Stay Longer – Third Night Free
Time is on your side. Extend your stay and give yourself more days to relax, explore or...
Highlights
General Information
Home to nearly 8 million inhabitants with visitors from around the world, London is truly the crossroads of the world. From business to art to sport, it’s global in reach, but its distinctly English traditions infuse the city with small town flavour.
Only 15 minutes from Four Seasons via the London Underground’s Jubilee Line, Central London is the thriving business and leisure centre of Europe, and home of many of the world’s finest art galleries, museums, historical buildings, shops and restaurants. Just 10 minutes from Canary Wharf, London City Airport connects to destinations throughout the UK and Europe.
In 2012, London welcomes the Olympic Games. The Hotel is ideally situated 10 minutes from Olympic Park, where the main event venues will be located, including the Olympic Stadium and the Aquatics Centre.
Public Holidays
| Good Friday | April 6, 2012 |
| Easter Monday | April 9, 2012 |
| May Bank Holiday | May 7, 2012 |
| Spring Bank Holiday | June 4, 2012 |
| Queen's Diamond Jubilee | June 5, 2012 |
| Summer Bank Holiday | August 27, 2012 |
| *Christmas Day | December 25, 2012 |
| *Boxing Day | December 26, 2012 |
| *Holidays falling on Saturday or Sunday are taken on the following Monday. | |
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.
Quick Reference
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
More About London
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 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. Canary Wharf also features its own outdoor ice rink located in Canada Square Park.
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
