Unbelievable isn’t it, that we’re almost half way through the year! Everyone’s favourite season is fast approaching and after our little taster of warm weather last weekend, we’re all gasping for some more sunshine. Whilst we wait, now’s the time to plan how you’re going to make the most of Spring in London (not to mention also the bank holidays and half term) and explore the great outdoors. So, what’s the capital got to offer this month?
We’re going to start off with the event that we’re huge fans of and here’s a clue: it’s going to be 50 shades of green! The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is back for another showstopping year from the 24th-25th May when the Royal Chelsea Hospital will be bursting with flower-power. Show times start from 8am, so what better way to brighten up your Spring morning than inhaling the fresh scent of exotic flowers as you weave in between all of the fascinating exhibits. Step through the iconic poppies tribute at the entrance of the show, before gazing upon some of the most cutting-edge garden designs and beautiful plant displays, including the fabulous floral arch created in celebration of our dear Her Majesty The Queen’s 90th birthday. You might even be drawn into the new acoustic garden that will play delicate musical notes as you wander through, or even The British Eccentrics Garden where unusual garden gadgets come to life! It’s guaranteed to be an exciting year for the famously floral show, so make sure you have your place booked and let the flowers do the rest.
May is full of fun fetes, theatre shows and food festivals for you to choose from, many of them are totally free to attend which is a great added bonus. We all like to go out for dinner, it’s almost like a hobby for many of us. It’s safe to say finding a place to eat in the city with guaranteed good food and a different experience is pretty easy. But, this month Dalston Yard will soon be ready to host another year of Street Feast; the vibrant and mouthwatering scene to be if you’re a keen gastronomist (or just love the street stall vibe). Number 1 highlight on Time Out’s events this month, the night market is bringing back some of the favourites from previous events, such as Hawaiian sushi, tasty beef from Stakehaus and fiery Jerk chicken alongside lively pop-up bars to wash down the delicious cuisine. It’s a food market with a buzzing atmosphere, so why not add a twist to your weekend with some friends or chill out after work on a warm evening.
You may or may not know that May 23rd-29th is National Wine Week, which is probably the most genius excuse for a post-long-day drink of vino, so we’d first like to say thank you to the founder of this national celebration, we’ll have a glass for you. From the London Wine website, you’re able to purchase a wristband for £10 that will get you some fantastic drinks deals and discounts across 100 venues in town. Of course it’s impossible to reach all of these participating venues unless you bravely embark on a seven day barcrawl, which is about 17 bars a day…not a great idea. So some good recommendations include the atmospheric Mermaid Bar in South Kensington, the classic Pennethorne’s Wine and Cocktail Bar in covent Garden and the contemporary Iberica in Marylebone. See the site for all 100!
The very British Urban Village Fete in Greenwich and the cycling festival, Spin, at Brick Lane are amongst the hottest events this May, but there’s one last thing we can’t go without mentioning. Scattered around London are summer-dedicated pop-ups that are definitely worth the rain and this month, three very special open-air theatre productions are taking place at some surprisingly famous venues. At Shakespeare’s Globe in Southbank, a recreation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is going to be raising its outdoor curtain on May 15th, so Shakespeare fans be sure to bring your blankets and watch the comedic story unfold in the cool refrehsing air. The same venue will also be staging another one of Shakespeare’s creations, The Taming of the Shrew. Over in Regent’s Park, an adaption of the elephant adventure ‘Running Wild’ written by Michael Morpurgo is set to inspire its audience from the 13th May with the beautful family story about a boy and his elephant. With bank holiday and half term coming up, spend some quality time with your loved ones and enjoy the capital, there’s simply no excuse to be on the sofa!
