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Whether you need to know local public holidays or highlights through the seasons, we hope you will find the facts gathered below useful tools for your travel planning. Please feel free to contact us if we can assist you further.

General information

London, a city of 16 million people, is the thriving business and leisure centre of Europe. Inhabitants and visitors from all over the world give the city its unique and distinct international flair. London combines the traditional and the modern in its architecture, shopping and theatre. The city is home to some of the world's finest art galleries, museums, shops and restaurants. As well as featuring numerous historical buildings and traditional events, it is host to many multinational companies.

Time zone

GMT

Language(s) spoken

English

Electrical system

Local voltage is 220 to 240 volts AC. Adapters available; please request through the Concierge.

Shopping hours

9:00 am to 5:30 pm

Working hours

9:00 am to 5:30 pm

Time and distance to city centre

35 minutes by car/15 kilometres/10 miles; 20 minutes by tube or riverboat

Time and distance to shopping

Cabot Hall Shopping Centre: 10-minute walk/1 kilometre/0.5 miles

Time and distance to financial district

15 minutes/9 kilometres/6 miles

View in–depth travel advice from Frommers.com

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Seasonal highlights

Winter

• Christmas lights: The annual lighting of the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square is a special winter event. The tree is donated to London by the Norwegian Royal family each year, and is lit by a celebrity. Seasonal lights are also turned on in Oxford Street, Regent Street, Bond Street and Covent Garden.
• The Frost Fair: London's biggest free annual event takes place in mid-December on the South Bank of the River Thames. After a lantern procession, the area is transformed into a winter wonderland, with food and gift stalls, live performances, ice sculptures and carol singers.
• The Spitalfields Winter Festival: In a fresh alternative to more traditional carol services, this varied programme of innovative festive music takes place throughout December in and around the beautifully restored Christ Church.
• Winter skating rinks: The outdoor ice rinks at the Tower of London, Somerset House and Marble Arch offer grand, historical party atmospheres for skaters. Visitors can carve their route across the ice while taking in a trio of London's most legendary landmarks. All skating rinks operate from early December to mid-January and provide rink-side refreshments.

Spring

• Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race: Oxford and Cambridge Universities' members race 6.3 kilometres (4 miles) from Putney to Mortlake. The Riverside pubs in Hammersmith and Mortlake are popular places to watch the race.
• London Marathon: Come and enjoy the world's biggest road race, with around 35,000 starters running 42 kilometres (26.3 miles).
• Chelsea Flower Show: This world-renowned gardening show takes place over a few days by the river.
• Chelsea Antiques Fair: This fair is held twice a year, with a variety of antiques to offer.
• Gardens Summer Events: Take in some of this series of open-air events over the spring and summer months.

Summer

• Derby Day: This is the most important flat race of the horseracing season.
• Henley Royal Regatta: Enjoy this international rowing regatta.
• Trooping the Colour: Even though the Queen's birthday is in April, she has an official birthday party one day during the summer. She leaves Buckingham Palace at 10:40 am and travels down the Mall to the Horse Guards Parade. She will take to the balcony to watch a Royal Air Force jet fly past and will also witness a gun salute at the Tower of London.
• Royal Ascot: This is the horseracing event of the year. Ladies Day takes place on June 19th.
• Flower Festival: This flower show is a popular festival with displays and entertainment.
• Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships: This extremely popular sporting event takes place in London annually in the summer.
• Notting Hill Carnival: Take part in this street party featuring bands, colourful floats and Caribbean food.

Autumn

• Chelsea Antiques Fair: This fair is held twice a year, with a variety of antiques to offer.
• London Film Festival: An array of international films are shown.
• London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, Hyde Park: Display and kick-off of annual rally of vintage cars.
• Guy Fawkes Day November 5th - Fireworks Night
• Lord Mayor's Show