10 Things to Do in London This May Bank Holiday

By Suz Pathmanathan
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

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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

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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

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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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Best Walking Tours in London
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Best Walking Tours in London

Fancy seeing the sights while getting your steps in? London is a city steeped in history, from medieval castles to modern movie sets. So why not take a walking tour and see the very best that London has to offer? Below, we've found the best walking tours in London, so you don't have to! Take a look. Including: London Sights Tour Palaces and Parliament Tour Brit Movie Tours Brit Music Tour and more! London Sights Tour If you're new in town, or simply want to speedrun all of the most iconic landmarks in London, this London Sights Tour might be perfect for you. Hitting over 30 of the most recognizable place, buildings, and bridges in the city, it's easily one of the best walking tours for those new to London. Guiding you through Westminster and then around London Bridge, we'd need all day to talk about every stop on this tour. However, highlights include Buckingham Palace, where the King of England spends much of his time doing whatever kings do; Big Ben, arguably the most famous clock on Earth; and Downing Street, where Britain's frequently inept prime ministers tend to drop the ball. For historical buffs, you'll also see Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, and many, many more. With this London Sights Tour, you can tick off your England itinerary in an afternoon. Palaces and Parliament Tour Have you ever wanted to take a closer look at the places where royalty live? You're not alone. Curious sorts can join this Palaces and Parliaments tour and see four of London's most famous palaces. You'll also get a few of London's biggest landmarks thrown in for good measure, you lucky devil. The four palaces are Buckingham Palace, Westminster Palace, Whitehall Palace, and St James Palace. While they're all in varying levels of use these days, they're still well-kept. So be sure to bring your camera or whip out your phone to take as many snaps as possible. Plus, if you're lucky, you'll even catch the famous Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, where the funny guards in funny hats do funny things, no matter rain or shine. Other stops worth a pic or two include Trafalgar Square - watch out for the pigeons - Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey. Brit Movie Tours Cinephiles, rejoice! Britain is the home to some of cinema's biggest films, franchises, and recognisable filming locations. And on these Brit Movie Tours, you can pick your poison and see the famous places from your favourite Brit flicks. While there are too many to mention here, highlights include the Harry Potter Tour, where you'll see the real-life locations transformed into the Ministry of Magic, the Leaky Cauldron, and Platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross Station. Spies-at-heart can take the James Bond Tour, where you'll visit Mi6, London's longest-running restaurant, and tonnes of other locations from James Bond films throughout the years, all the way up to Daniel Craig's final film, No Time To Die. Don't worry, detectives-to-be, we see you. Thanks to the Sherlock Holmes Tour, you'll walk in the footsteps of England's most famous detective as you explore locations from the books, shows, and movies through the years. These are just a handful of the tours available through Brit Movie Tours, so if you're a fan of the silver screen, you're likely to find the best walking tours in London through them! Brit Music Tour Some of the biggest bands in history began in the UK, so why not take a Brit Music Tour and see where your favourite artists cut their teeth? Beatlemania took the world by storm in the 60s, so fans will be pleased that they can pick from not one but two Beatles walking tours! The first is a tour of Soho and Mayfair, where you'll explore the venues that helped catapult them into the stratosphere. The other is a tour of Marylebone and Abbey Road, where you can snap the famous zebra crossing from the eponymous album cover. Fans of more leftfield pop will appreciate the David Bowie London Tour, where you'll explore the parts of Brixton where he grew up, as well as the Soho joints where he hung out and performed. If you're ready to be rocked, join the Queen London Walking Tour and see the place where the band first formed, as well as other venues that were key to their success. And for a dash of anti-establishmentarianism, the Sex Pistols Walking Tour will let you retrace the steps of not just the band but the punk movement as a whole. Plus, the places they played and destroyed. God Save the Queen and all that. Brit Icon Tour Of course, there's plenty more to London than palaces and pubs. In fact, some of the most iconic writers, hauntings, and even murderers have called the city home. So, if you want to take a trip back in time to explore the lives, loves, and ghoulishness of these characters on one of many Brit Icon Tours! Crime aficionados will love the Agatha Christie Tour, where you'll explore the real-life locations that inspired the "Queen of Crime's" best-selling books. Taking you through the likes of Chinatown, Mayfair, and Bloomsbury, you'll have plenty of time to snap pics as you go. Dickensians can take the Charles Dickens Tour and explore Borough Market, the Southbank, and other locations from his most famous works. And, for those that revel in the ghoulish, this Jack the Ripper Tour should hit the spot. You'll head to Whitechapel and explore the scene of every murder associated with the elusive killer. Changing of the Guard Walking Tour And finally, if you don't fancy shoulder-barging your way through the inevitable crowds at Buckingham Palace, why not take this walking tour focusing on the famous Changing of the Guard? Your guide will grab the perfect spot for snaps, so you can take as many unimpeded pictures as you want. And they'll even clue you in on the history of the ceremony, as well as other interesting facts surrounding it. Then, take a relaxed stroll around Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and the Houses of Parliament to end things in a fine fashion! And those were our picks of the best walking tours in London! Need some less active activities to fill out your London itinerary? With the London Pass, you can see all of the city's best bits for one low price!
Dom Bewley
Best Hotels Near St Paul’s Cathedral
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Best Hotels Near St Paul’s Cathedral

Explore the best hotels near St Paul’s Cathedral.
Hampton Court Palace.
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Windsor Castle Vs Hampton Court Palace

With just a shade under 2,000 years of royal history between them, it’s little wonder that Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace are among the UK’s most popular tourist attractions, with millions of visitors flocking to these palatial piles every year. But how do these titans of British tourism measure up? Which is the world’s largest occupied castle? Which has the most reported hauntings? And which is home to the oldest (and largest) grapevine on the planet? We got up close and personal with these regal residences to find out. Windsor Castle Vs Hampton Court Palace: A Brief History Built in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest and pushing 1,200 years old, Windsor Castle is the older sibling by some margin. It’s remained a favorite royal residence since its 11th-century iteration as a motte-and-bailey fortress under William the Conqueror. Extensive expansion under (primarily) Henry III and Edward III in the 13th and 14th centuries formed the blueprint for the palace today, with Charles II’s post-Reformation renovations lending much of the baroque splendor for which the castle is best known. A favorite weekend retreat of the late Queen Elizabeth II for much of her long life, Windsor remains the world’s oldest and largest occupied castle to this day, with great swathes of its extensive grounds, state rooms and historic buildings open to the public. Quirky Windsor Castle fact: it takes around 16 hours to turn all of the castle’s 450-or-so clocks backwards and forwards for daylight saving. Hampton Court Palace is most closely associated with Henry VIII, who in turn is associated with epic medieval banqueting, obesity, gout and, of course, a guillotine-heavy approach to marital separation. In spite of an, um, somewhat bloody history, today the palace looks every bit the fairytale castle, all ornamental brick chimneys and crenelated Tudor towers. It wasn’t always this peaceful though. In fact, back in Henry’s day, it was anything but. Built by Henry specifically for the purpose of all-day feasting (with masons often forced to work through the night by candlelight to complete it), the Great Hall was the scene of many a bacchanalian food orgy. The palace was also where Henry’s third wife Jane Seymour died following childbirth and where Catherine Howard, Henry’s fifth wife, was confined prior to her beheading on charges of adultery. The palace was significantly remodeled by Sir Christopher Wren in the 17th Century, under the House of Stuart. These alterations erased much of the original Tudor look and replaced it with the fine Palace of Versailles-inspired architecture that still defines this epic edifice to this day. Quirky Hampton Court Palace fact: there have been multiple reported sightings of Catherine Howard’s screaming ghost running along the palace’s aptly-named Haunted Corridor. What to see and do at Windsor Castle You’ll need at least a half day to fully immerse yourself in Windsor Castle’s many riches. Here are some of our favorite must-sees... The Round Tower Originally built by Henry II way back in 1170, the castle keep has been remodeled countless times down the centuries. It’s arguably best viewed from the outside, but you can also take guided tours up the interior staircase to enjoy sweeping views across the Thames Valley to the London skyline. The State Apartments Marvel at the gratuitous gilded opulence of these hallowed halls and ogle the ostentatious displays of unimaginable wealth within! Chief among the riches to be found in the regal State Apartments are masterpieces by Rubens, Holbein and Brueghel, as well as an extraordinary triple portrait of Charles I by Anthony Van Dyck that would make even the most narcissistic selfie-taker blush. St George’s Chapel The final resting place of some 11 kings and queens (including the late Elizabeth II), this grand medieval Gothic confection is one of Windsor Castle’s most photogenic buildings. No wonder that many royals – like Harry and Meghan – have chosen to tie the knot here. Queen Mary's Dolls' House Experience life in miniature inside what might just be the planet’s most famous (and largest) doll’s house. Built for Queen Mary in the first half of the 1920s, it contains tiny pieces fit for a queen from some of the top artists of the day: we’re talking miniature books, paintings, flower vases, wine bottles, vehicles and just about every other Georgian household item you can imagine. There’s even running water, electricity, working elevators and an intricate landscaped garden designed by celebrated horticulturist Gertrude Jekyll. Afternoon entry to Windsor Castle is included with the London Pass®. What to see and do at Hampton Court Palace Hampton Court Palace differs from Windsor Castle primarily through imaginative use of its grounds, partly due to Henry VIII’s penchant for outdoor sporting pursuits (and wine). Here are some of the highlights, both inside and out... Hampton Court Gardens Some 60 acres of gardens comprise a deer park and a recreation of William III’s Privy Garden as well as some of the estate’s most popular attractions. We’re talking the Great Vine, only the world’s oldest grapevine. At over 250 years old, it's now over six feet thick and still produces a small amount of fruit to this day. Then there’s the palace maze: half a mile of paths hemmed in by towering yew tree hedges way too tall to see over, where courtiers have been getting lost since 1690. Good luck in there! The Great Hall Don’t miss England's most impressive medieval hall, which once rang to the sound of raucous all-day feasts and money-can’t-buy entertainment, even hosting William Shakespeare and his company in 1603. From here, peer into the Haunted Gallery where you might just encounter the screaming ghost of one Catherine Howard. Tudor Kitchens Discover how the below-stairs staff lived in these cavernous kitchens that once catered for up to 600 greedy aristos not once but TWICE daily during the Great Hall’s banqueting heyday. The Astronomical Clock Made for Henry VIII in 1540, this 15-foot-high mechanical marvel in the suitably named Clock Court is not to be missed. Not only does it tell the time, you can also check what month it is, which sign of the zodiac we’re currently in and how many days have passed since the last new moon. Handy. The Chapel Royal Within this extraordinary example of baroque architecture, beneath its fine Tudor timber ceiling, is where, in 1540, Archbishop Canmer presented Henry VIII with the letter accusing Catherine Howard of marital indiscretions. And the rest, as they say, is history. Entry to Hampton Court Palace is included with The London Pass®. Fast facts: Windsor Castle Tickets Entry tickets are available direct via the official website. Alternatively, The London Pass® includes entry to Windsor Castle as well as many more London attractions, including the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace and London Zoo. Opening Hours Open 1 March-31 October daily from 10AM to 4PM (closes 5.15PM), and1 November-28 February from 10AM to 3PM (closes 4.15PM). Getting There Trains from London serve nearby Windsor & Eton Central and Windsor & Eton Riverside stations. The Green Line 702 coach service has regular daily departures from near Victoria Station in central London. Fast facts: Hampton Court Palace Tickets Entry tickets are available direct via the official website. Alternatively, The London Pass® includes entry to Hampton Court Palace as well as many more London attractions, including St Paul’s Cathedral, Windsor Castle and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. Opening Hours Open from 10AM to 5.30PM most days (last entry 4.30PM), with some seasonal variation. Check the official website for the latest opening dates. Getting There Train services run from London Waterloo Station every 30 minutes, calling at Vauxhall, Clapham Junction, Earlsfield, Wimbledon, Raynes Park, New Maldon, Berrylands, Surbiton, Thames Ditton and Hampton Court. Bus services also operate from Richmond and Kingston.
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