The 25 best things to do this May bank holiday in London

From swanky skyscrapers to casual warehouse hangouts and hidden pub terraces, London has a real crush on a rooftop bar. To enjoy a heatwave high, we are blessed with all kinds of rooftops which offer a winning combination of wicked city views and perfect drinks. So take your pick from stylish Shoreditch, buzzing Soho and Covent Garden, trendy Peckham and more – it’s time to soak up those sunsets, with rooftop bar season now upon us.

Shakespeare's most sun-drenched play is never far from London's stages, and for good reason: its stories of sparring lovers and vengeful fairies are loads of fun, and capture all the sultry energy of long summer nights. After staging a bleak take on the play over winter, Shakespeare's Globe is lining up a production that sounds like the exact opposite, being billed as ‘a joyful, family-friendly night of mischief, wonder and transformation under starry, summer skies’.

They might not be as well-known as Spain’s stretches of sand or the sun-bleached white fringes of the Seychelles, but the UK's beaches still pack a punch. Who needs palm trees or constantly balmy temperatures when you've got the lure of the classic British seaside, from tutti-frutti striped beach huts and deck chairs to stone harbours, donkey rides and fish ‘n’ chips. 

If you live in London, it’s easier to swap views of skyscrapers for salty air and unending sea horizons than you might think. There’s a whole range of secluded, photogenic beach destinations, all steeped in charm, just a short train journey away on the UK’s southern coast. Luckily, London sits within easy reach of seaside towns, scenic coastal walks and even some of the best beaches in the UK. Whether you want to explore the vast, unbroken expanse of Camber Sands to the eerie, otherworldly beauty of Dungeness, we’ve rounded up the best beaches within two hours of the capital.

Is it warm enough to swim outdoors yet? Well, kinda? The end of May marks the crossover between the period where only the truly hardcore swim outside, and the period where hobbyists in impractical swimwear flood London's watering holes. It's the perfect time to test your nerve, before the crowds descend.

Imagine a properly good walk and you're probably thinking of rolling hills, mountains, forests and a rustic country pub for a celebratory pint at the end. And although you won't find that exact formula in London, you can come pretty damn close. This city is full of surprisingly peaceful, rural-feeling and very pretty corners where you can immerse yourself in nature for a few hours – without ever being more than half an hour away from a decent macchiato or a TfL station. Check out our tips for the best places for a May stroll full of spring blooms and early summery vibes. 

For Brits of a certain age, James McNeill Whistler will always conjure memories of that scene in the Mr Bean film. But while Rowan Atkinson’s 1997 opus was a memorable introduction to the Gilded Age painter, Tate Britain’s grand new retrospective will properly acquaint you with his work – minus any snot-related hijinks – through his paintings, prints, and a litany of personal effects. Featuring 150 works by the American painter, including his famous ‘Portrait of the Artist’s Mother’ and scenes from his life in the Big Smoke, including a chaotic figuration of ships floating past in Wapping and the spectral abstraction of a frozen river in Chelsea in Ice.

The largest exhibition on the artist in Europe for three decades, this lavishly diverse collection of Whistler’s work singles him out as a relentless artist who was ceaselessly receptive to the world around him. His cosmopolitan scenes of London alone are worth the £24 price of entry – just try not to sneeze on them.

When it comes to baby animals to cuddle up to in spring, tiny lambs are obviously the GOAT. Surrey Docks Farm, a sweet little site right next to the Thames with its own blacksmithery, puts on lamb-feeding sessions almost every day during the season. Sessions take place at 12.45pm and 4.40pm, and they sell out pretty quickly – well, who wouldn’t want to feed these fluffy little cuties – so snap up a spot asap! 

Al fresco weather is finally here, and some of London’s best restaurants are well and truly embracing it, so if you’re planning a slap-up dinner over the bank holiday, check out our roundup of the best outdoor dining spots around the city. Whether you’re in the mood to have spaghetti on a rooftop, fresh seafood in the middle of an urban forest, or barbecue in a sunny courtyard, we’ve got you covered. hese terraces, canal-side spots, gardens and al fresco restos should make you feel like you’re on a proper holiday in your hometown.