Sunday 19 July saw up to one million people around the UK stop traffic for a few happy hours, and sit down in their streets with neighbours to share a Big Lunch.

Undeterred by the weather, people turned out to celebrate all that is good about their local communities in the biggest collection of open-air parties since the Golden Jubilee.

Who’s behind Team Big Lunch?

The Big Lunch was dreamt up by the Eden Project and supported by EDF Energy.

Eden Project Chief Executive Tim Smit said “The greatest things in life are simple and great memories are usually made of things we do ourselves. So, our aim was for people to get out on their street, raise a glass and share a bite with their neighbours – that’s The Big Lunch.”

It doesn’t stop there – you can get involved too. The Big Lunch is not just about eating and having a good time. We want to give people the tools to strengthen their communities, to share skills and experiences.

Join Team Big Lunch now and we’ll make sure you’re supplied with even more food for thought.

We ate, drank, laughed and danced in the street with our newfound friends. Sunday 19 July saw up to one million people break out the bunting in the UK’s biggest collection of open-air parties since the Golden Jubilee.

Here are some of the highlights

Tranquair Village in Scotland held a Big Lunch in the village hall with traditional games.

A Big Lunch was held on Olympic Way in London on the processional route leading up to Wembley Stadium.

Battersea High Street in South London had a party for over 500 people – with entertainment and a BBQ put on by local restaurants.

East End Park, Leeds – The Big Lunch brought together members of the community from different ethnic groups, as they shared traditional food from their culture with their neighbours.

18 Cornwall Care Homes held Big Lunches with family and neighbours – including a disco, line dancing and cream teas.

People’s Park, Banbury helped a Big Lunch with knitted bunting from the local knitting club.

L8 Big Lunch – probably the Biggest Big Lunch, for 5,000 people in Toxteth, Liverpool.

Fighting Close in Coventry – Myles gave over a patch of his front lawn to all the children in the street to grow their own veg for The Big Lunch. One of the residents also donated a sheep!

Paul Twivy, The Big Lunch CEO said, “It has been exhilarating to watch the momentum grow as millions turn out on the streets to have fun, to meet their neighbours and to prove that Britain is far from broken. It’s time we realised that our neighbourhood is the biggest, untapped source of practical help and happiness in our lives. We hope that Sunday 19 July saw friendships forged that last long after the bunting was taken down.”

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Why join Team Big Lunch?

Imagine a summer’s day on which millions of us, throughout the UK, sit down to have lunch together with our neighbours: in the middle of our streets, around our tower blocks and on every patch of common ground. This will be a day to break bread with neighbours, and put a smile back on Britain’s face. It’s called The Big Lunch.

On 19th July we’re asking the people of Britain to stop what they’re doing and sit down to have lunch together.

You can start anywhere

The Big Lunch is a chance to get together to meet, greet, share and sing for no reason other than that sometimes we just need to.

We’ll help with tips on how to create music, art, decorate the street and play games, plus how to involve your school or work and all the practicalities including what to what to do if it rains.

And we’ll even help you find a big lunch happening in your area.

Why’s it a good idea?

Team Big Lunch is not just about eating together and having a good time. We also want to give people the tools to strengthen their communities. To use this occasion to share skills and experiences, so we all end up richer in every sense. And there’s no better way to do that than over lunch.

Who’s behind Team Big Lunch?

Team Big Lunch was dreamt up by the Eden Project with the support of the good folk at EDF Energy.

Join now and we’ll make sure you’re supplied with even more food for thought.