Address: Olympia London
Hammersmith Road
Kensington
London
W14 8UX
One of the London’s historical buildings, the Olympia first opened in 1886 with the aim of being the UK’s largest covered show arena.
Designed by Henry Coe, the Olympia is a notable piece of architecture with the highlight of an imposing glass roof with a clear 170ft span.
Having undergone expansions and renovations over the years (the last being completed in 2013), the venue now boasts a versatile space capable of hosting a wide variety exhibitions and sporting events.
Exhibitions and events
The Olympia has a long history of hosting some of the world’s most illustrious events.
As early as 1886 it held ‘an exhibition of sporting dogs’ the forerunner of ‘Crufts’, hosted the first great horse show and was a venue for P. T. Barnum’s greatest show on earth. 1908 saw the first ideal home show, an extremely popular event that is still drawing in the crowds 110 years later.
During both World Wars the venue served as a prison camp for German nationals, an army clothing store and an assembly point for the French army!
Aside from exhibitions, the Olympia has a credible musical and sporting history, with artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, The Cure, and Rod Stewart playing there, and World Title Boxing events held on numerous occasions.
Regular events now include the London Horse Show, London Toy Fair, Ideal Home, London Wine Fair & the Great British Beer Festival.
Getting there
London has one of the world’s most extensive public transport networks and the Olympia can be easily reached from several stations and bus stops:
London Overground (train) – Nearest station Kensington (Olympia). One stop from Shepherd’s bush (Central Line) or West Brompton (District Line).
Underground/Tube – Nearest stations are: West Kensington (District Line - 8 min walk from venue), High St Kensington (District Line - 12 min walk from venue), and Baron’s Court (Piccadilly Line – 9 min walk from venue).
Buses – Numbers 9, 23, 27, 28, 49 and 391 all stop within a short walk of the venue.
International visitors have convenient links from:
Gatwick – Take the Easybus direct from Gatwick to West Brompton or take the train from Gatwick to Clapham Junction and change for the direct train to Kensington (Olympia).
Heathrow – The Piccadilly line runs direct from Heathrow to Baron’s court, leaving a short 9 min walk to Olympia.
London Life
Located in the popular Kensington area of West London, the Olympia is within easy reach of some of the most popular areas of London.
The world famous Hyde Park is a short walk from the venue, allowing visitors to relax by the Serpentine and maybe even catch a glimpse of the Princes who live in Kensington Palace within its grounds.
A little further will take you from the Olympia into the heart of London. Stop off at the London Eye for breath-taking views of the city. Visit the myriad of historic buildings such as the Houses of Parliament, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, The Tower of London, and Buckingham Palace. Get a historical and cultural fix at the Natural History Museum, National Gallery, British Museum and Tate Britain. Shop till you drop in the high-end stores of Harrods and Selfridges.
Whatever you’re looking for, in London you can be sure to find it within easy reach.
Exhibition Stands
The Olympia is a popular venue with a wide range of events. Creative Global have been fortunate to work at the venue for a number of different companies. Being located around an hour from the venue, we’re conveniently placed to provide exhibition stands and solutions for all events.
If you’re planning on exhibiting at the Olympia, we would be happy to discuss how our team can give you the ideal stand to present your business and products.