We have tickets for the Last Night of the Proms in Hyde Park. We've seen it on television but never before have gone. Any last minute advice for us? Go early? Go late? Bring food? Bring a ground sheet?
Stay home is not an option.

Check the weather forecast, obviously. A quick Google turns up these people from a couple of years ago, who look to have set up camp for the evening:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gmccarr...7601967672378/

but this is what the BBC has to say:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/2008/prom...deparkprom.pdf

Please note the restriction on taking flaming torches!

Definately bring a blanket for the ground (and low chairs if you need them) so you have something to sit on - bring plenty of food and drink, too, although you can purchase items inside as well.

When I went I actually made the mistake of going too early ... got a bit ancey to leave at the end and missed the fireworks.

It will be very crowded though, so find a balance that works for you. If you get lost easily in crowds, bring something colourful so you can find your way back to your blanket when you use the loo ...

Thanks for the suggestions. We have a bright yellow groundsheet, ponchos and a room at the Park Lane Hilton. I think we're all set.

It was a beautiful evening; we found a spot on a direct line to the bar stall and visible from a paved path and settled on our groundsheet to njoy the performances. Toward ther end of the evening, some kind people offered to share their chair with us, The music was wonderful, the atmosphere festive, and these old Amerian tourists had a wonderful time. The next evening we went to the Thames Festival illuminated parade for a festive evening of an entirely different kind.

So glad you enjoyed it. It looked on TV as though there were hundreds of thousands in Hyde Park - and didn't it run late?

I suspect it did run late. Sir Terry Wogan seemed to natter on and Manilow played a long set. All we had from Albert Hall was that rather sad fanfare, the Handel and the traditional finale. The official headcount was 40,00 It was a treat to be a part of it.