Event

Things to do in London during the May Bank Holiday Weekend

Southbank in London

When is the May Bank Holiday in 2026?

  • – Early May Bank Holiday: Monday, 4 May 2026
    – Spring Bank Holiday: Monday, 25 May 2026
  • Both dates fall on long weekends, making them ideal for short city breaks or day trips. During this time, London comes alive with a vibrant atmosphere, filled with events, outdoor activities, and extended dining hours across the city. However, it is also one of the busiest periods, with tourist attractions, parks, and public transport becoming significantly more crowded, especially during peak hours, so planning is essential.

Where can you go with your family on the bank holiday?

The Green Park – The smallest Royal Park

– Location: Green Park, London SW1A 1AA
– Opening hours: 5 AM – 12 AM

Located in the heart of London, Green Park stands out for its simplicity, with no formal flower gardens—just a wide stretch of lush green lawns shaded by mature trees. This open landscape creates a calm setting that is ideal for slowing down, where you can picnic on the grass, take a quiet walk, or simply sit back and relax. Families can also take time to explore nearby landmarks within the park, such as the Bomber Command Memorial and the Canada Memorial, adding a subtle historical layer to an otherwise peaceful and understated outdoor experience.

The Cartoon Museum

– Location: 63 Wells St, London W1A 3AE
– Opening hours: From Tuesday to Saturday: 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM;
Sunday: 12 – 4 PM; Monday: Closed
– Price range: £12 for adults and free for children under 18

Located in central London, The Cartoon Museum offers a compact but engaging experience built around more than 6,000 original cartoons, comics, and caricatures spanning from the 18th century to today. Families can explore everything from classic British comic strips like The Beano to sharp political satire, giving both children and adults something to enjoy. The museum regularly hosts themed exhibitions, so there is always something new to see, while hands-on drawing workshops allow kids to create their own cartoons. With its small, easy-to-navigate space, it’s an ideal stop for a short, interactive visit during a busy Bank Holiday itinerary.

SEA LIFE London Aquarium

– Location: Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7PB
– Opening hours: From Tuesday to Saturday: 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM; Sunday: 12 – 4 PM; Monday: Closed
– Price range: From $16.15

SEA LIFE London Aquarium offers an engaging way to explore the underwater world in the heart of the city, featuring over 500 species across 14 themed zones. Its standout feature is the 360° glass tunnel, where visitors can walk beneath the water while sharks, rays, and turtles swim overhead. Children are especially drawn to interactive areas like the rockpool and daily feeding sessions, while zones such as Shark Walk and the shipwreck exhibit add a light sense of adventure.

The Paddington Bear Experience

– Location: Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7PB
– Opening hours: Daily, from 9:45 AM – 4:45 PM
– Price range: From $29

The Paddington Bear Experience is a 70-minute immersive journey that takes families through a series of themed environments, starting at Paddington Station, continuing to the Brown family’s home at Windsor Gardens and then heading into the Peruvian jungle. Guided by live actors, visitors interact with characters, solve simple puzzles, and take part in games as they help prepare for the Marmalade Day Festival. The experience is structured like a continuous story, ending in a lively celebration with music, activities, and themed treats.

Shrek’s Adventure London

– Location: Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7PB
– Opening hours: From Monday to Wednesday: 10 AM – 3 PM; Thursday: 11 AM – 4 PM; From Friday to Sunday: 10 AM – 4 PM
– Price range: From $24

Shrek’s Adventure! London is a 45–60 minute immersive experience that takes families through a series of live, actor-led shows connected by a continuous storyline. The journey begins with a 4D flying bus ride before moving through multiple themed rooms, where visitors interact with characters like Donkey, Fiona, and Puss in Boots while completing small tasks to help find Shrek and return home. With more than nine fairytale-style scenes, combined with sound effects, motion, and even scent elements, the experience engages multiple senses throughout. Its structured yet playful format makes it especially appealing for families with children.

Best restaurants open during the May Bank Holiday in London

During the bank holiday, where you choose to eat becomes just as important as where you go. A good restaurant offers the perfect place to pause, recharge, and enjoy a satisfying meal before continuing to make the most of your short break.

K-POP – Korean restaurant in Central London

– Location: 47 Margaret St, London W1W 8SB
– Opening hours: From Monday to Saturday 12 – 10 PM, closed on Sunday
– Best dishes to try: Korean fried chicken, bento, and kimchi pancakes

Just a short walk from Oxford Circus and Goodge Street, K-POP Restaurant is a casual dining spot that brings together Korean comfort food and a lively pop-culture atmosphere. The menu focuses on well-loved dishes such as bibimbap, bulgogi, kimchi stew, and Korean fried chicken, alongside drinks like soju and fruit-based cocktails, making it suitable for group dining, casual meals, or relaxed date nights.
What sets the experience apart is its energetic setting, with K-pop music playing throughout and walls decorated with idol posters, creating a fun, immersive vibe that feels both informal and distinctive in central London.

SHORI Donburi-ya Fitzrovia

– Location: 39 Great Titchfield St., London W1W 7PF
– Opening hours: From Monday to Friday 11 AM – 4:30 PM, closed on the weekend
– Best dishes to try: Korean fried chicken, bento, and kimchi pancakes

SHORI Donburi‑ya Fitzrovia is a casual Japanese eatery specialising in donburi, serving hearty rice bowls topped with premium ingredients and well-balanced flavours. The menu features classics and seafood options, all served with perfectly steamed rice and pickles. This place is ideal for quick bites, casual lunches, or relaxed weekday dining.

Dal Fiorentino Fitzrovia

– Location: 15 Great Titchfield St., London W1W 8AZ
– Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 8 AM – 7 PM; Saturday: 11 AM – 7 PM; Sunday: 11 AM – 6 PM
– Best dishes to try: Italian sandwiches, schiacciate, parma ham sandwiches

Dal Fiorentino Fitzrovia is a popular casual Italian sandwich spot celebrated for bringing authentic Florentine schiacciate straight to central London. The menu features favourites like Dante with Parma ham and buffalo mozzarella, La Fiorentina with fennel salami and pecorino, and vegetarian or vegan options with grilled vegetables and truffle oil, all baked fresh throughout the day.

Naroon Fitzrovia

– Location: 65 Great Titchfield St., London W1W 7PS
– Opening hours:
Monday: 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM; From Tuesday to Sunday: 10:30 AM – 10:30 PM
– Best dishes to try: Italian sandwiches, schiacciate, parma ham sandwiches

Naroon Fitzrovia is a Persian restaurant on Great Titchfield Street that brings together traditional Iranian flavours and a more modern London dining style, making it a good fit for anything from a casual meal to a small celebration. The restaurant presents itself as a place where Persian food traditions, warm hospitality and generosity are reinterpreted in a fresh setting, with a menu shaped around slow-cooked stews, fragrant rice dishes, shared appetisers and classic Persian kabab. It also has a private dining space, so it works particularly well for birthdays, family gatherings or team dinners.

Tips for planning your May Bank Holiday in London

– Book in advance whenever possible: Attractions, restaurants, and shows are very busy during the Bank Holiday weekend, so reservations help avoid disappointment.
– Start your day early to avoid peak crowds: Mornings tend to be quieter, especially at major landmarks, museums, and popular family-friendly attractions.
– Check transport schedules in advance: Bus, Tube, and train timetables often change for Bank Holidays. You can check up-to-date travel info using apps or websites like TfL Go, Citymapper, or National Rail Enquiries to avoid delays.