Tourism & Hospitality | Tuesday 5 July, 2016 6:01 am |

London is set to host a number of festivals, cultural events and activities that will bring the English capital alive during July and August. 

 

Customers travelling from Kuwait during the summer months can make the most of recent changes to visa rules making visiting the UK simpler and faster.

 

The new procedures allow Kuwaiti passport holders to travel to the UK on business or leisure for a period of up to six months once an online application has been made, removing the previous need to submit documentation to visa application centres. Find out more about visas requirements and about transiting into Europe by clicking here*.

 

To make your time in London more enjoyable, British Airways has pulled together a list of some of the best festivities taking place across the city that all the family will enjoy:

 

View modern art along the Thames

Tate Modern has a new building, and with it new spaces for art and a new ethos. The beautifully-designed New Tate Modern opened to the public on 17 June 2016, just behind the original power station site, allowing visitors to see contemporary art, interactive and experimental projects from further afield – Russia, Latin America and the Middle East.

www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern 

 

Visit royal gardens and floral creations

All those with green fingers should venture to Hampton Court Palace, where the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show is in full bloom from 5 to 10 July 2016. With stunning floral arrangements, delicious artisanal food and some celebrity gardeners giving talks, this is not to be missed.

www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-hampton-court-palace-flower-show 

 

Gain the power of the force

Returning from a galaxy far, far away to London’s ExCeL (London Exhibition Centre), the Star Wars Celebration Europe takes place from 15 to 17 July 2016. Fans of the epic saga will revel in the success of the latest film, The Force Awakens, and get a sneak preview glimpse of the upcoming Rogue One. There is also an impressive cosplay competition and a few celeb speakers to enjoy.

www.starwarscelebration.com 

 

Dive into childhood fairytales

Lewis Carroll’s influential and imitable fantasy Alice in Wonderland has been given the opera treatment by composer Will Todd. Now in its fourth year, Opera Holland Park brings this strange tale to life at Holland Park on 28 and 29 July 2016, one for all the family.

www.aliceopera.com 

 

Dance to the Notting Hill drums

Don’t miss the excitement of the Notting Hill Carnival, which takes place over the Bank Holiday weekend on 28 and 29 August 2016. The overwhelming sights, sounds and smells are at the very heart of this colourful celebration - with two days of festivities including live music, traditional cuisine and a flamboyant parade that is not to be missed.

www.thenottinghillcarnival.com 

 

Eat like royalty

The culinary elite come together for the Foodies Festival Alexandra Palace, which takes place over the Bank Holiday weekend and ends on 29 August 2016. Enjoy this food-themed event, as celebrity chefs and familiar MasterChef faces cook up a storm. Relish in flavours from around the world and creations by expert mixologists, or pick up tasty products from the Artisan Producers Market. Cookery classes for children and live music make this a great day for everyone.

www.foodiesfestival.com/alexandra-food-festival 

 

Take a ride on the Hogwarts Express

Go behind-the-scenes of the Harry Potter film series with a tour of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, to see where it all began. If you’re travelling by train across the city, look out for the sign at King’s Cross Railway Station to Platform 9¾, the departure point for students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, of which its most famous student, Harry Potter, attends. 

www.wbstudiotour.co.uk 

 

British Airways flies direct to London Heathrow from Kuwait daily and for a limited time until 12 July 2016, return flights are available from KWD 233.10 with travel valid between 8 July and 10 August 2016.** The airport is just a short train ride from the centre of the city and its world-famous shops and attractions – many of which offer exclusive discounts for British Airways passengers. For more information on participating outlets visit: http://www.britishairways.com/en-ch/destinations/london/london-discounts.