Page 64 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - London

62  INTRODUCING L ONDON

Average Monthly Rainfall Rainfall Chart
MM Inches London’s average
64 2.5 monthly rainfall
remains much the
2
48 same throughout the
year. July and August,
1.5
32 the capital’s warmest
1 months, are also two
of its wettest. Rain is
16
0.5 less likely in spring,
but visitors should be
0 0 prepared for a shower
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec at any time of year.
Autumn
There is a sense of purpose
about London in autumn.
The build-up to the busiest
shopping season and the start
of the academic year inject
some life into the colder
months. Halloween, something
of an import from the US, is
now celebrated with costume
parties and themed pub and
club nights. A more traditional
British night of revelry follows
on 5 November, when bonfires
and fireworks displays commem-
orate the failed conspiracy, led
by Guy Fawkes in 1605, to blow
up the Palace of Westminster.
A few days later, the soldiers
of conflicts from World War I
onwards are honoured at a The season of promenade concerts reaches its climax on the Last Night of the Proms
ceremony held at the Cenotaph
in Whitehall. and on the river between details of firework displays
Westminster Bridge and South- taking place across the city
September wark Cathedral. Last Night (see p338); Alexandra Palace
Totally Thames (Sep). This of the Proms (mid-Sep), Royal hosts a particularly excellent
Thames-themed festival features Albert Hall (see p209). Enter- display. Remembrance Day
a month of events alongside taining the masses with rousing Service (see p58). Lord
classical hits and favourite Mayor’s Show (see p59).
British patriotic pieces. An London to Brighton veteran
open-air concert, “Proms in the car rally (first Sun). Christmas
Park”, is held simultaneously in lights (late Nov– 6 Jan). The
Hyde Park. West End, especially Regent
Street, lights up during the
October festive season.
Pearly Harvest Festival
(first Sun). The festival begins
at Guildhall Yard, from where
a parade of Pearly Kings and
Queens makes its way to
St-Mary-le-Bow Church for the
Harvest Festival service (see
p151). Vintners’ and Distillers’
Wine Harvest (see p59).
November
Guy Fawkes Night (5 Nov).
London-to-Brighton veteran car run Listings magazines give Fireworks explode on Guy Fawkes Night

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