Things to Do in London This Bank Holiday Weekend (May 2026)
The early May bank holiday weekend — running from Saturday 2 May through to Monday 5 May 2026 — is one of the best excuses to make the most of London. The city fills with energy, the markets are in full swing, and there is genuinely something for every mood, whether you are after a lazy morning among flowers, a cultural afternoon, or a hands-on experience you have never tried before. Here are seven of the best things to do in London over the bank holiday weekend, ranging from classic favourites to something a bit more unexpected.
1. Make a Tufted Rug at Craft Studio London — The Unique Pick
If you want to do something genuinely different this bank holiday, a rug tufting workshop at Craft Studio London in Alperton, West London, is hard to beat. In a three-and-a-half-hour session, you design and tuft your own mini rug using an electric tufting gun, guided by experienced instructors who make the whole process feel easy — even if you have never held a craft tool in your life.
Sessions are capped at ten people, all materials are included, and light snacks are laid on throughout. At £129 per person, it is a proper experience rather than a token activity — and you leave with a finished piece you actually made yourself. With 81 five-star Google reviews, it is clearly doing something right.
It is particularly popular with groups of friends, hen parties, and anyone who wants a creative afternoon that does not involve staring at a screen. Conveniently located just eight minutes from Alperton Station on the Piccadilly line, it is easy to reach from across London. Bank holidays tend to book out quickly, so secure your spot early.
2. Borough Market, London Bridge
Borough Market is open on Sundays from 10am to 4pm and on Saturdays from 9am to 5pm, making it an ideal Saturday morning start to the bank holiday weekend. One of London's oldest and best-loved food markets, it draws traders selling everything from fresh pasta and artisan cheese to jerk chicken and sourdough straight from the oven.
Entry is free, and the area around London Bridge is well connected by tube and train. Go hungry and plan to graze your way around — it is one of those rare spots that feels genuinely London rather than put on for tourists.
3. Columbia Road Flower Market, East London
Columbia Road Flower Market is open on Sundays only, from 8am to around 3pm, and bank holiday Sundays bring out some of the most vibrant displays of the year. The street transforms into a corridor of colour, with independent stalls selling cut flowers, house plants, bulbs, and the kind of seasonal bunches you simply cannot find in a supermarket.
Arrive early for the best choice and the most atmospheric experience, or go later in the morning for a livelier crowd and the chance to pick up reduced bunches as traders start to wind down. The surrounding streets are full of independent shops, cafés, and galleries worth exploring while you are in the area.
4. Tate Modern, South Bank
Admission to Tate Modern's permanent collection is entirely free, making it one of London's most rewarding bank holiday destinations when the weather is unpredictable. Housed in the former Bankside Power Station on the South Bank, the gallery is open daily from 10am to 6pm and holds one of the world's great collections of modern and contemporary art.
The building itself is worth the trip — the Turbine Hall alone is one of the most impressive interior spaces in the city. Check the website in advance for any ticketed special exhibitions running over the weekend.
5. Greenwich Park and the Royal Observatory
For those who want fresh air and a bit of history, Greenwich makes for a brilliant bank holiday day out. Greenwich Park is free to enter and offers sweeping views across the Thames and the City of London from the top of the hill. The Royal Observatory, where you can stand on the Prime Meridian Line, charges for entry but adds context to a visit that feels surprisingly epic for a city park.
The National Maritime Museum directly below the park is free and genuinely fascinating — a good option if the weather turns. Greenwich is accessible by the Elizabeth Line or by river bus from central London, which makes the journey part of the experience.
6. Portobello Road Market, Notting Hill
Portobello Road Market is at its busiest and most atmospheric on Saturdays, with antique dealers, vintage clothing stalls, street food vendors, and record shops all competing for your attention along one of London's most famous market streets. It is free to wander, and even if you do not buy a thing, it is one of the most characterful ways to spend a bank holiday morning in the city.
Notting Hill itself rewards a longer visit — the streets off Portobello Road are full of independent bookshops, galleries, and the kinds of cafés you end up staying in for two hours longer than planned.
7. Sky Garden, City of London
Sitting at the top of 20 Fenchurch Street — popularly known as the Walkie-Talkie building — Sky Garden offers free access to one of the most dramatic public viewpoints in London. It needs to be booked in advance through the Sky Garden website, and free tickets for weekends are released on Monday mornings and tend to go quickly.
The garden itself is a lush, multi-level space filled with plants and open to the public with views stretching across the city. There are also bars and restaurants on site if you want to extend the experience with food and drinks (these are ticketed separately).
A Word on Booking Ahead
Bank holiday weekends in London move fast. The most popular workshops, restaurants, and ticketed attractions fill up days or weeks in advance — particularly anything with a limited capacity. If there is something on this list you are set on doing, do not leave it until the Friday evening to organise.
This is especially true for the Craft Studio London tufting workshop, which runs with a maximum of ten participants per session. It is exactly the kind of experience that sells out over bank holiday weekends because it is personal, hands-on, and genuinely different from the usual options.
Make Your Bank Holiday Weekend Count
Whether you are planning a solo adventure, a day out with friends, or a group activity to mark a special occasion, London delivers over the early May bank holiday. The mix above covers free culture, outdoor escapes, market wandering, and one proper hands-on experience — more than enough for a long weekend.
If you are looking for something to anchor the weekend, the Craft Studio London tufting workshop is the kind of activity everyone talks about afterwards. Check availability and book your spot before the bank holiday rush takes the last spaces.
