AT last the summer season is in full swing in London and the city is full of tourists clutching 'hot tickets' for some fantastic shows, exhibitions and special events writes Dave Balow

THE Summer Exhibition has opened at the Royal Academy in Piccadilly and will run until August 20.

Nineteen Kent artists have work in the exhibition, including comedian Vic Reeves of Boughton Malherbe, who is showing two typically surreal paintings.

Look for the acrylic They Pinned Back My Ears and Lips, and the memorably named Darwin Jones and His Bloodhounds - which features a horse's head, with human ears, and a mane parted and slicked back in waves.

Also look for entries by Arthur Neal and Gerry Whybrow from Deal, Maggie Holt of Stelling Minnis, Pamela Kay of Cliftonville, Flavia Irwin of Meopham, Cherryl Fountain of Sheldwich Lees, David Wilkes of Gillingham, Rose Wylie of Sittingbourne, Frances Holland of Southborough, Shelley Rose of Hadlow, Michael Woodford of Cranbrook, John Wells of Pembury, Ho Yun Milner of Ashford, Peter Kuhfeld of Wye and Gillian Kenny of Sellindge.

This year the show includes two special memorial galleries dedicated to the late Patrick Caulfield, the New Generation painter and printmaker, who was elected to the Royal Academy in 1993. Also Sir Eduardo Paolozzi, a sculptor and printmaker. Both men died last year after illustrious careers in the world of art.

The theme this year for more than 1,000 artists whose work is being exhibited, is From Life...

It is the world's largest open submission contemporary art exhibition, and will be seen by more than 100,000 visitors.

Adult admission is £7 and includes the List of Works. Seniors and registered disabled £6. Students £3. Twelve to 18 year olds and those on Income Support £2. Seven years and under free. A family ticket for two adults and up to two children costs £16.

To book telephone 0870 848 8484 or visit www.royalacademy.org.uk. Tickets available daily at Burlington House.

The independent five star Athenaeum Hotel on Piccadilly, which is a 10 minute walk from the Royal Academy, is offering special weekend breaks during the Summer Exhibition.

The weekend includes one night's accommodation, based on two people sharing a double or twin room, English breakfast for two, and two tickets for the exhibition. The price is £195 and is available on Friday, Saturday or Sunday nights.

Upgrades to an Athenaeum private apartment cost £385 per night, for two. The hotel's want to check it out see www.athenaeumhotel.com or telephone 020 ground floor has just undergone a re-design and is described as 'groovy grand'. If you 7499 3464. E-mail info@athenaeumhotel.com