Discovering Places is part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, a major engagement programme for London 2012. The Cultural Olympiad will enable people, especially young people, around the UK to experience London 2012 in their town or street and to increase participation and capacity in cultural activity. It aims to harness the power of the Games to inspire creativity across all forms of culture.

At the heart of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad are the Major Projects which encompass a wide range of culture from art to music and theatre. Being a Major Project, Discovering Places adds the environment to this collection of cultural activities with its focus on the contemporary built, historic and natural environment. The ambition of Discovering Places is to inspire the UK to discover their local environment – with all its hidden places and extraordinary spaces, and stories waiting to be told.

Discovering Places is a UK-wide campaign giving participants the opportunity to discover, explore, be inspired by and benefit from the UK’s hidden gems – historic and contemporary buildings, public spaces and natural places in and around the cities, towns and villages where they live and work.

The programme will showcase the local environment and encourage people to engage through a series of events and projects in the lead up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Discovering Places launched on 23-25 July 2010 as part of London 2012 Open Weekend, the annual UK-wide celebration counting down to the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Discovering Places presents a distinct aspect focusing on the natural, historic and built environment to the London 2012 event.

GET INVOLVED THIS YEAR
This years Discovering Places takes place between 22 – 24 July 2011.   For more information about how to get involved and to find out about events taking place around the country, please head to our 2011 section and, or to the London 2012 Open Weekend website.  Deadline for first round of submissions is 27th May 2011, second round 27th June 2011.

If you are interested in finding out more about us please head to our Discovering Places website or contact us via email Discovering Places and, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

For more information about the Cultural Olympiad visit http://www.london2012.com/get-involved/cultural-olympiad/index.php

Discovering Places is principally funded by the National Lottery through the Olympic Lottery Distributor and delivered in partnership between The Heritage Alliance and London 2012.