Grand Designs Live

Property and the property market are things that British people have become obsessed with and the tv schedules are full of shows about buying, selling or renovating houses. Probably the best one is a show called Grand Designs which follows people through the course of building bespoke and unique homes, normally filming them over the course of two or three years. Some have a lot of money, some just a lot of determination but the houses that they build are nearly always fantastically well made one offs.

Grand Designs Live, on at ExCel London from 8-10 June, is a consumer show based on the programme featuring everything you need to know about building a home to the highest quality. Its split into six areas, Grand Interiors has the most cutting edge, contemporary interior design as well as the latest technology for the home, Grand Build is the biggest and most comprehensive self build show in London with everything you need to know for a self build project, Grand Kitchens is the biggest consumer kitchen event in the UK, showcasing cutting-edge cooking spaces and kitchens, Grand Bathrooms has the latest bathroom designs and state-of-the-art technologies, Grand Gardens features the best ideas for making the garden an extension of the home and the Design Shopping Arcade has exclusive designer furnishings and decorations.

As well as the main show areas there are free seminars, free expert advice, the Royal Institute of British Architects will have a team of architects on their Ask An Architect stand to answer questions, there’s a Going Green Trail explaining how to build sustainably and energy efficiently, the Techo Trail has the latest hi-tech stuff for the home, and Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCloud as well as other tv homes and gardens celebrities such as Sarah Beeny, Naomi Cleaver and Diarmuid Gavin will be on hand.

Tickets for Grand Designs Live are £14 advance, £18 on the door and the show is open from 10am-7pm 8-9 June, 10am-6pm 10 June. Custom House for ExCeL on the Docklands Light Railway is the closest station.