Our Favourite Things to Do in London in June 2019
30 May–14 July
England hosts the ICC Cricket World Cup, which sees the world’s greatest teams fight to win the most prestigious prize in the sport. June sees Kia Oval hosting four of these thrilling encounters, featuring international teams including England, South Africa, India and Australia. Meanwhile, Lord’s, considered to be the world’s home of cricket, also hosts five matches including the final. So who will lift the trophy on 14 July? England has never won the tournament, having made the semi-finals three times, so it might well be their turn this year.
1–30 June
Drawing boards at the ready: the London Festival of Architecture is back. Hundreds of engaging, mostly free events include The Great Architectural Bake-Off, plus Studio Lates, which is your chance to enter an actual architecture studio. Taking place on Friday evenings in Clerkenwell (7 June), Fitzrovia (14 June), Shoreditch (21 June) and Southwark (28 June), you’ll enter various studios, have a drink and get under London’s skin.
2–7 June
Is there anything that Hugh Jackman can’t do? He can sing and dance in musicals, and fight villains in superhero movies. The Tony Award-winner, who began his career in theatre, is returning to the stage—but this time on a big scale. "Hugh Jackman: The Man. The Music. The Show" comes to The O2, where he'll perform hits from "The Greatest Showman" and "Les Misérables," accompanied by an orchestra.
6 June
Can you name the largest simultaneous land, sea and air combat operation that has ever taken place? It was World War II’s D-Day offensive, which took place 75 years ago in June. Among those paying respect is Imperial War Museums, part of D-Day 75 programme of events taking place across the museums, onboard HMS Belfast and in the Churchill War Rooms. From stirring sights such as flight displays to family-friendly events and special tours, it's a particularly apt time to visit.
8–9 June
These days the news is filled with reminders of the importance of green spaces: Mayor of London Sadiq Khan wants more than 50 percent of London to be green by 2050. Open Garden Squares Weekend is a great way to explore the city’s secret greenery and discover that the capital is more leafy than you might think. The annual festival of flora grants access to more than 100 gardens in the city that are usually closed to the public.
18-22 June
It’s time to put on a smart hat, dress or suit for the summer’s most prestigious horse racing. Royal Ascot is a glorious five-day festival that sees the world’s finest horses compete for glory with six races each day. What sets this festival apart from other race meetings is the royal connection; the Queen—an avid racing fan and trainer—and other members of the royal family arrive on the track each day at 2pm, in horse-drawn landaus. Get practising your curtseying and bowing!
22 June
Michael Palin is the epitome of a British national treasure; loved around the world for his comedy sketches in the "Monty Python" TV comedy series and films, and more recent travel documentaries. In his one-man show, “Erebus: The Story of a Ship,” at Cadogan Hall, he talks about the subject of his latest book, a little ship in the Antarctic and the Arctic. He also shares his travel stories, including journeys to the North Pole and North Korea.
22–23 June
If you can’t make up your mind about what West End show to watch, then West End Live will help. Head to Trafalgar Square and enjoy song and dance numbers from some of the biggest musicals including Mamma Mia,! Aladdin, Tina Turner: The Musical and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. Best of all, it’s free.
