Travel By Train and Underground
Travelling to ExCeL London just got a whole lot easier with the introduction of Cross-Rail or The Elizabeth Line. The Paddington to Abbey Wood section is now open and the entire line from Heathrow and Reading in the west to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east is due to open in the Autumn. This super-speedy line means that journey times will be dramatically reduced. Custom House is the station just outside ExCeL and is 4 minutes to Canary Wharf, 11 minutes to Liverpool Street, 14 minutes to Farringdon, 19 minutes to Bond Street and 22 minutes to Paddington.
TRAIN STRIKES – unfortunately the train strikes that are taking place on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th December will disrupt services. However, please note The Elizabeth Line will still be running from Paddington to Custom House and the DLR will still be operational.
Full strike day timetables are being prepared by the rail industry which will confirm those services that will be running. For travel on the 16th December the National Rail’s Journey Planner will be correct on 10th December and for those travelling on the 17th December it will be correct on 14th December.
ExCeL London is also connected to London Underground and London Overground by DLR (Docklands Light Railway) which is a part of the London Underground network. The Jubilee Line and the DLR are connected to ExCeL London. Visitors to the Horse Show should alight at either Custom House or Prince Regent Station on the DLR. Trains pull up at a covered walkway leaving visitors with less than two minutes to walk to the entrance.
For further information on Tube and DLR travel please click here.
For further information on National Rail travel please click here.
Driving and Parking
There are more than 2000 car parking spaces at ExCeL. Parking costs £20 for up to 24 hours and is pay and display. Please be aware that ExCeL is now in the Ultra Low Emission Zone. You may need to pay to enter this zone. Check your vehicle registration number HERE to find out more.
Should the car parks become full there are car parks at Canary Wharf from where you can catch the Elizabeth Line or DLR to Custom House. Alternatively go to Westfield Stratford City and you can then travel to ExCeL via the DLR. Information is shown here: Alternative car parks
If you’re arriving via the M11, the North Circular (A406) or the A13, as you get closer to ExCeL you’ll pick up signs for Royal Docks, City Airport and ExCeL London. If you’re using satellite navigation please enter the postcodes below.
E16 1XL – if you are travelling from the West to ExCeL from Blackwall Tunnel, Limehouse Link, A12 or Central London.
E16 1FR – if you are travelling from the East to ExCeL from the M11, A13 or into London from the east.
A map showing the location of the car parks can be viewed here.
The Traffic team will be happy to assist you, should you need any help finding a space upon arrival.
To help plan your journey, please click here.
My car is taller than 1.9 meters – where can I park/ pre-book?
When you arrive on site please report to the traffic office, located on Sandstone Lane E16 1DR, where a member of staff will direct you to a parking place.
Air Travel
ExCeL London is located in very close proximity to London City Airport. All other London airports are well connected to the venue including Heathrow which is now connected by the newly opened Elizabeth Line. Further information may be found here.
River and Cable Car
ExCeL is connected by river services and the cable car. Event attendees can use the river services to North Greenwich Pier and the cable car to Royal Victoria – short walk from the west entrance.
For more information on boat and cable car travel click here.
The operating times are Thursday 7am to 9pm, Friday 7am to 11pm, Saturday 8am – 11pm, Sunday 9am to 9pm and Monday 7am to 9pm.
Adults are £5 for a one way and £10 for a round trip and children are £2.50 and £5.
The cable car can be boarded by using your contactless card, or oyster card. If people wish to purchase tickets with cash, there is a premium to pay (we advise to use contactless).
The cars arrive every 30 seconds and carry up to ten people. One way journeys take up to 10 minutes but vary according to passenger flow and weather conditions.
Bring your own group and benefit from discounts and later payment arrangements
If you are planning to come with a group of 20 or more, then some performances have special group rates that offer up to 30% discount on tickets. These performances are Friday afternoon or Friday evening, Sunday evening and Monday afternoon or Monday evening. You can reserve seats in advance and you don’t need to pay until 30th September by telephoning the Groups Booking Office on 0844 858 9070 or emailing them at groups@seetickets.com. This applies to all performances, not just the Groups Discounted performances.
Visit with a Coach Company arranging Group Travel
If you wish to join a coach company organising group travel and tickets there are many who have already reserved seats. Look at our list below to see if any of them suit you. Or check with your local tour operator to see if they are running a group.
Robin Hood Travel (Rudyard)
Richmonds (pick ups from Bishops Stortford, Royston and Cambridge)
Galloway (picks ups from Stowmarket, Ipswich and Colchester)
Barnes Coaches (pick ups at Highworth, Swindon, Membury Services, Chievely Services and Reading)
Woods Travel (pick ups at Chichester, Bognor, Rustington and Goring)
Easton Holidays (pick ups at Helston, Attleborough and Thetford)
Lucketts (pick ups in the Southampton and Portsmouth regions)
IC Travel (pick ups from Drayton, Taverham, Costessey, Longwater, Thickthorn Services, Hethersett, Wymondham, Attleborough and Thetford)
We’ve created a brand new support centre loaded with all the Show and ticket-related questions you might have, so if you can’t find what you’re looking for on the tabs below, head to our support site.
Visit the Support Site
Please see the opening times for each day below. For specific timings, please see the Show Programme.
| 9.00am | Doors Open |
| 9.30am | Shopping Village Opens |
| 10.20am | Start of Morning Session |
| 12.20am | Start of Afternoon Performance |
| 5.00pm | End of Afternoon Performance |
| 6.45pm | Start of Evening Performance |
| 10.05pm | End of Evening Performance |
| 9.00am | Doors Open |
| 9.30am | Shopping Village Opens |
| 10.05am | Start of Morning Session |
| 11.45am | Start of Afternoon Performance |
| 4.10pm | End of Afternoon Performance |
| 5.30pm | Start of Evening Performance |
| 10.35pm | End of Evening Performance |
| 7.45am | Doors Open |
| 8.25am | Start of Morning Session |
| 9.30am | Shopping Village Opens |
| 12.30pm | Start of Afternoon Performance |
| 4.20pm | End of Afternoon Performance |
| 6.20pm | Start of Evening Performance |
| 10.35pm | End of Evening Performance |
| 8.30am | Doors Open |
| 9.30am | Shopping Village Opens |
| 9.15am | Start of Morning Session |
| 12.30pm | Start of Afternoon Performance |
| 4.50pm | End of Afternoon Performance |
| 6.00pm | Start of Evening Performance |
| 10.25pm | End of Evening Performance |
| 8.10am | Doors Open |
| 8.40am | Start of Morning Session |
| 9.30am | Shopping Village Opens |
| 12.45pm | Start of Afternoon Performance |
| 4.20pm | End of Afternoon Performance |
| 6.30pm | Start of Evening Performance |
| 10.25pm | End of Evening Performance |
London’s ExCeL has a huge number of restaurants, bars and cafes located on The Boulevard (the main avenue running through the centre of the building), these are permanent outlets for the venue.
Please note that food is not allowed into the seats in the main arena. Drinks are allowed but only in plastic containers please – no glass.
The catering outlets that visitors will see around the show include:
The Bagel Factory, Oh My Dog, The Bridge Restaurant, Chop’d (salad, soups, wraps and stews), Costa Coffee, Subway, Chozen Noodle (fast fresh noodles and sushi), Upper Crust (fresh baguettes and tasty coffee), Wrapid (gourmet food in unique flatbreads), E16 Cafe (coffees and pastries). Others on site include Costa, Prime Burger, Nazari (Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Food), Fundi Pizza, Viva! Burrito, and Rotisserie Chicken.
In the Winter Market, also located in the Shopping Village, artisan vans will offer pizza, coffee, deli and pastries, Nazari (Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Food), Engine Hot Dogs and Deep Fried Ice-cream for a treat!
Champagne Taittinger Bar and Brasserie
The Champagne Taittinger Bar and Brasserie will be housed in its own exclusive tented structure, giving a wonderful ambience to the interior. In addition it will have an outdoor garden with views on to the Collecting Ring. All top price ticket holders will receive badges with their tickets which will give them access to the Champagne Taittinger Bar & Brasserie. Visitors can enjoy dishes such as fish pie, macaroni cheese, smoked salmon plate, prawn cocktail or lobster along with a wide selection of drinks from the Bar.
Winter Bar
The Winter Bar is located centrally in the Shopping Village and has a ‘narnia’ style theme complete with polar bear. It is open to all visitors and offers hot and cold soft drinks alongside alcoholic drinks. It has a ‘snack’ menu including sharing dishes such as smoked salmon, charcuterie or cheese platters.
The Bridge Restaurant
The Bridge specialises in authentic American classics with a range of choices to suit all tastes, whether you’re in the mood for gooey classic mac & cheese or a nutritious quinoa super salad to give you a midday boost. Located in the centre of ExCeL’s thriving Boulevard, The Bridge is taking table reservations now; please email thebridge@excelhospitality.london
A SEAT WHILST YOU EAT
Whilst we do not allow eating in the arena seating, we are working with our new venue to provide plenty of seating outside the arena where you can settle down and eat the food you have brought with you or food you have purchased at the show.
LOOKING AFTER OUR ENVIRONMENT
ExCeL London strives to look after the environment and has introduced many policies in the past few years. These include:
- Free water refills
- Biodegradable or recyclable packaging
- No plastic straws
- Reusable coffee cup discount
We very much look forward to welcoming you to The London International Horse Show. With lots of action happening, we have put together a list of top tips to help make your day as enjoyable as possible!
No visit to the Show is complete without some serious Christmas shopping and with over 200 stands there is plenty to choose from!
If you are looking for something specific, or have a query about your visit, make sure to visit our Show Information Desk. Our staff will be on hand to answer all your questions.
The Pony Club run a Shop and Drop facility which provides a place where you can leave all your Christmassy purchases, so that you don’t need to take your bags into the seating. You can leave your shopping there for a small donation and all proceeds go directly to The Pony Club. Find it in the Boulevard to the right of Entrance N11.
With amazing international displays and world-class competition, each performance offers something special.
For the full details of your performance and all timings please check out our programme pages closer to the event.
At the Show we will occasionally be making announcements with important information throughout the venue by loudspeaker. Please listen out for these as they may be about last-minute timing changes or other key information.
Everyone needs to stretch their legs and find a cup of tea or glass of bubbles every now and then! However, please be aware of those seated around you. The seating stewards will not allow you to leave or return in the middle of a jumping round, dressage test or a display as this can disrupt other guests and the riders.
FOOD is NOT allowed in the seats. Drinks are only allowed in plastic containers. There are plenty of places outside the arena to sit and eat food either purchased at the show or brought with you.
Video recording and/or flash photography is strictly prohibited in the arena whilst performances are on; this is for the safety of horses and riders.
Once the performance is over, our Stewards always work to ensure you can leave as quickly as you would like; please listen to their instructions.
We don’t know about you, but we think that food and drink is a very important part of every day out! Visit our ‘Where to Eat’ section for information on what is available.
Food is not allowed into the arena seating areas. However, there are lots of places outside the arena. where you can sit down, relax and eat.
Please be aware that only plastic cups or bottles are allowed into the arena; glass is not permitted.
Cloakroom and Luggage Storage
There is a cloakroom and luggage storage facility at the entrance to the show where you can leave your items for a £1 charge. There is also a ‘Shopping Drop-Off’ facility in the Shopping Village which is run by The Pony Club. The Drop-Off facility runs throughout the day.
Toilets
There are toilet facilities throughout the halls which will be well signposted; these include facilities suitable for those with disabilities.
Medical Facilities
You can approach any of the ExCeL team who will help you with a medical emergency or go to Level 0 on the boulevard and down the stairs by N4/S4.
WiFi
At ExCeL there is free, fast WiFi which is suitable for browsing, social media and email. When you arrive at the venue, you just need to sign into ‘ExCeL FREE Wif-Fi’.
Lost Property
ExCeL works with its property partner, NotLost, to reunite you with your lost items. If you think you’ve lost something at ExCeL London please compelte the form here.
We welcome disabled visitors to The London International Horse Show.
All public entrances allow for access by wheelchair via low gradient ramps and an automatic door. Once inside the venue, all floors are level offering unobstructed access.
The Show has two wheelchair platforms, one for our hospitality visitors and one large one for all visitors. If you wish to book a ticket on the wheelchair platform you can book online you must also book and pay for your carer ticket at the same time. After booking you can apply online and send in proof of disability and your carer ticket will be refunded.
Seats with minimal steps to access them will be available for ambulant disabled customers. If you are ambulant disabled (those who are registered disabled but do not require the use of a wheelchair) please book a ticket in this area which is behind the wheelchair platform in Blocks 10 and 11. These can be selected on the pick a seat option when you go into the book your tickets page of this website. You must book and pay for your carer ticket at the same time. After booking you can apply online and send in proof of disability and your carer ticket will be refunded.
For any other type of disability you are also entitled to a free carer ticket but you must purchase the ticket online and after booking you can apply online and send in proof of disability and your carer ticket will be refunded.
ExCeL London is able to provide wheelchairs to those in need, free of charge. Wheelchairs can be hired from both ends of the venue. Please speak to one of our security concierge for assistance. Please note that unfortunately we are unable to offer pre-booking for these chairs which will be available on a first come, first serve basis. A form of ID (such as a driving licence, a passport, etc) is required upon hire as a security measure.
There are multiple disabled toilets at the Show, including one on the Prince Regent Walkway at arrival. There are also disabled changing facilities which contain a toilet, sink and hoist. Visitors should contact the Customer Service Desk on arrival.
There are a number of disabled parking bays that are spread across the car park at ExCeL. They are 5.90m x 3.60m. The orange under-venue car park has a total of 110 disabled parking bays. Any vehicle displaying the disabled blue badge is still required to pay the car park charge of £20 for 24 hrs. The car parking map is shown here and the Horse Show will be located at the East End of the venue. There are lifts from the under-venue car park to the show itself.
With rider signings, famous faces and informative talks, you won’t want to miss out on all the action in the Live Zone this Christmas. Take the opportunity to meet your favourite riders, hear their pearls of wisdom and get their autograph. Some four-legged friends will also be making an appearance.
Where To Go
The Live Zone is located in the shopping village
What’s On?
The 2022 timetable is taking shape – if there is anyone you would like to see on our Live Zone let us know by emailing info@londonhorseshow.com
Performance ticket holders have all day access to the Shopping Village, Live Zone and Warm Up arena on the day of the performance on their ticket.
Afternoon performance ticket holders (Friday – Monday) also have access to the morning sessions on the same day; evening ticket holders are entitled to attend the evening performance only.
The London International Horse Show Displays
The Kennel Club Dog Agility
One of Show’s most loved parts is the Kennel Club Dog Agility competition. These take place at each of the performances with different types of classes for each one. For instance you may see the ABC Class (that’s Anything But a Collie) or you may see the small dog pairs relay. Whatever you see, you are in for a great deal of fun, as these wonderful animals race around, over and through the obstacles, wearing their owners out and going hell for leather to be the one with the winning time.
The Shetland Pony Grand National
The Shetland Pony Grand National holds all the excitement of the world famous Grand National horse race on a miniature scale! Shetland Ponies and their riders race around the arena at a fast and furious pace – it really is one of the highlights of the Show. If you are interested in getting involved please visit the Shetland Pony Grand National website.
International Displays
There are two international equestrian displays each year at the Show.
Le Régiment de Cavalerie de la Garde Républicaine
The world-famous French Cavalry regiment is one of the most renowned branches of the French Gendarmerie, responsible for special security duties in the Paris area and providing guards of honour at official ceremonies. They will be bringing their historical performance “Le Carrousel des Lances” to London. This particular display has never been seen before in the UK and is quite spectacular – it features 27 riders divided into four quadrilles, each under the order of an officer.
The Devil’s Horsemen
For the last 50 years, The Devil’s Horsemen have worked with some of the world’s best directors, production companies and producers such as Netflix and Disney to provide horses and carriages for blockbuster movies and award-winning TV series. The act, which includes 10 horses and nine stunt riders, will be fast-paced and filled with trick riding, including demonstrations of stunts that were performed in Hollywood films such as Wonder Woman and Game of Thrones. The team, who have dedicated their lives to training these remarkable horses, will open their display with a ‘driverless’ carriage of four horses galloping around the main arena, before continuing with equally incredible trick riding.
Dressage
Dressage focuses on the development of the physique of the horse and the harmony between rider and horse. High quality is revealed by freedom and regularity of the paces, lightness and ease of the movements. The horse gives the impression of doing the movements on his own accord because of the small and invisible aids of the rider. In all competitions, the horse has to show three paces: walk, trot and canter, as well as transitions between the paces and transitions within the paces (collection – extension – collection).
At the Show there are two tests, the Grand Prix and the Kur or Freestyle Test to Music. In the Freestyle to Music, the rider can choose the music, the choreography and the sequence of movements that have to be shown. In the Freestyle test, the technical skill and the artistic performance are evaluated. On the artistic part, one of the most important things is that the horse can do all the movements in the rhythm to the music.
Show Jumping
The most important Show Jumping event at The London International Horse Show is the Longines FEI World CupTM Jumping Leg which takes place on Sunday afternoon this year. Another well-known class is The Puissance, which will take place on Thursday evening – it’s great fun as the horses jump higher and higher over the big red wall. The Show Jumping Grand Prix on Monday evening has one of the toughest showjumping tracks of the whole event.
FEI World CupTM Driving and Extreme Driving
FEI World CupTM Driving and Extreme Driving are without doubt the most thrilling face of competitive carriage driving and nowhere is this more keenly apparent than at The London International Horse Show. It has the audience gripping their seats dazzled by the skill of fearless drivers who manoeuvre four galloping horses round a technical course at seemingly impossible speeds. FEI World CupTM Driving is only open to the top 10 ranked drivers in the world, taken from results in the preceding summer outdoor season. Most drivers will have a different team of horses for the winter season as the turns are tighter, the arenas smaller and the excitement more intense!
Christmas Prizegiving Finale
The Christmas Prizegiving Finale is especially created for you children in the audience… that is… you, children of all ages! The finale always includes the First Noel, a very special guest, snow and a lot of fun!
To view the options and book a hotel please use the built-in hotel checker here.
Please be aware that bag searches will be in operation so we advise leaving an extra 15 minutes to enter the venue and go through security. This is for the safety of all our visitors and staff and we thank you for your understanding.
Food is not permitted in the arena at any time. Drinks are permitted in plastic containers but glass is prohibited at all times.
To avoid disrupting other visitors and competitors, during competitive classes moving in and out of seating is only permitted at the beginning and end of a round.
London International Horse Show will operate under government COVID-19 guidelines that are in place at the time of the event.
To reassure our visitors, there are further measures being taken within the show to keep everyone safe. These include:
- Wide aisles to reduce crowd density and improve attendee flow.
- Multiple entrances which will enable management of queues.
- Hygiene reminders to regularly wash hands throughout the venue
- An enhanced cleaning regime during Show-open periods
- Contactless payment will be encouraged.
- The ventilation system for the halls has recently been increased in line with the latest CIBSE guidance.
Should COVID-19 lead to a cancellation of the Show, the face value of tickets purchased will be refunded. Please note that the booking fee will not be refunded.
