Olympia plays host to dozens of national and international exhibitions, shows, music events and conferences every year. The exhibition centre is right alongside the Kensington Olympia Station, which is very convenient for rail and tube travelers. Olympia does have on-site parking but visitors would be well advised to pre-book a parking space online as parking is limited and also much cheaper when booking online. The multi-storey at the Exhibition Centre has disabled car parking bays. There is a very useful map showing off site parking near Olympia on their website.
Olympia has a long history, dating back to 1886, when it opened on December 26th to host the Paris Hippodrome Circus. Over almost 80 years a number of different circus companies have performed, on what became a Boxing Day tradition at Olympia Exhibition Centre, until the circus tradition fell from favour with the public.
Originally conceived as an agricultural show hall by General Burnaby of the The National Agricultural Hall Company, American architect Henry E Coe was engaged to design Britain's largest single span structure. Mr Coe did the nation proud, creating the massive Grand Hall, measuring 250 by 450 feet, the largest building of its type in the UK at the time, and the roof reminiscent of railway stations of that era. So magnificent was the building with it's steel and glass roof, that the original name of 'New Agricultural Hall' was considered inadequate, giving way to the title 'Olympia'!
As demand grew for even larger venues, Olympia added the smaller National Hall in 1923, and the Empire Hall with 3 levels in 1929 - now known as Olympia 2. Lifts are available for events spread across several floors.
| Website: | Olympia Exhibition Centre |
| Telephone: | 0207 385 1200 |
| Address: | Olympia Way, Kensington, London, England W14 8UX |
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*Room rates may vary from those indicated
