Watching the Olympics on the big screens
The Rio De Janeiro Olympics kick off on 5 August 2016, with the Paralympics following on 7 September. Although many of us had the opportunity to watch the games in person in our beloved capital four years ago, this year it’s unlikely many of us will be jetting over to South America. So why not watch our Team GB athletes on the big screen so you can soak up some of the ‘lympic atmosphere. Check out the venues hosting pop-up screens around town, with plenty of food and drink on offer too to keep you fuelled as your watch our sportsmen and women go for gold.
Watch the Olympics on the big screen while sitting on deckchairs. Plenty of food and drink establishments will be selling refreshments and snacks. Free. Boxpark, Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6GY. Nearest station: Shoreditch High Street. For more information, visit the Boxpark website.
Bluebird on the King’s Road will be hosting screenings of the Rio Olympic Games on a giant outdoor screen in their sunny courtyard. You can watch the action while sipping champagne or Pimms from the bar or eating from the café menu. Bluebird, 350 King’s Road, Chelsea, SW3 5UU. Nearest stations: Fulham Broadway, South Kensington or Sloane Square. For more information, visit the Bluebird website.
Watch the Olympics on the big screen in Paddington. Food and drink will be available, including Pimm’s. Open until 10pm nightly. Free. The Lawn, Paddington Basin, Paddington, W2 1JS. Nearest station: Paddington. For more information, visit the Merchant Square website.
Watch the Rio Olympics outdoors at Canary Wharf. Bars and restaurants nearby will be serving food and drink. Times vary. Free. Canada Square Park, Docklands, E14. Nearest station: Canary Wharf. For more information, visit the Canary Wharf website. Read the rest of this entry
Watch Wimbledon and the Rio Olympics on the big screen during the London Bridge City Summer Festival
This summer we have three big sporting tournaments to captivate the nation. The UEFA European football championships (10 June – 10 July), Wimbledon (27 June – 10 July) and the Rio De Janeiro Olympics (5 to 21 August). For those unable to get a ticket to one of the events, why not soak up the sporting atmosphere with an alfresco screening? Plenty of venues are hosting big screens around town, with plenty of food and drink on offer too to keep you fuelled.
Watch the Euros on the deck of a floating bar while enjoying views over the Thames. With a late license until 3am if you fancy a party afterwards. The football will be screened on TVs both inside and out on deck. Tickets: £12. Temple Pier, Victoria Embankment, WC2R 2PN. Nearest station: Temple. For booking, visit the Bar & Co website.
Bluebird on the King’s Road will be hosting screenings of Euro 2016, Wimbledon and the Rio Olympic Games on a giant outdoor screen in their sunny courtyard. You can watch the action while sipping champagne or Pimms from the bar or eating from the café menu. Bluebird, 350 King’s Road, Chelsea, SW3 5UU. Nearest stations: Fulham Broadway, South Kensington or Sloane Square. For more information, visit the Bluebird website.
Watch a host of sport, including Euro 2016, Wimbledon, Tour de France, Rio Olympics and Paralympics and US Open Tennis on the big screen in Pop Fields, the outdoor space next to Pop Brixton, where you can buy food and drink from local vendors. Free entry. Pop Fields, 49 Brixton Station Road, Brixton, SW9 8PQ. Nearest station: Brixton. For more information, visit the Pop Brixton website.
Watch the earlier Wimbledon matches on the big screen near the Thames during the month-long Northbank Summer Festival. There will also be live music and food markets. 11am-7.30pm. Free. Victoria Embankment Gardens (off Villiers Street), Westminster, WC2N 6NS. Nearest station: Embankment or Charing Cross. For more information, visit The Northbank London website.
Watch the action from Wimbledon as part of the Hammersmith London Summer Festival. The action will be beamed live on to a big screen in Lyric Square while deckchairs will be provided. 12-8pm daily. Free. Lyric Square, Hammersmith, W6 0ED. Nearest station: Hammersmith. For more information, visit the Hammersmith London website.
Sit in deck chairs to watch screenings of Wimbledon tennis at three venues across the capital. All open daily during the tournament from 12-10pm. Free. For more information, visit the Great British Summer website.
– One New Change, 6th floor roof terrace (Cheapside, EC4M 9AF. Nearest station: St Pauls)
– Cardinal Place, 1st floor roof terrace (Victoria Street, Victoria, SW1E 5JD. Nearest station: Victoria)
– New Street Square (located off Fleet Street, Holborn, EC4A. Nearest station: Chancery Lane or City Thameslink). Read the rest of this entry
Jul 29
This gallery contains 15 photos.
A year on and I still miss the Olympics/Paralympics. It was such an amazing time to be in London, the atmosphere was amazing and the city had never looked so good. I blogged a few times last summer about the games and was fortunate enough to get tickets and attend lots of free events during […]
Sep 11
This gallery contains 9 photos.
Anyway who’s read my blog or followed my Twitter feed in the past few weeks can’t have missed the fact that I enjoyed the Olympic and Paralympic games very much indeed. In fact, some of my nearest and dearest would have gone so far as to say I was ‘obsessed’ with the games. While, I concede, I […]
Having spent pretty much my whole life in London, I’ve noticed a real change in seasons in the past five years especially. Having gone through some very warm September and Octobers (compared to the same cooler months in my childhood), I decided sometime ago that I consider September a summer month. Our weather is so changeable these days, I don’t even think we really have structured, proper seasons anymore.
I’m not the only one who has noticed. Now festival and event organisers have been moving annual events from May or June to September because there tends to be better weather. So with this is mind, there’s still another five or six weeks left of ‘summer’ in London – and of course the Paralympics starting next week – so here’s a guide to what’s on.
If you want to try your luck and get tickets, they are significantly cheaper than the Olympic tickets – try buying online here. However, there isn’t as many free Paralympics games to watch unfortunately – the cycle road races are taking place at Brands Hatch.
Watch the Paralympics on the big screen at BT London Live in Trafalgar Square, open every day from 11am until 10pm. There will also be live music between 1pm and 7pm every day. Attendees will also have the chance to try out Paralympic sports such as wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball.
The Men’s and Women’s Marathon both take place today, starting and ending at The Mall via the City of London. Some athletes will compete with wheelchairs or throwing frames, some with prostheses or with guidance from a sighted companion. The Men’s Marathon T12 (athletes with a visual impairment) and T46 (athletes with a loss of limb or limb deficiency) will start at 8am and the Men’s and Women’s Marathon T54 (wheelchair racers) will start at 11:30am.
The big screen at Potters Field Park by Tower Bridge
Watch the games on a big screen at Potters Fields Park on the south bank of the Thames, in between Tower Bridge and City Hall. Nearby is The Scoop amphitheatre, with free music, theatre and films available to all. Visit The Scoop’s website for more info.
Giving the public a chance to cheer for and celebrate with the athletes of both the Olympics and Paralympics Games as they parade from Mansion House in the City of London (1:30pm), past St Paul’s Cathedral, The Strand, Trafalgar Square and ending in The Mall (The latter being ticketed entry for Olympic volunteers, armed forces and athletes’ support staff and families). Up to 800 Olympic and Paralympic athletes with ride on up to 21 floats, taking up to 13 minutes to pass any given point along the way.
Wenlock – the official mascot of the Olympics – and Mandeville – the official mascot of the Paralympics – have been hanging out on the streets of London since July. The Mayor Of London’s office have put together six walking routes in London with different designs of Wenlock and Mandeville highlighting history and culture of the surrounding area. Go to the MOLpresents website to find maps, or see how many you can spot by yourself. Fun activity for adults and children alike. Check out my blog entry on some of the ones I’ve spotted around time.
London Bridge is turned orange
The Paralympic symbol – Agitos – is already illuminated on the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square and on Tower Bridge until 15 September.
Every night (8pm-midnight) during the Paralympics, images from the Games from 1948 until present day will be projected on the Houses of Parliament. The shows will last 9 minutes and start every 15 minutes (See YouTube video below for a sneak preview).
London’s famous bridges will be lit up in dazzling light displays every night of the Paralympic Games. My tip is go for dinner or drinks at one of the many restaurants or bars spanning the Southbank between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge then walk off your dinner while checking out the bridges.
(Non-Paralympic related)
Decisions, decisions: Lots of things to see and do at Priceless Wonderground
Mastercard has organised a fair, entertainment and cabaret extravaganza in Jubilee Gardens, near the foot of the London Eye and by the Southbank Centre. It includes rides, cabaret, children’s show, comedy, burlesque and alfresco drinking. Open all day untill 11pm every night. Free to get in, but entry fee for attractions and rides. Nearest tube or train: Waterloo or short walk over the River from Embankment or Westminster.
Two day free festival coinciding with the end of Paralympics. Celebrating both London and the multi-cultural melting pot that makes our city so unique. There’s a host of events on including a Night Carnival of 1,500 dancers on Blackfriars Bridge and Victoria Embankment, the Kids’ Choir at The Scoop, Barge-Driving Races and a fireworks show. Visit the Thames Festival website to find out more.
On Sunday 9 September, over 500 bandstands across the country will host free musical performances. Visit the Bandstand Marathon website for more details.
Annual boat marathon along the River Thames, starting at Millwall Riverside at 10:30am and finishing at Ham House, Richmond. Anything goes with the type of boats, including Hawaiian war canoes, Chinese dragon boats, whalers and Irish curraghs.
A special exhibition of Andy Warhol’s paintings is on at the Dulwich Picture Gallery in South London. I visited it earlier this summer, check out my blog entry for more information. Nearest train station: West Dulwich or North Dulwich.
This annual event is hugely popular and sees buildings that are not normally open to the public, throw open their doors for just two days. Many buildings are strictly ticket only and you need to apply for a ballot to gain entry. Check out the Open House London website for more information.
A busy summer evening at the Daylesford Cafe on Selfridges’ Rooftop
See the real thing at the Pearly Kings and Queens’ Harvest Festival (this is Pearly Mandeville…)
As part of the Oxford Street store’s Big British Bang celebration, Selfridges have opened their rooftop this summer with a crazy golf course (which finishes 2 September) and a pop-up cafe run by the team from Daylesford organic farm in Gloucs (until end of September). Six stories high, you can enjoy Afternoon Tea or Pimm’s with cake in the afternoon or evening sunset. Check out my blog post on my visit to the cafe.
Runners dress up as gorillas for this 7km run, which raises awareness of the dwindling population of these amazing creatures. If you want to take part, you must register (£80, but includes your own gorilla costume to keep!). However, those who want to watch, can see the action along the Southbank and across Tower Bridge.
Pearly Kings and Queens are an iconic part of London culture, who aren’t seen around the capital as much as they used to. Unsurprisingly, they are likely to be the main attraction at the festival at Guildhall, which also includes traditional entertainment, a parade and a Harvest Festival service. Starts at Guildhall Yard at 1pm, before the service at St-Mary-Le-Bow Church at 3pm. Nearest tube to Guildhall: St Paul’s or Bank. Find out more information on the Pearly Society website.
Aug 6
This gallery contains 6 photos.
Sculptures of the London 2012 mascots Wenlock and Mandeville have been dotted around the capital. The official mascots of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games have been one of the more recent controversies over the games, which, as we enter the second week of the Olympics, appear to be a huge success. While some have […]
Like a majority of Londoners I have spoken to, I’ve been surprised by the sudden onset of Olympic fever. After months, if not years, of negative press about the spiralling costs, the difficulty in getting (affordable!) tickets, engineering and road works and… sorry have mentioned this in a previous blog post, but those horrific Boris ‘it’s the big one’ announcements at stations, it’s finally here.
Since going to watch the Olympic torch relay last Monday, I have been growing more and more excited about the games. Many people like me, who don’t usually have an interest in sports and haven’t watched previous Olympics, are stunned to find a newfound enthusiasm for the 2012 Games, which have come out of nowhere. During Friday night’s Opening Ceremony, my Twitter and Facebook feeds were awash with pride (from the Brits) and admiration (from my foreign pals) and it appears the country has finally embraced the games.
So although I have been lucky enough to win tickets to the hockey (of which I know nothing about…), most of my friends haven’t got tickets so we’ve been trying to find ways of soaking up the atmosphere and even catch a game without spending a penny. On Saturday, I went to watch the Men’s Cycle Road Race on Constitution Hill and it was great fun. So here’s a guide to enjoying the Games and the other events on in London over the summer.
Free Olympic and Paralympic Events (click links for detailed maps and schedules)
The Women’s Individual Time Trial starts at 12:30 and ends (estimated) 13:45 at Hampton Court Palace, goes through Esher, Hersham, Cobham and Thames Ditton.
The Men’s Individual Time Trial starts at 14:15 and ends (estimated) 16:10 at Hampton Court Palace, going through similar route to Women’s, but also including Teddington and Hampton Wick.
The Women’s Triathlon includes ticketed seating on the north bank of the Serpentine in Hyde Park, but the remainder of the course is free for spectators. The swimming part (1.5km) will start in the Serpentine at 9am, then the cycling (43km in 7 laps of 6.1km), which will go along South Carriage Drive in the park, down Constitution Hill and back to the park, then there’s a 10km run (4 laps of 2.5km), ending at approx 10:30am. The winner will be presented with their medal at the end.
The Men’s 20km Race Walk starts at 17:00 at The Mall. The rules stipulate one foot may remain on the ground at all times as the competitors speed-walk along the route of 10 laps around the 2km between The Mall and the Constitution Hill and back again. The Mall area is ticketed, but Constitution Hill and around the Queen Victoria Memorial are free.
The Women’s Marathon starts at 11am at The Mall (ticket holders only), before taking a route along Victoria Embankment, St Paul’s, Cannon Street and Blackfriars before ending at The Mall.
The Men’s Triathlon is pretty much the same route and set-up as the women’s above. So apart from ticketed area on Serpentine’s north bank, spectators can find free spots along the route in and outside of the park. The event starts at 11am and is scheduled to finish at 13:15 with the medal presentation at the climax.
The Women’s 10K Swimming Marathon starts at 12:00 and will include 10 laps of the Serpentine in Hyde Park. Apart from ticketed area on Serpentine’s north bank, the south bank is free for spectators.
The Men’s 10K Swimming Marathon starts at 12:00 and will include 10 laps of the Serpentine in Hyde Park. Apart from ticketed area on Serpentine’s north bank, the south bank is free for spectators.
The Men’s 50km Race Walk starts at 9am at The Mall. The rules stipulate one foot may remain on the ground at all times as the competitors speed-walk along the route of 25 laps around the 2km course between The Mall and the Constitution Hill and back again. The Mall area is ticketed, but Constitution Hill and around the Queen Victoria Memorial are free.
The Women’s 20km Race Walk starts at 17:00 at The Mall. The rules stipulate one foot may remain on the ground at all times as the competitors speed-walk along the route of 10 laps around the 2km course between The Mall and the Constitution Hill and back again. The Mall area is ticketed, but Constitution Hill and around the Queen Victoria Memorial are free.
Again, very similar route to the Women’s, starting at The Mall at 11am (ticket holders only) but then going along Victoria Embankment into the City of London and back again. Estimated to finish at 13:30 with the medal presentation.
The Men’s and Women’s Marathon both take place today. Some athletes will compete with wheelchairs or throwing frames, some with prostheses or with guidance from a sighted companion.
Giving the public a chance to cheer for and celebrate with the athletes of the Games as they parade from Mansion House in the City of London, past St Paul’s Cathedral, The Strand, Trafalgar Square and ending in The Mall.
BT London Live
BT have commandeered three famous London spaces – Hyde Park, Victoria Park in East London and Trafalgar Square – to give Londoners and visitors the chance to enjoy the games if they haven’t got a ticket. As well as big TV screens being set up to watch the action live from the Olympic Park and other sites, there is also a variety of entertainment, including concerts. While many of the bigger concerts in Hyde Park will be paid ticket only, to watch the actual games is free entry. A certain amount of tickets for guaranteed entry are available in advance online, but there will also be tickets available each day on a first come, first served basis, depending on capacity. While Hyde Park and Victoria Park are currently running from now until 12 August, the Trafalgar Square area will be open over the whole summer, including the Paralympics. Hyde Park will have a sports area so you can try your hand at your favourite sports, while Victoria Park will have an Observation Wheel, zipline, bungee trampolines and water-zorbing pool. Visit BT London Live’s website for more information.
Olympic Photo Opportunities
Even when you’re not at a sports venue, you can be sure wherever you are in London, they’ll be an Olympic symbol or event going on. The iconic Olympic rings have been placed on Tower Bridge, while the Paralympic symbol will be illuminated on the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square from 19 August.
Every night during the Olympics and Paralympics, images from the Games will be projected along the Houses of Parliament.
London’s famous bridges will be lit up in dazzling light displays every night of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. My tip is go for dinner or drinks at one of the many restaurants or bars spanning the Southbank between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge then walk off your dinner while checking out the bridges.
Games Mascots Wenlock and Mandeville Discovery Tours
Wenlock – the official mascot of the Olympics – and Mandeville – the official mascot of the Paralympics – have been somewhat controversial, but following their recent appearance on the streets of London, are growing on some Londoners. The Mayor Of London’s office have put together six walking routes in London with different designs of Wenlock and Mandeville highlighting history and culture of the surrounding area. Go to the MOLpresents website to find maps, or see how many you can spot by yourself. Fun activity for adults and children alike.
Big Screen at Potters Fields Park and The Scoop
Watch the games on a big screen at Potters Fields Park on the south bank of the Thames, in between Tower Bridge and City Hall. Nearby is The Scoop amphitheatre, with free music, theatre and films available to all. Visit The Scoop’s website for more info.
Special Events around London
Artist Jeremy Deller has created a large inflatable, bouncy castle replica of Stonehenge for both adults and children to jump on. It will be popping up in parks and spaces in London. Check the website for locations and dates.
On Sunday 9 September, over 500 bandstands across the country will host free musical performances. Visit the Bandstand Marathon website for more details.
Memoirs Of A Metro Girl 