CITY SAFARI - London & Partners

Kenwood House Picnic Concert10fantasticfestivalsLondon’s cultural offerings create a vibrant atmosphere this summer, with a host of festivals offeringsomething for every taste and age. Enjoy music on the city’s streets, theatre in its parks, and a whole lotmore, thanks to this great selection of June’s highlights. By Susannah O’GradyHard Rock CallingGreenwich + DocklandsInternational Festival1 PARK LIFEHard Rock Calling’s annual serieson outdoor concerts in Hyde Parkwill help you discover your innerrock god when Bon Jovi headline on25 Jun. The following day (26 Jun)welcomes Rod Stewart and specialguest Stevie Nicks on stage. With acapacity of approximately 50,000,a high-octane, festival fever isguaranteed (Hyde Park, p. 29. hardrockcalling.co.uk).Also playing in Hyde Park(although not under the Hard RockCalling festival banner) is Kings ofLeon on 22-23 Jun and Arcade Fireon 30 Jun. Bars, food, toilets andeven cash machines are locatedon site. These are ticketed events.For details, see royalparks.org.uk/events.2 GRAND VENUESSee some of the world’s bestmusicians perform at the HamptonCourt Palace Festival from 8-18Jun, in the incredible and intimatesetting of the Tudor palacecourtyard at King Henry VIII’sfamous residence. This al frescoseries of concerts welcomesWestlife, James Blunt, Don McLean,Ringo Starr and more. Arrive earlyto enjoy a picnic. Ticketed events(Hampton Court Palace, p. 29.☎ 08448 737 344. hamptoncourtpalacefestival.com).Or enjoy an evening of musicin the sublime grounds of a statelyhome at the Kenwood House PicnicConcerts. Tom Jones is on the billon 24 Jun with Jools Holland and22 | visitlondon.com | LONDON PLANNER | June 2011Sandie Shaw on 25 Jun. Ticketedevents (Kenwood House, p. 34.☎ 08448 471 637. picnicconcerts.com).3 SPITALFIELDS SUMMERMUSIC FESTIVALClassical, jazz and opera music fansare in for a real treat, thanks to thisexcellent series of concerts acrosseast London from 10-25 Jun.Churches, houses, halls, industrialand historical venues, plus outdoorlocations, provide an array of uniquebackdrops to premieres of originalmusic, recitals of popular classicsand performances of early works.Ticketed events (☎ 020 73771362. spitalfieldsmusic.org.uk).4 FESTIVAL OF BRITAINThe party atmosphere is wellunderway at the Southbank Centrethanks to its Festival of Britain,which commemorates the originalcelebrations 60 years ago, with avast array of events taking placeuntil 4 Sep. In June, things reallyheat up with the Meltdown Festival(p. 87), E4 Udderbelly (p. 86)and the London Guitar Festivalfrom 3-5 Jun, which includesa performance by Jack Bruce.Ticketed events.Southbank Centre, p. 95.