The Ideal Home Show has been running since 1908 and is still one of the most popular group days out in London. Every year, clubs, community groups and tour operators from across the Home Counties organise coach trips to Olympia to explore the show homes, pick up ideas and enjoy a day of shopping together.
The London Coach Company runs private coach and minibus trips to the Ideal Home Show and the Ideal Home Show Christmas. Our base in Brentford is just a few miles from Olympia, so we know the area well. We collect your group from your village hall, clubhouse, church or chosen meeting point and bring everyone home together at the end of the day. Request a quote to plan your group trip.
Show dates
Ideal Home Show Christmas – 26 to 29 November 2026
The festive edition of the show fills Olympia with Christmas gifts, decorations and seasonal food. It is a popular choice for pre-Christmas group outings and runs from Thursday 26 to Sunday 29 November 2026.
Ideal Home Show – 2 to 11 April 2027
The main spring show runs from Friday 2 to Sunday 11 April 2027. It is open from 10am to 5pm on weekdays and 10am to 6pm at weekends, giving groups a full day at the show.
Tickets and show details: Ideal Home Show (opens in a new tab) website.
Who we take to the Ideal Home Show
- Senior groups, WI and U3A groups planning their spring or Christmas outing
- Social and community clubs running a members’ day trip
- Retirement communities and care homes taking residents out for the day
- Church groups and garden clubs looking for a relaxed day in London
- Tour operators running Ideal Home Show day trips from across the South East
Getting to Olympia by coach
Olympia has no on-site coach parking, and the service road beside the venue is closed to visitor vehicles, so coach access works as drop-and-go. We take care of it. Your driver drops the group on Hammersmith Road, which runs right along the front of the venue.
Coaches are not allowed to wait there, so the driver moves the vehicle straight away. Because our base in Brentford is only a few miles from Olympia, the coach can return there, or to a designated coach park, until it is time to collect you. It then comes back to the same point on Hammersmith Road at your agreed pick-up time. Any parking charges are always included in your quote.
Olympia is inside London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone, and every vehicle in our fleet is LEZ and ULEZ compliant. Olympia is outside the Congestion Charge zone, so that charge does not apply to this journey.
A comfortable day out for every group
- Door to door. We collect from your meeting point, so no one has to drive into London or change trains.
- Accessible. Olympia has ramps and lifts at its main entrances, and our drop-off and pick-up point on Hammersmith Road is right beside the venue.
- Room for your shopping. The luggage hold has plenty of space for bags, boxes and anything you buy at the show.
- Relaxed timings. You choose how long you want at the show, and we return for your group at the time you agree with us.
Accessibility details are in the Olympia visitor FAQs (opens in a new tab).
On board
Groups may bring drinks on board in moderation. We ask that everyone respects the driver and the vehicle, and our drivers may refuse travel to anyone who is drunk.
Planning your group trip
Choosing your day
Weekdays are usually quieter than weekends, which makes it easier for groups to see the show at a gentle pace. Most groups aim to arrive soon after opening and leave shortly before closing.
Getting home
We agree a pick-up time on Hammersmith Road before the day, so everyone knows where to be. Because the coach cannot wait outside the venue, it is important that the whole group is at the pick-up point on time – if your plans change on the day, call your driver or our office and we will adjust the collection time where we can. For longer days or journeys from further afield, we plan drivers’ hours in line with UK regulations, which can affect timings or mean a second driver is needed – we explain this clearly when we quote.
Organiser checklist
- Book show tickets in advance – most Olympia shows do not sell tickets on the door
- Confirm your group size and preferred day
- Share your pick-up point and a named contact with a mobile number
- Agree a pick-up time and make sure everyone is back at Hammersmith Road on time – the coach cannot wait outside the venue
- Tell us about any walking aids, wheelchairs or other accessibility needs
Ticket details are in the Ideal Home Show FAQs (opens in a new tab).
Vehicles for every size of group
From 9-seat minibuses for a small group to midi coaches and full-size coaches for large clubs and tour groups, we match the vehicle to your numbers. Browse our full fleet and see our pricing for more detail.
- 9-seat minibuses
- Midi coaches
- Full-size coaches
Make a day of it
Olympia is close to some of London’s best-loved days out. Groups often combine their trip with a visit to the V&A Museum, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew or a show at the Royal Albert Hall, and we can plan the whole day.
Frequently asked questions
When is the 2027 Ideal Home Show?
The Ideal Home Show runs from Friday 2 to Sunday 11 April 2027 at Olympia London. It is open from 10am to 5pm on weekdays and 10am to 6pm at weekends.
Is there a Christmas show as well?
Yes. The Ideal Home Show Christmas is at Olympia from Thursday 26 to Sunday 29 November 2026, and we run group coach trips to both shows.
Is there coach parking at Olympia?
No. Olympia has no on-site coach parking, so coach access works as drop-and-go. We drop your group on Hammersmith Road, right beside the venue. The coach cannot wait there, so it moves straight away to our base in Brentford, just a few miles away, or a designated coach park, and returns to Hammersmith Road to collect you at your agreed time. Any parking charges are included in your quote.
Which day is best for a group trip?
Weekdays are usually quieter than weekends, which makes it easier for groups to get round the show at a relaxed pace. Tell us your preferred day and we will plan the timings around the opening hours.
Is Olympia accessible for older visitors?
Yes. Olympia has ramps and lifts at its main entrances, and our drop-off and pick-up point on Hammersmith Road is right beside the venue. Tell us about any accessibility needs when you book.
Are your vehicles ULEZ compliant?
Yes. Olympia is inside London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone, and every vehicle in our fleet is LEZ and ULEZ compliant, so there are no emissions charges to add to your trip.
Book your Ideal Home Show coach trip
Call us on +44 20 3457 2071 or email [email protected] with your group size, pick-up point and preferred day, and we will come back with a quote. You can also see our pricing or request a quote online.