Bonfire Night and Firework Displays in London

Where to see the Best Displays on November 5th

Nov 4, 2009

Guy Fawkes Night, Bonfire Night, 5th November, whatever the name, it will involve fireworks, sparklers and if there's room, a burning effigy of a Mr. Fawkes himself.

From Halloween onwards you will hear the pops and screeches of fireworks around the UK. The annual event took hold in London on 5th November 1605, after a plot to assassinate the Protestant King James at the Houses of Parliament was discovered and Fawkes and his accomplices were arrested. The event and even Mr. Fawkes’ name – Guy (from where the meaning ‘man’ comes from) persist to this very day. There are many firework displays going on around London. Some are free of charge and many take place on the Saturday after 5th November. Here are a few to look out for in 2009:

Southwark Park, Thursday 5th November

Hot food and drinks will be available at Southwark where you can watch a special lantern parade through the park before the firework display. The park can be reached from Bermondsey and Canada Water stations on the Jubilee Line.

Chestnut Field, Walthamstow, Thursday 5th November

Behind Walthamstow Town Hall is Chestnut Field where you will find a funfair, bouncy castle, food stalls and firework display at 8pm. The evening runs from 6-10pm and is about a 15 minute walk from Walthamstow tube station (Victoria line)

Alexandra Palace, Saturday 7th November

Attractions include a German Beer Festival, stalls, live music and a funfair. Alexandra Palace is perched on top of Muswell Hill, with some of the best views over London. It isn’t on the tube network so check ahead for tube (to Wood Green) and bus routes or train to Alexandra Palace overground stop.

Battersea Park, Saturday 7th November

Events at Battersea, south London includes a traditional bonfire, which will be lit at 7.30pm. Food and drinks will be available and there will be a licensed bar on site. The nearest tube is Pimlico or alight at Battersea Park on the overground line.

Victoria Park, Saturday 7th November

East London celebrates the 404th anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot with a free firework display and a funfair park. The nearest tube station is Mile End. Ask at the station for buses to the Grove Road entrance to the lovely Victoria Park.

Ealing Cricket Club, Saturday 7th November

Pop music accompanies the fireworks at Ealing this year. Mulled wine and barbecue food are available for parents and for the kids there will be funfair rides. The cricket club is about a 10-minute walk from Ealing Broadway station, at the west end of the Central Line.

This show is actually a celebration of a parade that first took place in 1215. The procession begins at 11.00am and the route goes between Waterloo and Blackfriars Bridge. Be prepared for crowds and arrive early if you want a good spot. Nearest tube stops are Waterloo (Blackfriars tube is closed until 2011). Admission fee: Free

The copyright of the article Bonfire Night and Firework Displays in London in U.K./Ireland Travel is owned by Sara Revell. Permission to republish Bonfire Night and Firework Displays in London in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.