A Banging Good Bonfire Night

America may have Independence Day but over in the UK we are happy to remember that King James I survived the plot to blow him up at the Houses of Parliament lead by catholic reformist Guy Fawkes.

It is Guy Fawkes weekend and councils around the country and community groups are putting on bonfire night firework displays that will have you ‘Oohing’ and ‘Ahhing’ in delight.

To celebrate, why not indulge in an evening of funfairs, bonfires, fireworks and burning of effigies to welcome in the winter months. Here are our top picks to enjoy Bonfire Night in London:

Central London

Lord Mayor’s Firework Display

If you miss out this weekend there is always the Lord Mayor’s Show magnificent firework display on the river Thames. It’s one of London’s most spectacular annual displays, and you’ll be able to see the fireworks for miles. The road nearby will be closed to traffic this year so there’s plenty of room.

Time & Date: Saturday 12th November: Fireworks start at 5pm
Place: Along the banks of the Thames at South Bank/ Victoria Embankment
Cost: Free
More Information: Lord Mayors Show

North West

Mill Hill

Time & Date: Saturday 5th November; Gates 6pm fireworks start at 7.15pm
Place: Frith Grange Scout Camp Site, Frith Lane, Barnet, NW7 1PT
Cost: Adults £5, children under 11 free
More Information: Best of Barnet

Wembley

Time & Date: Saturday 5th November; Gates 6pm fireworks start at 8pm
Place: Barham Park, Harrow Road, Sudbury, HA0 2HB
Cost: Free
More Information: Brent Council

North

Enfield Town

Time & Date: Saturday 5th November 2011; Funfair opens 6pm Fireworks display 7.30pm
Place: Enfield Town Park, Cecil Road, London, N1
Cost: Adult £6; Child £4
More Information: Enfield Fireworks

Totteridge

Time & Date: Friday 4th November 2011; Funfair opens 6pm Bonfire lit 6.30pm Fireworks display 7.15pm
Place: Totteridge Green, London, N20 8PB
Cost: £7 adults; £4 children; £20 family (2 adults & 3 children under 14); toddlers free
More Information: Totteridge Millhillians Cricket Club

Royal Gunpowder Mills

Time & Date: Saturday 5th – Sunday 6th November 2011; Gates open at 2.00pm for activities telling the story of Guy Fawkes and his Gunpowder Plot, last admissions 5.45pm. firework display approximately 6pm. Site closes 7pm
Place: Beaulieu Drive, Essex, Waltham Abbey EN9 1JY
Cost: £8.50 adults; £6 children;  children under 3 free; family tickets available
More Information: Royal Gunpowder Mills

East

Barking

Time & Date: Saturday 5th November 2011; Funfair 5.30pm Fireworks display 8pm
Place: Barking Park, Longbridge Road
Cost: Adults £5, under 16s £1 (When accompanied by a paying adult)
More Information: Barking and Dagenham Council

Walthamstow

Time & Date: Saturday 5th November 2011; Gates open 5pm, fireworks 8pm
Place: Chestnut Field, Behind Walthamstow Town Hall, Forest Road, Walthamstow E17 4JF
Cost: Adults £4. Under 16 £3. OAP and under 5s free
More Information: Waltham Forrest Council

Tower Hamlets

Time & Date: Saturday 5th November 2011; Fireworks display 7.30pm
Place: Millwall Park, Bartlett Park and Weavers Field
Cost: free
More Information: Tower Hamlets Council

South East

Lambeth

Time & Date: Saturday 5th November 2011; Event opens 4pm Fireworks display 8pm and Entertainment, funfair and stall from 8.30pm
Place: Brockwell Park, London, SE24 0NG
Cost: Free
More Information: Lambeth Council

Crystal Palace

Time & Date: Saturday 5th November 2011;Gates open 6.00pm. Childrens fireworks 7pm. Main display 8.30pm stall from 8.30pm
Place: Crystal Palace Park, SE19 2AA
Cost: Adults £5, Children £3 (children under 5 go free)
More Information: Crystal Palace Fireworks

Blackheath

Time & Date: Saturday 5th November 2011; Fireworks display 8pm with funfair, food stalls and a fully licensed bar before and after the display.
Place: 26 Montpelier Vale, London SE3 0TA
Cost: Free
More Information: Lewisham Council

South West

Battersea

Time & Date: Saturday 5th November 2011; Gates open 6pm, Bonfire lit 7.30pm, Fireworks 8pm
Place: Battersea Park, 56 Battersea Park Rd, London SW11 4JP
Cost: Tickets on the gate £6 before 5pm and £10 after (children under 10 go free)
More Information: Wandsworth Council

Richmond

Time & Date: Sunday 6th November 2011; Gates open 4.30pm Fireworks 7pm
Place: Richmond Athletic Ground, Kew Foot Road, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 2SS
Cost: Adult £10, child £5, family £30
More Information: VisitRichmond

Kingston

Time & Date: Friday 4th November 2011; Gates open 6.30pm, last entry at 7.45pm, with the firework display commencing at 8pm
Place: Kingsmeadow Athletics Stadium,  Kingston Rd, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 3PB
Cost: Adults £6.00, children aged 5-11 £4.00
More Information: Royal Kingston

West

Ravenscourt Park

Time & Date: Saturday 5th November 2011; Gates open 6pm. Childrens’ fireworks 7.15pm. Main display 8pm
Place: Ravenscourt Park, Paddenswick Road, W6
Cost: Tickets £7 (children under 5 go free)
More Information: Hammersmith & Fulham Council

Ealing

Time & Date: Saturday 5th November 2011; Event opens 6pm Fireworks display 7.30pm, followed by bonfire
Place: Ealing Cricket Club, Corfton Road, Ealing, London, W5 2HS
Cost: Adults £6, children under 14 £4
More Information: Ealing Cricket Club

Ladbroke Grove

Time & Date: Friday 4th November 2011; Gates open 6pm Fireworks 7pm
Place: Maxilla Gardens off St Marks Rd, London W10 6NQ
Cost: Free
More Information: Westway Development Trust

[picture credits: Lυвαιв; Aidan Jones; paul adrian]