Things to do

Local attractions

The White Drawing Room, Buckingham Palace State Rooms, London. Photo by Derry Moore, The Royal Collection © 2010 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

State Rooms at Buckingham Palace

During summer Buckingham Palace's doors are opened to the public, providing access to the State Rooms. Highlights include gifts the Queen has received on behalf of her subjects, like Salvador Dalí drawings and an embroidered silk scarf from Nelson Mandela.

27 Jul - 29 Sep 2010 (annual) - Buckingham Palace, London

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Chelsea Physic Garden

Chelsea Physic Garden is one of London's great undiscovered secrets - a delightful isle of abundant planting tucked into the city centre. Visitors can admire one of Europe's oldest rock gardens and an amazing selection of rare and exotic plants.

1 Apr - 31 Oct 2010; Wed, Thu, Fri, and Sun only (annual) - Chelsea Physic Garden, London

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Ice skating at the Tower of London. © newsteam.co.uk

Tower of London Ice Rink

Nearly 950 years after William the Conqueror laid the foundations, the Tower of London hosts a seasonal ice rink in the dry moat beneath the Outer Curtain Wall. Warm up with mulled wine and a mince pie at Café Ice.

Nov 2010 - Jan 2011 (annual) - Tower of London, London

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What's On When

Sir Thomas Allen as Don Alfonso in Jonathan Miller's Royal Opera production of Mozart's Così fan Tutte

Così fan tutte at Covent Garden

Jonathan Miller's simple and stylish production of Mozart's last collaboration with librettist Lorenzo da Ponte, Così fan tutte returns to Covent Garden. Thomas Hengelbrock conducts a cast that sees Sir Thomas Allen return to one of his most popular roles.

10 Sep 2010 (various dates) - Royal Opera House, London

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Royal Albert Hall at night during Proms time. Courtesy of the BBC Proms

BBC Henry Wood Proms

Founded in 1895 by Sir Henry Wood, the Proms concerts at the Royal Albert Hall take over London's classical musical calendar every summer and, with some justification, can claim to be the greatest classical music festival in the world.

16 Jul - 11 Sep 2010 (annual) - Royal Albert Hall, London

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Sir Henry Wood, founder of the BBC Proms

BBC Proms - Week Eight

This year enjoy two Proms' Last Nights, with Henry Wood's 1910 Last Night recreated. Also at the Royal Albert Hall, Paul Lewis' Beethoven cycle finishes, Monteverdi's Vespers celebrates its 400th birthday and Penguin Cafe debuts at the BBC Proms.

5 - 11 Sep 2010 (annual) - Royal Albert Hall, London

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