The London Year: What to Do and When

by Yolanda Zappaterra, Sarah Guy

From January to December, discover the very best of London through the year, with this illustrated guide showcasing 200 events across the city.

A bustling city with seemingly endless energy, London is the ultimate destination for those seeking new and dynamic cultural experiences. There are fun and fanciful events on throughout the year, with the most unusual often known only by locals.

This unique guide unlocks these lively seasonal activities, highlighting key dates and attractions across art, culture, history, nature, education, food, and drink, and giving you a fresh perspective on London’s vibrant cultural calendar.

Take part in remarkable events, and embrace unique opportunities across the city,
  Taking part in the city’s annual steel pan competition Watching the sheep racing at Lambeth County Show Catching Richmond Park’s rhododendrons in full bloom Staying overnight at London Zoo

The London Year is brought to life with inspired features that guide you through the rich tapestry of the city…
  Events and activities for all ages and interests An ideal day out for each month Unusual opening hours of various attractions and venues Must-see one-off occasions Fascinating historical details

This is a refreshing guide to London and its vibrant calendar of events. An ideal gift for locals, students, or regular visitors to the city, allowing anyone to explore the capital in a whole new way.

176 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2024

Reviews

[Shereadbookblog · Rating 4 out of 5]

With beautiful photographs, the authors present monthly activities available in London. The well known and the more obscure are discussed here to provide a years worth of fun for London visitors and residents. There are cultural activities, musical, horticultural, fun, sports; a plethora of events to appeal to everyone, no matter their taste or interests.

Having read this book, I regret that I don’t have a full year to spend in this lively city to enjoy all that is available.

Thanks to #netGalley and @QuartobooksUK for the DRC.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, The London Year, by Yolanda Zappaterra: Sarah Guy, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. What to do and when to do it, in London, for a whole year. I really liked the pictures in this book. Every month has fun things to do, and see, from festivals, to marathons.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's no good just knowing, for example, that the Chelsea Flower Show is a big London event every May. No, you also need to know when the tickets for entry go on sale. There is a certain calendar you have to abide by if you are trying to get an artwork into the Royal Academy Summer Show. Admittance to a London Marathon is only doable the year before you mean to race – you can always find a few friends and row the Thames in the Head of the River Race, instead, but that is quite a different beast.

This is the book then that tries to discuss all of that, as well as highlight all the cultural events across London, from Polish cinema to mourning clowns. Oh, and it also tells you where to see the best banks of snowdrops, daffs and the like, in a general almanac manner. It's all pretty successful – each entry gets a half or full page, with colourful photo every time, a relevant website mention and the heads-up for deadlines, submissions, entries etc. Sometimes it really does just read like a copied-out press release, and it's surprisingly not in calendar order (the New Year's Day events not the first things here, nor NYE fireworks the last), but it pretty much does nail things. It demands of itself a wide coverage, from toffs rolling eggs down Fleet Street to the bluntest reminder that football exists, and it achieves that varied reach. With the idea that so much here is attainable, London becomes a bit more attractive.

[Cherryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The London Year: What to Do and When" is a captivating and beautifully illustrated guide to the diverse cultural events that make London such a vibrant and exciting city. Authors Yolanda Zappaterra and Sarah Guy take readers on a journey through the year, highlighting 200 events that showcase the best of London's art, music, theater, and more.

From the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show to hidden gems like the London Tweed Run, this guide offers something for everyone. Each event is accompanied by gorgeous illustrations and practical information, making it easy for readers to plan their own London adventures.

What sets "The London Year" apart from other travel guides is its focus on the unique and dynamic cultural experiences that make London such an exceptional destination. The authors' passion for the city and its diverse offerings shines through on every page, making this book a must-have for anyone planning a trip to London or seeking to explore the city's rich cultural tapestry.

Overall, "The London Year: What to Do and When" is a delightful and informative guide that captures the essence of London's cultural scene. This book is a perfect companion for anyone looking to discover the best of London throughout the year.

** Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. **

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the layout for the book, it was lovely, bright and the text was clear and easy to read. I liked that the book was done month by month.
The amount of detail and the overviews were great - it is all very well done and I lived the photographs chosen
I visit London on a fairly regular basis and have made some notes about future visits and things to see so this is ideal for those new to the city, those that live there and want to try and find a new day/thing to experience when they are there and regular visitors such as myself.
It is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended!

[Michelle Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Appealingly laid out, with plenty of vivid color photos, I liked seeing images of many of the goings-on in the city of London and, while I’m not sure how helpful this might or might be to a resident, as someone who’s planning a dream trip to England, I found it an enjoyable and helpful read, (and I’ve also realized that I really would need at least a full year to experience the area the way I’d love to be able to).


The London Year would also likely be rather useful in planning your homeschooling year.



Thank you to Frances Lincoln and NetGalley for the PDF

[Polly Krize · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Falling in love with London is easy (in my opinion), and I find myself wanting to return each year. This book gives you a month by month guide for any activity of interest, including art, sport, culture, horticulture, just about anything one would love to take part in. Invaluable resource for one of the great cities of the world.

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Frances Lincoln and NetGalley for the eARC of The London Year. All opinions in this review are my own.

This book did what it needed to but it didn't wow me. If you are planning a trip to London and want to check out which events are happening at the same time, this is the perfect book for you!

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a gem for anyone wanting to explore London beyond the usual tourist spots. It’s organised by month, which makes it super easy to plan outings around seasonal events and hidden gems. I’ve already bookmarked a few ideas for autumn weekends. Great mix of culture, food, and quirky local happenings. Would make a lovely gift for London lovers or newcomers.