Things to see and do England

Timetable

Museums are generally open from 10am to 5:30pm or 6pm, every day, with occasional late nights until 9:30pm or even 10pm on Thursdays and/or Fridays.

Budget & Tips

Many museums are free, especially in London and especially the most important ones: Natural History Museum, British Museum, Tate Modern, Victoria & Albert Museum, Science Museum, National Gallery, Wallace collection, etc.

Main events

Important events include:

In late January/early February, Chinese New

celebrations in Soho

In April, the London Marathon

marathonsApril 23, St. George's Day

In May, the English soccer championship final

last weekend in May, chealsea Flower Show

June/July Wimbledon Tournament

Early July London Pride, one of Europe's biggest prides

All summer Festival of the

in London's Kew Gardens

Early August Great British Beer Festival

Last weekend in August Nothing Hill Carnival

Guided tours

Visiting London on a red double-decker English bus is a must. You can also take more unusual tours with French-speaking guides who will show you the back roads and not necessarily in the footsteps of Harry Potter or the Beatles.

Smokers

Since 2006, smoking has been prohibited in enclosed public places. Smokers must go outside to smoke. In addition, smoking is prohibited in some green spaces, particularly in certain areas of Hyde Park.

What's very local

Guy Fawkes Night, which takes place every 5th of November, is a typically English celebration that cannot be found anywhere else, quite strange but very appreciated in England. It is an original marriage between July 14th and Halloween, quite festive, unrestrained and inventive. Guy Fawkes effigies are burned, there are fireworks and large public and private parties. In the days leading up to the festival, children walk around with their Guy Fawke dolls and beg passers-by for a penny for the Guy, traditionally to help fund the fireworks.