10 Things to Do in London This May Bank Holiday

Published: July 17, 2024

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The May Bank Holiday looks set to be in the twenties with a very low chance of rain – great news! So, engage your FOMO, grab an umbrella (just in case. This is still London, after all) and head outdoors. Because it doesn't matter if you call the city home or you're just visiting, there is always something to see and do. So, if you're going to be in the area, here are ten of the best things to do in London this May Bank Holiday.

10 things to do in London this May Bank Holiday

Peckham Record Fair

Are you a fan of vinyl? If so, this is the perfect event for you. Taking place at Peckham's Copeland Park, this is a wall-to-wall vinyl experience. While this is a great event for locals, it's often even better for visitors. Here you'll find many UK specific releases you could not find in the U.S. (or elsewhere). Stop by on May 26 to uncover hidden gems, uber rare wax and get some sound advice from HiFi dealers.

All Points East

Kick back and soak up the festival vibe at All Points East. The event begins on May 24 and lasts all the way through June 2. East London will take over Victoria and have a number of big-name performances, including The Chemical Brothers, Bon Iver, Christine & the Queens, and The Strokes.

Kew Gardens

The Royal Botanical Gardens is more than a beautiful green space. It's a fantastic destination for both you and the family, with rotating displays and works of art, not to mention special events taking place within the gardens. Make sure you don’t miss the Chihuly: Reflections on Nature exhibit. This incredible exhibition, created by Seattle-based Dale Chihuly, is a stunning combination of art, science and nature. Several of the pieces are being exhibited for the first time in the UK.

Tower of London

There's a reason the Tower of London is at the top of every guide book published about the city. Here you can take in tours given by the Beefeaters. You'll be able to see the Crown Jewels, in addition to the Line of Kings, which is one of the oldest exhibits in the entire world.

Adams Antiques Fair

Taking place at The Royal Horticultural Hall, Victoria this is a fantastic opportunity if you are an antiques hunter. You'll find everything from furniture to jewellery here, so make sure to show up early to beat the crowds (it is an extremely popular event).

Westminster Abbey

When it comes to famous churches, few can compete with Westminster Abbey. The abbey is a UNESCO World Heritage site location that holds all kinds of historical significance for the British royal family. However, beyond the royal family, famous authors such as Charles Dickens and Isaac Newton are buried here. So, whether you want to visit a famous gravestone or see the church where Kate and Wills were married in 2011, Westminster Abbey is a must.

Electric Soul: Bank Holiday Special

The Blues Kitchen always has a great combination of delicious BBQ food, delicious drinks and live music you can get down to. If the modern dance scene isn't your thing, check out The Blues Kitchen soul and blues music. The event kicks off on Saturday at 9PM in Brixton, Camden and Shoreditch.

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre

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Literature lovers, a visit to the Globe Theatre is a must. The original theatre, constructed in the 16th century, no longer stands, having been destroyed by fire in 1613. However, this open-air theatre is a faithful reconstruction of the original theatre. Watching a play here will transport you back in time, so why not take in Henry IV Part 1 from the vantage point of an Elizabethan? If you’d rather hear the ingenuity of engineering that created the theatre, take the guided tour.

Feria de Londres

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What Bank Holiday would be complete without a salsa dance on the South Bank? Feria de Londres runs from the 24th to the 26th and is a great spot to enjoy tapas, Spanish dancing, and all kinds of other activities. Just come on down to South Bank to check out the festivities.

Dalston Rooftop Party

Dance the night away at the Dalston Rooftop Party. It takes place on Saturday, beginning at 3 PM and lasts all the way until Sunday, 12AM. The Dalston Roof Park is found at The Prince House 18-22 Ashwin Street. If you're interested in the rooftop party, you should act quickly as it has sold out each of the last three years. Stop by the Roof Park ahead of time to pick up passes.

Plenty to See and Do This Bank Holiday

These are just a few of the top activities to consider in London over the coming Bank holiday. Whether you live in the city or you're just visiting, make sure to get out and explore.

Suz Pathmanathan

London Travel Expert

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Amazing Historical Facts About Henry VIII

Way back when, on the 28th June 1491, one of England's most famous monarchs was born. King Henry VIII. Known for his six wives, desperation for a male heir, and desire to separate from the Catholic church, jolly old Henry continues to fascinate us even today. That's why we've put together some of our best historical facts about this rotund royal, so you can think about him all over again. It's exactly what he would want. So, here are our favourite facts about Henry VIII! 1. He was not expected to rule Henry was the second son of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. His elder brother, Arthur, was heir to the throne until he died from sweating sickness at 15. Yes, that's a thing. And yes, they were sorely lacking antiperspirant back in ye olden times. Then, when Henry was just 17 his father passed away. Once atop the throne, Henry VIII continued living a leisurely life for a monarch - preferring to sleep in. In fact, he only really got up to hunt, hawk, dance, gamble and play cards over his official duties. 2. He was a published author Before separating from the Catholic Church, Henry VIII wrote a 30,000-word response to Martin Luther's protestant Ninety-five Theses, praising the church in Rome. He was the first English king to publish a book and the Pope declared Henry VIII "Defender of the Faith". A declaration he would rescind years later when Henry VIII created the Church of England and separated from the Catholic Church, so he could get divorced. Classic Henry. 3. Paranoia and illness Henry was obsessed with sickness and death, specifically the sweating sickness and the plague. Which is fair enough, because living in a time before medicine, proper hygiene and the discovery of bacteria and viruses would have been terrifying. That, and by the age of 30 he'd already caught smallpox and malaria. Any time there was an outbreak, he would minimize his risk of infection by leaving London and limiting the number of ambassadors he saw. Even when Anne Boleyn caught the sweating sickness in 1528, Henry stayed far away until she got better. A true gentleman. 4. Weight issues Yes, some of the more well-known facts about Henry VIII are due to his enviable size. Despite being a tall, handsome and athletic young king (yes, really), older age was not kind to Henry VIII. When he died in 1547 after ruling for 30 years, he weighed nearly 400 pounds and had a 54-inch waist. This was partly due to some pretty severe jousting accidents and ulcers on his legs stopping him from his previous activities and partly because he loved a feast. 5. A merciless king In his later years, Henry grew more paranoid and ill-tempered. Crowds of prisoners were sent to the Tower of London at his orders. He sent more men and women to their deaths than any other English monarch. It's estimated 57,000 - 72,000 people were executed during his 37-year reign. 6. Multi-talented Not only could Henry speak Latin, French, Ancient Greek and Spanish, but he also played the lute and organ, sang, played tennis and jousted. Who knew that a life of luxury gave people time to do so much cool stuff? 7. Serial womaniser Henry VIII's womanising reputation has lasted throughout history thanks to his six infamous wives and mistresses. In spite of this reputation, we only know of three specific mistresses, one of which was Anne Boleyn's sister Mary. Not cool, King Henry. You should have kept playing tennis instead of playing the field. 8. Wife after wife There's a common belief that Henry married and discarded his six wives in quick succession, but that's not exactly true. He married his brother's widow Catherine of Aragon when he came to the throne at 17, and they remained married for nearly 24 years. That is - until he had their marriage annulled to marry Anne Boleyn. His shortest marriage was to Anne of Cleves, which lasted six months- she is buried in Westminster Abbey. 9. Belgium rule He is the only English monarch to have ruled Belgium. After capturing the significant town of Tournai in 1513, Henry eventually handed the territory to France in 1518. Truly a generous king. 10. Henry VIII's legacy In spite of his obsession with producing a male heir, Henry VIII had four children. Three were from his marriages. The other, who was named Henry Fitzroy (which means son of the king) was from his mistress Elizabeth Blount. His three "official" children went on to be kings and queens, with his youngest, Elizabeth I, becoming an iconic monarch in her own right. And those are our favourite facts about Henry VIII! Know any more tasty tidbits about the Tudor's best rapscallion? Let us know in the comments below. Oh, and while you're here, why not check out more of Britain's most famous figures throughout history? Or some fascinating facts about Henry's old home, Hampton Court Palace? And, if you want to see some of his old haunts up close, be sure to check out the very best London attractions the captial has to offer! Experience everything London has to offer with The London Pass® Planning your London trip? With The London Attraction Pass®, you can explore big-name landmarks, local hotspots and epic tours, all on one pass, all for one price. Not only that, but you'll enjoy savings of up to 50%, compared to buying individual attraction tickets. ✈️ Buy The London Pass® ✈️

Dom Bewley

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10 Things to Do in London This May Bank Holiday