London in May is absolutely beautiful. This is when the weather finally starts to get nice, the sun shines a little bit more, flowers start to bloom, days are longer and the people are happier. There are not two, but three bank holidays in 2023 in the UK in May. This leaves plenty of time to be doing activities and discovering the city. This blog post will explore the best things to do in London during the month of May. You already know about Big Ben, London Eye, Buckingham Palace and the Natural History museum. However, there are a couple unusual activities on this list that you may not have come across before, whether you are a local Londoner or a first-time visitor.
1. Visit a rooftop bar
As the weather gets better and the sun (what is that?) starts to shine, May is the best time to be going to a fun rooftop bar. Luckily, London is full of rooftop bars and restaurants with outdoor seating which allow you to enjoy the sunshine while indulging in a meal or a drink. As an added bonus, rooftop bars are also where you can see some of the best city views – and the London skyline is truly special!
Here is a mini list of some of my favourite rooftop bars & restaurants. Some of these get booked up very quickly, so make sure to book in advance if you can.
- Wagtail
- Seabird
- Madison
- Florattica
- Aviary
- Skylight Tobacco Dock
- Bar Elba
2. Admire the wisteria
The wisteria in London lasts for a very brief amount of time, but it is very beautiful while it is there. Take a walk around Kensington & Chelsea, Notting Hill or Hampstead, and you will find plenty of locations and stunning houses filled with wisteria.
If you want to wander a little further, Kew Gardens is one of the best places to see some beautiful wisteria. If you are a plant lover, this UNESCO World Heritage site will really blow you away. It is filled with thousands of species of plants, including wisteria and is the perfect place to visit during spring.
3. Chelsea Flower show (May 21st -25th)
The RHS Chelsea Flower show is one of the most iconic and prestigious events in London. It has been around since 1913 and takes place every year at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. It is truly a one of a kind event, as visitors from all around the world come to have a look at the elaborate displays and the flower arrangement to be found here.
The Chelsea Flower Show is made up of over 500 exhibitors, consisting of florists, garden designers, and many more. It is a must see if you have an interest in gardening, plants, or even if you are simply curious!
Prices start from £37.85 if you are an RHS member and £48.85 if you are not a member.
4. Go Ape climbing experience
This one may sound unusual to you but trust me, it is SO much fun!
If you are someone who loves outdoor activities and adventures, you will enjoy the Go Ape climbing experience.
This is how it goes: you get strapped into a harness and then you go on a climbing adventure, involving zip lines and rope crossings high above the ground. This is the perfect activity to do with kids or as an adult, and to put yourself outside of your comfort zone.
They are located in Battersea Park and Alexandra Palace. You can book tickets directly on the website or via Red Letter Days.
5. Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
As summer approaches, there are a couple exciting pop ups that appear in London. Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre has to be one of my favourites. It is one of the most unique things to do in London during the spring/summer time as the weather becomes nice.
The theatre gives “theatre” a whole new meaning, taking it outside of the indoor space audiences are so used to, and into nature, locating it in the middle of Regent’s Park. This really allows for a unique theatrical experience, immersing the audiences into the action of the play.
There is always a range of productions and musicals that are staged here, from classical plays to entertaining musicals. Past performances have been Legally Blond the Musical, Into the Woods, Antigone, Romeo & Juliet and many more!
6. Visit a food market
There is no doubt that the food scene in London is one of the best in the world. There are lots of food markets to choose from, all with a huge range of cuisines from around the world.
Some of my favourite food markets are:
- Maltby Street Market
- Camden Market
- Borough Market
- Duke of York’s Square Saturday Market
- Victoria Park market
All of these markets have their own charm and are definitely worth checking out on the weekend. Make sure to check the opening times before visiting as a lot of these are only open on weekends.
The food you can try here ranges from Italian to Pakistani – pretty much anything and everything you can think of! There is seriously no better activity in London especially on a sunny day.
7. Have afternoon tea
Whether you are visiting London for the first time or the 50th time, afternoon tea is a treat you do not want to miss. Perhaps the most quintessentially British thing you can possibly do, afternoon tea may seem a little cliche at first. But it is really something that you have to try at least once when visiting London!
It also happens to be the perfect activity to try this year due to the coronation. There are lots of new and themed afternoon teas you can try, including Fortnum and Mason, Taj 51 Buckingham Suites, The Atheneum and many more. Make sure to book these well in advance as they tend to book up quite quickly.
8. Discover a new area
The best part about visiting London, is the fact that when you visit a new area you feel like you are in a completely new city. Each area is unique in its own way. By exploring different areas, you will also find so many hidden gems you didn’t know existed – I am still discovering them after 13 years of living in London!
The best areas to focus on if you are limited on time is Notting Hill, Chelsea, Shoreditch and London Bridge. However, if you want to venture out a little further and discover a non-touristy area of London, make your way further East to Hackney, or take the train to Dalston. These areas may not be written in any guide book for tourists, but this is what makes them so special. They are full of life, food markets, nice cafes and the coolest shops.
9. Alcotraz Cocktail Experience
This has to be one of the most unique experiences that you can do in London. If you are looking for a fun activity with a group of friends, the Alcotraz Cocktail experience will definitely keep you entertained.
You get given an orange jumpsuit and asked to go into a prison cell with your friends. As the story unfolds, you become part of the plot while sipping on delicious cocktails which are brought round to your cells.
There are lots of fun tasks to complete and it will keep you laughing the whole time.
10. Take a day trip
When the weather is nice and the days are longer, one of the best things to do is to take a day trip from London. Whether you have a car or prefer to take the train, both are great options as the train system in the UK is very well connected.
One of my favourite day trips would be to Oxford and Port Meadows. There is a lake here where you can cool down and even have a swim on a hot day. If not, the beer garden is the perfect place to relax and catch up with friends.
You can also go over to Bath, Cambridge, or Cotswolds for a small change of scenery.
If you are visiting London for the first time, you might also want to do this Stonehenge and Windsor Castle tour. These spots are absolutely worth visiting and are definitely very impressive.
For more ideas, check out my article on the best London day trips.
I hope you enjoyed this list of the best things to do in London in May. If you are new to London, make sure to also the best London area guide from a local.
