The Best Way to Spend a Bank Holiday in London

If you’re heading to London this bank holiday – be it to celebrate Eid, to enjoy a weekend break or for a longer trip – you’ll be spoiled for choice: the big city has plenty to offer, which is both fabulous and frustrating when trying to find the best way to spend a bank holiday, because it makes narrowing down the options a real challenge! Fortunately we’ve come up with a blueprint for a brilliant weekend – from brunch spots to street parties, our blog contains recommendations for all tastes and budgets.

The Best Way to Spend a Bank Holiday Morning: Brunch

You’re on holiday, so it’s perfectly acceptable to sleep through breakfast. A perfect bank holiday has to start with a luxurious lie-in, followed by a long, leisurely brunch.

If you’re in the mood for a uniquely musical treat, head to The Piano Works in Farringdon. Their famous Any Given Bank Holiday Sunday returns on 26 August, promising bottomless drinks, live music from their acclaimed in-house band, and a mouth-watering menu of brunch favourites. Choose from a two-course brunch menu with Bloody Marys, fizz and mocktails (£50pp), or a drinks-heavy offering accompanied by a simple breakfast burrito (£35pp).

For an opulent experience like no other, however, the Landmark’s Sunday Champagne brunch cannot be beaten. The top choice for Londoners in the know, the Landmark serves up a lavish buffet between 12.30 – 3.30pm every Sunday (priced at £98 pp). Relax in the stunning setting of this beautiful, world-famous hotel whilst gorging on a never-ending array of pastries, soups, omelettes and salads, as well as top-notch seafood and roasted meats – all washed down with endless glasses of champagne. And don’t forget to save room for dessert…

Finally, for a brunch full of Japanese flair, Roka Canary Wharf (which overlooks the impressive skyscrapers of Canada Square) never disappoints. For the tidy sum of £49, you can enjoy a selection of starters, sashimi and dessert platters, as well as a welcome Bellini or Bloody Mary. Brunch is served from 11 am – 3.30 pm on Saturday, and 11 am – 8 pm on Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday. Arigatou!

The Best Way to Spend a Bank Holiday Afternoon: Dancing in the Streets

Once you’ve quenched your thirst and quietened any tummy rumblings, put on your dancing shoes and take to the streets for two of the capital’s biggest fiestas: the infamous Notting Hill Carnival and ‘London’s Biggest Birthday Party’ in Smithfield.

London’s iconic Smithfield Meat Market celebrates its 150 year in 2018; as such, Culture Mile and the Museum of London are throwing a huge party during the August bank holiday. Spilling out across the streets and hidden spaces of Smithfield and beyond, and encompassing six zones and two stages, visitors to this free street party will be able to enjoy gloriously gory re-enactments of London’s past (care of Horrible Histories), a plethora of live music and other local entertainments, and some of the capital’s finest food and drink offerings. This one-off event runs from 11 am – 8 pm on 25 and 26 August, and is not to be missed.

The Notting Hill Carnival, by contrast, is a London institution – and as such probably needs little introduction. An annual celebration of London’s rich culture and vibrant Caribbean community, the carnival has been running since 1966 and is still going strong (indeed, with over 2 million visitors in 2017, it’s a top contender for Europe’s biggest street festival). It’s the best way to spend a bank holiday afternoon, evening, or even morning!

Kicking off with the UK National Panorama Steelband competition on Saturday 25 August, the action really hots up on Sunday when the streets come alive at 6am for the ‘opening of the day’ (or J’Ouvert): a joyful, traditional procession that once required participants to cover their bodies with mud, but now invites revellers covered in colourful paints, powders, and even chocolate. The children’s parade – complete with eye-catching floats – follows, and live music (including salsa and reggae) fills the air until the wee hours. If you’re up for an early start on Bank Holiday Monday, the famous (and fabulous) Grand Finale Parade processes along Great Western Road and beyond from 9am.

The Best Way to Spend a Bank Holiday Evening: Cinema under the Stars

After the frenetic activity of London’s famous street parties, our perfect bank holiday concludes with a more relaxing pastime: a night at the movies. But we’ve tracked down some cinematic experiences that are much more special than a trip to the local Odeon…

If al fresco screenings are your bag, the capital has a collection of cool cinemas to choose from. Pop Up Screens in Hither Green’s gorgeous Manor House gardens will celebrate August bank holiday with an epic line-up: options include The Jungle Book (Friday 24 August); Dirty Dancing (Saturday 25 August); and Ghostbusters (Sunday 26 August). Upgrade to a VIP ticket for just £20 and relax in a comfy chair with your choice of drink. Alternatively, try the Rooftop Film Club; with a variety of locations (from the Bussey Building in Peckham to Roof East in Stratford) on offer, and a range of films (from _Aladdin Four Weddings and a Funeral)_to , there’s bound to be an option to suit.

But if you’re a true film buff, there’s only one choice for you this August – Secret Cinema Presents: Romeo and Juliet. Renowned for their immersive theatre experiences, during which visitors revel in spectacular, large-scale re-enactments of the ‘world’ of the film before sitting down to a viewing at a secret location, Secret Cinema promises an unparalleled sense of movie magic. Romeo and Juliet is described as a ‘five hour open-air festival and film screening’, and features amazing set pieces from the film, secret rooms, delicious food and drink, and live music. What better way to enjoy Baz Lurhmann’s classic movie and Shakespeare’s most famous love story? Secret Cinema Presents: Romeo and Juliet runs until Saturday 25 August and standard tickets are priced at £72.28.