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Our Favourite Things to do in London This Spring

Say goodbye to Winter and get ready for a plethora of fun-filled things to do in London this Spring!

With the weather warming up and days getting longer, say hello to the sunshine and embrace the abundance of things to do in London this spring. Check out our top tips for activities to enjoy during your visit to the capital!

Springtime blooms

Spring signals the start of stunning floral displays: explore one of the many parks and gardens, such as St James’ Park or Kensington Gardens, and see the best Mother Nature has to offer. Alternatively, get your camera ready to snap a few of the striking springtime blooms at Kew Gardens. The annual Orchid Festival is on from now until 5 March, offering a colourful celebration of India’s magnificent plant life. Or visit the famous, and extremely popular, Chelsea Flower Show (23-27 May). Tickets sell out quickly and can be bought online.

Image via London Coffee Festival facebook

Food and drink

London plays host to many world cuisines, and food and drink festivals are a perfect opportunity to sample some of these tasty treats: The London Coffee Festival brings together over 250 artisan coffee and gourmet food stalls, featuring demonstrations, entertainment and the chance to watch top baristas compete to be crowned Coffee Master (6-9 March). London Beer Week celebrates Londoners’ love of beer, lager, ale and cider. Join in the festivities at bars and pop-up locations across the city (13-19 March). Sample delights from around the world at the family-friendly Surrey Food Festival with over 100 food and drink stalls offering treats for you to browse, try and buy (22 April, Old Deer Park, Richmond).

Fun and games

With so many things to do in London this spring, there are activities to suit everyone. If you’re not taking part yourself, why not become a spectator at some of the world’s most famous races? The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race has taken place in London since 1836. The course is four miles long and stretches along the River Thames from Putney to Mortlake. Grab a space along the river bank and cheer on the teams (2 April). Join in four days of festivities as the Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta brings over 30 ships to the River Thames as they prepare for a 7,000 nautical mile race to Canada. The shops will be anchored at two sites, in the Royal Arsenal Riverside in Woolwich and Greenwich town centre (13-16 April). If you're planning to head to Greenwich, why not leave a an extra hour or two to explore the Royal Observatory and straddle the world-famous Meridian Line, with one foot in the east and the other in the west, at the home of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)! The London Marathon sees over 40,000 runners race around the capital. Secure your space on the sidelines and cheer them on along the 26-mile course (23 April).

All the world’s a stage

The Shakespeare’s Globe summer season runs from April to October with Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing and more. Experience these classic plays as they would have been performed in the time of the Bard (from 22 April). The Royal Festival Hall also hosts a variety of festivals, exhibitions and music concerts. Visit their website to see what’s on and enjoy some music by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, appreciate special art installations or discover new poetry.

Image via Affordable Art Fair facebook

Art and photography

From contemporary painting to sculpture, prints and photography, there’s something for everyone at the Affordable Art Fair, where you can pick up an exquisite souvenir of your trip (9-12 March, Battersea Park). Called the “UK’s photography event of the year” by the Guardian newspaper, Photo London is a world-class photography fair showcasing talent from London’s dynamic photography community (18-21 May).

Magnificent museums

Special exhibitions are regular features at the British Museum and this spring’s programme will not disappoint. The American Dream exhibition starts on 9 March and explores sixty years of printmaking, including works by Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns, Kara Walker, Julie Mehretu and more. From 25 May, ‘Beyond the Great Wave’ leads you on an artistic journey of several decades of work from one of Japan’s greatest artists, Katsushika Hokusai. Ensure you don't miss out with our guide to the best exhibitions in London this year. If you’re a fan of museum ‘lates’, combining evening visits with a cocktail or two, you’ll love the Museums at Nights festival. Museums, galleries and heritage sites across the city open their doors after hours to showcase their treasures in unusual ways (17-20 May). With an unending supply of things to do in London in spring, there’s literally something to suit everyone. Wishing you a great trip!

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