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Ideas / Events / June
Things to do in the UK in June 2008

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Introduction
June is the end of the UK academic year, and is the time when many students at schools, colleges and universities take their exams. If you are an international student, you may need to prepare to return to your home country: for advice about how to get ready, see Prepare/Return. The Queen's official birthday is marked by the Trooping the Colour ceremony, and there are several occasions during the month when you can watch a royal gun salute in Hyde Park or at the Tower of London. The Queen often attends major horseracing events at Epsom ("the Oaks" and "the Derby") and at Ascot ("Royal Ascot"). Days are very long, and temperatures are often pleasantly warm. It is a good time to go out and visit places, without the crowds of July and August. Many parks organise a season of events which start now: it is a good time to go with some friends for a picnic. Roses are at their best, and you may be able to see and baby ducks (ducklings), geese (goslings) and swans (cygnets). The tennis championship at Wimbledon starts at the end of the month, which is also the best time to buy British strawberries (often eaten in a bowl with some cream and sugar).


Roses in bloom

Swan with her cygnets

Strawberries and cream



Sun 1 Jun -
Sat 7 Jun 2008
National Volunteering Week, UK
Events take place across Britain to promote voluntary work (during the first 7 days of June each year). See: http://www.volunteersweek.org.uk.
* Volunteering in the UK: Work/Job/Volunteer.
Mon 2 Jun 2008 Coronation Day: gun salute, London
Gun salute to mark the anniversary of the day when the Queen was crowned (on 2 June 1953). Cannons will be fired in the following locations:
- A 41-gun salute at 12 noon fired by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery in Hyde Park, London (opposite the Dorchester Hotel: map; nearest Tube: Hyde Park Corner or Marble Arch)
- A 62-gun salute at 1pm fired by the Honourable Artillery Company at the Tower of London (from the gunpark at the western end of London Wharf: map; nearest Tube: Tower Hill)
For background information about the gun salutes, see: http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page4951.asp or http://www.royalparks.gov.uk/tourists/gun_salutes.cfm.
* Royal traditions: Britain/Countries/Royalty.

`
Gun salute in Hyde Park

Gun salute in front of the Tower of London

Wed 4 Jun The Big Enterprise Experience, London
Free workshops for people aged 16-30 who are interested in learning more about business creativity and entrepreneurship. This event takes place at the Clapham Centre, Lambeth College from 3pm to 5pm. Places must be reserved in advance - details of how to do this are here.
* Entrepreurship: Work/Entrepreneur
Wed 4 Jun -
Thu 5 Jun 2008
Beating Retreat, London
Marching and military/classical music performed by the bands of the Household Division on Horse Guards Parade (map; nearest Tube stations: Embankment, Charing Cross or Westminster). Tickets for the event must be bought in advance (credit card bookings are taken starting in April). The event starts at 7pm and lasts for 1 hour. "Beating retreat" is a tradition which has its origins in the 16th century: before sunset, soldiers would beat drums at sunset to let people know that the gates were about to be shut. For more information, see: http://www.army.mod.uk/ceremonialandheritage/household/beat_retreat.htm.


Beating Retreat: mounted band

Fri 6 Jun 2008 The Oaks, Epsom (Surrey)
The Oaks is a major flat race for 3-year old fillies (female horses) at Epsom Downs Racecourse (map). You can watch the races on television. See: http://www.epsomderby.co.uk.
* Horse racing in the UK: Life/Sport/Horse.
* Photos from this event: Ideas/Album/DerbyDay.
Sat 7 Jun -
Sun 29 Jun 2008
Euro 2008, Switzerland & Austria
The finals of a football competition between European national teams. Teams in 4 groups play each other, and the top two teams in each group go through - the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final are knock-out stages in which only the winner continues. The groups are:
Group A: Switzerland, Czech Republic, Portugal, Turkey
Group B: Austria, Croatia, Germany, Poland
Group C: Holland, Italy, Romania, France
Group D: Greece, Sweden, Spain, Russia
For details see: http://www.uefa.com/competitions/euro/index.html
* Football: Life/Sport/Football
* Switzerland: Travel/Tours/Switzerland
Sat 7 Jun 2008 Derby Day, Epsom (Surrey)
Horse racing event at Epsom Downs Racecourse (map), ending in "the Derby", one of the most famous flat races. See: http://www.epsomderby.co.uk. You can watch the races on television. The Derby is a race for 3-year old horses.
* Horse racing in the UK: Life/Sport/Horse.
* Photos from this event: Ideas/Album/DerbyDay.


Derby Day

Sat 7 Jun 2008 Colonel's Review of Trooping the Colour, London
The second rehearsal for for the Trooping the Colour ceremony (which is on the following Saturday). For details of how to apply for a ticket earlier in the year, see: Ideas/Events/January. If you don't have tickets, you can still go and stand in front of Buckingham Palace or along The Mall to watch the Household Guards as they arrive (between 10am and 11am) and as they leave (between 12 noon and 12:30pm), and you may be able to see and hear the main ceremony from the parts of St James's Park on either side of the Guards Memorial (close to Horseguards Parade) between 11am and 12 noon. Unlike the full Trooping the Colour ceremony, the Queen does not attend the rehearsal, and there is no flypast or balcony appearance at Buckingham Palace.
* Photos from Trooping the Colour: Ideas/Album/TroopingTheColour.
Tue 10 Jun 2008 Duke of Edinburgh's birthday: gun salutes, London
Today is the birthday of the Duke of Edinburgh (the Queen's husband). Cannons will be fired in the following locations:
- A 41-gun salute at 12 noon fired by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery in Hyde Park, London (opposite the Dorchester Hotel: map; nearest Tube: Hyde Park Corner or Marble Arch)
- A 62-gun salute at 1pm fired by the Honourable Artillery Company at the Tower of London (from the gunpark at the western end of London Wharf: map; nearest Tube: Tower Hill)
For background information about the gun salutes, see: http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page4951.asp or http://www.royalparks.gov.uk/tourists/gun_salutes.cfm.
* Royal traditions: Britain/Countries/Royalty.
Fri 13 Jun -
Sun 15 Jun 2008
Isle of Wight Festival, Newport (Isle of Wight)
Music festival at Seaclose Park near Newport, on the Isle of Wight. See: http://www.isleofwightfestival.com
* The Isle of Wight: Travel/Tours/England/IsleOfWight
* UK rock festivals: Life/Entertainment/Festivals
Fri 13 Jun -
Sun 15 Jun 2008
Download Festival, Derby
3-day rock/metal/punk music festival at Donington Park, near Derby. See: http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk
* UK rock festivals: Life/Entertainment/Festivals
Sat 14 Jun 2008 HotCourses International Student Fair, London
An event in London for international students who are interested in taking a course at a UK college or university. It takes place from 11am-4pm at the New Connaught Rooms in Great Queen Street (nearest Tube stations: Holborn, Covent Garden or Aldwych). For more information about the event and how to register, see: http://www.hotcourses.com/fair
* Finding courses at British colleges or universities: Course/University
Sat 14 Jun 2008 Queen's official birthday: gun salutes, London & Windsor
The Queen's "official" birthday is today (her real birthday is on 21 April: Ideas/Events/April). Cannons will be fired in the following locations:
- A 41-gun salute at 12 noon fired by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery in Hyde Park, London (opposite the Dorchester Hotel: map ; nearest Tube: Hyde Park Corner or Marble Arch)
- A 62-gun salute at 1pm fired by the Honourable Artillery Company at the Tower of London (from the gunpark at the western end of London Wharf: map ; nearest Tube: Tower Hill)
There are also gun salutes at Edinburgh Castle, Cardiff and Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland.
For background information about the gun salutes, see: http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page4951.asp or http://www.royalparks.gov.uk/tourists/gun_salutes.cfm.
* Royal traditions: Britain/Countries/Royalty.
Sat 14 Jun 2008 Trooping the Colour, London
An annual ceremony in London (sometimes known as The Queen's Birthday Parade) to celebrate the Queen's "official" birthday (her real birthday is in April). The soldiers from the Queen's Household Division are inspected by the Queen, carry ("troop") their regimental flag ("colour"), and march past and salute the Queen. Both foot soldiers and mounted soldiers take part (they are all serving soldiers; taking part in this kind of ceremonial event is one of their traditional duties). Military bands play marching music throughout. For the best views, watch live on television on BBC1 in the morning, or the highlights shown on BBC2 in the evening. The main ceremony takes place on Horse Guards Parade (map): it can only be viewed by invited guests with tickets (for details of how to apply for tickets to see this event, see: Ideas/Events/January). If you don't have tickets, you can stand on the north or south side of the Mall to watch the soldiers as they march from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade (between 10am and 11am), as they march back again (between 12 noon and 12:30pm), and to see the Queen or other members of the royal family as they arrive or leave - you should go there early if you want a good view, because large crowds gather there. For more details about the ceremony, see: http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page370.asp. Afterwards, crowds gather in front of Buckingham Palace, as the Queen and members of the royal family stand on the balcony and watch a flypast at 1pm by planes from the Royal Air Force.
* Photos from Trooping the Colour: Ideas/Album/TroopingTheColour.


Trooping the Colour:
the "colour" is a regimental flag

Trooping the Colour:
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh

Sun 15 Jun 2008 Father's Day, UK
(on the 3rd Sunday in June each year)
A time for people living in the UK to treat their fathers.
Sun 15 Jun 2008
(date to be confirmed)
Dano Korea Sparkling Summer Festival, London
Celebration of Korean culture (and of the festival of Dano) in London's Trafalgar Square from 12-6pm. This free event includes a parade, crafts, dance, music and food. See: http://www.kcpauk.org
Photos from this event: Ideas/Album/Dano
Mon 16 Jun 2008 Garter Day, Windsor
Prince William will become a Royal Knight of the Garter at a ceremony at Windsor Castle. This is part of a system of honours which dates back to 1348. Windsor Castle will be closed to visitors today (people who have already obtained special tickets for Garter Day can watch from inside the castle).
Photos from this event: Ideas/Album/GarterDay
Mon 16 Jun -
Sun 22 Jun 2008
Refugee Week, UK
A programme of arts, cultural and educational events throughout the UK that celebrate cultural diversity and promote understanding about the reasons why people seek sanctuary. For details of your local events see: http://www.refugeeweek.org.uk.
If you are a student and would like to help to support asylum seekers or refugees in your local community in the UK, see: http://www.star-network.org.uk


Refugee Week


Tue 17 Jun -
Sat 21 Jun 2008
Royal Ascot, Ascot (Berkshire)
Ascot is one of the world's most well-known racecourses (founded in 1711). Royal Ascot is a 5-day horse racing event - each year the Queen attends on at least one of the days. Thursday is known as Ladies Day, and is famous for fashion. For details about the event, see: http://www.ascot.co.uk.
* Photos of Royal Ascot: Ideas/Album/RoyalAscot.



Royal Ascot


Tue 17 Jun -
Wed 18 Jun 2008
London Graduate Recruitment Fair, London
A jobs fair in central London for graduates or university/college students. The event is held at the Business Design Centre in London (near Angel underground station; map). For details, see: http://www.londongradfair.co.uk.
* Guide to looking for a job: Work/Search
Thu 19 Jun -
Sun 22 Jun 2008
Royal Highland Show, Edinburgh
This show features the best of rural Scotland, including crafts, food and sheep/cattle competitions. It is held at the Royal Highland Centre at Ingliston, near Edinburgh. See: http://www.royalhighlandshow.org.
Thu 19 Jun -
Sun 22 Jun 2008
Taste of London, London
A chance to sample world cuisine from 40 of London's top restaurants in Regent's Park. You need to buy an entrance ticket (either for lunch or supper) and some "crowns", which you can use to buy sample-sized dishes from small kitchens set up by each of the restaurants. See: http://www.channel4.com/life/microsites/T/taste/london.html
* British food: Britain/Food
Fri 20 Jun -
Thu 10 Jul 2008
City of London Festival, London
Music and dance festival in the area of central London known as "the City". See: http://www.colf.org.
Events include free lunchtime concerts in the City's churches or squares.
Sat 21 Jun 2008 Exhibition Road Music Day, London
Free live music events at various venues in and around Exhibition Road in South Kensington, London. This is the London version of the popular French music festival Fête de la Musique, always held on 21 June (the longest day of the year). See: http://www.exhibitionroadmusicday.org
Sat 21 Jun 2008 Summer solstice, UK
The longest day of the year.
Sat 21 Jun -
Sun 22 Jun 2008
West End Live, London
Free event in Leicester Square which highlights the best of London's West End entertainment.
This includes short performances from some West End shows
See: http://www.westendlive.co.uk
* West End theatre: Ideas/Album/West-End-Live
Mon 23 Jun -
Sun 6 Jul 2008
Wimbledon Tennis Tournament, London
A world-famous tennis competition at Wimbledon (in south London). Play is on grass courts. For detailed information, see the official Wimbledon website: http://www.wimbledon.org. You can watch on television on BBC1 or BBC2, or listen online to BBC Radio 5 Live.
* More details about Wimbledon (including how to get tickets): Life/Sport/Tennis.


Wimbledon

Thu 26 Jun -
Sat 12 Jul 2008
(dates to be confirmed)
Tower Music Festival, London
A series of evening concerts outside the Tower of London (tickets required).
For further information, see: http://www.towermusicfestival.co.uk
Fri 27 Jun -
Sun 29 Jun 2008
Glastonbury Festival, Somerset
Glastonbury is a three-day music festival at Worthy Farm near the village of Pilton in Somerset, near Bath (map).
* UK rock festivals: Life/Entertainment/Festivals
Sat 28 Jun 2008
(date to be confirmed)
Korean Festival, South-west London
Free open-air Korean festival from late morning until late afternoon at The Fairfield, Fairfield Road, Kingston (nearest train station: Kingston [accessible from Waterloo, Clapham Junction, Wimbledon or Richmond]; map). The event includes performances of traditional Korean music, dance and martial arts, and there are Korean food stalls.
This event is organised by the Korean Residents Society (based in New Malden). See: http://www.kingston.gov.uk/leisure/whats_on/special_events.htm
* Photos from this event: Ideas/Album/KoreanFestival
Sat 28 Jun -
Sun 29 Jun 2008
Hyde Park Calling, London
Rock festival in London's Hyde Park. See: http://www.hydeparkcalling.co.uk
* UK rock festivals: Life/Entertainment/Festivals
Sat 28 Jun -
Sun 29 Jun 2008
Carnival de Cuba, London
Cuban music, dance, food and stalls in Southwark Park. Entry is free. For more details, see: http://www.carnival-de-cuba.com


Carnival de Cuba: Cuban music ...

... and costumes

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LINKS


Tours in June: Travel/Tours/Dates/June
Events in July: Ideas/Events/July
Print a free calendar: Ideas/Calendar
Sports events: Life/Sport
Entertainment: Life/Entertainment

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