5 things to do in the UK this July

It’s the summer (apparently) and there are all kinds of things happening this July in the UK. The tennis takes over this month so make sure you catch it on one of the open air screens around the capital. Or, if you want to just disappear down a rabbit hole take a trip to Oxford for a Wonderland adventure. Buckingham Palace opens it’s doors this month so step inside and see the Queen’s residence. Of course, there will be plenty more Queens at the London Pride Parade on 6 July. For those who are heading up North, we recommend a trip to Durham for an unmissable live-action outdoor show and a few Viking battles.

Wimbledon – From 1 July

Since 1877, Wimbledon, the world’s most prestigious major tennis tournament has been taking place in London. It’s the only major Grand Slam tennis tournament played on outdoor grass courts and this year 53,000 yellow tennis balls will be used during The Championships’ period.

If you don’t manage to get tickets don’t worry there are plenty of places across the capital screening the games on big screens – including Granary Square at King’s Cross. Check out the recommended places to watch the tennis.

Our Blue Badge Guides offer tours of Wimbledon. So once the tournament is finished, come and take a tour of the club with a Blue Badge Guide.

Alice’s Day – 6 July, Oxford

If you’re a Lewis Caroll fan then take a trip to Oxford for ‘Alice’s Day’, an annual festival to celebrate all things Wonderland. Each year has a theme and this year is ‘Time’.

There’s a whole programme of events planned including giant bouncing rabbits, walks, readings, dressing up, crafts and of course a Mad Hatters Tea Party. You’ll also be able to visit the shop where the real Alice bought her sweets 150 years ago.

Whilst you are in Oxford we can show you Christ Church, ‘The House’, which is famous for it’s dining hall portraits of alumnus and mathematics don Charles Dodgson – aka Lewis Carroll – and Dean Liddell, whose daughter was the ‘real’ Alice. The panelled Hall has long tables glittering with glass and cutlery, stained glass windows featuring characters from Alice and tiny doors behind the High Table were, apparently, the inspiration for the disappearing White Rabbit. Read more about this and other locations that inspired some of our greatest children’s literature.

Take a look at our guided tours of Oxford.

PRIDE in London – 6 July

This year Pride is celebrating 50 years since the beginning of the modern LGBTQ rights movement. The London Pride Rally started with just 1000 people marching from Trafalgar Square to Hyde Park in 1972. Last year there were more than a million people on the streets of London.

If you want to see and join in the parade it sets off from Portland Place at 12pm (midday). The crowd go down Oxford Circus, down Regent Street and head towards Trafalgar Square before finishing on Whitehall.

One very famous gay writer was Oscar Wilde, alive at a time when homosexuality was punishable with life imprisonment. When Wilde came down to London in the 1880s he was an established society figure in search of a reputation. After a decade of writing poetry and novels, three brilliantly successful drawing-room comedies propelled him to celebrity. But, at the apex of his fame, he was destroyed by a devastating personal scandal. Our Blue Badge Guide David Thompson takes a look at his life in London.

Buckingham Palace opens from 20 July

Join us for our Royal London Tour this summer which can include a visit to Buckingham Palace. Every summer, for 10 weeks, Buckingham Palace, the Queen’s official London residence, is open to the public. Come and see for yourself the lavish and impressive State Rooms with great treasures on display and the beautiful Grand Staircase. We can tell you the stories of the palace, uncover the lives of the monarchs who have lived there and show you the royal guards and their world-famous Changing of the Guard ceremony. See what else our Royal London tour might include. 

Kynren – Durham

Kynren takes place this month in Durham and is described as “The UK’s ‘must see’ spectacular live-action outdoor theatre show”. Indeed it may be, with a stage that is seven-and-a-half acres and a cast of 1,000 and an audience of 8,000! Yes, this is a truly spectacular experience and well worth a visit if you are visiting the area. Listen to a story from 2000 years ago and watch amazing stunts, see a Viking longship, people on horseback and many thrilling special effects.

Our guides can take you on a tour of Durham. We will show you the World Heritage Site of Durham Castle and Cathedral that watches over the city’s medieval streets.