The first May Bank Holiday Weekend is upon us. Although the weather report’s not looking too clever, that’s no excuse not to get out and about with your family. Wondering what to do with Kids in London for May Bank Holiday Weekend? Check out this round-up of drive-in family cinema, street food and alfresco eating, a new adventure playground, outdoor swimming and crazy golf, and a virtual planetarium!
At Babes HQ, we’re gearing up for the launch of Bringing Up Race in North America on Tuesday May 4. I’ve done my first press appearance (a TV interview at 1am UK time). And as I shared with my newsletter and Instagram community, I’ve been invited to speak at NASA! Find out more here and if you’re not already signed up to my mailing list — join here for more insider news and goodies. Have a great weekend.
What to do with Kids in London for May Bank Holiday Weekend
Fri-Mon: Plonk Mini Golf at Horniman Museum, 100 London Rd, SE23 3PQ (Forest Hill overground)
This family friendly outdoor course features 9 holes, loops, hills, ramps and beams designed for little golfers. All ages and abilities, best for ages 3+. NB: No groups larger than 6. Open 10am-4pm (daily) — book ahead. From child £4/adult £6 per round. If you can’t make it there, why not create a Plonk At Home DIY Golf Course? (ongoing)
Fri-Mon: Southbank Street Food Market, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
Crepes, gelato, curry, vegan dishes, BBQ, burgers, soups, smoothies and more in one delicious spot. The popular street food market is back open for the May Bank Holiday weekend. Line up, tuck in and enjoy a yummy outdoor meal by the riverside. 12pm-8pm (Fri), 11am-8pm (Sat), 12pm-6pm (Sun & Bank Holiday Mon); FREE entry (reopens Apr 30)
Fri-Mon: Feast It x Covent Garden
A six week street food residency on the Piazza with stalls from the likes of Smoky Gaucho, Bubble Bros, Hermanos Tacos House, Utter Waffle and Milktree Vegan Gelato. Grab some gastro treats and catch some street theatre with the kids. Daily, FREE entry (until May 16)
Fri-Mon: Tulip Festival and Magic Garden at Hampton Court Palace,
See more than 100,000 tulips in bloom at the former stomping ground of Henry VIII. Younger ones can play in the Magic Garden’s towers, secret grottos and mythical beasts. The Tulip Festival runs until May 3, Magic Garden open for the season, tickets for both included in admission fee. 10am-5pm; adult from £15/child from £7.50/under 5s FREE (until May 3/ongoing)
Fri-Mon: Drive-In Film Club at Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, London N22 7AY
Roll up for another season of drive-in cinema at Ally Pally, with food and drinks available (brought to your car by staff on skates or scooters). Family friendly screenings this May Bank Holiday weekend: Knives Out (Fri Apr 30, 6pm); Labyrinth (Sat May 1, 2pm); Black Panther (Sat May 1, 5pm); Scoob (Sun May 2, 2pm); Ratatouille (Sun May 2, 5pm), Isle of Dogs (Sun May 2, 8.15pm); The Lion King (Mon May 3, 3.15pm); 10 Things I Hate About You ages 12+, Mon May 3, 6pm). From £29.50 per car (ongoing
Fri-Mon: The Drive In, Troubadour Meridian Water, Harbet Road, Edmonton, London, N18 3QQ
Watch a family movie from the comfort of your car, with refreshments on tap and sound broadcast to your FM radio. Screenings include Wonder Woman, Dirty Dancing, Knives Out, The Greatest Showman, Grease and more. Live events also on the programme. Various daily screenings, arrive 45 minutes before showtime; £21.99 per car (until May 31)
Fri-Mon: Hullabazoo Adventure Play at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU6 2LF (Luton rail)
Take a day trip to Whipsnade Zoo this May Bank Holiday weekend and experience the brand new kids outdoor adventure playground. Featuring bridges, swings, tunnels, boats, mini safari jeeps and even sit-on crocodiles, it’s 7,800 square metres of FUN. Designed for ages 0-13. Opening hours from 10am-6pm (last entry 5pm, timed entries, booking ahead essential). Playground included with zoo admission: adult flexi ticket £34.54/child flexi ticket £24.20/under 3s FREE (cheaper tickets available on specific dates) (opens Apr 30)
Fri-Mon: Inspired By Africa Pop-Up at Box Park Shoreditch, 2-10 Bethnal Green Rd, Hackney, London E1 6GY (Shoreditch High St overground)
This Saturday is Black Pound Day, a perfect time to support independent traders of African origin. The Inspired by Africa Pop-Up brings a range of fashion, accessories, homeware and skincare to east London’s container market. Browse the stalls, pick up something fabulous, then replenish at one of Box Park Shoreditch’s vibrant outdoor restaurants. We recommend: Rudie’s Jerk Shack. Inspired by Africa runs 10am-7pm until May 9. Box Park is open 11am-11pm (Mon-Thu), 11am-11.45pm (Fri-Sat) & 11am-10.30pm (Sun). (until May 9/ongoing)
Fri-Mon: Limin’ Beach Club, Gabriel’s Wharf, 56 Upper Ground, London SE1 9PP (Southwark tube/rail)
Another island style destination, Limin Beach Club brings the flavours of Trinidad and Tobago to the South Bank. Taste delicious roti with chicken or jackfruit, barbecue corn, masala chips and other Trini treats. Open 7 days a week, 12pm-11pm. Booking ahead recommended (reopens Apr 30)
Fri-Mon: London Secret Beach, 100 Cromwell Rd, SW7 4ER (Gloucester Rd Tube)
Fancy a day at the beach? Escape to central London on May Bank Holiday weekend and discover a secret beach. Enjoy socially distanced dining while chilling on a sun lounger or rattan sofa. Sink your toes into the sand and pretend you’re in Ibiza, baby. Best for older kids and adults. 12pm-5.30pm (Sun-Thu) & 12pm-10.30pm (Wed-Sat); FREE entry, table bookings essential (open from Apr 29)
Fri-Mon: London Fields Lido, London Fields West Side, Hackney E8 3EU (London Fields rail/Hackney Central overground)
London’s outdoor pools are open and London Fields lido is an instant May Bank Holiday weekend draw. Arrive early for a socially-distanced swim with your kids. Book ahead, spots go fast. All-year heated swimming, sun deck and sunbathing area, cafe on site. All ages welcome. 6.30am-9pm; adult £5/child £2.95, discounts for members (ongoing)
More outdoor swimming: go south to Tooting Bec Lido; south west to Hampton Pool in Bushy Park or check out this list of London lidos in your area.
Sat-Sun: Freightliners Farm, Sheringham Road, N7 8PF (Highbury & Islington tube/overground)
Go on a socially distanced visit to one of London’s most popular city farms. Wave hi to the lambs, sheep, pigs and other residents. Find out what goes into running a city farm and fuel up on tasty vegetarian food at the farm cafe. Open 11am-3pm (Sat-Sun) & 2pm-3.30pm (Wed); FREE entry/donations welcome — booking ahead essential (Apr 29)
Sat-Sun: Where the Bugaboo Lives at Little Angel Theatre (online)
LAST CHANCE: Join Floyd and Ruby on a ‘choose your own adventure’ digital production. Journey into the shadowy valley behind their house and meet creepy creatures. Recorded performance and activities via Zoom. Best for ages 5-11. Various times 12.30pm & 3.30pm; £13.50 per household (until May 2)
Sat-Mon: Stellar Encounters: Virtual Planetarium at the Royal Observatory (online)
Go on a virtual tour of the galaxy, presented by an astronomer at the Royal Observatory. Learn the secrets of our solar system and all about the lives of stars, from how they’re born until their death. Ages 7+. Select times on weekends and school holidays from 11am-3pm (Sat-Mon); £5 per device (ongoing)
London Kids Weekend Scoop (April 22-25, 2021)
