When the Big Smoke ClearsIt’s easy to take your immediate surroundings for granted, but when the sun finally comes out, leave your bags unpacked and rediscover the joys of summertime in and around London.
There’s a disturbing amount of daylight this time of year. And while all the druids flock to Stonehenge to twirl, chant and bang on makeshift instruments, the rest of England, and seemingly the world, descend on London. Usually GOM highlights a far-flung destination to stimulate the need to see and experience something exotic and as far removed from the UK as possible. But for the summer, and June especially, we keep things entirely domestic. Call it hopping on the recession bandwagon, but even for those of you with limitless resources and bank accounts, leave your second, third and fourth residences abroad vacant and soak up all that London—and beyond—has to offer this month.
Top music festivals
Download Festival, Donington Park, Castle Donington, June 12-14
Original home of the Monsters of Rock Festivals throughout the big-hair ‘80s and tattooed ‘90s, the Download Festival has continued the dark, heavy tradition of rock since 2003. This time around, they welcome Faith No More, Korn, Slipknot, Marilyn Manson and Whitesnake among others. Bring your moshing boots.
Isle of Wight, Seaclose Park, Newport, June 12-14
We’re a long way from the days when Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Miles Davis and The Doors played here, with audience members blowing Woodstock out of the Purple Haze. But it’s a new day in music and if you head south to get a taste, although it seamlessly conflicts with the Donington dates, load up on The Prodigy, Basement Jaxx, The Ting Tings, Stereophonics, Razorlight and a nod to the good old days, Neil Young.
Glastonbury, Worthy Farm, Somerset, June 26-28
The legendary lawn festival comes around again after Iggy Pop stole the show last year. Granted, it’s not in London but considering there are no flights to Pilton, you’ll have to go through the Capital to get there. And besides, it’s an easy day trip and you have no excuses to let this year go by with Neil Young, Blur, Bruce Springsteen, Franz Ferdinand and Echo and the Bunnymen on the bill.
Hardrockcalling, Hyde Park, London, June 26-28
If all that voyaging to other parts of the UK to soak up outdoor music vibes, then wait until the end of the month (if you can bear it) for this festival which had its debut in 2006. Not a bad line-up either with The Killers, Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Timeless indeed.
Top sporting events
• Wimbledon, June 22-July 5
Join the queue. You might work your way on to Centre Court to see the world’s best. And with a new roof, no rain delays. Bring food though. The burgers taste like one of Nadal’s shoes after five sets.
• British Grand Prix, June 21
Home of the British Grand Prix and site of last year’s home-grown hero Lewis Hamilton clinching the chequered flag. But will Jenson Button sew it up this time? Come see for yourself—if you can stop staring at the pit girls.
• The Ashes
The ultimate Test cricket series doesn’t start before the first week of July, but the hype hits its crescendo in June. Maybe England will rise from those other ashes from 2007’s humiliation.
• Ascot, June 16-20
That morning suit isn’t going to wear itself, you know. Ascot is all about confidence—and you’re going to need it, especially if your partner insists on wearing that hat.
Best Casinos
• Fifty, 50 St James’s Street, fiftylondon.com
What all London casinos aspire to be. No trip there is complete without a few hours camped out in Salvatore’s. Get a Spicy Fifty martini—or two.
• Casino at the Empire, 5-6 Leicester Square, thecasinolsq.com
The flagship London Casino. Everything you could ever want under one roof. And from the Icon Bar upstairs, you can take in a film premiere from the balcony without being caught in the pap crush below.
• Aspinalls, 27-28 Curzon Street, aspinalls-club.com
The ultimate in casino sophistication. James Bond himself would even sweat out the membership application process. A true icon in the casino world.
• Grosvenor Casino, Victoria, 150-162 Edgware Road, grosvenorcasinos.com
The Vic is the home of the EPT London stop and its place on the poker map is undisputed. But the floors beneath are teeming with people from all over the world to savour the goods in the casino. Come see why.
• G Casino Piccadilly, 3-4 Coventry Street www.gcasino.co.uk/piccadilly
Although Casino at the Empire is an entire evening out unto itself, it behoves you to check out the neighbourhood a little more. And a chip throw toward Piccadilly is The G Casino with a nod to sport-betting enthusiasts.
• Napoleons, Queens House, Leicester Square, www. napoleons-casinos.co.uk
Also in Leicester Square, let the good times keep rolling in this landmark casino known for being laid back yet sophisticated. A fine balance, but they got it right.
Best markets
• Spitalfields Market
The legendary food market, not to be confused with New Spitalfields Market in Leyton, is going strong since it was founded in 1682 by Charles II. East London at its finest.
• Borough Market
Just south of London Bridge and a grazer’s paradise. Everything you could possibly want is here and in mass quantity. Bring an appetite and pace yourself.
• Brick Lane Market
Known locally as “The Lane” at the north end of Brick Lane. Real London grit but there are a few diamonds to mine out here.
• Camden Lock Market
Or just Camden Market to those in the know is the heartbeat of Camden Town. All the bric-a-brac you can possibly handle and the occasional celebrity-gone-slumming sighting.
• Covent Garden Market
West End’s flagship market is a shadow of its former self, but now that summer’s here, new life is being pumped into it with a bustling late-night “real” food market to celebrate its humble beginnings.
• Portobello Road Market
Heavy vibes in this part of the woods—in a good way. Hyper trendy with hipster chic stalls as far as the eye can see. Great falafel too.
The Grass is Always Greener
GOM’s top London parks to snooze off that all-night gaming binge:
• Battersea Park
• Clapham Common
• Green Park
• Hyde Park
• Kensington Gardens
• Richmond Park
• Kew Gardens
Best Hotels
• St Martins Lane Hotel (stmartinslane.com). Why? Slick, boutique rooms and Asia de Cuba restaurant.
• Metropolitan Hotel (metropolitan.como.bz/london/). Why? Right on Park Lane and world-renowned Nobu.
• The Sanderson Hotel (SandersonLondon.com). Why? Great space and decor and the Purple Bar.
• The Dorchester (thedorchester.com). Why? How dare you ask. It’s the pinnacle of London hotel excellence. Can’t afford it? Stay anyway.
• No. 5 Cavendish Square Hotel (no5ltd.com). Why? The wonderfully trashy themed rooms.
• Halkin Hotel (halkin.como.bz). Why? Understated excellence and Nahm, the first Michelin-starred Thai restaurant in Europe.
Get Cultured!
Top galleries to put life in perspective:
• Tate Modern tate.org.uk
• White Cube www. whitecube.com
• Serpentine Gallery serpentinegallery.org
• National Portrait Gallery www. npg.org.uk
Thirsty Yet?
Best summer drinks to toast a rare sunny day in the Capital:
• Pimms
• Mojito
• G&P (pomegranate juice)
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