Carry On Camping Weekend

Hotels

Your des res

A short hop, skip and a jump away from London's gay centre - Soho - the Trafalgar Hilton is funky and contemporary, providing an impressive contrast to the capital’s more traditional hotels.

You can't get more gay-friendly than the Sherlock Holmes Hotel, fondly referred to as Sherlock Homos! This boutique hotel boasts a central location, just a few minutes walk from the shopping paradise of Oxford Street, Bond Street and Regent Street. It also features a full multi-gym with cardiovascular equipment, free weights, sauna and steam room, so you can pamper yourself and look your best for when you paint the town red later.

Friday Night

Party the night away

Start your night in G-A-Y Bar, set over three floors including a girls' bar in the basement. This centrally located venue has cheap drinks and camp tunes aplenty. You really can't go wrong. One or two, or six or seven drinks later, head off to King's Cross to The Scala.

The Scala, is home to Popstarz every Friday. This club night attracts pop princesses and indie kids galore. Its three rooms are packed to the rafters every week, with the most popular room at the top, spinning classic feel-good anthems from the 1980s.

Saturday Morning

Oysters and champagne

All that dancing will have worked up an appetite. Rather than falling into bed on an empty stomach, drop by Balans on Old Compton Street for an early morning meal. This very popular gay restaurant is open all night on Friday, until 6am on Saturday. So you can grab a bite to eat along with all the other party animals out there!

After a few hours shut-eye, there's nothing better than clearing your head with a bit of retail therapy and what better place than London? Head to the world-famous Selfridges on Oxford Street. Here you can't help but give that credit card a serious thrashing whilst at the same time checking out the cute staff (many of whom seem to be gay!). While you're here why not pause for lunch and treat yourself at the fabulous oyster and champagne bar?

Saturday Afternoon

Bird's Eye view

No trip to London is complete without a flight on the London Eye. It is the biggest observation wheel in the world and has spectacular views across the capital. You could impress a date by hiring out a whole capsule and be served champagne while you admire the city skyline.

On your way back into the West End wander through Covent Garden, mosey round the shops and end up for a drink in The Box on Monmouth Street, a very friendly gay bar. Grab a seat by the window and check out all the talent walking by!

Saturday Night

Members only

Don your best garb and head to the Shadow Lounge in the throbbing heart of Soho. This glitzy, glamorous venue is London's only gay member's club (non-members are welcome: for a charge). Rub shoulders with London's gay elite and maybe spot a celeb or two. Christina Aguilera, Sir Elton John, Boy George and Kylie Minogue are amongst the A-listers that have graced the dancefloor.

Heaven nightclub, next to Charing Cross station, is probably the most famous gay club in London and one of the biggest in Europe. Saturday is Heaven's flagship party night, offering gay and lesbian party people three floors of spectacular clubbing. It's a safe bet you won't feel like leaving until the early hours of the morning.

Sunday Morning

Designer exclusives

We'll allow you a couple of hours sleep, but no lie-in as there's far too much on offer in London and you don't want to miss out!

East London is home to the fashionista's favourite hang-out, the Sunday Up Market, which takes place every Sunday at the Truman Brewery on Brick Lane. Designer-makers sell direct to customers. So you are guaranteed to pick up something unique (we're referring to clothing of course!).

Sunday Afternoon

Camp cabaret

Head south for the Sunday institution that is SLAGS/Chill-Out featuring resident drag performer the Dame Edna Experience. Held at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, one of London's founding gay bars, this is an afternoon of camp cabaret madness, full of gays, lesbians, fag hags and fag wannabes. This pantomime of poofs rounds off a perfect gay weekend in London!