Countdown to the Great British Beer Festival begins at Olympia

Countdown to the Great British Beer Festival begins   Hello Dominic,     Britain's biggest beer extravaganza returns to Olympia from 7-11 August.         With just over a week to go until the Great British Beer Festival (GBBF) opens its doors, its organiser, CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, is excited to return to Olympia for the first time since 2005. In 2011, GBBF welcomed over 60,000 visitors who supped over 250,000 pints of British ale and 23,000 pints of real cider and perry and this year looks to be even bigger.         Come and meet Britain's best loved brewers         With over 800 real ales, ciders and perries, as well as foreign beers, the Great British Beer Festival is Britain's biggest pub and many of Britain's best loved brewers will be taking their own stands at the festival including: Marston's Worthington Wells and Young's Brains Thwaites Hogs Back Greene King Fuller's Festival-goers can soak up beer with traditional British pub grub and enjoy classic pub games such as bar skittles whilst listening to an eclectic live music range with acts including Kitten and the Hip and the Deborah Bonham Band.                 Tickets are available from the official festival website and more information can be found here.

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London Orbit Olympics

London Orbit Olympic Park

The British Museum What's on August 2012

The world-famous Townley Discobolus in the Great Court.

The Olympics have finally arrived in London! While we celebrate the world coming to London for the 2012 Olympics, why not also discover London as a world city four hundred years ago, captured through Shakespeare’s plays. Discover this in our major exhibition Shakespeare: staging the world. Plus, it’s the perfect time to be inspired by the free collection. From a free trail on the ancient Games that inspired the modern Olympics, to a display of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic medals. Plus don’t forget the many free exhibitions and displays you can enjoy this summer – everything from Picasso prints to the horse. Race you to the Museum!

Shakespeare exhibition now open The BP exhibition Shakespeare: staging the world Until 25 November 2012 Book now ›    Watch the exhibition trailer › This major exhibition is presented in collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Discover the world of William Shakespeare and the emerging role of London as a global city through objects and contemporary performance. How has Shakespeare spoken to you? Share your brush with the Bard and tell us your tale by visiting Shakespeare in my world › £14, Members and under 16s free Supported by BP. Part of the World Shakespeare Festival and London 2012 Festival.

What’s on for the Olympics

Winning at the ancient Games › Until 9 September 2012 Follow the trail to learn about the ancient Olympic Games. Sui Jianguo’s discus thrower › Until 9 September 2012 The Asahi Shimbun Displays The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games medals › Until 9 September 2012 Supported by Rio Tinto All Olympic activity ›

Free exhibitions and displays

Gold medal of Elizabeth I by Nicholas Hilliard. England, c. 1580–1590.

Picasso Prints: The Vollard Suite › Until 2 September 2012 Modern Chinese ink paintings › Until 2 September 2012 The horse: from Arabia to Royal Ascot › Until 30 September 2012 Supported by the Board of Trustees of the Saudi Equestrian Fund, the Layan Cultural Foundation and Juddmonte Farms. In association with the Saudi Commission for Tourism & Antiquities. North American Landscape: Kew at the British Museum › Until 25 November 2012 Supported by the American Express Foundation Crowns and ducats: Shakespeare’s money and medals › Until 25 November 2012 All exhibitions and displays ›

The Royal Gold Cup. Paris, France, about AD 1370–1380.

Explore Going for gold... Or will it be silver or bronze? Gold: the Royal Gold Cup › Gold has always been highly valued across the world. This late medieval cup is made of solid gold and has had an interesting history. It is lavishly decorated with translucent enamels. The scenes shown on it relate to the life and miracles of St Agnes. Silver: a silver tigress from the Hoxne Hoard › Silver has the chemical symbol Ag, which comes from the Latin name for the metal – argentum. This tigress is part of the Hoxne Hoard, the largest hoard of late Roman silver and gold discovered in Britain. A metal detectorist found it in Suffolk in 1992. Bronze: a bronze shield from the River Thames › Before iron was first made, bronze was the most commonly used metal – hence the Bronze Age. Sheet metal shields such as this were not very functional as they would have become disfigured if used in real combat. It is therefore likely that this shield is parade armour, designed to be worn for display by important warriors. Discover more gold objects in the collection ›

Buckingham Palace re-opens to the public today

Summer 2012 Home Visit Exhibitions Learning Collection About

Buckingham Palace re-opens to the public today In this issue: Dazzling diamonds on display Diamonds exhibition publication New Souvenir Guide Diamond Jubilee clock Royal Day Out Limited-edition gift box Highlight Garden Tours Exclusive Evening Tours New Olympic display

Dazzling diamonds on display Over 10,000 diamonds are on display as Buckingham Palace re-opens to the public from today until 7 October. This year's special exhibition, Diamonds: A Jubilee Celebration, shows the many ways in which these remarkable stones been used and worn by monarchs over the last 200 years, and includes a number of The Queen's personal jewels. Read more

Diamonds exhibition publication This lavishly illustrated book accompanies the special exhibition at Buckingham Palace. Each piece in the exhibition, including those incorporating stones from the famous Cullinan Diamond, is shown in exquisite detail. Many of the photographs have been newly commissioned for the publication. Buy now

New Souvenir Guide Brand new for 2012, this Souvenir Guide traces the history of the Palace from private family retreat to the headquarters of the British Monarchy that it is today. Through over 140 illustrations, it explores each of the magnificent State Rooms and the works of art that provide the backdrop to The Queen's official and ceremonial duties. Buy now Diamond Jubilee clock This very special clock has been commissioned by the Royal Collection in an edition of just 60. The enamelled face is decorated in 22-carat gold with the national flowers of the United Kingdom: the rose, the thistle, the daffodil and the shamrock.    Buy now

Royal Day Out This flexible discounted ticket gives admission to all three sites at Buckingham Palace - the State Rooms (including the special exhibition Diamonds: A Jubilee Celebration), the Royal Mews and The Queen’s Gallery. Book tickets Limited-edition gift box Make the gift of a Diamond Jubilee celebration at Buckingham Palace with our limited-edition ticket and Souvenir Album combination. The presentation Jubilee Gift Box contains our most sought-after tickets for the Summer Opening. Buy now

Highlight Garden Tours Now that summer has arrived, combine a visit to the State Rooms with a guided tour of the famous Buckingham Palace garden.  A ticket for the Highlights Garden Tour, which includes the beautiful Herbaceous Border and the enormous Waterloo Vase, is bookable online with a visit to the State Rooms or can be added to an existing booking by telephoning 020 7766 7300. Book tickets Exclusive Evening Tours There are just a few dates left this summer to enjoy an after-hours tour of the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace. Don't miss the opportunity to book an Exclusive Evening Tour, which includes the special exhibition Diamonds: A Jubilee Celebration and concludes with a glass of champagne in the Bow Room. Book tickets

New Olympic display A new addition to the tour of the State Rooms is a display in the Ballroom of photographs highlighting the involvement of the Royal Family in Olympic Games since 1908. It was in the Ballroom that The Queen hosted receptions for the International Olympic Committee and for the Heads of State and Government attending the Opening Ceremony of the XXX Olympiad, London 2012. Owing to the number of Olympic events in the vicinity of Buckingham Palace, we strongly recommend that visitors consult www.getaheadofthegames.com when planning their journey into and around London.