With that little teaser of summer we had over the Bank Holiday weekend in April, I'm going to be optimistic with my five suggestions on what to get up to in London in the month of May, and go with the theme of the outdoors! So keep those fingers crossed and hope for sunshine throughout the whole month so you can tick of my things to do...
Number One
How about starting off May with a visit to the Lambeth Palace Garden? They are only open once a month, and this month it's Friday the 3rd, 12pm until 3pm at a cost of £5 with profits going to charity. Founded in 1197, it is one of the oldest gardens in England, home to native species as well as trees, shrubs and annuals from across Europe, America, Africa, Asia and Australia.
Number Two
The very next day on Saturday the 4th, and taking place on Sunday and Monday too is the annual Little Venice Cavalcade (I wrote a little blog post on it last year here). Described as "London's biggest, brightest and best waterways festival", and if the weather is going to be anything like last year, we are in for a treat!
Number Three
Also on the Bank holiday weekend (Sunday and Monday) is The May Fair, the traditional May Day entertainment in Grosvenor Square in, you've guessed it, Mayfair. There will be Maypole dancing, music, food and entertainment such a a carousel, helter-skelter and a coconut shy, writing this takes me straight back to my childhood school fetes! Also taking place, quoting the website a "series of fun educational environmental workshops will take place in the belly of an enormous whale. Bold mini-explorers will be invited to squeeze into the belly of an enormous inflatable Sperm Whale where they will find themselves in the depths of the bubbling, kelp-swirling ocean."
It's funny to think that Mayfair, now home to the rich and famous, the designer shops and the five star hotels, had a very different past. In the 1600 and 1700's this area was pretty much countryside on the outskirts of London, and the annual May Fair used to take place in what is now Shepherd Market (ok that bit is still a little seedy). The May Fair started to get a bit of a reputation for being rather rowdy, unpleasant and boisterous, until the land was acquired by the Grosvenor Family, who became the Dukes of Westminster, and saw the heavily redevelopment of the the area making it suitable for those in the upper-class societies.
Number Four
How about going along to the open day of the Honourable Artillery Company on Tuesday the 14th of May, right in the City of London. Military displays and stands, a parachute jump, a free barbecue, police dog shows, a free barbecue... and a chance to find out more about the British Military. It's free to enter, with doors opening at 5pm.
Number Five
And finally, I of course have to include something to do with food, so this month I'll be making sure I pay a visit to one of London's newest markets. Vinegar Yard by London Bridge has recently opened and includes tasty offerings from Baba, who featured on Million Pound Menu and their Pachos (a twist on nachos) and Naanwiches, Nanny Bill's gravy-dipped burgers and croquettes, as well as bars providing you with as many Aperol Spritz's you can handle. And you'll find all this alongside cool art works by Joe Rush, vintage shops and a flea market on Saturday and Sunday. It's been incredibly successful so far and I expect as the weekends warm up it will carry on doing so.
Enjoy May!
Heard in London
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