14 March 2026
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Whether you’re a local or a visitor, spring is one of the best times to explore the British capital. For Londoners, it’s the time when everyone slowly emerges from their hibernation, as the interminable grey winter finally comes to an end. For travellers, it’s the perfect time to explore, as the famously inclement British weather perks up and the city’s abundance of green spaces come into their own. There may never be a shortage of things to do in London at any time of year, but spring is perhaps one of the brightest and prettiest times in which to do them. Here are 10 top recommendations for how to get the most out of the city this spring.
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1. Revel in Colourful Blooms and Prettier Plates
If winter is in black and white, then spring is in full technicolour. You don’t need to be a budding horticulturalist to appreciate the gardens, parks, heaths and commons that make London such a gloriously green city. From bluebells in Highgate Woods to crocuses in Kew, daffodils in St James’s Park to the Kyoto Garden in Holland Park – it’s time to celebrate nature in all its beauty. Pair your colourful day out with some of London's most beautifully plated dishes, from the pretty constructions at The Cocochine to the typically immaculate presentation at Three-Star favourites like Sketch and CORE by Clare Smyth.
2. Indulge Your Sweet Tooth at Easter
For the sugar fiends among us, spring has, over the years, become synonymous with chocolate, thanks to all manner of Easter-themed treats. Easter Sunday falls on 5th April this year, but for a couple of weeks beforehand you and the kids can enjoy the Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt at Hampton Court Palace. If you like your chocolate with a luxury touch, look out for the decadent Easter egg at Claridge’s, while Dinner by Heston Blumenthal offers the chef's signature creative touch with the 'Eggs in Verjuice' dish available over Easter weekend: a nod to an 18th-century recipe combining a chocolate shell with coconut panna cotta, coffee parfait, verjuice and a mandarin purée 'yolk'.
3. Watch The Boat Race with a Drink in Hand
Running along the River Thames from Putney to Mortlake, The Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge universities has been held annually since 1856. On 4th April this year, the finest rowers from the country’s two most prestigious seats of learning will battle it out for another 12 months of bragging rights. It’s a tough, gruelling occasion that requires enormous commitment – but not from you, of course. You should make a day of it and, if the weather’s nice, you can grab a prime Thames-side seat at The River Café for a premium plate of pasta, or at Sam’s Riverside for cocktails and oysters.
4. Feed Both Body and Mind at Museums and Galleries
In advance of the tourists all arriving in the summer, now is a good time to visit some of London’s famous museums and galleries, from The Natural History Museum to The Tate Modern – all free and all world class. If you’re looking to combine cultural and culinary curiosity in one day out, The National Gallery is a great choice as within its walls are both modern bistro Ochre and the latest Italian restaurant from Giorgio Locatelli. Alternatively, base yourself in South Kensington, where you’ll find a cluster of cultural institutions including The Victoria & Albert Museum and The Science Museum. Once your feet get tired, give them a rest at the nearby Elystan Street or Volta Do Mar.
5. Celebrate St George's Day with Classic English Dishes
London’s annual St George’s Day Parade, held in Trafalgar Square to celebrate the patron saint of England, takes place this year on 19th April and will feature live performances, street food and the chance to see London’s famous Pearly Queens and Kings. Of course, you could argue that the very definition of Englishness is to not make too much of a fuss about being English. So, a quieter way of celebrating would be tucking into some classic English food – like a steak and kidney pudding at Rules, a leg of lamb at The Quality Chop House or a Full English breakfast at The Wolseley.
6. Smell the Roses at The Chelsea Flower Show
By the time the Chelsea Flower Show comes around on 19th May, it feels like spring is turning into summer. The annual floral extravaganza has been a feature in Chelsea since 1912 and lucky ticket holders can often be seen carrying the displays that are sold off on the final afternoon. If you haven’t got a ticket, you can always try for returns. Failing that, any of our recommendations of the best restaurants in Chelsea will provide equal amounts of sensory pleasure, such as Three-MICHELIN-Star Restaurant Gordon Ramsay or No. Fifty Cheyne, which is itself famous for its floral entryway.
7. Watch the Cricket and Visit One of London's Best Pubs
If you're already a cricket fan, make sure you don't wait until summer to start your support, because plenty of great county cricket is played in spring, and those players will need your cheers as they stand on the boundary on a chillier-than-expected April afternoon, wearing an extra jumper so they look like the MICHELIN Man himself. And for those from non-cricket-playing countries, this is the perfect chance to familiarise yourself with our somewhat quaint pastime, then follow it up with a meal in a similar bastion of Britishness: the pub. Namely The Hero, which is within walking distance of Lord's, our most famous cricket ground.
8. Visit Awe-Inspiring Churches, Abbeys and Cathedrals
Here’s another activity that’s perfect for spring, when the weather is nice enough for walking between landmarks but they’re not yet filled with visitors – and it's even better with MICHELIN Guide restaurants nearby. London is home to some stunning architecture of all shapes, sizes and vintages, but its old religious buildings are among some of its most beautiful. Many of the most iconic spots come with top restaurants nearby, from Westminster Abbey and Mauro Colagreco at Raffles London at The OWO to St Paul’s Cathedral and Cabotte. Southwark Cathedral is a Gothic beauty too, and is just a short walk from all that Borough Market has to offer.
9. Watch the London Marathon and Celebrate in St James's
One of the biggest sporting events in the capital’s calendar, the London Marathon is an annual test of endurance and commitment. Taking place this year on 26th April, it’s also a great opportunity to see many of London’s landmarks in all their glory. Whether you’re running yourself or supporting a loved one, you’ll be looking to celebrate afterwards. The route finishes in St James’s Park, meaning you’ll be close to London institutions like Arlington and Chutney Mary, or the duo of Wild Honey St James and Bistrot Wild Honey inside the Sofitel London St James hotel.
10. Head Out of the City to Other Foodie Hubs
As wonderful as London is, travellers should always widen their scope when visiting the UK. And for Londoners who never make use of their car, now is the time to finally take it out further than the supermarket. Whether it’s Windsor or Whitstable, Marlow or Margate, there are loads of great spots to spend a sunny spring day. If you’d prefer to head west, then you have The Loch & The Tyne in Old Windsor and The Coach in Marlow for high-quality pub lunches. Meanwhile, The Whitstable Oyster Company or Sargasso will make any drive to Kent worthwhile.Related Articles:
Hero Image: London in the spring, a beautiful time to visit and eat in the city's best restaurants. © coldsnowstorm/iStock
