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London is more than fortunate in its Festivals of Music. The last decades of the twentieth century saw a burgeoning of such events, which, added to the already well-established musical festivals, has resulted in some wonderful choices for music-lovers in and around the capital.

First we have the Proms, as they are affectionately known, or more formally as The BBC Promenade Concerts. Founded by Robert Newman and Sir Henry Wood, the first Prom was held in the Queen's Hall on 10 August 1895. The series is one of the most popular throughout the music-loving world and is dealt with elsewhere on this site under its own heading.

Further out of London, Hampton Court Palace provides the location for a Festival in June when international-calibre performers feature in a series of concerts set within the forecourt of Henry VIII's great Palace. In 2001 artistes included Itzhak Perlman playing Beethoven, Madam Butterfly presented by Opera North, Jessye Norman with The English Chamber Orchestra, Shirley Bassey, The Royal Shakespeare Company performing A Midsummer's Night Dream, and Paco Pena with Flamenco and Fireworks.

Hampers can be ordered and a 75 minute interval gives ample time for their enjoyment, with tented picnic space if required and an opportunity to explore the Palace.

Going east Spitalfields Festival has just celebrated its 25th Anniversary. This very community-based Festival is in two parts, in June and December. Concerts are held within the splendid Baroque interior of Nicholas Hawksmoor's parish church of Christ Church.

Spitalfields itself is full of suprises, providing a very definitive area between the opulence of the City and the old East End of London. Brick Lane contains some wonderful curry houses and you can obtain hampers and picnic baskets for the events.

There is strong local support for this Festival but an ever-increasing cognoscenti seek out its pleasures from a much wider area and continuing sponsorship suggests this one is a winner.

To the north English Heritage offer a magnificent setting for the Kenwood Lakeside Concerts, who this year are celebrating their Golden Anniversary. Kenwood was remodelled by Robert Adam between 1764-73 and contains one of the finest collection of paintings ever bequeathed to the nation, the Iveagh Bequest.

The atmosphere is informal, the music maybe just a touch lighter than at some other similar venues and the setting down by the Lakeside Bowl is memorable. Hampers and picnic packages are available.

Within the financial heart of London the City of London Festival will in 2002 be celebrating its 40th anniversary. Some 20,000 people a year support this splendid array of theatre, dance, architecture, literature and visual arts, many held in some of the most enviable venues in the world.

Strongly sponsored this Festival commands some fine artistes and extends over three weeks 25 June to 11 July.

The Covent Garden Festival is described as the 'UK's unique celebration of the singing voice in all its amazing diversity.' Held over three weeks in May and early June the Festival has a strong operatic flavour and a reputation for cultivating up and coming
Artistes, well laced with premieres and world debuts.