As the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, there’s a shift in the London air that brings about a plethora of exciting events to enjoy all across the city. From celebrating Her Majesty’s birthday with royal gun salutes to chasing cherry blossoms in the city’s lush green parks, here are our top picks on where to go and what to do in London this April.
Image Courtesy of The London Coffee Festival
Get caffeinated at The London Coffee Festival
If you consider yourself a bit of a coffee aficionado, then London Coffee Festival will certainly be your cup of tea (ahem, or coffee). This three day event celebrates the city’s thriving coffee scene with over 250 delectable food and artisan coffee stands dotted throughout the venue. Delve into the roasting process of some of London’s most popular suppliers, or learn more about the intricate skill of coffee art. If you want a break from the brew, there’s also live bands on the music stage and foodie experiences, from wine and food pairings to interactive workshops led by professionals.
The London Coffee Festival | Spitalfields | Visit between 20 – 23rd of April
Image Courtesy of The London Book Fair
Dive into the world of publishing at The London Book Fair
This one is for the bibliophiles. The London Book Fair takes place every year from 5th April to the 7th April and is the ultimate meet up for story creators. Get to know those at the forefront of the publishing industry and gather together to meet like minded book-lovers. It’s the perfect spot to make some meaningful connections and find out what really makes the publishing industry tick. You can expect poetry readings from emerging poets; talks on how to get your books reader-ready; and inspirational conversations with authors of the day. You’ll almost definitely want to put pen to paper after this one.
The London Book Fair | Kensington (Olympia) | Visit between 5 – 7th of April
Image Courtesy of The Boat Race
See the Oxford & Cambridge Boat Race
This 185-year old sport is one of the most famous sporting events worldwide and is a bucket list must-see. Pick your side and cheer on either Oxford or Cambridge as both sides battle it out by boat for the finish line. It’s free to spectate and you’ll be able to perch up anywhere along the river from Putney Bridge all the way down to Chiswick Bridge, where the race finishes.
The Boat Race | South-West London | Visit on the first Sunday of April
Image Courtesy of Bohemia Place Market
Feast on vegan street food at Plant Based Social
Formerly known as Hackney Vegan Market, Plant Based Social is the place to go for top-notch vegan street food, sustainable souvenirs and ethical goods, and artworks by some of the city’s top local traders. Chow down on mouthwatering vegan tacos while the in-house DJs spin some records. There will also be plenty of workshops and health and wellbeing events to dip in and out of throughout the day, too.
Plant Based Social | Visit on the third weekend of the month (April – September)
Image Courtesy of Royal Parks
Celebrate the Queen’s birthday by attending the gun salutes
Every year the Queen’s birthday is marked by epic gun salutes in some of London’s most famous parks. Show your respects for Her Majesty by heading to Green Park, Hyde Park or The Tower of London (be sure to double-check where they’re taking place when it’s been announced), where you’ll get to see regal horses galloping across the park and guns blasting booming blanks, making the ground shake beneath you and sending clouds of white smoke high up into the air. It’s a sure memorable way to mark a special royal occasion. You can expect to hear the sound of military bands blasting out the tune of Happy Birthday, too.
Royal Gun Salutes | Green Park, Hyde Park and Tower of London | Celebrate on the 21st of April
Image Courtesy of Marylebone Food Festival
Take a gastronomic adventure at Marylebone Food Festival
Experience the very best of the Marylebone culinary scene at Marylebone Food Festival, an event that runs every April for five days of feasting. Get stuck into cooking masterclasses and supper clubs or culinary tastings and mixologist classes. From casual cafés and contemporary restaurants to family-run eateries and hip cocktail bars, the Marylebone Food festival really is the best way to get a taste of this incomparable gastronomic corner of London.
Marylebone Food Festival | Book Tickets | Marylebone | Visit between the 26th of April and 1st of May
Image Courtesy of Skylight
Sip on a G&T at an iconic London rooftop bar
There are fewer ways Londoners like to see in the springtime sunshine than by enjoying a tipple or two on an iconic London rooftop bar. Sip on classic cocktails with the city skyline as your backdrop at the newly opened Decimo at The Standard, or enjoy a game of outside croquet at Tobacco Dock’s Skylight bar. If you’re after tasty tapas and excellent views of St Paul’s, Madison bar is the place to go. A few other favourites are Queen of Hoxton in Shoreditch, Smiths of Smithfield in Farringdon, Bussey Rooftop Bar in Peckham, and Pergola in Paddington.
Chase cherry blossoms throughout the city
As spring emerges and the days get longer, an explosion of pink sweeps through the city, and before we know it, cherry blossom season is well and truly upon us. These beautiful blossom trees add an extra sprinkle of prettiness to an already picture-perfect city and there are plenty of places to see them. Here are a handful of our favourite spots to while away the day and enjoy the blossom trees covering all corners of the city: Mount Street Gardens in Mayfair, St James’s Park, Paddington’s Sussex Gardens, Regent’s Park, Primrose Hill, Southwark Cathedral, Greenwich Park, Cherry Tree Avenue, Vallance Road and last but not least, Kyoto Garden in Holland Park.
View from late March until early May
Immerse yourself in a new kind of world at The London Games Festival
Celebrate the vibrant gaming culture in London at the London Games Festival, where the very best video games and interactive entertainment is showcased via an eclectic programme of activities across the city. Expect talks about the art of game design, profiles on some of the most exciting games in the industry, and even learn to make your very own gaming app without needing to learn how to code.
London Games Festival | Attend between 1st – 10th of April
These are just a handful of the wonderful events happening across the city in April, but there are so many more. Be sure to plan ahead and tag @loveandlondon on IG if you happen to head along to any of these suggestions. Enjoy!
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