Our top recommendations for this month

With upcoming bank holidays, there’s a lot of exciting activities to look forward to, get your essentials out: sunnies, hat, SPF 50, water bottle and comfortable walking shoes to enjoy a scenic walk along the South Bank or visit one of the many beautiful parks and gardens. Let’s dive into this month’s lineup!

Art & Culture

• Being Human at the Wellcome Collection: Being Human explores what it means to be human in the 21st century. It reflects our hopes and fears about new forms of medical knowledge, and our changing relationships with ourselves, each other and the world.
• The National Gallery always offers free entry to its permanent collection, featuring world‑famous masterpieces. You can also catch free displays and selected exhibitions throughout May – ideal for a cultural afternoon in central London.

Outdoor Activities

• Get your fill of fabulous florals at the free Belgravia in Bloom festival, taking place from 18 to 24 May, 2026. Visitors can expect eye-popping floral displays and unique experiences across the neighbourhood. This year’s theme is ‘Fairy Tales of Belgravia’ will bring a sense of magic to the area, with displays inspired by nostalgia, imagination and other-worldly charm.
• Isabella Plantation: In early May, the garden becomes a paint palette of colour with the evergreen azaleas, rhododendrons, magnolias, and camellias, lining the ponds and streams. Visitors can embark on different trails like the Bluebell Walk and Camelia Walk to uncover the Isabella Plantations vibrant natural world.
• Hampton Court Palace Gardens are open for free on 9-10 May no ticket needed! Stroll through the Great Fountain Garden and other historic spaces from 10 am to 5:30 pm. Just keep in mind you’ll need to cover your travel costs to get there, as the palace is outside central London.

Special Events

• In collaboration with BBC Introducing, the Southbank Centre’s futuretense series showcases the best new British and international music, allowing you to discover artists on the up, and find your next musical obsession – for free!
• Between May and December each year, Bell Square presents a high-quality programme that is surprising and often challenging with audiences coming back week after week to experience explosive acrobatics, powerful dance, beguiling theatre, highly skilled circus and mesmerising street performance by international as well as UK artists.

Viewing platforms

• The Lookout located on Level 50 of 8 Bishopsgate is an observation viewing gallery that boasts panoramic views of the city. With its admission-free entry, you’ll witness an uninterrupted view of the city’s iconic landmarks, impressive skyscrapers, and historic architecture.  

Enjoy making the most of London this May! That’s all for our May edition! We hope you find plenty of fun and affordable activities to enjoy this month. See you next month for more “Free Fun in London”!