Great Fire of London 350th anniversary celebrations: What you need to know about the burning of a huge sculpture of London’s skyline
This week marks the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London, and to commemorate it, a 120 metre-long sculpture of London’s 17th-century skyline will be set alight on the Thames.
To make sure you don’t miss out on the spectacle, entitled London 1666, here’s our guide to watching.
Where
The sculpture will be ceremonially burnt in the middle of the river, between Blackfriars and Waterloo Bridges.
We suggest getting there well before the start time to secure yourself a good view, as it’s likely to attract quite a few spectators.
The multi-camera show will be streamed live online, and will be presented by Lauren Laverne.
Read more: This is how the Great Fire of London sparked an insurance revolution
When
The event will begin at 6pm on 4 September. The good news is, the weather will be on our side: the Met Office predicts a low probability of rain, with highs of 20 degrees.
Who
This project of epic proportions was designed by American artist David Best, the man behind the Burning Man festivals.
The project is a result of several months of work and participation with local schools and young Londoners.
Read more: The Great Fire of London at 350: What you need to know
How to get there
Depending on which side of the river you’d prefer to stand:
- Embankment, Southwark, Temple and Waterloo are the closest underground stations to Waterloo Bridge
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The closest stations to Blackfriars Bridge are City Thameslink and Blackfriars Tube stations
There are various bus routes available around these areas during the day, as well as night buses should you want to stay around a little longer after the event.
Waterloo Bridge buses: 1; 4; 26; 59; 68; 76; 139; 168; 171; 172; 176; 188; 243; 341; 521
Blackfriars Bridge Buses: 45, 63, 100, N63, N89, N550 (note these buses serve Blackfriars Station).
To get you in the mood, here's a time lapse of the build: