If the darker days and colder weather have been giving you the winter blues, the good news is that Spring is just around the corner. On Monday, the 20th of March, spring will arrive in London.
As the flowers bloom, cultural events and outdoor sports will crop up across the city, giving Londoners a great reason to socialise outside and bask in the sunshine. As Al Fresco dining becomes permissible by the weather again, rooftop brunches are a great way to appreciate the warmer rays as you get together with your friends. The terrace on Bar Elba in Waterloo is the perfect place to kick back and relax with your favourite Brunch cocktails and food.
Spring in London – What’s On?
Emirates Air Line Cable Car
For only a fiver, you can travel in style high above the city in an Emirates Cable Car. This begins at The Docks in Canning Town and soars above the Thames to reveal a picturesque view of the city. The journey lasts about ten minutes and ends at Greenwich Peninsula, where you will find the Greenwich o2 Arena.
The cable cars are a great way to quickly see a lot of the cityscape, in a very short amount of time, and far away from the tourists on land!
City Boat Tour
There are lots of boat tours to choose from, but from personal experience, the Westminster to Greenwich Sightseeing Thames Cruise is a great way to do some sightseeing without the business of the city streets.
For £13.50 you will get an hour-long cruise taking you past famous landmarks such as Big Ben, The Houses of Parliament, The Tower of London, and ending at the docks in Greenwich. This boat tour allows you to see lots of famous places, in a short amount of time and without having to walk miles to each landmark.
Coffee Festival
This annual festival celebrates one of the city’s most beloved beverages, coffee! Each year, the event hosts over 200 coffee stalls, coffee tastings, and workshops. You will be able to taste coffees from all over the world and learn how to make drinks from some of the best baristas in the city. There is also a DJ, live music performances, and food stalls so that you can make a day of it.
This festival takes place from 20th – 23rd April at the Truman Brewery on Brick Lane.
The London Book Fair
This event is one of the best literary events in London, designed to bring readers and authors together. Each year over 1,000 book companies come together to celebrate every part of the book trade. There will be books for sale, networking opportunities and a packed seminar programme every day of the event.
The Book Fair is on from 18th-20th April and will be located in Olympia, London.
Chelsea and Belgravia in Bloom
This year two free flower events are running at the same time: Chelsea in Bloom and Belgravia in Bloom. In both postcodes, the outside of shops and cafés will be decorated with stunning arrangements of flowers to officially celebrate the springtime. This is the perfect time to explore these areas and get some great pictures.
The flower shows will run from 22nd-29th May.
Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday will fall this year on the 9th of April, shortly after the weather leaves the crisp air behind. Although, you might want to be prepared for the occasional April shower! Much like Christmas in the UK, Easter celebrations are not confined to one day – there will be events through Easter weekend from the 7th – the 10th of April.
Instead of just having your fill of staple easter foods, including chocolate eggs and hot cross buns, get involved with the Easter-themed events that will add even more colour to the vibrant capital city in the Spring. Head to award-winning restaurants like Aquavit in the West End, which will prepare an Easter menu of poached salmon and slow-cooked lamb between the 12th and 16th of April.
The 2023 London Marathon
On the 17th of April, tens of thousands of runners will descend on London to tackle the London Marathon, which stretches for 26 miles across the city. If you have let your fitness levels slip over the winter, the London Marathon is the perfect reason to slip back into your running shoes. Treat it as an opportunity to raise money for charity or to get back on track with your exercise routine.
Mamma Mia! The Party at the O2
The last springtime activity is an ABBA-themed dining experience at the O2 in North Greenwich. If you’re a Mamma Mia fan, this is an event you don’t want to miss!
Produced by ABBA member Björn Ulvaeus, this brand-new love story follows residents of Skopelos, which is where Mama Mia was originally filmed. You can expect a night of the girl group’s iconic hits, a delicious Mediterranean meal and of course, lots of dancing!
Tickets can be purchased at https://mammamiatheparty.co.uk/tickets/
