Hampton Court Palace Festival

Fancy a marvelous cool English summer night in an ancient royal palace in the middle of the lush Surrey countryside, breathing in the scent of elderflower while sipping on delicious wine and enjoying a set of world-class music acts?

You can call it English Summer. And from the 11th to the 25th of June, summer is a South West London’s exclusive, with 2 weeks of concerts, live performances, the finest dining and drinking in the premises of one of the most sumptuous, ancient royal palaces, in reinvigorating nature; all this and more at the eagerly longed-for Hampton Court Palace Festival.

For its twenty-first edition, the Palace will be the main stage to a variety of events and music acts, from the rock and pop genres, to jazz acts and classical music, featuring artists from the national and international scene.

The Hampton Court Palace, the historic Tudor Base Court, is providing a range of locations that perfectly suit different purposes, from cured apartments and dining areas, to relaxing hang-out and drinking areas and outdoor picnic spots, waterside gazebos, live performances and a wide range of night entertainment acts.

Located in East Molesey, in Surrey (look for the exact postcode KT8 9AU), only a few meters from Hampton Court Railway Station, the venue is easily accessible by train, served by fast direct services to London Waterloo running every 30 minutes. Just make sure you make the last train (leaving East Molesey at 23.24).

Being only 20 minutes away from the main junctions in South West London, Hampton Court Palace is easily accessible by road too. Also, the free car parking based on the premises makes it easier and safer for festival ticket holders to reach the venue with their own vehicle with no hassle, as the parking is open from 5pm until one hour after the performance has ended.

Frequent local buses serve the area, with runs of the main routes (R68, 411, 111, 216) running until late at night. Also if you are in South West England, you should take advantage of this and enjoy a pleasant 30 minute boat ride from the Turks Pier, in Kingston-Upon-Thames, or a slightly longer but equally pleasant trip (of about 1 hour and 30 minutes) leaving from Richmond.

Among the artists performing at the festival: the longed-for American star Dionne Warwick, the Beach Boys, Jason Donovan, but also national prides like Van Morrison, the pianist Jools Holland, singer-songwriter and radio speaker Rick Astley, and more: the Midsummer Night Opera, the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and many other incredible acts.

If you really feel like treating yourself, look to truly have an unforgettable time with a few intimate friends or to impress your loved one, or even if you simply are willing to pay some extra and beat the queue, avoid any possible hassle and delay, you may be interested in the VIP Package - starting at £295 per person - which covers superb two-course dinner on the premises, private areas, reserved tables and VIP or front-row seats, champagne, canapé and delicious refreshments on reception.

Don’t miss out on this one; there’s hardly anything else happening in the same time in London, and not near as memorable and exclusive as this.