Fun stuff during the Olympics, that is not an actual event

daveshoelace

Probably could have thought of a catchier title.

Although I have tickets for just the one event, I will be London for the better part of two days. I figure there will be lots of cool stuff to do other than the events themselves (Will they, for example, have outdoor screens showing of the events like they do with the Footy?)

I figured it made sense to start a thread, and if anyone knows of any fun activities you can file under festivities, rather than sport, they can add them here?

Brightspark

BT London Live is a free festival of sport and music & will be held in parks across London during the Olympics. Giant screens will beam the Games to crowds in Hyde Park and Victoria Park with performances from acts including Sir Tom Jones and Feeder. Sports fans can try out bungee, trampolining, tennis, basketball and cricket. A 180ft-high observation wheel in Victoria Park will offer views of the Olympic Park. Check out their website:
www.btlondonlive.com

dawnteabag

You can pre-book guaranteed admission pre 2.30 to BTLondonLive through ticketmaster at the moment Its £3.50 for 4 tickets but means you won't have to queue

liz-paul

Brillo, just reserved some tickets for Hyde park!

daveshoelace

Bump!

We will have a few hours to kill near the ExCel Arena tomorrow. Can anyone recommend any fun stuff to do?

Doesn't have to be Olympics based, could be shopping, sight seeing, etc, near the ExCel.

pandora205

I'm working out same for us (going to Earls Court on 12th August). Excel is a bit trickier but it's not that far from the South Bank and Tate Modern, which is free (apart from special exhibitions) which is a trendy place to go.

There are more ideas here:
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g186338-i17-k3846606-What_to_do_near_London_Excel-London_England.html


Just watching a TV programme about Greenwich, which looks very interesting. I'm not sure how much of the activities suggested here are free but there are lots of ideas:
http://golondon.about.com/od/walkingtoursoflondon/ss/greenwichtour.htm

browneyedbazzi

There are a bunch of activities and things going on around the Southbank and at other places as part of the London 2012 festival.

http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/whatson/london-2012-festival-feature-roundup-4134.html

There are also quite a few outdoor big screens you can go along to and see coverage of the events - some of the locations also have other stuff going on to keep people entertained. Details of them are on the following link:

http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/whatson/olympic-outdoor-screenings-feature-roundup-3922.html

ETA - also have a look to see if any of the free events are on days when you will be around - this week there's the road cycling time trial on Wednesday and most of the route will just be open for people to turn up to and there are other events over the weekend and into next week.

johnmcga

There is loads of cool stuff happening down on the South Bank at the moment, particularly round the London Eye and National Theatre.

Actually, the National Theatre has lots of free stuff, outdoor performances, there are lots of food stalls, a great pop-up bar and you get great views over the river and can always walk across to Covent Garden and the rest of central London. Had a bit of a music festival atmosphere on Saturday night.

If you want to do something different but Olympics-related you could consider checking out some of the National Olympic Houses:

http://www.visitlondon.com/london2012/national-hospitality-houses-for-london-2012/

The Czech Republic one in Angel has an amazing Routemaster sculpture outside, and they're building a LEGO model of the Olympic Park at the Danish one.

There is heaps of stuff going on in London at the moment and it's absolutely buzzing. If you don't have any particular plans in mind, you can easily fill a day walking around the centre, spotting Olympic mascots and enjoying the sights.

Have fun!