Fun in London this May 2013:
Grand Designs Live, ExCel London Exhibition Centre, Newham
The massively popular Channel 4 property show Grand Designs, which helps members of public realise their dream homes, is making its way to the ExCel London Exhibition Centre in Newham this spring for Grand Designs Live.
More than 500 exhibitors will be on hand at the show to help attendees with their thoughts and inspirations for their home. Whether they are planning to redecorate, build a conservatory or completely overhaul their property, there will be someone who can help them at the show, which runs between May 4th and 12th. Meanwhile, there will be an array of TV celebrities, shopping opportunities and show features to keep visitors entertained.
One of the highlights is the Eco-Tech House, which will demonstrate how it is possible to live in an environmentally-friendly house that is still chock full of cutting-edge technology. An exhibition from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) entitled A Place to Call Home is also set to be a big draw. It focuses on how society has influenced taste when it comes to home design and how architects' role in the equation is as "provocateurs and reformers".
London Burlesque Festival
One of London's more edgy events, the London Burlesque Festival, is bringing ten nights of glitz, glamour and, of course, ample classy stripteases by some of the best in the business between May 10th and 19th.
For the uninformed, burlesque is an amalgamation of a distinct style of fashion, music and entertainment similar to cabaret. It came out of a mockery of high society by the working class in the mid-19th century. Yet, gradually it became most noted for its grand theatrical and comedic dances that culminate in the removal of most (but not all) of the performer's clothes.
Experiencing a full-blown revival in recent decades, the London Burlesque Festival is now at the forefront of the scene. In its seventh year, it has become the largest international event of its kind, with organiser Chaz Royal (known as the King of Burlesque) bringing an exciting array of shows across a packed calendar.
Highlights include the Crown Jewels: Best of British, a look at the best burlesque talent in the UK on May 11th at Bush Hall and Varie-tease, which is a 1950s slapstick affair on May 12th at Madame Jojo's.
England vs New Zealand First Investec Test, Lord's, St John's Wood
England's and New Zealand's cricket teams are going to know each other very well by the end of the year, with both teams embarking on tours of their counterpart's home country.
The First Investec Test between England and New Zealand at Lord's in St John's Wood between May 16th and 20th marks one of the cricket calendar highlights.
England should go into the match-up as favourites, as they are currently ranked second in the world in Test cricket, behind South Africa, while New Zealand lurk down in eighth.
Attendees could be in for an exciting match-up too, with the last Test series proving to be a particularly thrilling affair. The stunning game saw Matt Prior earn a draw as part of the last wicket-pair despite going into the final day with a lot of ground to make up. England were four wickets down and still managed to avoid defeat, which has only happened two other times in Test cricket.
Any cricket fan visiting London would be silly to pass up the chance to experience a headline match at Lord's, which is considered not only the home of cricket, but also its spiritual headquarters. The owners of the ground, Marylebone Cricket Club, hold on to both the Laws and the Sprit of Cricket, ensuring that it is the most important location for the sport in the world.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Royal Hospital, Chelsea
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show is the biggest flower event in the UK and perhaps even the world, drawing in thousands of flora enthusiasts from all over the globe to attend the five-day exhibition every year.
Held on the glorious grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in West London, the show covers 11 acres and is considered to be a veritable catwalk of the garden industry, revealing new trends and launching new flowers each year.
This year's event takes place between May 21st and 25th and is a particularly important iteration as it marks the 100th anniversary of the exhibition at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. There will be 15 wonderful Show Gardens, 11 Fresh Gardens and eight Artisan Gardens, while there is set to be 150 exhibits from nurseries and florists in the Great Pavilion and some 250 trade stands.
A top tip for those there on the final day is to look out for bargains after around 16:00 GMT, as many sellers will try to shift their wares ahead of closing time at 17:30 GMT.
