Top Ten Bonfire Nights

The Best of London Fireworks 2008

For the past month, your humble corner shop has been filled with brightly coloured cabinets of sparklers and fireworks that would excite everyone's inner child.

The 5th of November this year marks the 403rd anniversary of Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot to blow up Parliament. Every year a traditional ceremony is held, where the basement of Parliament is searched by the Yeoman of the guard.

Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot,
We see no reason,
Why gunpowder treason,
Should ever be forgot!

Coinciding with these festivities is the Hindu festival Diwali- 'Festival of Lights'. Displays including Barham Park in Brent and the Neasden Temple celebrations: well worth a visit and welcoming to all faiths.

The only choice you have to make now is where to go and who to celebrate with. Our top ten shows this year, in date order:

Battersea Park

Set by an idyllic riverside bank, Battersea Park is the largest fireworks south of the river. What could possibly be better than rockets firing 1000 feet into the air, reflected in the Thames, and a colossal bonfire to keep its viewing public warm? Crowds reach the 50,000 mark so it's recommended to bring plenty of blankets to secure some ground and get in early.

Address: Battersea Park
Date: Saturday 1st of November
Time: Doors open 6.30pm / Fireworks 8pm
Price: £5 Adults, £1 Children under 10
Nearest Station: Battersea Park Rail
Phone: 020 8871 6363

Brockwell Park

Brixton residents enjoy the first of three massive displays in their area, and this one is free to all in proper South London style. Set on the hill at the centre of this 124 acre park, Brockwell's display is the Brixton council's effort to eclipse it's posh neighbours. They know how to start the weekend with a bang round here. But to be honest, you might be better off at Clapham's display, also free and down the road. (See below)

Address: Dulwich Road
Date: Wednesday 5th of November
Time: Fireworks 7:30pm
Price: Free
Nearest Station: Herne Hill Rail
Phone: 020 7926 1000

Clapham Common Fireworks

A definite contender in the best display in London, Clapham Common's fireworks consistently impresses huge crowds and sets the benchmark for competitive councils. Expecting around 40,000 guests, the area will have plenty of food stalls and pubs around the Common to make sure your belly is content before the firework exhibition commences. Many Londoners have this as their default first display before going to a local one later. It really is good and the Common makes a great starting place before heading out for a grand night with friends.

Address: Clapham High Street
Date: Wednesday 5th of November
Time: Fireworks 7:30pm
Price: Free
Nearest Station: Clapham Common Tube
Phone: 020 7926 1000

Kingsmeadow Centre Fireworks Display

Kingston's Guy Fawkes displays have really made a name for themselves locally. Held in the home ground of Kingstonian FC and AFC Wimbledon, this display has been designed with kids in mind and it's the activities to keep them busy before show time that make it stand out. Note: there's a ban on sparklers so play with them in your backyard before coming to the grounds.

Address: Kingsmeadow Athletic and Fitness Centre
Date: Friday 7th of  November
Time: Doors close 7:45pm / Fireworks 8pm
Price: £6 Adults, £4 Children, Free to Under 5s
Nearest Station: Kingston Rail
Phone: 020 8547 5016

Bishop's Park

Another child-friendly display, the fireworks display is held the day before most others. This family event has a small early-evening display so the little kiddies can be in bed in time. With no classic bonfires and a sparkler and alcohol ban, this event is pretty mild. There's also special viewing area at Craven Cottage Gate, Stevenage Road for people with disabilities.

Address: Bishops Avenue
Date: Friday 7th of November
Time: Doors open 6pm / Children's Display 7.15pm / Main Fireworks 8pm
Price: £6 Adults, Free for children under 5
Nearest Station: Fulham Broadway Tube
Phone: 08700 500 511

Alexandra Palace Fireworks

The century old fireworks display at Alexandra Palace is a spectacular event especially for families with a half-hour display to a choreographed soundtrack. With its elevated vantage point and open plains there will be no chance of missing any of the action or sitting on top of your neighbours. Here they cheat a little in winning the 'most popular display' as it has impressive views of other surrounding fireworks exhibitions across London.

Families should get in early as there are plenty of other activities for the kids such as bumper cars, an ice rink and general funfair attractions. The more mature are definitely not neglected with Britain's largest German Bier Fest held in the West Hall offering real ales and scrumptious food until 11pm.

Address: Alexandra Palace Way
Date: Saturday 8th of  November
Time: Doors open 4:30pm / Fireworks 7:30pm
Price: Entry by donation
Nearest Station: Wood Green Tube
Phone: 020 8365 2121

Ravenscourt Park Fireworks

West London's best display takes over the 32 acre Ravenscourt Park. Note that the park is declared an alcohol free zone which might now suit all tastes. No one will be feeling the cold here with an enormous bonfire display that would over shadow all others, and the Hammersmith big wigs splash some serious dosh on rockets and other pyrotechnics. Framing the experience is a blasting soundtrack and the pubs along the river experience a huge turnout after this cherished local event.

Address: Paddenswick Road
Date: Saturday 8th of  November
Time: Doors 6pm / Children’s fireworks 7:15pm / Bonfire 7:30pm / Fireworks 8pm
Price: £5 Adults, Free to Under 5s
Nearest Station: Ravenscourt Park Tube
Phone: 08700 500 511

Blackheath Fireworks

This event is free, and therefore, very crowded. But what's a fireworks night without some shoulder-to-shoulder comradeship and bonding, some collective oohs and aahs? For a free show this is really impressive, with a massive display on the Saturday attracting around 40,000 punters.

Address: Blackheath
Date: Saturday 8th of  November
Time: Fireworks 8pm
Price: Free
Nearest Station: Blackheath Rail
Phone: 0870 608 2000

Ealing Cricket Club Fireworks

Every year thousands of Londoners descend upon the Cricket Club waiting to see what the most creative organizers of London fireworks has come up with. This year will celebrate the 90th anniversary of the RAF. Extremely impressive, quotes from Sir Winston Churchill will be remixed into a digitally remastered music mix. Fun for all, you won't be disappointed with plenty of food stalls, rides and the classic bonfire.

Address: Corfton Road
Date: Saturday 8th of November
Time: Doors 6pm / Fireworksand Bonfire 7:30pm
Price: £5 Adults, £3 Children under 14 (accompanied)
Nearest Station: Ealing Broadway Tube / Rail

Lord Mayor's Show

Your last chance for fireworks and also the biggest bang in the city: half a tone of explosives is launched over the Thames to celebrate the appointment of the new Lord Mayor.

Not exactly a celebration of Guy Fawkes, for the past 800 years a parade of 6000 costumed participants on floats with a gilded State Coach housing the Lord Mayor following has entertained London's common oiks. If you haven't heard of the goings-on then this is your year to attend - river barges are over-filled with rockets and explosives and set adrift on the Thames. Get ready for some beautiful explosions.

Starting around 11am, the parade sees the RAF fly over and then continues down the streets ending up at Mansion House at about 4pm. If you're only interested in the last chance to see fireworks for a while then head to Embankment for the 5pm enormous firework display to shake London.

Address: Central London
Date: Saturday 8th of November
Time: Procession leaves Guildhall at 11am / Fireworks on Thames 5pm
Price: Free
Nearest Station: Embankment Tube

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