Why Visit London in Spring?

When does Spring start in London?

The season arrives in three distinct phases, each bringing its own character:

Late March to April: the first blossom appears – magnolias in Greenwich and Kew, cherry trees in Richmond and along Notting Hill’s private squares and pretty streets, daffodils in every park. Mornings remain crisp as temperatures reach 12°C to 15°C. The Boat Race draws crowds to the Thames, while the London Marathon fills the streets with supporters and celebrations, giving April a distinct energy.

May: the season reaches full colour. Wisteria frames Victorian terraces in Chelsea and Hampstead, tulips peak in Regent’s Park, and Isabella Plantation erupts in a vivid array of azaleas and rhododendrons reflected in Richmond Park’s woodland ponds. Chelsea in Bloom and the RHS Chelsea Flower Show are a centrepiece of the month as florists, cafés, and boutiques transform their façades with elaborate floral displays.

Early June: the slowest and most settled phase. London Open Gardens allows access to private spaces usually hidden behind locked gates. Evenings stretch long past dinner, and the city feels at its most sociable with drinks on terraces, riverside tables, and tennis courts busy in anticipation of Wimbledon.

Where to Find Spring Blossom in London 

Magnolias (from mid-March): the first magnolias often arrive before the city has fully shaken off winter. Around Ladbroke Square and Holland Park, creamy blooms soften white stucco terraces, while Belgravia’s Eaton and Eccleston Squares become especially striking beneath the early light. At Kew, the Magnolia Collection near the Temperate House offers one of the capital’s most elegant displays.

Cherry Blossom (late March to mid April): for sweeping views beneath soft pink canopies, head to Greenwich Park, where blossom frames the skyline beyond the Thames. In Notting Hill, Pembridge Villas forms a tunnel of pale petals at its peak, while Kew Gardens offers paths lined with ornamental cherry trees near the Lion Gate. Along Victoria Embankment Gardens, flowering branches unfurl beside the river just moments from the South Bank.

Azaleas and Rhododendrons (late April to May): within Richmond Park, Isabella Plantation feels hidden from the surrounding city. Streams wind through cherry red and fuchsia pink azaleas and rhododendrons, leading to a reflective pond – the bright hues mirrored beneath towering trees.

Wisteria (late April to early May): as temperatures rise, cascades of lilac and violet begin to appear across London. Linden Gardens in Notting Hill is the most photographed, Chelsea’s Markham Square and Smith Street are best viewed in the early evening, while Hampstead’s Georgian terraces and the streets surrounding Flask Walk are framed with flowering vines and well-tended window boxes.

The Best Spring Walks in London

For a few hours of aimless wandering or a half-day walk, discover the trails below:

Greenwich to Blackheath via the Park

Distance: 4 miles | Time: 2-3 hours

Begin in historic Greenwich, where pathways climb gradually through the park towards the Royal Observatory. In late March and April, magnolias and cherry trees line the paths near the Wolfe Statue, with views south across the park and north to Canary Wharf. Continue past the Observatory to the open expanse of Blackheath, then loop back through the park and down to Greenwich Market for lunch beneath the covered arcade.

Putney to Hammersmith along the Thames

Distance: 3.5 miles | Time: 1.5-2 hours

On one of London’s loveliest riverside walks, the towpath follows the south bank of the Thames from Putney Bridge to Hammersmith Bridge. In April, join locals drawn back to the waterfront after winter, and finish the walk with a drink at the Hammersmith pubs along the banks, where tables quickly fill on warm afternoons.

Hampstead Heath Circuit

Distance: 3-4 miles | Time: 2-3 hours

Enter the Heath at South End Green and climb to Parliament Hill, where far-reaching views open across the city. During spring, the wildflower meadows along the east side are wonderfully untamed. After a circuit via Kenwood House, return via the bathing ponds to Hampstead Village – Flask Walk and the surrounding lanes are particularly picturesque.

Chelsea and the Physic Garden

Distance: 2.5 miles | Time: 2-3 hours

A flat, easily navigated walk that covers the best of Chelsea’s streetscape. Start at Sloane Square, walk down the King’s Road, and turn south toward the river via Royal Hospital Road. The Chelsea Physic Garden – open from April onwards – offers fascinating insights into the science of horticulture. Continue along the Chelsea Embankment to Battersea Bridge, then return through the bloom-festooned residential streets of Chelsea.

Regent’s Park Full Circuit

Distance: 5 miles | Time: 2.5-3 hours

Begin at Baker Street and enter the park via the north gate. The Avenue Gardens and Queen Mary’s Rose Garden are the highlights – tulips peak here in late April and early May, and the display is one of the most concentrated of all London parks. The full outer circuit passes Primrose Hill with its elevated and broad views north, the canal, and the neoclassical Nash Terraces before returning south.

Spring Events Worth Planning Around

As the city moves outdoors once again, London’s must-attend events bring together longstanding traditions, garden festivals, and open-air celebrations.

April

The Oxford–Cambridge Boat Race

England’s two rival universities line up for The Boat Race, a public spectacle performed along four miles of the Thames between Putney and Mortlake. The towpath fills as spectators line the embankments, with the best viewing positions close to Hammersmith Bridge, where the lead often changes, and at the finish near Chiswick Bridge. Arrive early for a good position; nearby pubs along the Hammersmith riverside are full of celebratory crowds that stay long after the race itself has ended.

The London Marathon

The marathon transforms 26 miles of London streets into a temporary outdoor race circuit. The best viewpoints are at the start in Greenwich (accessible from Cutty Sark DLR, in the morning before roads close), at Tower Bridge around the halfway mark, and along The Mall before the finish in front of Buckingham Palace. The areas around Bermondsey, Borough, and Victoria tend to have enthusiastic crowds, waving banners and calling out their support.

May

RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Held at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, this is the centrepiece of London’s botanical season. Show gardens are constructed and judged seriously. They exist for less than a week, which gives the whole event an intensity. Tickets sell out months in advance for the main show days; the final two days are cheaper and less crowded, though the gardens begin to show wear. The surrounding streets and Belgravia in Bloom extend the floral exuberance into the whole neighbourhood.

Chelsea in Bloom

For one week in mid-May – timed to coincide with the Chelsea Flower Show – florists, shops and restaurants along and nearby the King’s Road and Sloane Street dress their façades in elaborate floral installations. It is free, easily accessible, and genuinely impressive, most notably along the pedestrianised end of Pavilion Road, close to Sloane Square, and Duke of York Square, neighbouring the Saatchi Gallery.

June

London Open Gardens

For one weekend each June, around 200 private and semi-private gardens across London open their gates to the public. Rose-filled courtyards and historic green spaces include squares in Belgravia and Kensington, while Bedford Square in Bloomsbury and some of the communal gardens in Notting Hill are among the most appealing. Tickets are required and available in advance from the London Parks & Gardens Trust.

London's Best Spring Markets

With the arrival of warmer weather, the city’s food markets fill with freshly harvested produce and the alluring scents of street food:

Broadway Market (Hackney, Saturdays & Sundays) 

This tree-lined East London market is popular on sunny weekends, with florists, cheesemongers, and coffee stalls drawing locals throughout the morning and into the afternoon. Wild garlic is the defining ingredient here – appearing in pasta, flatbreads, butter, and scrambled eggs, while fishmongers sell chalk-stream trout and mackerel.

Maltby Street Market (Bermondsey, weekends) 

Smaller and more food-focused than nearby Borough Market, this market is found beneath the railway arches of Bermondsey. Early asparagus and radishes are among the fresh produce on the vegetable stalls. Seafood, pastries, and small plates are best enjoyed slowly beside the surrounding wine bars and cafés. The covered railway arches mean it's a pleasant outing, even on cooler mornings.

Barnes Farmers' Market (Saturdays) 

Held beside the pond at Barnes Green, this is a genuinely local, weekly market for fresh provisions rather than a tourist destination. Forced rhubarb, early salad leaves, and seasonal greens arrive from late March. The bucolic setting, and proximity to the Thames, create the feeling of a neighbourhood gathering on sunny mornings.

Where to Eat and Drink in Spring

Long Lunches 

Along with the lighter days, the long lunch returns: a few of the best options are:

• Fischer’s (Marylebone): the Viennese classics – schnitzel, open sandwiches, strong coffee – suit a room designed for extended mid-afternoon sitting. Natural transition from a morning at the Wallace Collection nearby.
• Noble Rot, Lamb’s Conduit Street (Bloomsbury): European cooking, a serious wine list, and considerate service so tables aren’t rushed. The Bloomsbury location means it pairs naturally with a visit to the British Museum.
• Bocca di Lupo (Soho): regionally specific Italian cooking that means you can go on a culinary tour of the country. Best at lunch when the room is calmer than in the evenings. The bar counter at the front is good for solo eating.
• Petersham Nurseries (Richmond): worth the journey west, and combines well with a visit to Isabella Plantation. The restaurant sits within the glasshouse of a working nursery, menus follow what's growing locally, and the setting extends the experience of being outdoors. Book well in advance.

Thames-Side Pubs 

Old Father Thames is best explored through a series of delightful riverside pauses:

West London

From Putney to Hammersmith, the Thames is busy with rowers, pleasure cruises, and sailing boats. The Dove enchants with its small terrace overlooking the river, while The Old Ship offers a larger, more relaxed alternative nearby. Further west, at Strand-on-the-Green, The City Barge sits directly on the riverbank with a terrace that fills quickly on warm afternoons by the water.

Central London

On the South Bank, the BFI Riverfront and nearby terraces at Gabriel’s Wharf gather a steady stream of visitors for lunch and throughout the afternoon. Upstream and across Blackfriars Bridge, historic pubs like The Blackfriar offer a natural break following the central riverside trail. 

East London

Downstream, the river broadens and takes on a more industrial character. Around Wapping, The Prospect of Whitby offers one of the city’s most historic riverside settings, while nearby The Captain Kidd sits directly on the Thames path. Further along Shad Thames, set back from Tower Bridge, The Dean Swift provides a quieter stop near the waterside, where converted warehouses and historic iron walkways frame views of passing boats.

Wine Bars and Evening Spots 

For later in the day, a handful of places are especially lovely in spring:

• Sager + Wilde (Hackney): natural wines, well-chosen small plates, and a room that works for both post-walk drinks and extended evenings. Close to the canal.
• Space Talk (Farringdon): high-fidelity vinyl, considered drinks, and an intimate room that rewards slow evenings. The hi-fi setup gives it a distinct atmosphere, particularly in the evenings.
• Spiritland (King's Cross): a serious sound system in a room that opens late, offering a welcome respite after a canal walk from Islington or Camden.

Museums and Galleries in Spring

The city’s cultural calendar blossoms with major institutions – the British Museum, National Gallery, and V&A – staging must-see exhibitions between March and June. In addition, smaller, lesser-known locations host more intimate displays.

The Courtauld Gallery (Somerset House) 

With its strong collection of Impressionist works by Manet, Cézanne and Van Gogh, this is one of the city’s best small galleries. Georgian rooms are at just the right scale for a close-up encounter with the art. Culture and conviviality combine at the grand Somerset House Courtyard outside – a peaceful spot for al fresco lunch in central London, from April onwards.

Sir John Soane’s Museum, Holborn

A private house frozen in time with an exquisite 19th-century collection exactly as Soane left it. This time of year resonates with Soane’s ability to ingeniously invite the light in. Illuminating hidden corners, daylight falls through the skylights, reflected in mirrors, contrasting shadow and light over the plaster casts and antiquities on display.

Dulwich Picture Gallery 

South London’s oldest public gallery, with a collection weighted towards 17th-century Dutch and Flemish masters. The building alone, designed by Sir John Soane and found within the leafy surrounds of Dulwich Park, is worth the trip to the peaceful south-east suburbs; the gallery is never too crowded, and the café terrace reopens.

Spring Day Trips from London

Oxford (around 1 hour by train from Paddington)

The university colleges open their lawns after winter, blossom appears in the quads, and Sunday afternoons are for punting along the river. There’s an early start on 1st May, or May Morning, for members of the Magdalen College choir who sing from the college tower at 6am, after which the city opens up for early breakfasts and long river walks. It draws a crowd and creates a unique atmosphere for a memorable day trip.

Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Kent (2 hours from London Bridge) 

Sissinghurst is home to one of the most influential gardens in England. Conceived as a sequence of outdoor rooms, each has its own planting palette and structure, arranged within the ruins of a 16th-century house. The orchard blossom arrives first, in white and pale pink against old brick, the white garden follows, then the herb garden and mixed borders develop through May. The views from the tower show the whole composition from above.

Where to Stay in London in Spring

If the appeal of a pre-summer London stay lies between park strolls, gallery visits and theatre shows, Brown’s Hotel on Albemarle Street is the natural address. London’s first hotel occupies a quiet Mayfair street between Bond Street and Piccadilly, a location that feels central yet tranquil. Close to Green Park, St James’s Park, and Hyde Park, galleries including the Royal Academy are reachable on foot. For guests wanting to explore more artistic insights, the hotel arranges curated gallery walks through Mayfair’s art district.

During Chelsea Flower Show – a short taxi ride along the Embankment – the hotel is a natural base for guests attending, its interiors specially dressed in artfully arranged florals. Afternoon Tea in The Drawing Room takes inspiration from the botanical theme, with lighter pastries as the daylight extends, and Charlie’s menus focus on the latest ingredients. Easter and Mother's Day bring dedicated menus built around British produce.

The Spa reflects the season in its own way – plant-based oils, floral extracts, and hydrating formulations that suit the warmer temperatures. The treatment menu also adjusts, focusing on renewal as a counterpoint to days spent outdoors.

Practical Spring Information

Average temperatures: March 8–13°C / April 9–15°C / May 12–19°C. Evenings remain cool through April – an extra layer is needed.

Rainfall: spring is drier than autumn but variable. An umbrella or waterproof layer is always worth considering.

Daylight: by late April, London has around 14 hours of daylight. By late May, over 16 hours. This changes the city considerably: late afternoons become suitable for early evening meals, and pre-supper drinks suit the lighter evenings.

Crowds: significantly lighter than summer, especially at popular attractions like Kew Gardens, the British Museum, and the South Bank. The main exceptions are Chelsea Flower Show week and the London Marathon weekend.