1. The Culpeper Rooftop Garden – A Green Escape in Spitalfields 🌿

If you’re after a city escape without actually leaving the city, head to The Culpeper in Spitalfields. Their rooftop garden has just reopened, and it’s a slice of British woodland paradise — think edible flowers, fresh herbs, silver birch trees, and panoramic views of London.

The pub offers a grill menu with fresh food and woodland-inspired cocktails. It’s great for sustainable dining too, as they grow their own herbs right on the rooftop. Expect it to be a bit busy — it’s a central London pub after all — but the views and atmosphere are absolutely worth it.

🕒 No booking needed, just show up.

📍 40 Commercial Street, E1 6LP

🚇 Nearest station: Aldgate East

💷 Prices are typical pub prices — affordable.

🌐 More info: https://www.theculpeper.com

2. Outdoor Swimming – Lidos & Ponds for Sunny Days 🏊‍♂️

With sunshine on the forecast, London’s outdoor swimming spots are calling. Whether you fancy a peaceful paddle or a full-body refresh, here are some of the best places for a dip:

Hampstead Heath Ponds – natural and iconic. £4.70 a swim.

🚇 Hampstead Heath or Gospel Oak Overground.

Serpentine Lido, Hyde Park – £5.95 per session, or £4.30 off-peak, £7.50 for a full day.

🚇 Hyde Park Corner (or any Hyde Park–adjacent tube station).

Parliament Hill Lido – All-year-round swimming. £4.70 early/late, £8.20 during the day.

📍 Parliament Hill Fields, NW5 1LT

🚇 Gospel Oak

London Fields Lido, Hackney – Heated to 25°C, floodlit for night swims. £6 for non-members.

📍 London Fields West Side, E8 3EU

🚇 London Fields Overground

Tip: These spots get packed on sunny weekends, so arrive early.

🌐 General info on lidos: https://www.timeout.com/london/things-to-do/londons-best-outdoor-swimming-pools

3. 2-Hour Sightseeing Walk – London’s Greatest Hits in One Go 👟

Short on time but want to take in London’s iconic sights? A Redditor mapped a brilliant 5-mile walking route that hits the city’s most famous landmarks in just 2 hours — if you don’t stop along the way.

You’ll start at Trafalgar Square, pass by Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, through Southbank, past Shakespeare’s Globe, and finish near the majestic Tower Bridge — the most photographed bridge in the world, apparently.

It’s ideal for first-timers or locals wanting to reconnect with London’s historic skyline.

💷 Free

🚇 Start at Charing Cross or Embankment

🌐 Route: https://www.reddit.com/r/london/comments/167kecy/london_sightseeing_walk_5_miles_2_hours_of_the/

4. Album Launch: Patch & The Giant – Live Indie-Folk 🎻

For music lovers, Patch & The Giant are celebrating the launch of their first album in eight years, titled Fragments. They’re an indie-folk quintet known for their vibrant festival performances — including Green Man and BoomTown Fair.

The show is hosted at the beautiful St John on Bethnal Green church and includes support from The Lost Cavalry. It’s a great way to spend a Saturday evening surrounded by good music and even better atmosphere.

🗓 Saturday only | 🕖 7pm–10.30pm

💷 Tickets: £15 — very affordable

📍 St John on Bethnal Green

🚇 Bethnal Green Station

🌐 Tickets: https://www.wegottickets.com/event/609671

5. Adams Antiques Fair – A Treasure Hunter’s Dream 🕰️

Looking to furnish your flat or just enjoy a stroll through the past? Adams Antiques Fair is back at the Royal Horticultural Halls this weekend, hosting over 130 dealers selling everything from vintage jewellery to decorative objects and collectables.

It’s a fantastic spot to find affordable, one-of-a-kind statement pieces and give old objects a new life. Arrive early — there are often queues before the doors open.

🗓 Sunday | 🕙 10am–4.30pm

💷 Admission: £5 (cash only at the door)

📍 Royal Horticultural Halls, 80 Vincent Square, SW1P 2PE

🚇 Victoria or St James’s Park

🌐 Tickets/info: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/adams-antiques-fairs-at-the-royal-horticultural-halls-may-2025-tickets-1288098289659

6. Urban Village Fete – Creative Fun for All Ages 🎪

Celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Urban Village Fete, a free event packed with live music, dance, creative workshops, and street food.

Held on Greenwich Peninsula, this family-friendly day out also hosts talks on sustainability and sports. Some workshops charge a small fee, but general entry is completely free. Plus, it supports the charity War Child, so it’s fun with a purpose.

🗓 Sunday | 🕚 11am–7pm

💷 Free entry

📍 Greenwich Peninsula, Soames Walk, SE10 0SQ

🚇 North Greenwich

🌐 More info: https://www.urbanvillagefete.co.uk

Things to do:

First up, the Cartier Exhibition at the V&A.

If you like shiny things — and I mean really shiny — head to the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington for the jaw-dropping Cartier exhibition. It features over 350 dazzling pieces, tracing the evolution of the iconic French jeweller from the early 1900s to today. You’ll see Grace Kelly’s engagement ring from High Society, Jackie Kennedy’s original Tank watch, and Queen Elizabeth II’s famous pink diamond brooch. Honestly, this is like walking through the jewellery equivalent of the Louvre.

🎟️ Tickets vary, but check the V&A website. The museum’s super accessible — just hop off at South Kensington station.

Hungry for haggis and house music?

This Saturday, check out Auld Hag’s Scottish Gala Day at Two Tribes Campfire in King’s Cross. Expect banging food from Scottish deli The Shoap, plus other vendors like Sonora and Mondo. There’ll be music from Big Miz, Theo Kottis, and Medlar — and yes, they’re crowning a Gala Queen. It’s a proper modern take on an old-school Scottish tradition, right in the heart of London.

🎟️ Entry’s free, and you can get there easily via King’s Cross St Pancras.

Need a break from the city buzz?

Hackney City Farm is calling your name. Wander among cute animals, check out their volunteer-run gardens, or sign up for a nature or sustainability workshop. If that’s not relaxing enough, grab a table at Frizzante, the on-site Italian spot serving fresh, seasonal dishes. Every Thursday, they host an agriturismo dinner with live music — yes please.

🎟️ It’s free to enter, and the farm’s not far from Hoxton Overground or Cambridge Heath station.

Feeling regal but budget-conscious?

This weekend (May 10–11), Hampton Court Palace is holding one of its Open Garden Weekends. That means you can visit parts of the gardens — like the Great Fountain Garden, Pond Garden, and Kitchen Garden — without paying a penny. You’ll still need a ticket if you want to go inside the palace or try the maze, but hey, wandering royal gardens for free? Yes.

🚆Take a train from Waterloo to Hampton Court, and you’re basically there.

Got a nerdy side or love niche films?

The Open City Documentary Festival is running until May 11, with screenings at cinemas across London, including the Barbican. There are docs on everything from forest fires to Henry Fonda — so if you’re curious, you’ll find something to dive into.

🎟️ Tickets start at £6. Plus, if you haven’t been to the Barbican yet, go. Brutalist architecture, artsy vibe — even if you’re not into concrete, it’s a cool place to explore. Link’s in the show notes.

Need a laugh?

The London Comedy Film Festival is happening at Ritzy Brixton all weekend. Expect quirky shorts, like Two Big Feet — a conspiracy theory comedy — and films that blend romance, ghosts and dark humour.

🎟️ Tickets vary, and it’s at Ritzy Cinema, right near Brixton station on the Victoria line.

Into art you can actually afford?

Wimbledon Art Fair is on now through Sunday. Over 180 artists are showing off their work, and you can buy directly from them — no middleman, just good vibes and affordable art. The best part? You can actually wander into artists’ studios. There’s live music and a bar on launch night too.

🎟️ Free entry. Take the green District line straight to Wimbledon. If you’ve just moved into a flat that’s feeling a bit bland, this is your answer.

Tate Modern turns 25!

Celebrate at their Birthday Weekender with special talks, tours, and late-night openings. It’s all free and happening at one of London’s most iconic galleries — housed in a former power station, no less.

🗓️ Runs through May 12. Nearest station? Blackfriars or Southwark — both a short walk away.

Love music and vinyl?

Check out the Independent Label Market this Saturday at Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross. Indie labels will be selling their latest records, and there’ll be DJs and live music all day. Bonus: local artists and printmakers will be there too.

🎟️ Free entry. And if you’ve never been to Coal Drops Yard, it’s got a fascinating past — it used to store coal arriving by train in the 19th century. Now? It’s one of London’s coolest retail and event spaces.

Now for something magical

The London Hot Air Balloon Regatta might happen this weekend. It hasn’t been held since 2019, thanks to, you know, the world ending and bad weather. But fingers crossed — if it goes ahead, dozens of hot air balloons will float over London early Sunday morning, taking off from Battersea Park.

🎈 It’s free, but you’ve gotta be an early bird — we’re talking 5:30am. You’ll know by Friday if it’s on, so check the website or social for updates.

Last but not least, something to make some noise about —

The Festival of Percussion at the Royal College of Music is happening this Sunday only (May 11). It’s a full day of family-friendly workshops, talks, and concerts. Jazz/hip hop/funk/neo-soul legend Gregory Hutchinson is performing too.

🎟️ Check their site for tickets. You’ll get a map and a full schedule on arrival. It’s in South Kensington, so it’s easy to get to.

Bonus vintage vibes?

Head to Chelsea Old Town Hall for the Frock Me Vintage Fair. This is the place to find rare fashion from the Victorian era to pre-loved designer labels. Over 60 top dealers from across the UK will be there. If you’re into fashion, or just appreciate timeless style, don’t miss this.

🎟️ Tickets range from £6.13 to £8.30. Chelsea Old Town Hall is right on King’s Road, so you’re walking in fashion history.

I remember the first time I laced up my running shoes and ventured out for a jog in the bustling metropolis of London. It was a crisp autumn morning, the air filled with a peculiar mix of diesel fumes and hints of freshly brewed coffee. The city was alive with its vibrant, energetic heartbeat, and I was determined to become a part of it, one step at a time.

In this episode we will be talking about… art. That’s right! Art is such a wonderful thing and we are so lucky in London, because we can experience great art for free. I hope you can join me as I share my experiences and recommendations on what to do in this wonderful wonderful city. (Without breaking the bank.)

Today, we're gonna be talking about something that's sure to make your mouth water – the best food markets in the city! There are so many amazing food markets in London, but we're gonna limit this list to 3 of my favourite ones. Make sure you don't miss these next time you're in the city.

Today, we're going to talk about one of the best ways to explore the city - running! London has some of the most beautiful parks and running trails in the world. We're going to highlight some of the best places to go for a quick jog.