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.
MRO Europe (London MRO)
The maintenance, repair and overhaul hub. Airlines, OEMs and suppliers meet for parts, tooling and sustainability — strategy by day, serious networking across the ExCeL campus by night.
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
Sep 2025
Big London Tattoo Show — 19–21 Sep 2025 — 100s of artists, live shows and fairground vibes — a huge tattoo culture weekender at ExCeL London.
Homebuilding & Renovating Show London — 19–21 Sep 2025 — Self-build advice, architects on tap and product demos for every stage.
Connected Britain — 24–25 Sep 2025 — Fibre, 5G and digital infrastructure leaders shaping a more connected UK.
eCommerce Expo — 24–25 Sep 2025 — From acquisition to checkout — platforms, AI, CX and logistics.
Technology for Marketing — 24–25 Sep 2025 — Martech, data and CX to grow smarter, faster campaigns.
Space Autonomy International Expo — 30 Sep – 01 Oct 2025 — Robotics, autonomy and space systems moving from R&D to real-world use.
Trade Drinks Expo — 30 Sep – 01 Oct 2025 — Brands, buyers and routes to market across on- and off-trade.
Street Food Business Expo — 30 Sep – 01 Oct 2025 — Concepts, trucks and suppliers for street-food entrepreneurs.
Hospitality Tech Expo — 30 Sep – 01 Oct 2025 — Hotel and F&B tech that streamlines ops and elevates guest experience.
Hotel & Resort Innovation Expo — 30 Sep – 01 Oct 2025 — Sustainability, revenue and design ideas for modern stays.
Oct 2025
Employee Benefits Live — 01–02 Oct 2025 — Reward, wellbeing and HR tech that lift engagement and retention.
Dentistry Show London — 03–04 Oct 2025 — Hands-on CPD, tech demos and suppliers for UK dental teams.
UCAS Create Your Future — 06–07 Oct 2025 — Creative courses, portfolios and pathways into the arts.
FutureScape — 07–08 Oct 2025 — Landscaping, planting and outdoor design for gardens and public realm.
Recycling Expo London — 07–08 Oct 2025 — Circular economy, waste-to-resource and compliance.
Brand Licensing Europe — 07–09 Oct 2025 — Where brands, entertainment and retail strike IP deals.
Salon International — 11–13 Oct 2025 — Pro hair stages, colour trends and kit for salon teams.
MRO Europe — 14–16 Oct 2025 — Aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul — parts, providers, strategy.
Smart Buildings Show — 15–16 Oct 2025 — Building automation, IoT and energy management for smarter estates.
London Packaging Week — 15–16 Oct 2025 — Luxury, beauty, drinks and FMCG packaging — materials and design.
The National Wedding Show (ExCeL) — 18–19 Oct 2025 — Dresses, venues and planning tips — everything for the big day.
Musical Con London — 18–19 Oct 2025 — West End fan convention with cast panels, performances and workshops.
New Scientist Live — 18–20 Oct 2025 — Hands-on science, big ideas and talks from leading researchers.
MCM Comic Con London — 24–26 Oct 2025 — Cosplay, gaming, screenings and creator meet-ups — the pop-culture weekender.
Nov 2025
World Travel Market London — 04–06 Nov 2025 — The global tourism marketplace — destinations, media and travel tech.
Event Tech Live London — 12–13 Nov 2025 — Event apps, AV, data and hybrid solutions for organisers.
White Label World Expo — 12–13 Nov 2025 — Private-label sourcing, marketplace selling and fulfilment.
GradFest London — 18–19 Nov 2025 — Graduate careers festival with employers, skills sessions and first roles.
EMEX London — 19–20 Nov 2025 — Energy efficiency, net-zero strategies and smart buildings for estates and FM.
Contact Centre Expo — 19–20 Nov 2025 — CX strategy, AI and workforce tools for high-performing centres.
B2B Marketing Live — 19–20 Nov 2025 — Demand gen, ABM and content strategy for growth teams.
London Vet Show — 20–21 Nov 2025 — CPD, suppliers and clinical updates for vets and practice teams.
Dec + 2026
FinTech Connect — 02–03 Dec 2025 — Payments, cybersecurity, digital assets and banking transformation.
Tokenize: LDN — 02–03 Dec 2025 — Institutional digital assets, tokenization and Web3.
London International Horse Show — 18–22 Dec 2025 — Festive equestrian spectacle — show jumping, dressage and displays.
Bett Show — 21–23 Jan 2026 — Education’s big stage — edtech pioneers, classroom kit and policy voices.
100% Optical — 28 Feb – 02 Mar 2026 — Eyewear, lenses and education for opticians and buyers.
100% Ophthalmology — 28 Feb – 02 Mar 2026 — Surgical, clinical and diagnostic advances in eye care.
MOVE IT — 20–22 Mar 2026 — Classes, performances and star choreographers — the dance event of the year.
London EV Show — 13–14 May 2026 — EVs, charging, fleets and policy shaping transport’s future.
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)
