now firmly back on the calendar after a hiatus caused by local licensing problems. This neo-classical mansion was remodeled by Robert Adam between 1764-73 and later donated to the Nation by Edward Cecil Guinness, first Earl of Iveagh in 1927, together with his priceless art collection. The grounds and lake are magnificent and provide a perfect setting for music on a summer's evening. The concerts take place at sunset, and you are encouraged to enjoy a pre-show picnic and champagne. This year's line-up includes James Morrison, the Gi[psy Kings, Jools Holland and Alfie Boe.
Wheelchair accessibility: Yes. Adapted Toilets: Yes. Car parking in the grounds.

Royal Albert Hall Daytime Tours
Venue: Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, SW7 2A
Date: Daily, 10.30am-3.30pm, 2009.
Tickets: From £8. Online booking, (strongly recommended to ensure a place), or at the Box Office. Limited parking offered. See venue website for details.
London Transport: Nearest Tube: Knightsbridge, Kensington High Street.
Description: A memorable tour of this historic rotunda hall, opened 1871 by Queen Victoria. Some 330 shows and major musical events take place here each year, (see What's On for details and online booking), and the tour may well include the opportunity to see rehearsals and technical preparations.
Wheelchair accessibility: Yes. Adapted Toilets: Yes.

Offtolondon Theatre Breaks and Offers
Date: Ongoing.
Venue: West End and City theatres
Tickets: Online booking for all seats, accommodation, etc.
Description: Your guide to London's theatre programme, concert and events with online booking facility. Top musicals Billy Elliot, Cabaret, Chicago, Gone With The Wind, Lion King, Mama Mia, Phantom of the Opera, Spamalot, Sound of Music, Stomp, We Will Rock You, and more continue to draw capacity audiences nightly. Book your tickets online now.
Wheelchair Accessibility: Most London theatres, some hotels, (such as the newly refurbished Russell Hotel near the British Museum), and many restaurants are now wheelchair accessible with Accessible Toilets in their public areas, and have special accommodation facilities for wheelchair users. It is however essential that you make your requirements known when booking.

Henley Royal Regatta
Venue: Henley Reach, Regatta Headquarters, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 2LY
Date: 1 - 5 July, 2009.
Tickets: Try to gain entry to the exclusive Stewards' Enclosure, (for members and their guests), to mix with interesting people. Write to the Regatta Secretary requesting an application form, preferably citing some rowing experience in the past 50 years. Otherwise, choose the Regatta Enclosure, spend money with Keith Prowse Hospitality, or line the free part of the riverside bank, (see Dress below). As with many other major sporting events, Corporate Entertaining facilities have now become an important part of the Henley experience, with tickets for the Temple Island Enclosure and some converted boathouses costing over £150 per head. See Keith Prowse Hospitality for individual and corporate hospitality offers.
Getting there: Nearest airport: Heathrow. Rail. First Great Western run frequent rail services London/Paddington - Henley via Twyford during the Regatta. Book online. Road. Leave the M4 motorway at Junction 8/9 for the A404, and then the A4130. The Regatta Committee warns drivers never to underestimate the time it will take to reach Henley by road.
Description: Henley Royal Regatta has attracted the cream of world rowing fraternity, Royal Family members as well as London and Home Counties spectators every year since 1839, bar two world wars. Originally staged by the Mayor and civic authorities as a public attraction, this Regatta soon became an important international rowing event for competing eights, fours, pairs and sculls. It is now a social fun event for both international participants and spectators. Best rowing day for spectators: Thursday. Social highlight of the week: The Leander Club Ball. It is unfortunate that Henley clashes with Wimbledon finals.
Further Information: Online or contact the Secretary, Henley Royal Regatta, Regatta Headquarters, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire RG9 2LY; tel: 01491 572153; fax: 01491 575509. No email.
. Dress: Henley has its own uniquely strict dress regulations for the Members Enclosures. Ladies wear a hat and hemlines must be conservatively below the knee, (unlike Royal Ascot Ladies Day, this is not a fashion show). Gentlemen must wear lounge suits or preferably flannels and club blazer with tie or cravat. If you do not wish to dress formally, there are no dress restrictions in the Regatta Enclosure - but remember this is Henley Regatta, not the Isle of Wight rock concert!
Wheelchair Accessibility: Yes in some areas. Adapted toilets: Yes in some areas.

Lords Cricket
Date: Throughout July, 2009.
Venue: Lords Cricket Ground, St. John's Wood, NW8 8QZ. Tel: 020 7432 1000.
Tickets: Book online, (essential), or at gate.
London Transport: Nearest Tube: Wembley Park.
Description: Lord's is the setting for some of the best cricket in the world and 2009 is a bumper year. It hosts one and five day international matches, plus most of Middlesex county's home games, some historic fixtures (such as Oxford v Cambridge, Eton v Harrow) and the village and club finals. Many international Test Matches are televised live.
Wheelchair Accessibility: Yes. Accessible toilets Yes.

The 5th Chap Olympiad
Venue: Bedford Square Gardens, Bloomsbury, WC1B 3DP.
Dates: 1pm-6pm, 11th July 2009.
Tickets: TBA. Available online June.
London Transport: Nearest Tube: Tottenham Court Road, Goodge street. Carparks: Bloomsbury Square, Holborn NCP.
Description: Biggles and Bulldog Drummond are alive and well according to Chap Magazine which organizes this clean limbed, square jawed, loose footed, celebration of stiff upper-lipped vintage fun and games for gentlemen of sartorial good taste. Enjoy a spiffing time taking part in ten Olympic races, or egging on fattie Fforbes-Cunnyngham and his chum Fiona Twigglequick to win the piggy-back hurdle race. Compete yourself in suitable mufti and panama, (or in pith helmet, 'Sam Brown' and shooting stick), if you wish, but expect the 'Bowler and Brolly' brigade to be out in force for such events as Three-Trousered Limbo, Moustache Wrestling, Quill Throwing and Bounders. It's all jolly good fun, and a stiff G&T or two at the Bourne & Hollingsworth speakeasy stand helps the jollity along till its time for a Sundowner 'pinkers' back at the pavilion. To register as a competitor, email olympics@thechap.net.
Wheelchair accessibility: Yes. Adapted Toilets: No.

Photo RHS.

Photo Lord Jolly

London Walking Tours
Venue: Various, depending on the City Walk itinerary. Check website.
Date: Daily. 11am, 2pm or 7pm, depending on the itinerary. Check website.
Tickets: £7. Online Booking or telephone 020 8530-8443.
London Transport: Check website.
Description: Delve into the city's hidden past with Richard Jones the noted author, master story teller and social historian; film and TV producer Mark Ubsdell, and Jenny Phillips the London historian and researcher. They will describe the lives and legends of old London. Join them as they open the doors to the historic London of Shakespeare, Wren, Dickens, Jack the Ripper and more. Discover ancient hostelries, taverns and the old coaching inns from a time before the advent of rail and automobile when the Thames was still London's major thoroughfare. A comprehensive list of DVDs including Shakespeare in London, Dickens' London, Jack the Ripper, Haunted City, Secret City are available at special discount price with each booking. Both walks and DVDs are strongly recommended.
Wheelchair Accessibility: Tours are wheelchair accessible but require a fit companion. Seek advice when pre-booking your walk. Tel: 0208 530 8443 or email: rippertour@aol.com.

Jack the Ripper Walk
Venue: Aldgate, Whitechapel, Spitalfields. EC. Tel: 020 8530 8443
Date: Daily. 7pm-9pm. Closed 23-27, 30/31 December, 2008. Check website for 2008 dates.
Tickets: £6.50. Online Booking
London Transport: Aldgate East, (District, Hammersmith and City Lines).
Description: Guided Exploration of the Whitechapel and Spitalfields alleys and pubs where serial killer Jack the Ripper murdered at least five and possibly many more prostitutes in a reign of terror during 1888. Richard Jones, author of the much acclaimed DVD Jack the Ripper will lead you on the bloody trail of London's most infamous murderer.

London Ghost Walks
Venue: Departs from Bank or Blackfriars Underground station.. EC. Tel: 020 8530 8443
Date: Tues/Fri/Sats. 7pm-9pm. Check website for 2009 date confirmation.
Tickets: £7. Online Booking
London Transport: Aldgate East, (District, Hammersmith and City Lines).
Description: Alleyways and Shadows; Ghosts, Ghouls and Graveyards; the titles of these walks, painstakingly researched by author and historian Richard Jones, perfectly conjure the haunting atmosphere of these deliciously spooky tours that venture beyond the busy main roads and twist their eerie way through forgotten medieval and Victorian London. Let Richard Jones lead you to places where the disembodied voices from London's eerie past may just whisper in your ear, as their icy fingers lightly stroke the back of your neck.

Jack The Ripper's Sinister London
Venue: Selected departure points by coach.
Date: Fridays, Sundays. from 6.40pm
Tickets: From $50.13 per person. Pay online.
Description:Tread in the footsteps of the infamous Jack The Ripper down the dark, narrow, gas-lit alleyways immortalized in such films as "From Hell". Led by one of the renowned London Blue Badge Guides, you will visit four murder sights. Your "Ripperologist" will run through some of the suspects who sparked a Victorian Whodunit that will leave you as gripped as its victims. Approx. 4 hours.

Driving in London. The Central London congestion charge zone for visitors driving in London now covers all main areas of attraction on the north side of the Thames. It makes sense to travel by London Transport bus or Tube. Buy a multi-journey London Transport Travelcard or Oyster Card before you arrive, (available in most countries), and save money, time and hassle.

London Eye. Millenium Wheel
Date: Daily.
Venue: Westminster Bridge Road, (Riverside Building County Hall), SE1 7PB. Tel: 0870 990 8883
Tickets: £15. (Concessions). Book online.
London Transport: Nearest Tube: Westminster.
Description: Opened at the beginning of 2000 to celebrate the Millennium, this huge 450-foot British Airways Ferris wheel on the South Bank of the Thames overlooking Westminster gives a fabulous bird's eye view of Royal and Civic London, with spectacular views stretching for 25 miles on a clear day to include views of Windsor Castle. Up to 25 people can fit in each of the wheel's "capsules." The wheel turns surprisingly slowly, taking 30 minutes to go round, so you will have plenty of time to spot landmarks, take photos, propose to your beloved, get married and celebrate the occasion with champagne! Combine your London Eye experience with a Thames River cruise. Online booking discount, (champagne supplied)!