Study, work or travel in the UK. British
culture and life.
Things to do in the UK in May 2011
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Study, work or travel in the UK. British
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Things to do in the UK in May 2011
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MAY 2011
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Rapeseed field (farmed for its oil)
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| Sun 1 May 2011 | May Day: International Workers' Day, UK May Day is traditionally a day for demonstrations by workers and by people who are protesting against the current social system (similar events occur in many countries). This choice of date is related to an event in the US on May 1st 1886: there was a general strike in Chicago on this day which ended in rioting, after which six people were executed. This day is not a public holiday in the UK - there is a "May Day" holiday on the following Monday. An organised march will take place in central London, including a mixture of trade unions and various groups protesting about issues such as the environment, war / the arms trade, and capitalism. |
| Sun 1 May 2011 | 1,000 Guineas, Newmarket The second "classic" race of this year's flat horse racing season. The race is in Newmarket (near Cambridge). The 1,000 Guineas is for 3-year old fillies (female horses). The race is shown on television on Channel 4 in the late afternoon. See: http://www.newmarketracecourses.co.uk. * Information about horse racing in the UK: Life/Sport/Horse |
| Mon 2 May 2011 | May Day bank holiday, UK A public holiday in the UK. In some towns and villages across England there will be traditional celebration in a park, with Morris dancing or children dancing around a Maypole. |
| Mon 2 May 2011 | May Morning, Oxford There are traditional celebrations in the morning in Oxford. This starts at 6 o'clock in the morning with choir-singing in Magdalen Tower - large crowds gather from about 5 o'clock to watch from the area around Magdalen Bridge (some university students enjoy an all-night ball before then). There is Morris dancing and music during the rest of the morning in the streets around Radcliffe Square. * Pictures of Oxford: Travel/Tours/England/Oxford |
| Mon 2 May 2011 | Sweeps Festival, Rochester May Day is celebrated in Rochester (in Kent). Festivities include Morris dancing in the streets, storytelling in the Charles Dickens Centre, and a funfair in the castle grounds. There is a procession through the streets, including people dressed as chimney sweeps (the start of summer was always the busiest time for people to clean their chimneys). * Photos of Rochester: Travel/Tours/England/Rochester |
| Mon 2 May 2011 | Jack-in-the-Green, Hastings Traditional May Day celebrations in Hastings. The Jack is released from the Fishermen's Museum, from where there is a procession through the streets to Hastings Castle. Following Jack are Morris dancers, Giants and Bogies. Later in the afternoon Jack is killed, and the Spirit of Summer is released. For further information, see: http://www.hastingsjack.co.uk. * Photos of this event: Ideas/Album/JackInTheGreen |
 Jack-in-the-Green: local giants outside the fishing huts |
 Jack-in-the-Green: celebrations in Hastings Castle |
| Tue 3 May - Wed 4 May 2011 |
Champions League Football Second leg semi-final matches from the Champions League For further information, see: http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague or http://www.itv.com/sport/football/champions_league * Football: Life/Sport/Football |
| Thu 5 May - Sun 8 May 2011 |
Living Crafts Fair, Hatfield The largest crafts fair in Europe, organised by Living Crafts. Hundreds of Britain's top designers and craftspeople sell their products, and many also give demonstrations. It takes place at Hatfield House in Hertfordshire (see: http://www.hatfield-house.co.uk ; map): the house is a short walk from Hatfield train station, which is about a 20 minute journey from London King's Cross train station. There is an entry charge. It is also possible to pay to see the house, which is where Queen Elizabeth the First spent much of her life, and to walk around the extensive gardens. For further information, see: http://www.livingcrafts.co.uk/index.htm. |
 Living Crafts Fair: spinner ... |
 ... glassblower ... |
 ... and blacksmith |
| Fri 6 May - Sun 8 May 2011 |
Tours from London If you want to join a tour this weekend (starting in London), these are some options: Fri 6-Sun 8: Edinburgh, Loch Ness and Highlands by train Sat 7-Sun 8: Wales Coast & Mountains Sat 7: Oxford Sun 8: Stonehenge, Avebury and Glastonbury * List of tours: Travel/Tours/Dates |
| Sat 7 May 2011 | UniFIS (University Fair for International Students),
London UniFIS is for international students, currently based in the UK, who would like to graduate with a degree or masters from a UK university. Meet university representatives or advisors to discuss university entry and IELTS requirements, visa issues and UCAS applications. This event is from 12-4pm at the Grand Connaught Rooms, 61-65 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5DA (nearest Tube: Covent Garden; map) For further information and to register in advance, see: http://www.unifis.co.uk |
| Sat 7 May - Sun 29 May 2011 |
Brighton Festival, Brighton A 3-week international festival of music, theatre, dance, literature and arts events in Brighton. This is one of the largest events of this kind in England. See: http://www.brightonfestival.org At the same time there is a lively "fringe" festival. See: http://www.brightonfestivalfringe.org.uk * Photos from this event: Ideas/Album/Brighton-Festival |
 Brighton Festival: one of the temporary venues |
 Brighton Festival: children's parade |
| Sun 8 May 2011 | Bangla New Year Festival (Baishaki Mela), London Celebrations of Bangladeshi culture starting in the morning, when local children lead a street procession, and continuing until the end of the afternoon. It takes place in Weavers Fields (next to Vallance Road) and Allen Gardens and in the area around Brick Lane (nearest London Overground station: Shoreditch High Street; see: map). For further details, see: http://www.baishakhimela.org.uk. * Useful links for people from Bangladesh: Links/Bangladesh |
| Sun 8 May 2011 | Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival, London Punch and Judy shows and related events, held in the gardens of St Paul's Church, Bedford Street, London WC2 (near Covent Garden, Charing Cross or Leicester Square underground stations; see: map). At 10.30am there is a procession around the neighbourhood of Covent Garden starting at the church garden. In some years there is a Mass and Puppet Service in St Paul's Church (see: http://www.actorschurch.org). In the afternoon there are Punch and Judy shows, other puppet shows and workshops, folk music and dancing, clowns and jugglers (this is a free, family-friendly event). See: http://www.alternativearts.co.uk/events. * Photos from the event: Ideas/Album/MayFayre |
| Fri 13 May - Sun 15 May 2011 |
Tours from London If you want to join a tour this weekend (starting in London), these are some options: Fri 13-Sun 15: Paris by Coach Sat 14-Sun 15: Oxford, Cotswolds, Bath, Lacock & Stonehenge Sat 14: Bath and Stonehenge Sun 15: Stonehenge, Avebury and Glastonbury * List of tours: Travel/Tours/Dates |
| Sat 14 May 2011 | UK University Fair, London University fair at Earls Court exhibition centre in London (nearest Tube: Earls Court) from 12-5pm. See: http://www.ukunifair.co.uk |
| Sat 14 May 2011 | Westminster Day of Dance, London (second Saturday in May) Traditional Morris dancing during the afternoon in Westminster and Trafalgar Square. See: http://www.westminstermorris.org * Photos of Morris dancing: Ideas/Album/MorrisDancing |
 Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival: Punch & Judy show |
 Day of Dance: Morris dancing in Westminster |
| Sat 14 May 2011 | FA Cup Final, London The FA Cup Final is the last game of a knockout competition between football clubs in England and Wales. You can watch the game live on television (on ITV). Note that it is very difficult to obtain tickets for this event. The game will be played in Wembley Stadium in London. For details see: http://www.itv.com/Sport/Football/FACup or: http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup.aspx * Information about football in the UK: Life/Sport/Football |
 FA Cup Final: Fans make their way to Wembley Stadium |
 FA Cup Final: The Royal Standard flies if one of the royal family is at the game |
| Sat 14 May 2011 | Eurovision Song Contest, Dusseldorf (Germany) An annual European song competition. The contest is shown on BBC1 in the evening. The official website for the event is: http://www.eurovision.tv. * Information about pop music in the UK: Britain/Music/Pop |
| Sun 15 May 2011 | Vaisakhi on the Square, London Free Sikh festival in Trafalgar Square from 12-6pm. See: http://www.london.gov.uk/vaisakhi * Vaisakhi celebrations: Ideas/Album/Vaisakhi |
| Wed 18 May 2011 | UEFA Europa League Final, Dublin (Ireland) The final of the UEFA Europa League (a European soccer competition). For further information, see: http://www.uefa.com/competitions/uefacup or http://www.itv.com/Sport/Football/UEFACup * Information about football in the UK: Life/Sport/Football |
| Fri 20 May - Sun 22 May 2011 |
Tours from London If you want to join a tour this weekend (starting in London), these are some options: Fri 20-Sun 22: Edinburgh, Loch Ness and Highlands by train Sat 21-Sun 22: Wales Coast & Mountains Sat 21: Brighton Sun 22: Stonehenge, Avebury and Glastonbury * List of tours: Travel/Tours/Dates |
| Sat 21 May - Sat 28 May 2011 |
UEFA Champions Festival, London A week of free football-related events in Hyde Park, celebrating London's hosting of this year's UEFA Champions League Final. See: http://www.london.gov.uk/uefa * Information about football in the UK: Life/Sport/Football |
| Sat 21 May 2011 | Scottish Cup Final, Glasgow The final of this year's knock-out competition between Scottish football clubs, organised by the Scottish FA. The game is played at Hampden Park. For details see: http://www.scottishfa.co.uk. * Information about football in the UK: Life/Sport/Football |
| Tue 24 May - Sat 28 May 2011 |
Chelsea Flower Show, London A famous flower show in London. There are TV programmes about the show on BBC television each day this week. Entry on Monday is only by special invitation, and Tuesday/Wednesady are only for RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) members. The entrance is on Eastern Avenue, which is close to the northern end of Royal Hospital Road (near Sloane Square underground station, not far from London Victoria station; see map). Exhibited plants are sold on the last day. For further details of the show, see: http://www.rhs.org.uk/chelsea or http://www.bbc.co.uk/chelsea. * Photographs from the event: Ideas/Album/ChelseaFlowerShow |
 Chelsea Flower Show: Flowers ... |
 ... and show gardens |
| Sat 28 May 2011 | Champions League Final, Wembley (London) The final of the Champions League (a knockout football competition between top European clubs), played in London at Wembley Stadium. For further information, see: http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague or http://www.itv.com/sport/football/champions_league * Information about football in the UK: Life/Sport/Football |
| Thu 26 May - Mon 30 May 2011 |
Cricket: England v Sri Lanka The first of three test matches between England and Sri Lanka. This game is played in Cardiff The dates of the future matches are: 2nd test (played at Lord's cricket ground, in London): Fri 3 - Tue 7 June 2011 3rd test (played at The Rose Bowl cricket ground, near Southampton): Thu 16 - Mon 20 June 2011 * Cricket: Life/Sport/Cricket |
| Sat 28 May - Mon 30 May 2011 |
Tours from London If you want to join a tour this weekend (starting in London), these are some options: Sat 28-Mon 30: Amsterdam & Bruges coach tour Sat 28-Sun 29: Oxford, Cotswolds, Bath, Lacock & Stonehenge Sat 28: Wales daytrip Sun 29: Stonehenge, Avebury and Glastonbury Mon 30: Windsor, Bath & Stonehenge * List of tours: Travel/Tours/Dates |
| Sat 28 May 2011 | Major General's Review of Trooping the Colour, London The first of two rehearsals for the Trooping the Colour ceremony (which is 2 weeks later). 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. |
 The Major General |
| Mon 30 May 2011 | Late May Bank Holiday, UK A public holiday in the UK. |
| Mon 30 May 2011 | London 10K run, London 10km road race, starting and ending near St James's Park. See: http://www.london10000.co.uk |
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