A June diary in London
June in London 2018 brought royal pageantry, musical theatre, a cinema evening and a very warm end to the working week. This month’s film follows those outings from the parks around Buckingham Palace to Trafalgar Square, Soho and Seven Dials.
I filmed these visits during June and published the complete episode on 15 August 2018. It is a record of that summer: the event arrangements, cinema visit and ticket advice belong to the time of filming. Watch the full diary below, then explore each part of the month through the photographs and linked articles.
Trooping the Colour from the crowds
The first outing began at St James’s Park station. I walked across the park towards The Mall for Queen Elizabeth II’s official birthday celebrations. Without a ticket for the main ceremony, I was hoping to see what I could from the public areas along the route.
I arrived too late for much of the outward parade. However, I was in time to see the Queen’s carriage, and there was still the return procession to look forward to. The crowds were a reminder that finding a clear view was part of the challenge.
Later, I moved towards the edge of Green Park beside Buckingham Palace. I liked that spot for its shade and views towards the palace. It also put me close to the military bands and the preparations for the gun salute. The aircraft were harder to see through the trees, but hearing them was part of the finale.
Read the full Trooping the Colour 2018 visit.
West End LIVE in Trafalgar Square
The next part of the month took me to Trafalgar Square for West End LIVE. London’s musical theatre moved outdoors for a weekend of performances, giving the crowd a taste of shows from across the West End.
Entry was free and first come, first served in 2018. The event was so busy that I could only get so close to the stage. Even from the edge, it was clear how popular the afternoon had become: people filled the square and gathered around the event entrances.
It was a way to sample different productions in one place. I captured a short glimpse of the entertainment, then walked towards Leicester Square to show another part of London’s theatre-going routine.
A stop at the TKTS booth
At the TKTS booth in Leicester Square, I talked about buying theatre tickets when you are already in London and can be flexible about what to see. There were people studying the listings and waiting to buy, as I often saw when passing through the square.
My advice in the film was to distinguish a flexible outing from a must-see show. If you knew exactly what you wanted to watch and when, gambling on last-minute availability was not the best plan. I then headed back towards Trafalgar Square to catch more of West End LIVE.
Read the West End LIVE and TKTS article.
McQueen at Curzon Soho
Another evening began in Leicester Square, this time with a film in mind. I walked into Soho to visit the Curzon and see McQueen. The change of pace was part of the appeal: after the large outdoor events, this was a straightforward evening at the cinema.
I bought my ticket at the downstairs bar, then had time for coffee before the screening. The film gave the outing its focus, while the walk through the West End made the journey part of the evening too.
Afterwards, I enjoyed reflecting on a cinema that showed films I did not always find elsewhere. The visit was brief, but it offered a different view of London’s entertainment life from the parade route or a crowded outdoor stage.
An espresso at Bar Italia
Between buying the cinema ticket and taking my seat, I went to Bar Italia on Frith Street for an espresso. It was a small stop that fitted easily into the evening’s route through Soho.
The coffee was delicious, and then it was time to walk back to the Curzon. The film brings together that ordinary sequence of pleasures: a familiar street, a good coffee and something interesting to watch.
Read the Curzon Soho and Bar Italia visit.
A warm Friday at Seven Dials
By the end of June, London had been hot and sunny all week. On Friday, I headed to Seven Dials for a cold beer and something to eat. The Crown was the first stop, with people enjoying the evening outside.
From the pub, I walked down towards Neal’s Yard. Its colourful buildings and places to eat made it an inviting detour from the busier streets around Covent Garden. This part of the diary needed no big event: the weather and the end of the working week were enough.
Homeslice pizza and a final stop in Shepherd Market
I picked up a slice from Homeslice in Neal’s Yard and carried it back to Seven Dials. Once I found somewhere to sit, I could finally try it. The pizza was really good, and the film pauses long enough to enjoy that simple food stop.
The evening continued in Shepherd Market for a few drinks and another pub. That is where I closed the June diary, with more of Friday night still ahead.
June in London 2018 was a mixture of grand public occasions and smaller personal outings. The Queen’s birthday celebrations and West End LIVE drew huge crowds, while coffee, cinema and pizza gave the month a quieter rhythm between them.
