Guy Fawkes tried and failed to blow up London's Houses of Parliament on November 5th, 1605. Every year when November 5th comes around, the event is commemorated with huge bonfires all over Britain, when effigies of Guy Fawkes are burned. Whether it is to celebrate the fact that he failed to blow up the British government, or whether it's to celebrate his attempt to do so, is another matter.
London always sees the biggest and best bonfires and firework displays on Guy Fawkes Night which, for the benefit of visitors not used to British customs, is also known as Bonfire Night. This year Guy Fawkes Night falls on a Monday, so many celebrations will be taking place on the nearest Saturday or Sunday, this year November 3rd or 4th.
London's Guy Fawkes Night celebrations always attract big crowds, so allow plenty of time to get there, especially if using public transport. You want to get a good view, as some of the fireworks displays are truly amazing.
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Who was Guy Fawkes?
Guy Fawkes was born in York in 1570. His father was a strong Protestant, but Guy converted to Catholicism at the age of about 16. Later he learned a lot about explosives during his time with the military. When he returned to England he was recruited to be part of the Gunpowder Plot, a plan dreamed up by Roman Catholic conspirators to blow up King James I when he opened the Houses of Parliament on November 5th, 1605. The conspirators rented a cellar underneath the buildings and packed it with 1800 pounds of gunpowder.
Unfortunately for Guy Fawkes and the other conspirators, one of their number revealed the plans to a member of the House of Lords, as he had been fearful that some fellow Roman Catholics might be injured or even killed during the explosions. Fawkes got a susprise when he was arrested in the rented cellar on November 5th, 1605. He was tried and found guilty, then he was hung, drawn and quartered.
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London's Guy Fawkes Night 2007: the Best Displays
One of the best displays is at Alexandra Palace, and other good ones include the bonfires at Battersea Park and Blackheath. The Lord Mayor's Show always happens at this time of year, and that too includes a spectacular fireworks display along the River Thames. The best viewing points are on Victoria Embankment, Blackfriars Bridge, Waterloo Bridge and along the South Bank between the National Theatre and the Tate Modern.
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GUY FAWKES NIGHT 2007: WHERE TO GO
Alexandra Palace
Tel: 020 8365 2121
November 3rd
Opens 4.30pm, fireworks 7.30pm
Admission free, donation suggested
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Battersea Park
Tel: 020 8871 7530
November 3rd
Bonfire lit 7.30pm, fireworks 8pm
Admission charge
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Blackheath
Tel: 0871 700 0685
November 3rd
Start 7.30pm, fireworks 8pm
Admission free
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Ravenscourt Park
Tel: 020 8753 3597
November 3rd
Door open 6.30pm, children's fireworks 7.15pm, bonfire 7.30pm, main fireworks 8pm
Admission charge
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Lord Mayor's Fireworks Display
Tel: 020 7606 3030
November 10th
Fireworks 5pm
Admission free
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Mike Gerrard - Mike is an award-winning travel writer who has worked for National Geographic, the London Times, and many other clients. ...
