There are plenty of fun things to do in London in May. From exploring parks and museums to enjoying the flower festivals and trying delicious food, there’s something for everyone. Let’s dive into the best family-friendly activities in London this month!
Family fun
Step aboard the Puppet Theatre Barge in Little Venice where performances of the Pea, Suitcase Circus will be taking place this May. Suitable for children aged 4-5+, these enchanting performances will delight children and adults alike.
Embark on an exciting adventure into the enchanting world of Paddington! Roam through familiar spots from the Paddington stories as you dive into The Paddington Bear Experience, an interactive and multi-room experience, full of gameplay to help Paddington and the Brown family prepare for a very special occasion.
Delight the little ones with a sensory storytelling class at the Natural History Museum. Brought to you by the award-winning Adventure Babies team, take part in a host of activities designed specifically to engage babies and encourage their development.
Party the night away in the spectacular Hintze Hall at the Natural History Museum’s silent disco. Choose your side as three DJs do battle over separate wireless channels, playing the very best of new and old.
Experience the ultimate family fun with Tuff Nutterz, the UK’s biggest inflatable obstacle course! Measuring 300 metres long, this supersize inflatable maze is packed with 30 fun and challenging obstacles to complete, including huge slides, climbing walls, hanging rails, balance balls and more!
Luxury afternoon tea in LondonÂ
Treat yourself and your little ones to an unforgettable afternoon tea experience at The Lane. Taking inspiration from the theatre, as well as the popular Regency period, the Afternoon Tea in the Grand Saloon is served on custom fine bone china featuring Mythical Characters designed by British interior designers Kit and Willow Kemp. Free ice cream is served with every children’s afternoon tea. Adults £59, Children £20.
Or you could settle into the elegant Drawing Room at The Kensington where the team have the ceremony of High Tea down to a fine art. The brand-new Art of Afternoon Tea at Town House is inspired by world-renowned artists and their work, an ode to The Doyle Collection’s patronage of the arts. The Kensington’s culinary creatives have sculpted a gallery of beautiful confections atop traditional three-tiered silver stands that pay homage to the influential artists Jackson Pollock, Yayoi Kusama and Alicja Kwade. Guests can marvel at Pollock’s famed ‘drip technique’ adorning the dark chocolate mousse tart with passion fruit parfait; and bite into a delicious replica of Kwade’s natural spheres, constructed from white chocolate vanilla mousse with pineapple compote centre. Champagne and a selection of teas from The Rare Tea Company provide the perfect accompaniment and of course, no Afternoon Tea would be complete without delicate finger sandwiches. The Art of Afternoon Tea at The Kensington is available every day from 12 pm-4.30 pm.
Unique dining experiences
Indulge in the best fried chicken in London and discover halal, vegan, and kid-friendly choices. Inspired by the melting pot of cultures in Korean cuisine, Seoul Bird combines Korean classics with the modern flavours of their vibrant street food. Find your nearest restaurant here.
Calling all film-loving foodies! Taste Film reimagines the cinematic experience, integrating taste into storytelling through set menus that immerse guests in the worlds of cult-classic films. In collaboration with well-rated restaurants and independent chefs, Taste Film offers multisensory journeys where audiences become active participants in the culinary and cinematic arts.
Luxury Chinese restaurant Chai Wu will be welcoming on the menu some beautifully crafted dishes inspired by RHS Chelsea Flower Show, such as the Flower Dumplings, hand-crafted flower dumplings delicately steamed, filled with lily bulbs, and adorned with truffle shavings or the Candy Floss Tree, a chocolate tree embellished with candy floss, accompanied by chocolate mousse layered with cherry compote and chocolate crumble. Located on Harrods 5th floor, Chai Wu serves haute Asian cuisine using the highest quality produce, and the menu is a kaleidoscope of Asia; a meeting of time-honoured and unconventional dishes, produced in an open kitchen and served alongside the world-class service that is so synonymous with its home, Harrods. Menu available 21st to 25th May.
You are warmly invited to come along on Thursdays and Fridays to enjoy live music by The Marine Liners, over too many tipples and toothsome feast. Dishoom serves a lovingly curated menu of Bombay comfort food and award-winning drinks in beautiful restaurants, each with a unique story. Everything Dishoom does shares its love for Bombay’s culture, heritage and people, and everyone is welcomed with warmth.
Spring has Sprung
As we see London’s beautiful parks & gardens coming back to life, May is the perfect time to revel in floral tributes to our great city.
Most notably, of course, is the Chelsea Flower Show, one of the Borough’s key calendar dates, which takes place from 21st-25th May. It’s the place to see cutting-edge garden design, new plants and find ideas to take home. As always, Chelsea in Bloom takes place in tandem with this auspicious occasion, delighting us with floral arrangements on the streets of the Royal Borough from 20th-26th May.
Weekend or staycation
With the May long weekends coming up, an option might be to take a staycation at Apex City of Bath Hotel. Well located in the heart of the city, it is just a short walk away from Bath Spa railway station, with great connections to London Paddington.
Or you can enjoy a family staycation at the Four Seasons Hampshire, just an hour away from London. Perfect for multi-generation travel, rooms can be booked with adaptable sofa beds and additional cribs. For new parents, the Hotel offers a variety of baby-friendly amenities, from nappies to changing mats. The housekeeping team also ensures that each child receives their own surprise personalised welcome in their room. And even your four-legged friends are welcome to join!
Culture
Watch Nezouh in South Kensington. Winner of the Audience Award at the 2023 Venice Film Festival Nezouh is an allegorical tale of female emancipation set amidst the Syrian conflict in Damascus. When a shell rips a giant hole in the roof of the building where 14-year-old Zeina and her family live, they are suddenly exposed to the outside world. One day, a young boy living nearby lowers a rope through the opening in the family’s roof and Zeina discovers her first taste of freedom. Whilst her father is determined to stay in his home and not become a refugee, this new window opens an unimaginable world of possibilities to her and her mother who now face a dilemma of whether to stay or leave. Book your tickets here.
You may also be interested in joining one of our events. Find out more about our upcoming events here.
