The best of Scandinavia to taste, test, and buy the 8-9 October 2011 in Brompton Hall, Earls Court

Where in the world do you go to experience the best of Scandinavia – from innovative design to great food to cutting-edge entertainment and top brands – all in one place? The answer is Brompton Hall, Earls Court, on the weekend of October 8-9 – when the Scandinavia Show 2011 comes to London to showcase everything that’s new, exciting and enticing from Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland.

It’s the second year in London for the Scandinavia Show – and this year there’s a bigger venue and even better opportunities to taste, test and buy Scandinavian.

Highlights include top brands such as B&O and Volvo, culinary creations from Scandinavian chefs, Nordic music from folk to gospel, a chance to have your photo taken with huskies and – a treat for fans of Scandinavian crime drama – an appearance from the stars of The Killing, the hit Danish crime drama which has been running on BBC4. And on top of all that, you’ll get the chance to talk to experts in Nordic travel – so you can plan your next trip to the stunning cities and sensational natural beauty of Scandinavia.

Of course, it’s no secret that Scandinavia leads the world in quality design – and judging by the number and quality of exhibitors, the Scandinavia Show 2011 won’t disappoint. Among other exhibitors, Icons of Denmark will be offering sleek, contemporary furniture and textiles from HAY, which update the functional Scandinavian designs of the 60s.

Meanwhile, Skeppshult will be showcasing hand-built Swedish bicycles, and fans of Nordic fashion will love Wild Swans, a London boutique that stocks 95% Scandinavian brands such as Day Birger et Mikkelsen.

You’ll also find baby company Baby Beamers – whose Danish founder, Birgitte Lydum, recently appeared on the BBC2 show Britain’s Next Big Thing with her SunSnoozer pram cover sunshade – rubbing shoulders with well-known brands such as Bang&Olufsen and ECCO, bed company Hästens and furniture retailer Nordic Style.

Lovers of Scandinavian food are in for a treat. You’ll find Norseland, which stocks the finest cheeses of Scandinavia including Jarlsberg from Norway; Nils Oscar, an award-winning Swedish beer company that grows its own crops to ensure the best beer; and Marguerite Cakes, home of delicious Danish layer cakes covered with freshly whipped cream. With all those to choose from, there’s no excuse for not heading home with a few Scandinavian goodies in your bag.

Exhibitors will include Madsen, a Scandinavian restaurant in South Kensington, London – plus a host of Nordic food retailers based in Britain, such as Scandinavian Kitchen, Danish Food Direct and TotallySwedish. New food and drink exhibitors include Finn Crisp, DQ Vodka and Almondy tårta – three reasons why this year there will be more food exhibitors than ever before at the Scandinavia Show.

If all that doesn’t whet your appetite for a trip to Scandinavia in person, then a visit to some of the show’s travel stands will. The tourist boards of Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Iceland will all be present to tempt you to visit their beautiful shores – while a host of airlines and specialist tour operators will offer you the means to get there. If a Scandinavian winter takes your fancy, for example, then pay a visit to the stand of Nielson, the Scandinavian ski experts – or try Canterbury Travel, specialists in Santa holidays to Finnish Lapland.

To add to the fun, there’s even a husky area at the show, where you can get close to the animals and have your picture taken alongside them.

This year, too, Visit Faroe Islands will be making their first appearance at the Scandinavia Show, selling the unique Faroese brand of beauty, authenticity and char.

If you are really bitten by the Scandinavian bug, there are even relocation companies to help you make a permanent move.

There’s also a varied programme of entertainment. As well as the appearance from the stars of tv-show The Killing, there’ll be food presentations by top Scandinavian chefs Signe Johansen and Trina Hahnemann; a fitness session performed by the non-profit Swedish keep-fit organisation, Friskis&Svettis; a performance by Fribo, a contemporary folk band from the Nu-Nordic scene with a Scandinavian-Celtic flavour – and even a 60-person Danish gospel choir.

There’s even a play area with activities for children available all day – and in fact, children 15 and under have free admission, so there’s no reason not to bring the kids and make a day of it.

So head to the Scandinavian Show 2011 – and explore the best of Scandinavian, close to home.

To book half-price tickets for the Scandinavia Show, visit www.scandinaviashow.co.uk. Pre-booked tickets are £8, saving 50% off the price of tickets on the door. Children 15 and under go free.