You’ve got three days off – here’s how to use them wisely
It’s the third Bank Holiday of the year and the first one where we have a decent chance of getting some sunshine. We got spoiled a bit last year with a bumper crop of Bank Holidays thanks to the King chucking us an extra one for the Coronation, but we’re back to regular scheduling in 2024, meaning that we’ll be treating each bonus day off as precious. If you’ll be doing the same, you’ll wanna keep reading to find out how to make the most out of your Bank Hols.
London weather is never one to play ball but we’ve got everything crossed for some glorious, sunny spring days – who knows, the mercury might even rise as high as 20°C. If that’s the case, one of the best ways to spend a bright day in London is by the canal, and there’s a special festival debuting in Little Venice this weekend. The FREE celebration will see boats of all shapes and sizes take to the water, as well as an illuminated procession, and there’ll be live music, pints, food and plenty of community atmosphere.
You can also take advantage of the warmer weather with a trip to south London’s favourite outdoor second-hand market, Peckham Salvage Yard. As well as hosting over 60 handpicked vintage traders, there’ll be some tasty street food from local SE London vendors. Or, welcome in BBQ season at Exale Tap where Black Cactus has begun their summer residency.
And to end things on a really high note, head to Llama Inn – the rooftop Peruvian spot at the top of The Hoxton, Shoreditch – where you can enjoy cocktails for just half the price. That’s sure to get you in the mood for a return to work the next day…
Spend Monday on Llama Inn’s Rooftop Terrace With Half Price Cocktails
Llama Inn – the Peruvian spot on the 7th floor of The Hoxton, Shoreditch – is extending its opening hours to include Mondays, meaning you can fill up on ceviche and pisco sours any day of the week. Plus, it’s also launching a new rooftop space in time for the warmer weather, complete with sofas and banquette seating, fantastic views of the City skyline and plenty of sunshine thanks to its south-facing position. We’ve teamed up with Llama Inn to get our INSIDERS 50% OFF drinks every Monday for the whole of May – take full advantage of that this Bank Holiday Monday. Here’s how to get involved.
Mon 6th May 2024
1 Willow Street, London EC2A 4BH
llamainnlondon.com
Take a Trip to This FREE Canal Festival
Celebrate life on the water in London this early May Bank Holiday by heading to the IWA Canalway Cavalcade in Little Venice. The canal festival is running over three days and you’ll be able to check boats of all shapes and sizes, watch the illuminated procession, hit up a range of stalls, listen to live music, get the pints in from the real ale bar, kick back with some food and soak up the community atmosphere. And you never know, you might be inspired to take to the water yourself.
Sat 4th – Mon 6th May 2024, 10am – 6pm
Little Venice, London W9 2PF
waterways.org.uk
Bring Home Some Treasure From the Peckham Salvage Yard
Setting up shop in Copeland Park this May, Peckham Salvage Yard will play host to over 60 handpicked traders selling anything and everything from 20th-century furniture and salvaged French homeware to reclaimed goodies and collectables. Not only will you be able to bag yourself some one-of-a-kind pieces but also some tasty street food from local SE London vendors. And at just £1.50 entry, Peckham Salvage Yard is really one not to miss.
Sun 5th May 2024, 11am – 5pm
Unit 8, 133 Copeland Road, London SE15 3SN
@PeckhamSalvageYard
Kick BBQ Season off at This Pop-Up
Enjoy a summer of beer and BBQ at Exale Tap as the Walthamstow taproom plays host to smoked meat specialists Black Cactus and their 500 gallon pit smoker. The menu, showcasing produce from the UK’s best meat suppliers, will be changing regularly but you can expect the likes of Texas-style BBQ trays, dry-aged ex-dairy cow smoked burgers, chimichurri brisket rolls, and char siu pork belly banh mi (and yes, there will be veggie dishes on offer too).
Sat 4th – Sun 5th May 2024
Uplands Business Park, Blackhorse Lane, London E17 5QJ
exale.uk
See the World’s Biggest Collection of Banksy Artworks
Banksy fans, if you missed this huge exhibition on the most famous street artist in the world the first or second time around, we’ve got some good news because it’s back in town. The Art of Banksy first landed in London in the spring of 2021 after touring the world, popping up in cities from Melbourne to Miami, and following another international jaunt, it returned to the capital in 2023. After closing at the start of this year, the hyped exhibition has now returned for its third run, this in Soho. Plus, we’ve teamed up with The Art of Banksy to get our INSIDERS 30% off tickets to the exhibition – here’s how to get the offer.
Sat 4th – Mon 6th May 2024
100 Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0JG
artofbanksy.co.uk
Watch as Spirited Away Takes to the Stage
Spirited Away, arguably one of Studio Ghibli’s most impactful films, is currently showing on the West End, with its stint at the London Coliseum officially underway. If you’ve seen the movie, you’ll know that bringing those characters to life is a real feat. Expect to see Kamaji, the spider-like boiler man, with 19-foot-long arms; No-Face played by as many as 12 actors; Haku’s transformation into dragon form; and more remarkable visuals. And, of course, the film’s legendary original score (composed by Joe Hisaishi) will be performed by a live orchestra throughout.
Sat 4th – Sun 5th May 2024
London Coliseum, St. Martin’s Lane, London WC2N 4ES
londoncoliseum.org