Something For The Weekend

Skeletons from the closet, where those famous bones were buried

Since the 17th century Britain’s reigning King or Queen has attended the trooping of the colour parade. While today’s festivities are largely ceremonial, they are still one of the highlights of the monarchical calendar with thousands turning out to see Queen Elizabeth and the other senior members of the royal family.

The ceremony takes place on Horse Guard’s Parade and the mall and it’s one of the most popular free events in London so try and arrive early, The main events start at 10:00 with the RAF fly-past scheduled for around 13:00. With London waiting in expectation for the arrival of all the pageantry, it got us here in lastminute.com hq wondering where the bones of the previous monarchs to have the colour trooped for them ended and if you can go and see them. We were particularly interested in the final whereabouts of some of histories most salubrious characters whose fates seemed intertwined with the monarchs of the day.

Your London summer checklist

London is not just a big city; it’s a really big city. It has over 8 times more people than Birmingham, 16 times that of Liverpool and a massive 35 times the population of Cardiff. The London metropolitan area is thought to have between 12 and 14 million people, that is over 20% of the population of the UK

It covers over 609 square miles and is one of the largest cities in the world. On your first visit to London it can seem quite daunting but don’t worry we’ll give you some pointers to help you out this summer.

London is split into 6 main areas and in the article below we’ll try to give you an idea of what the features of each one are, what there is to do there and how to get there.

It's not just cricket...

We've heard mention the mythical "summer season", but what is it? Can you get involved if you don't own your own horse, have a knight of the realm in your family or have  more have more than 16 bathrooms in your house? We decided to take on the challenge of deciphering the season and finding ways to join in

Bringing the house down - al fresco theatre

So, you want to catch some theatre this summer but you don’t like the idea of being indoors?  No problem at all.  There are plenty of opportunities to get out there and watch some outdoor theatre.  Don’t go rushing out quite yet.  Here are some pointers that might help to make your experience a little better.

Get your hands on the trophy

The summer is a great time to revisit the stadiums on their own backstage tours. In addition to seeing the stadium empty you also get the chance to take that memorable picture to annoy your mates. Most of them are bookable in advance and many also give you access to some great museums and some of the world’s most famous trophies.

Our invite to Parliament...

 

We were reading the paper on the train in April and one particular article attracted our attention. It announced that Big Ben had been voted Britain’s favourite landmark. It beat Stonehenge, Edinburgh Castle and Blackpool Tower to the title. The reason that we were so intrigued was down to this simple fact; we knew that you could visit the others, but could you actually visit Big Ben or the Houses of Parliament?

A few phone calls and goggle searches later, we discovered that you can in fact go inside and it was remarkably easy. So away we went...

Weighty issues: Fat Pig at the Trafalgar Studios

Fat Pig, Trafalgar Studios London,  16 May - 6 September

Have you ever been embarrassed to be seen out with someone you’re dating? Received a beating from your mates because your new paramour looks a bit, well, different? The questions this predicament raises about where personal insecurity ends and society’s prejudices begin are all explored in Neil LaBute’s short, sharp shock of a play.

Frankly my dear, I do give a damn

Gone With The Wind, The New London Theatre

Darius Danesh receiving a standing ovation in a Covent Garden theatre? Not even Simon Cowell could possibly have dreamt that one up. But he got one last night, and it was a big one. More importantly, he deserved it.