guide to london in May 2026

The start of early summer is amongst us

May in London is when warm weather starts to creep in and exciting events begin. If you are visiting London for the first time make sure to take down the most interesting things to do in London in May.

In addition, there are cultural activities you may participate in and vibrant floral displays you can enjoy all across the city.

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Tower Bridge in London in May.The Tower Bridge in London

10 best things to do in may

  1. Changing of the guards takes place in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace at 11 am, and lasts about 30 minutes. It is held daily during spring and summer.
  2. On a day excursion from London, explore Oxford and the historic stone villages of the Cotswolds in the comfort of a small group tour.
  3. The only place in London where Platform Nine and Three Quarters was used for the filming of the Harry Potter series. Visit King's Cross station in London.
  4. London is great to see the iconic sights with a hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour on a double-decker bus. Option to choose one of the multi-day passes.
  5. You can see Conan Doyle's famous detective in the beer garden of this iconic Sherlock Holmes Victorian pub in St James's. Classic comfort foods are served alongside cask ales.
  6. Shrek's Adventure Tour by DreamWorks. Meet the characters of Far Far Away on this hilarious interactive and immersive walkthrough experience.
  7. If you love to explore London Neighbourhood we suggest Notting Hill where you can see many rainbow-coloured homes giving the area its appeal.
  8. Take the opportunity to take part in the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and the Trafalgar Square Eid Festival.
  9. Join a private walking tour in the footsteps of Winston Churchill. During World War II, visit the underground bunkers and learn about life in Britain.
  10. Spring is well underway with warm weather and some delightful sunshine. Enjoy the beautiful Kew Gardens, Buckingham Palace Gardens and Kensington Palace Gardens.

What To Do In London In May: London Eye | Madame Tussauds | Tower Bridge | Tower of London | Visit A Park in London | Explore A Wide Range of Markets

Weather in london in may

As the weather warms up and the daylight hours lengthen, May is an ideal month for touring this fantastic city's historical attractions and strolling its streets. This month, the temperature changed by around three degrees from the beginning to the end. Make sure you pack an umbrella and cover for rainy days, and you won't be disappointed. Check out our full guide to the weather in May.

top tours in london

There is no doubt that London is well known for its excellent selection of tours, which give you the feeling that you are going on an exciting trip when you are in the city. Have a look at our suggestions.

Madame Tussauds.

Madame Tussauds, London Eye & SEA LIFE Combo Ticket

Save 40% on three of London's most renowned sights with a single pass. A 360° rotating panorama of the city can be enjoyed from the London Eye, along with Madame Tussauds and the beautiful underwater world at Sea Life. A three-month validity period is included after the first activation.

Book Your Tickets From Here

Tower of London.

Tower of London Early Access Tour with Beefeater

With this tour, you will be able to see the beauty of the Crown Jewels before the vast crowds of tourists arrive. You will see historic orbs, swords, rings, crowns and sceptres used in royal ceremonies. Historically, these elite guardsmen guarded the Crown Jewels and cared for tower inmates.

Book Your Tickets Here

first-time visitor travel questions

Every visitor has questions about travelling to a new destination. We have put together the most popular questions and dedicated guides for each.

May 2026 Events at-a-glance

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

  • Saturday 2nd May-Sunday 6th September 2026 • Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre • Outdoor theatre season with rotating productions in the park (various performances).

Early May Bank Holiday (May Day Bank Holiday)

  • Monday 4th May 2026 • Citywide • Early May Bank Holiday long-weekend energy across London from parks to day trips and extra buzz.

RHS Malvern Spring Festival (Malvern)

  • Thursday 7th-Sunday 10th May 2026 • Three Counties Showground (Malvern) • Major spring flower festival with show gardens, plant shopping, and seasonal displays

London Craft Week

  • Monday 11th-Sunday 17th May 2026 • Multiple venues (London) • Citywide craft week with exhibitions, studio events, workshops, and maker-led experiences.

The London Coffee Festival (Shoreditch / Brick Lane)

  • Thursday 14th–Sunday 17th May 2026 • The Truman Brewery (Brick Lane) • Coffee festival with tastings, demos, latte art, and big food-and-drink vibes

Emirates FA Cup Final (Wembley Stadium)

  • Saturday 16th May 2026 • Wembley Stadium • FA Cup Final day with huge match atmosphere and full city sports buzz.

Chelsea Flower Show (RHS Chelsea)

  • Tuesday 19th–Saturday 23rd May 2026 • Royal Hospital Chelsea • World-famous flower show with headline gardens, floral design, and peak spring London vibes.

Chelsea in Bloom (free floral festival)

  • Monday 18th–Sunday 24th May 2026 • Chelsea (Sloane Square / King’s Road area) • Free floral street festival with shopfront displays and a walkable photo trail.

Belgravia in Bloom (free floral trail)

  • Monday 18th–Sunday 24th May 2026 • Belgravia (Elizabeth Street / Eccleston Yards area) • Free floral trail with elegant streets, displays, and a calmer spring stroll

Fieldday (Brockwell Park)

  • Saturday 23rd May 2026 • Brockwell Park (South London) • One-day electronic music festival with outdoor stages and big summer crowd energy.

Premier League final day (season finale)

  • Sunday 24th May 2026 • London stadiums (fixtures vary) • Premier League final day with simultaneous kick-offs and strong pub/sports bar atmosphere

Spring Bank Holiday + May Half-Term Week

  • Monday 25th May 2026 (bank holiday) + Monday 25th–Friday 29th May 2026 (half-term) • Citywide • Spring bank holiday and half-term week with family-friendly plans and busy attractions.

Premier League Darts (Finals Night, The O2)

  • Thursday 28th May 2026 • The O2 (North Greenwich) • Premier League Darts Finals Night with arena entertainment, walk-ons, and a loud crowd atmosphere.

Eid on the Square (Trafalgar Square) (The Mayor of London)

  • Saturday 30th May 2026 • Trafalgar Square • Free family-friendly Eid celebration with live programme, culture, and food stalls in central London.
  • https://www.london.gov.uk/events/eid-square-2026

Trooping the Colour Rehearsal (Major General’s Review)

  • Saturday 30th May 2026 • Horse Guards Parade (Whitehall) • Trooping rehearsal with marching bands, ceremonial pageantry, and easier viewing than the main day.

Adobe Women’s FA Cup Final 2026 (Wembley Stadium)

  • Sunday 31st May 2026 • Wembley Stadium • Women’s FA Cup Final with a big Wembley occasion feel and strong matchday atmosphere.

Explore further events in May in London 2026

Best theatre shows in london

A visit to the West End theatre would not be complete without seeing one of London's most famous areas. If you're planning to visit London, be sure to check out the most anticipated shows.

Lyceum Theatre.

pretty Woman

If you enjoyed Julia Roberts's and Richard Gere's movie Pretty Woman, there is a great chance that you will enjoy the stage show. A classic tale of an unusual romance between two people from utterly unrelated backgrounds.

Book Your Seat For the Pretty Woman Show

Les Misérables

There is no doubt that Les Misérables continues to draw new audiences in London nearly 40 years after. The story is based on Jean Valjean who served 19 years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread for his sister's starving child.

Book Your Les Misérables Seat

It is a great idea to book your tickets and seats as early as possible to find the perfect ones.

Don’t miss out on the best shows in London. Discover them all here.

best tourist tours in london

Consider leaving London for a day trip. Two of the top tourism trips have been selected by us. London is well-known for the wide range of tours it provides; this is your chance to embark on an enjoyable, fascinating journey.

The Eiffel Tower Paris.

From London: Luxury Paris full-day trip

See some of the most iconic landmarks in the "City of Lights" with a Eurostar trip from London. Tour the Eiffel Tower, have lunch, and cruise the Seine River.

Book Your Paris Tour Here

Windsor Castle.

London: full-day Windsor, Stonehenge and Oxford tour

A full day of English heritage is in store for you as you visit the magnificent Windsor Castle, the mysterious Stonehenge and the beautiful city of Oxford, which was founded by the Romans.

Book Your Half-Day Tour Here

fun Adventure experiences in London

Whether you're planning a weekend getaway to this vibrant city or you're a regular visitor, this is the opportunity for you to take an adventure tour different from what you normally do.

William Shakespeare pub.

Soho Music and Historic Pubs Experience

On this tour, you will be invited to visit four distinct historic pubs in the renowned Soho neighbourhood in London, which was frequented by legends such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Mozart, Jimi Hendrix, Casanova, David Bowie, Marilyn Monroe, among others.

Book Your Entry Ticket

Hard Rock Cafe.

Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner

Experience the renowned Hard Rock Café in London's Mayfair neighbourhood with preferred seating. During your meal, you will be able to choose from two different traditional American specialities. Be sure to pick up some genuine souvenirs.

Get Your Tickets Now

tourist attractions in london

Make the most of this wonderful opportunity to create unforgettable memories during your visit to London. The chances are that you have dreamed of visiting several iconic locations for a long time. Have a look at our suggestions.

National Gallery London.

National Gallery London

The National Gallery in London displays European paintings from 1260 to 1920, one of the world's best art galleries. Located in Trafalgar Square it displays the art of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, van Gogh and several other artists.

Hyde Park London.

Hyde Park In London

Hyde Park London is the largest royal park in the UK. Past the main Buckingham Palace entrance, in the heart of London. Its expansive grassland draws both locals and visitors to its recreation facilities, kid-friendly play areas, large water areas, and resting spots.

Related Page: 15 Things To Do Around London For Free

where to stay in london in may

You must take into account several factors while selecting your lodging, including the area, your spending limit, and the hotel services you choose. Additionally, read the evaluations to get a sense of how welcoming and respectable the hotel is.

Check out Booking.com for the best rates or check out the best neighbourhoods where to stay in London.

Explore more London hotel guides

Popular London areas: South Bank | Mayfair | Covent Garden | Soho | Paddington | Marylebone | Westminster

Hotels near major stations: Paddington Station | Kings Cross & St. Pancras | Victoria Station | London Bridge Station | Liverpool Street Station

Hotels near famous sights: London Eye | Tower Bridge | Buckingham Palace | Hyde Park | British Museum | Natural History Museum

Hotels for events and special trips: Wimbledon Stadium | ExCeL London | Wembley Stadium | O2 Arena | Winter Wonderland

More ways to stay in London: Luxury Hotels | Marriott Hotels | Christmas Hotels

This concludes London in May. We hope that this information has given you a better insight into what to do in London during this month. For more about things to do in London, check out our month-by-month page. Also, check out our guide to London in April and London in June.

frequently asked questions about may in london

Is May in London a good time to visit?

May could be a pleasant time to visit if you like the mild weather. During this time London starts to go into its tourist season so some crowds are expected. Expect to see prices surging for all types of holiday expenses.

How expensive is London in May?

Due to the increase in visitor arrivals, expect higher accommodation and airfare prices throughout the month.

As London is known for being fairly expensive, everything from the excellent restaurants to the well-organized transportation to the world-class museums and entertainment remains year-round.

How busy is London in May?

May is expected to increase the number of visitors visiting London. Expect to see more visiting tourists in the highly populated districts because the weather is milder and the days are longer to enjoy the beauty of the city outdoors.

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Tower of London and Tower Bridge.

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Benjamin and Albert Magro, frequent London travellers from Malta

We're Benjamin and Albert, frequent London travellers from Malta, sharing first-hand tips from 7 visits across the city. We help you use London transport, find shows, food, shopping, classic sights, and lesser-known areas through simple, practical guidance on the London Info Guide. You can also follow our wider Travel Info Guide community on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, plus London Info Guide on Pinterest. Our goal is to make London easier to understand before you arrive.