Visiting ExCeL London can be a thrill for families and business travellers alike—but the sheer number of exhibitions and shows can make planning tricky.
Central Park Collection created this guide to simplify your trip. We operate Royal Eagle Hotel and Central Park Hotel in central London, steps from Hyde Park and major transport links, and we know our guests want to enjoy the best events without the stress.
Whether you’re a first‑time visitor who loves pop‑culture attractions or an exhibitor attending a trade fair, this guide will help you make the most of your ExCeL experience.
What Is ExCel London?
ExCeL London—short for Exhibition Centre London—is the city’s premier exhibition and convention campus. Opened in 2000, it offers roughly 100 000 m² of event space spread over two main halls and attracts around 400 events and 4 million visitors every year.
According to the venue’s impact report, ExCeL generates approximately £4.6 billion of economic impact and supports 37 500 jobs. A recent 25 000 m² expansion integrated new halls and conference suites, making ExCeL one of Europe’s largest combined exhibition and convention centres.
As a carbon‑neutral venue working toward net‑zero by 2040, the campus also includes Immerse LDN, a kilometre‑long waterfront district for immersive experiences, plus green landscaping and a pocket park.
Why Stay with Central Park Collection
Choosing where to stay can make or break your London trip. Our two hotels offer an unbeatable combination of central location, value and tranquillity.
Central Park Hotel
Nestled less than 100 m from Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, this hotel places you within a three-minute walk to Queensway (Central line), seven minutes to Bayswater and about fifteen minutes to Paddington. With fast connections on the Elizabeth line, you’re only 40 minutes from ExCeL yet far enough away to unwind among tree-lined streets.
Royal Eagle Hotel
A Victorian-period property near Paddington with bay windows, high ceilings and rooms tailored for families and groups. Guests can enjoy 24-hour refreshments and Hyde Park as their “back garden.” From Paddington you can reach ExCeL in 30 minutes via the Elizabeth line, making it easy to attend daytime sessions and retreat to a quiet neighbourhood in the evening.
By basing yourself in Bayswater you get the best of both worlds—quick access to ExCeL via the Elizabeth line for business or events, and the serenity of Hyde Park for morning runs or family picnics. Our hotels are family-run, offer great value and provide a warm welcome whether you’re attending a trade fair, exploring immersive experiences or simply enjoying London.
Top Events at ExCeL London
Big London Tattoo Show
Thousands of tattoos inked live, from traditional to neo-realism. Browse merch, watch stage acts and meet global artists at this carnival-like celebration of tattoo culture.
The National Wedding Show
Bridal fashion shows, venues and planners under one roof. Try dresses, book tastings and map your big-day timeline — all at the ExCeL London Wedding Show.
MCM Comic Con London
The UK’s pop-culture juggernaut. Cosplay parades, gaming tournaments, creator signings and screenings. Families love daytime zones; superfans dive into panels & Artist Alley late on.
World Travel Market London
Global tourism’s deal-making floor: destinations, DMOs, tour ops, media and travel tech. Trend briefings, content creators and B2B meetings set the agenda for the year ahead.
Bett UK
A global education technology event showcasing the latest edtech, ideas and innovations shaping the future of learning and teaching.
London International Horse Show
A festive equestrian highlight with FEI World Cup™ show jumping and dressage, Carriage Driving and the Shetland Pony Grand National, plus a Christmas village & arena spectacles.
Immersive Experiences Near ExCeL
ExCeL’s waterfront has been transformed into Immerse LDN, a hub dedicated to immersive shows. Current highlights include:
FAME*FACTORY – a high-octane theatrical experience that takes guests on a whirlwind journey through celebrity culture, complete with paparazzi, backstage passes and even a private-jet scene. Perfect for fans of reality TV and live theatre.
SQUID GAME: THE EXPERIENCE – challenge yourself in life-size games from the hit series, from Memory Steps to Red Light Green Light, and enjoy Korean street food afterwards.
The FRIENDS™ Experience – explore recreated sets like Central Perk, dance by the fountain and step through the purple door at Monica & Rachel’s apartment.
Elvis Evolution – an augmented-reality celebration of the King of Rock and Roll using holograms and digital storytelling; ideal for music-loving families.
These experiences run alongside the trade fairs, so you can mix business with fun during your visit.
ExCeL London Event Celandar
Jan – Feb 2026
EAG Expo 2026 — ExCeL London — Entertainment, attractions and gaming showcase with suppliers, launches and networking.
Bett UK 2026 — ExCeL London — The UK’s biggest edtech event: demos, keynotes and education innovation in one place.
MegaCon Live London 2026 — ExCeL London — Pop culture weekend covering anime, gaming, comics and cosplay communities.
The Festival of Genomics & Biodata 2026 — ExCeL London — Genomics, biodata and clinical research insights, with talks, tech and networking.
Evolve Live! 2026 — ExCeL London — Fitness and wellbeing-focused live event day (check the listing for sessions and timings).
Pokémon Europe International Championships 2026 — ExCeL London — Major competitive weekend for players and fans, plus plenty to watch on-site.
In-House Recruitment Expo London — ExCeL London — For internal talent teams: tools, trends and practical hiring strategies.
NoVacancy London 2026 — ExCeL London — Hotel and accommodation sector event with suppliers, products and operational ideas.
International Confex 2026 — ExCeL London — The event industry’s meet-up for venues, suppliers, ideas and networking.
100% Ophthalmology — ExCeL London — Clinical eye care programme covering surgical, diagnostic and service innovations.
100% Optical 2026 — ExCeL London — Eyewear, lenses and education — a key date for opticians and buyers.
Mar 2025
Futurebuild 2026 — ExCeL London — Built-environment innovation, materials and sustainability-led content and exhibitors.
Tech Show London 2026 — ExCeL London — Big tech week covering cloud, data, cyber and infrastructure across co-located shows.
Data Centre World 2026 — ExCeL London — Infrastructure, operations and strategy for modern data centres.
Big Data & AI World 2026 — ExCeL London — Data platforms, analytics and AI use cases for modern businesses.
Cloud & Cyber Security Expo 2026 — ExCeL London — Security strategy, tooling and risk insights across cloud and cyber.
DevOps Live 2026 — ExCeL London — DevOps culture, pipelines and engineering practices at scale.
Cloud & AI Infrastructure 2026 — ExCeL London — The infrastructure layer behind AI: compute, networking and platform foundations.
The Baby Show 2026 — ExCeL London — Family favourite for product shopping, expert advice and baby brands.
EAUN26 — ExCeL London — Urology nursing programme running alongside EAU26.
MOVE IT 2026 — ExCeL London — Dance classes, performances and headline choreographers across a high-energy weekend.
GYMRACE London 2026 — ExCeL London — Competitive fitness event with races, community atmosphere and spectator moments.
International Salon Culinaire — ExCeL London — Live competitions and culinary excellence showcased on the show floor.
Apr & May 2026
The National Wedding Show 2026 — ExCeL London — Catwalk shows, suppliers and planning support to lock in the big-day details.
The International Franchise Show 2026 — ExCeL London — Franchise brands, discovery and advice for prospective owners.
London Card Show XL — ExCeL London — Collector event for trading cards, meet-ups, buying and selling.
Solar & Storage Live London 2026 — ExCeL London — Solar, storage and grid tech for installers, suppliers and decision-makers.
Care Show London 2026 — ExCeL London — Learning and networking for care operators, professionals and suppliers.
International Trademark Association — ExCeL London — Large-scale IP community conference week with sessions and networking.
UK Construction Week London 2026 — ExCeL London — Major built-environment show for specifiers, contractors and suppliers.
The Stone & Surfaces Show 2026 — ExCeL London — Materials, finishes and specification-led exhibitors across stone and surfaces.
London EV Show — ExCeL London — If you reference it, link to ExCeL’s master listing until a stable official event page is live.
Other 2026 Events
London Packaging Week 2026 — ExCeL London — Packaging marketplace for premium, FMCG and innovation-led design and sourcing.
Packaging Première London 2026 — ExCeL London — Premium packaging inspiration and suppliers across luxury categories.
PCD London 2026 — ExCeL London — Beauty and cosmetics packaging trends, materials and design ideas.
PLD London 2026 — ExCeL London — Packaging for premium and luxury drinks, with strong supplier presence.
Food & Consumer Pack 2026 — ExCeL London — Packaging focused on food, FMCG and consumer product applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from your hotels to ExCeL London?
From Royal Eagle Hotel (Paddington) or Central Park Hotel (Bayswater), go via Paddington → Elizabeth line → Custom House (for ExCeL). Typical door-to-door time is ~30–45 minutes.
Which property is best for the Elizabeth line?
Choose Royal Eagle Hotel for the shortest walk to Paddington. Central Park Hotel is near Bayswater/Queensway with a quick link to Paddington.
Which ExCeL station/entrance should I use, and is it step-free?
Use Custom House for the West Entrance (main halls); Prince Regent (DLR) for the East/ICC. Custom House is step-free.
Why stay in Bayswater/Paddington instead of next to ExCeL?
Quieter streets by Hyde Park, more dining options, fast Elizabeth line access, and central sights after the show—good value on busy event weeks if you’re comparing hotels near ExCeL London.
Do you cater for exhibitors and teams?
Yes—twin/family room options (subject to availability), early breakfast / grab-and-go on request, and luggage storage before check-in/after check-out (subject to space).
Do you offer business-friendly services and rates?
Yes—corporate & group rates, fast Wi-Fi, practical workspaces in select rooms, welcoming lobby/lounge areas, and printing/scanning assistance via reception. Ask for tailored allocations around show schedules.
Any direct-book perks?
Yes—book direct for exclusive benefits (e.g., member-style rewards such as The Guestbook, and early check-in/late check-out where available). Click here to view our exclusive offers.
Do you have parking? What about ExCeL?
We don’t advertise on-site parking; we can point you to nearby car parks. ExCeL has on-site parking (pre-book recommended). Venue postcode: E16 1XL (some car parks list E16 1FR).
How do Heathrow and London City Airport fit in?
Paddington ↔ Heathrow is direct via Elizabeth line (or Heathrow Express). ExCeL ↔ London City Airport is a short DLR ride. Which makes our hotels perfectly located for international travellers.
Where can I check events and travel updates?
See ExCeL’s What’s On for dates and opening times, and use TfL for live status (Elizabeth line/Jubilee/DLR) and strike info.
Image credits:
Hero banner – Grimshaw Architects
‘Squid Game: The Experience’ – Photo by Joe Scarnici / Getty Images for Netflix
ExCeL London (main entrance) – Photo by Herry Lawford via Flickr, uploaded to Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
