London’s amazing history brought to life this weekend

18 June 2009

Jousting at Eltham Palace – a Victorian Fayre at Kenwood House – the Battle of Waterloo at Apsley House – Henry VIII coronation flotilla from Tower of London to Hampton Court – plus Tristram Hunt's lectures at Kings Place.

If you've ever wondered what life was really like in the past, don't miss this weekend's action-packed programme of living history events, which are sure to be a highlight of this month's Story of London festival. History will literally come to life with re-enactments ranging from medieval banquets to Tudor jousts, a Victorian Country Fair and even a celebration of the Battle of Waterloo!

Backed by Mayor Boris Johnson, this Saturday (20 June) also sees Historic Royal Palaces mark the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII's coronation with a magnificent Tudor River Pageant, which will sail from the Tower of London to the King's famous residence Hampton Court Palace.

There will also be Tudor themed activities for the whole family at Chiswick Pier from 11am-1.30pm - Tudor flotilla is expected to sail past the pier at midday. The Mayor of Hounslow will be piped out by the Sea Cadets to greet their Majesties at 11.15 am, so make sure you get there in good time to see all the action. Meanwhile, Bruce Castle in north London - home to King Henry VIII's favourite Sir William Compton, Groom of the Bedchamber – is hosting a day of family friendly activities.

Eltham Palace is hosting King Henry's Joust on Saturday and Sunday. Witness the majesty, pomp and pageantry as Henry VIII arrives at Eltham Palace once again, as we return to the year 1509. The day of royal entertainment features jousting knights competing for the King's favour, spectacular Tudor falconry and a thrilling display of Tudor Hunting games. Outside there'll be courtly music, dancing displays and Tudor folk in their finery.

The beautiful surroundings of Kenwood House on Hampstead Heath are hosting A Grand Victorian Fayre on Saturday and Sunday. Exeperience the finest in 19th century entertainment in Kenwood's magnificent grounds on Hampstead Heath. Marvel as lady equestrians riding side-saddle compete alongside gents in games including polo, pig-sticking and the famous 'teapot dash'. You can also take part in fun Victorian sideshows, meet redcoat soldiers, try Victorian dance moves and even get recruited for Queen Victoria's army.

The anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo is also being marked at Apsley House and Wellington Arch: a colourful family event featuring military displays, family activities and a chance to meet the redcoats. You'll also encounter Captain Abs - a chirpy raconteur from the 19th century - who will recall the fascinating story of the Battle of Waterloo using vegetables as props!

There is a also chance to learn about the contribution Londoners made on the Home Front and in the Royal Air Force towards the June 1944 D-Day landings. The RAF Museum in Colindale is hosting a Hendon Pageant, with re-enactments, military vehicles, talks and workshops. There'll be swinging 1940s beats too, plus prizes for the best period fancy dress! Travel by Colindale Tube for a big surprise.

South London's unique Myatt's Fields Park reopens on Saturday with the Big Event Tea Dance, a day of Victorian celebrations around the park's band stand, offering a journey through the local traditions and entertainments and the importance and history of communal dancing.

There are Pearly Queens in Victoria Park, as part of the Paradise Gardens festival. Enjoy tea with the Pearly Queens of East London, learn about the history and present role of the queens and join them as they present a ten metre high puppet which will reflect the past traditions in a new 21st century Pearly Queen. You can also share stories of east London with them and interact with he wider community through the Kinetika Pearly Queen website.

There's a chance to meet with Victorian characters at Valentines Mansion in Ilford, during it's a Step in Time event. And in south east London, London tea trader and Victorian philanthropist Mr Horniman will lead a special family tour of the fabulous collections at the Horniman museum, giving an insight into how he amassed his cultural wonders and fantastic specimens.

Boris Johnson says: 'It is with great pride that I call London - the world's greatest city - my home. The Story of London is about celebrating the people and communities that have shaped our capital, whilst also telling Londoners and visitors about the vast array of cultural and heritage organisations on their doorstep. There's so much to see and do, so get out and explore – be inspired.'

The events at Kenwood House, Eltham Palace and Apsley House are organised in conjunction with English Heritage.

This weekend also sees renowned historian Tristram Hunt curate a wide-ranging programme of lectures at Kings Place, the exciting new venue in Kings Cross. Over the weekend of 20-21 June a range of speakers will cover different aspects of London's history, including Style and the Streets, London's Gutter Creativity; The Austerity Olympics; Roman Londo; and the Long Past of London's Black Presence. Speakers include authors Peter Hennessy, Janie Hampton, Robert Elms and John Ramsden.

Tristram Hunt says: 'A weekend of Britain’s greatest historians telling the story of Britain’s greatest city. From Roman London to the 1948 Olympics, from secret Cold War bunkers to the building of St. Paul’s, and from the digging of London Underground to the docking of HMS Windrush, this is a two-day carnival of the capital’s extraordinary history.'

Saturday 20 June

• First lecture at 10am, final lecture at 6pm

• Janie Hampton - The Austerity Olympics: 1948/2012?

• Simon Thurley - The Palaces of London

• Jerry White - London's Heroic Suburbs

• Peter Hennessy - London and World War 3

• Mary Beard - Roman London

• Iain Sinclair - Hackney, that Red Rose Empire

• Robert Elms - Style and the Streets, London's Gutter Creativity

Sunday 21 June

• First lecture at 10am, final lecture at 4pm

• Christian Wolmar - Underground / Overground: London's Transport History

• Andrew Roberts - We Can Take It: Churchill, London and the Blitz

• Mike Phillips - The Long Past of London's Black Presence

• Lisa Jardine - Sir Christopher Wren & St Pauls

• Gavin Stamp- Lost Buildings of London

For full details about times of lectures and prices visit the Kings Place website: www.kingsplace.co.uk/spoken-word/story-of-london.

For information about the whole Story of London programme go to www.london.gov.uk/storyoflondon.

Media attendance / Interviews

Photographers, broadcasters and other media wishing to attend any of these events, and to request interviews, should email communitydesk@london.gov.uk as soon as possible. For additional information, please call Ben McKnight on 020 7983 4071 / 07881 501 920.

Notes to editors

1. The Story of London is organised by the Mayor of London in partnership with a host of organisations across the capital. The month-long festival is designed to offer new experiences and insights into the capital, historically, culturally and socially. The festival aims to inform, entertain, educate and inspire, with more than 400 events and activities in every borough, covering history and heritage, art and architecture, design and fashion, music, theatre and film. More information can be found at www.london.gov.uk/storyoflondon.

2. English Heritage exists to protect and promote England's spectacular historic environment and ensure that its past is researched and understood. Visit the website: www.english-heritage.org.uk.

3. Historic Royal Palaces is the independent charity that looks after the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, the Banqueting House, Kensington Palace and Kew Palace. Our aim is to help everyone explore the story of how monarchs and people have shaped society, in some of the greatest palaces ever built. Although the palaces are owned by The Queen on behalf of the nation, we receive no funding from the Government or the Crown, so we depend on the support of our visitors, members, donors, volunteers and sponsors. For further information about Historic Royal Palaces and the Henry VIII coronation weekend celebrations, please see www.hrp.org.uk

4. Each week in June culminates in a Big Weekend, each offering an especially themed programme. The final weekend (26-28 June) is Building Lives/The Lives of Buildings. Open House and English Heritage are collaborating to create an exciting programme of architecture events to explore how architecture lives. Building Lives/The Lives of Buildings will look at the past, present and future of London's architecture to show how its buildings live, grow, die and are reborn. This will reveal unexpected links between past and present in London's architecture; the stories behind some of the capital's much-loved buildings, and why some buildings stand the test of time. You’ll also be able to hear directly from architecture experts and learn how they are meeting the green challenge to reduce, reuse and recycle. www.london.gov.uk/storyoflondon/weekend/buildings.jsp.

Media enquiries: Press information is available from Ben McKnight on 020 7983 4071 (press only - number not for publication) or email: communitydesk@london.gov.uk.

Public/non-media enquiries: Call the Public Liaison Unit at the Greater London Authority on 020 7983 4100.

Duty Press Officer: For out-of-hours media enquiries, please call 020 7983 4000.