It's the merry month of May and, arguably, one of the best months of the year to be in London, With long days and (hopefully) cool evenings, there's ample opportunity to stroll by the Thames, explore the museums and art galleries sit by the Thames and watch the sun go down and enjoy the flowers blooming in London's fabulous parks.
1. Hampstead Affordable Art Fair
This well-known, annual in north London features a diverse and inspiring collection of original and contemporary paintings, prints (sometimes first edition) and sculptures from £100 to £6,000. https://affordableartfair.com/fairs/london-hampstead.
Whether you're a first-time buyer or a collector, you're bound to find something to suit your taste and price. And it's enviable location - Hampstead Heath - means you can go for a good walk first, then get tea and cakes at one of the excellent cafes in the neighbourhood, or come and have dinner here with us at La Gaffe... 9th-12th May, Hampstead Heath (Hampstead tube or South End Green overland)
2. Chelsea Flower Show
In former times known as the "Great Spring Show" we're sure that a day out at the Chelsea Flower Show is something you won't forget in a hurry. Visually glorious, full of glamorous exhibits and people and so very, very British, it features the very best that the gardening worldhas to offer. This includes the Great Pavilion, which is packed with nurseries, exotic plants and specialists growers. The greatest flower show in the world, perhaps! 21st-25th May London Gate, Royal Hospital Road Royal Hospital Chelsea, LondonSW3 4SR Tel: 0844 995 9664
3. F A Cup Final
Known more commonly as the Cup Final, this is the last match of the year in England and is played at Wembley Stadium. One of the most attended domestic football events in the world, with an average annual crowd of around 90,000, it is a knock-out competition and whether you watch it at home on tv, in a local pub or get a ticket for the match itself, you won't be disappointed. With electric atmosphere, and the traditional singing of the hymn "Abide With Me" before the game kicks off, it's a great day out for any football fan (and a fantastic 'taster' of 'The Beautiful Game' for everyone else).
Wembley Stadium, London, Saturday 18th May 2019
4. Boily - Scenes of Parisian Life
Running until 19th May, this exhibition at London's National Gallery focuses on the paintings of Louis Leopold-Boilly. Painting at the time of the French Revolution, he gathered inspiration from walking the streets and what he saw in those years of upheaval and revolution is showcased in this free exhibition. Denounced by Jacobins at the height of the Terror, he just about managed to spare his head by painting Triumph of Marat.Full of detail, with meticulous brushwork, pop in and see some of his paintings for yourself.
National Gallery, Trafalger Square - Free admission. Running until 19th May
5. Bluebells
You don't have to travel far from London to see masses of bluebells, which usually arrive in England somewhere between late April and early May. Carpeting the woods, these wonderful flowers are a sure sign that spring is in earnest. What could be more enchanting than an afternoon stroll, and stumbling across a patch of these beauties? Yes, the bluebell phenomenon is real - so take a look at this link and head off to one of these great spots to catch them in their glory...
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lists/bluebells-in-london-and-the-south-east