21 November 2008

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Bonfire Night and Guy Fawkes

Fireworks - love them (I do!) or loathe them (most dogs!), the annual celebration on 5th November is hard to avoid. A bonfire party offers a great excuse for an autumn gathering with friends and family - everyone loves to gather around a fire munching on slightly charred food and waving sparklers in the air.

Young children often don't like the loud noise of a big organised celebration with the really spectacular fireworks but you can have fun in your garden, no matter how small. A bonfire doesn't have to be huge - you could even use a fire pit or barbecue. Try and find long handled sparklers for little children to hold or make hand shields from circles of cardboard threaded onto the handle of the sparkler.

A Bonfire party can be a simple one to cater for; baked potatoes, some sausages or soup and toffee apples and traditional Parkin for afters.

If your children don't mind loud bangs and the smell of sulphur in the air, then take them to an organised display. These big shows have to be safety checked and will inevitably have someone like St John ambulance on hand (just in case) Fireworks are expensive and can be tricky to light and co ordinate so leave it to someone else and just stand back and enjoy.

Bonfire and Fireworks Celebrations in London

Friday 3rd November 2006

Clapham Common
Clapham Common Road, SW4
020 7926 1000
19:30
FREE
Nearest Station: Clapham Common Tube / Clapham High Street Rail
Crowds of 40,000 are expected so get there early to ensure a good view!

Streatham Common
Streatham Common South, SW16
020 7926 1000
19:30
FREE
Nearest Station: Streatham Rail
It is best to approach from Streatham High Road.
Fair rides and refreshments available

Brockwell Park
Herne Hill, SE24
020 7926 1000
19:30
FREE
Nearest Station: Brixton Tube

Bishop's Park
Stevenage Road, SW6
020 8753 3597
Time: TBC
Price: TBC
Nearest Station: Fulham Broadway Tube
The finale combines fireworks and a laser display

Wimbledon Park
Home Park Road, SW19
020 8545 3235
Time: TBC
Price: TBC
Nearest Station: Southfields Tube / Wimbledon Park Tube
Side stalls and fairground

Saturday 4th November 2006

Alexandra Palace
Alexandra Palace Way, N22
020 8365 2121
Time: 16:30 (Doors Open) 19:30 (Fireworks)
Price: By Donation (£2 suggestion)
Nearest Station: Wood Green Tube
Alexandra Palace has hosted a fireworks spectacular for the past hundred years
Beer and Food Festival

Battersea Park
Battersea, SW4
020 8871 6363
19:30
Price: £5, FREE (Under 10s)
Nearest Station: Sloane Square Tube
Crowds often reach 40,000 so get there early

Blackheath
Shooters Hill, SE3
0870 608 2000
Price: FREE
Nearest Station: Blackheath Rail
Family-friendly

Ravenscourt Park
Ravenscourt Road, W6
020 8753 3597
Time: TBC
Price: TBC
Nearest Station: Ravenscourt Park Tube
Good choice for parents of young children.

Victoria Park
Approach Road, E2
020 7364 7907
Time: TBC
Price: TBC
Nearest Station: Bethnal Green Tube
Strong community atmosphere

Saturday 11th November 2006

The last firework spectacular of the month is in fact the closing event of the Lord Mayor's Show and marks the beginning of a new mayoral year. A massive river barge is piled high with half a tonne of explosives and set adrift on the Thames. The fireworks are let off between Waterloo and Blackfriars bridges - not far from the scene of Guy Fawkes' attempted crime. Some of the fireworks reach heights of up to 600 feet and are visible from miles around.

The best vantage points are situated around the Embankment and Gabriel's Wharf. Get there early and grab the best seats in the house in the public gallery of the Oxo Tower.

Lord Mayor's Fireworks
River Thames
020 7332 1456
Time: 17:00, following Lord Mayor's Procession
Price: FREE
Nearest Station: Embankment Tube / Blackfriars Tube