The long bank holiday weekend might be over but there’s still plenty of fun things to see, do, eat and enjoy. These are the best things to do in London this weekend (10 – 12 April 2026).
Has this week’s Artemis II voyage piqued your interest in all things space exploration? There’s still time to take a journey to the moon in a 50-minute screening of The Moonwalkers: A Journey With Tom Hanks (narrated by Tom Hanks and featuring original NASA footage). Back on earth, there’s a new cult-sandwich shop in town, the opening of an extra special exhibition all about the late Queen Elizabeth II’s style, and a coffee-making workshop that’s bound to wake you up.
If it’s culture you’re after this weekend, you’re in luck. Elsa Schiaparelli is celebrated at the V&A; 3000+ years of Egyptian history comes to life at Battersea Power Station’s NEON; Dame Tracey Emin’s A Second Life exhibition is open in Westminster; and Keith Haring’s 1980s subway drawings have found a new lease of life at Moco Museum London. Soak it all up before making a beeline for one of London’s best al fresco terraces or restaurants for dinner and drinks with friends. Looking for something more relaxing? Start your weekend with morning stretching at sunrise yoga.
1. See the Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style exhibition (then go for afternoon tea inspired by it)
What does 10 decades of dressing look like as a monarch? Coinciding with the 100-year anniversary of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s birth, Caroline de Guitaut, Surveyor of the King’s Works of Art (yes, that’s a real job) attempts to answer the question. Including more than 200 items from 10 decades of her wardrobe – many never-displayed-before – this is the largest ever showcase of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch’s wardrobe, and an insight into the history, artistry and diplomacy behind royal dressing. Highlights include her christening robe, her silver lamé bridesmaid dress, plus her Norman Hartnell-designed wedding dress and Coronation dress. But don’t miss the smaller details, like design sketches and fabric swatches. Afterwards, pop along to The Goring hotel who are hosting an afternoon tea honouring the exhibition theme.
2. Perfect your coffee pour at Workshop
Address: Workshop Academy 22 Eccleston Street, Belgravia SW1W 9LT
Class is priced at £95 and runs from 4pm-7pm. Book here.
3. See The Moonwalkers: A Journey With Tom Hanks
Photo Credit: Justin-Sutcliffe
Has the Artemis II crew’s moon voyage captivated you this week? Us too. Take your own journey to the moon this weekend via original NASA footage alongside Andy Saunders’ Apollo Remastered images, depicting the 1960s and 1970s Apollo missions. Co-written by Tom Hanks and Christopher Riley, and narrated by Hanks, this 50-minute screening showcases humankind’s moon exploration: not only in the past but also in the present – and in the future via newly filmed interviews with astronauts on the Artemis programme.
4. Grab a Mondo Sandwich at 50% off from its new Deptford home
Café Mondo, Camberwell’s cult sandwich shop, has found a new home in Deptford. As of Friday 10 April, MONDO TO GO will open its doors with half price sandwiches all weekend. Co-founders Jack Macrae and Viggo Blegvad have sparked something of a sando craze in SE London, with queues that rival those at TOAD Bakery right next door (yes, the one with the viral sesame soy sauce cookie). Wedged between Jars Bar and ZÉ-ZÉ Cafe, the Deptford branch slots comfortably enough into a dinky archway space, featuring the brand’s same open-plan kitchen and magnetic menu board above. The menu will feature all of the classics – the famous Frangos and the cold cut Combos – alongside a few exclusive Deptford specials. A weighty beef special slathered in a punchy Szechuan beef dip sets the tone, stuffed with pickled mustard greens. Plenty of benches outside make up for the lack of inside seating, where you’ll find Deptford’s cool crowd sipping on tequila slushies all summer long. Zana Wilberforce
5. Celebrate Greek Easter at these two brand-new London restaurants
It’s Greek Easter this weekend (one of the biggest celebrations in the Greek calendar), and what better way to honour it than by dining at one of London’s brand-new Greek restaurants. Maza Mayfair and Taverna Ermou both opened in central London last month, and both bring a taste of Athens to central London. Expect old Athenian charm, elevated and time-honoured Greek dishes, and a big dose of filoxenia – aka friendly hospitality – in both. Maza Mayfair is inspired by co-owner Christina Mouratoglou’s heritage, while Taverna Ermou is a direct implant from the streets of Athens (one of its Greek counterparts, Ergon House, sits on Ermou street in the centre of the Greek capital).
Addresses: Maza Mayfair, 21-23 Bruton Place, London W1J 6NB / Taverna Ermou, 38-40 James Street, London W1U 1EU
6. Visit the V&A’s Must-See Schiaparelli exhibition
Elsa Schiaparelli is a superstar in fashion circles, but her name is lesser known outside of it. The V&A is set to change that with its opening of the first ever UK exhibition dedicated to the designer. Schiaparelli is famed for her playful, witty and shocking styles that kickstarted fashion’s relationship with the art world. She collaborated with Dalí, Cocteau and May Ray, proving that what we wear doesn’t have to be limited to looking conventionally pretty. Schiaparelli showed women that fashion could also be interesting, funny, demanding and desirable. Find out about her legacy through the 400 objects that the V&A has unearthed, including her iconic lobster dress and upside-down shoe hat. Ella Alexander
Now until 1 November 2026
Address: V&A South Kensington, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL
Book here
7. Step into Ancient Egypt at Ramses and the Pharaohs’ Gold exhibition
Gold-plated Wooden Mask from the Coffin of Amenemope – Ramses & The Pharaohs’ Gold Exhibition © NEON_World Heritage Exhibitions
We know you’ve heard about Tutenkhamun, but what do you know about Ramses II? Three thousand years ago, this Ancient Egyptian pharaoh ruled for almost 67 years (far longer than ‘The Boy King’s’ 9-10 years). In his time he led the Battle of Kadesh, built temples such as Abu Simbel, and signed the world’s first recorded peace treaty – living until roughly 90 years old and fathering more than 100 children, Ramses II left quite a legacy on the world. That legacy has been brought to life in this thoughtfully curated exhibition that takes you up close and personal to more than 180 ancient artefacts including gold masks; 3,000-year-old statues (some showcased just centimetres away, and without glass casing); amulets, rings and necklaces; silver coffins from the royal tombs of Tanis; and – arguably the star of the show – Ramses II’s carved cedar coffin. Presented in a way that allows visitors the time, space and information to take it all in, this stand-out historical exhibition also utilises modern tech at times, notably in the immersive depiction of the Battle of Kadesh and the VR experience at the end, which takes you back in time to meet his first wife, Queen Nefertari, as she takes you on a tour of Abu Simel.
Currently booking until 31 May 2026
Address: NEON at Battersea Power Station, 2 Circus Road East, London, SW11 8DQ
Book here
8. Go For Dinner and Drinks on a Rooftop Terrace
The spring weather might be teasing us, but when the sun does come out to play, Londoners seek out the city’s outdoor dining spots. And this is a city with plenty of them. Some of our favourites include Yasmin’s sixth floor terrace, where Middle Eastern mezze comes with a view; Petersham Nurseries’ Floral Court, with quaint Mediterranean village vibes; and North London’s The Lighterman, where long lunches with friends take place canalside. But this is only the start of London’s best outdoor restaurants – we’ve curated a list of 28 CF favourites here.
9. See Keith Haring’s Subway Drawings at Moco Museum
Just across the road from Marble Arch tube station, a 1980’s New York subway has popped up – and for the next two and a half months it’s home to 20 of the late Keith Haring’s subway drawings. Created with speed, beside the train tracks underneath the Big Apple, “these subway drawings are where his voice became public, direct, generous, and fearless,” says Kim Prins, founder of Moco Museum, referring to his early-years practice of using white chalk on underground advertising boards before he rose to international acclaim. At the time Haring’s drawings were uncommissioned and, by many, unwanted – often considered public graffiti and quickly removed. Some remained however, and, 36 years after his death, are being showcased at Moco Museum London. Voice of the Street – Keith Haring’s Subway Drawings invites us to view his early works, long before his art reached gallery walls.
Now until 18 June 2026
Address: Moco Museum, 1-4 Marble Arch, London, W2 2UH
Book here.
10. Discover Global Culture and Influences Right on your Doorstep
Travel to Saudi, Syria, Iberia or India this weekend, all without leaving London. Women in Travel CIC’s intimate, female-led tours take you on a multicultural journey throughout our city, each through the eyes of women. Food is a big part of each tour, but so are personal insights into the traditions of each country, via history, art, architecture, literature, music and more. Brought to life by guides with real-life knowledge, understanding, ties and connections to each culture, these tours go beyond sightseeing and delve deep into the stories and fabric of each society, showcasing how they have influenced the UK capital. You might taste Syrian manoushe for breakfast, drink Saudi coffee for lunch, eat Indian sweets for dessert or drink Iberian wine by the Thames, all while tracing the global influences – trade, migration, design and cultural ties – that make London, well, London.
Saturday 4 April, times and prices vary
Find out more and book here
11. Visit Tracey Emin’s largest ever exhibition, A Second Life, at Tate Britain
Life, love, heartbreak, pain, suffering and hope – you’ll feel all of this and much more throughout Tracey Emin’s new (and largest ever) exhibition, open now at Tate Britain. Emin’s work has always been all encompassing of human nature, and in this landmark exhibition we’re invited – no drawn – further into her world, heart and feelings with such real and raw human emotion that it would be futile to try to escape its intensity. Through more than 100 of her mixed-media works – paintings, textiles, sculpture, video, and her globally recognised neon pieces – and spanning 40 years of her career, this is about as moving as an art exhibition can get. Emin is without a doubt one of the most significant artists of our generation, yet her work has come to define us all; the way we love and cry, work and grieve. The way we live. This is one of the must-see exhibitions of 2026.
Now until 31 August 2026
Address: Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG
Book tickets here
12. Brush up on samurai history at the British Museum
Utagawa Kuniyoshi Night Attack ofChūshingura 1851–2. Japan © The Trustees of the British Museum
Revealing both the reality and myths of Japan’s warrior class, Samurai at The British Museum tells the true stories behind the legends so widely depicted in popular culture. “Much of what we think we know about samurai is invented tradition,” reads the museum’s website, but this exhibition delves into the real samurai culture – of both men and women. Battle gear is on display, but also pieces pertaining to how the samurai operated during times of peace, becoming poets and painters, for example. Discover the truth behind the tales via armour, but also paintings, photographs and textiles, and spend time exploring modern-but-not-always-accurate popular-culture depictions of the samurai too, examined here via video games like Assassin’s Creed and a Louis Vuitton outfit inspired by the 1,000-year-old culture.
Now until 4 May 2026
Adults from £23, Members and under-16s free.
Address: Room 30, The Sainsbury Exhibitions Gallery, The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG
Find out more and book tickets here
13. Go for hot chocolate with friends
We never need an excuse to pick up a sumptuous hot chocolate. Some of our favourites include Knoops which is made from melted chocolate buttons in varying percentages (100 per cent extra dark chocolate, please); Chin Chin ice cream’s theatrically presented mugs with blow-torched marshmallows; and Badiani’s version, served in a tall glass mug topped with whipped cream and a wafer biscuit. But London has loads of wonderful hot chocolates on offer throughout every borough; no matter where you find yourself this weekend, there’s a cup of the good stuff nearby. Find more inspiration here.
14. Pop into Claridge’s Bakery
Jammy Dodger’s just got chic. Yes, you read that right, and it’s all thanks to Claridge’s Bakery. This new opening is adjacent to London’s grande dame hotel, Claridge’s, and led by acclaimed chef and baker Richard Hart. Designed to celebrate British baking, stop by for a selection of nostalgic favourites: Scotch Eggs and Marmite Cheese Straws, for example, alongside sweet treats like Bakewell Tarts, Walnut Whips and the now not-so-humble Jammy Dodger.
Monday – Friday, 8am – 4pm; Saturday – Sunday: 9am – 4pm
Address: Brook’s Mews, London W1K 4HR
15. Eat a Georgian feast at this restaurant
There’s a very exciting new restaurant in London, and it’s on one of the capital’s best streets for foodies. Welcome to DakaDaka. Taking up no. 10 in a row of notable restaurants and calling established names like Heddon Street Kitchen, Piccolino, Ambassadors Clubhouse, Fonda and Sabor neighbours, this two-storey modern Georgian restaurant places emphasis on open-fire cooking with dishes spanning makhali (grill) – beef ribs, pork chops, John Dory – and other Georgian favourites like khachapuri (stuffed flatbread), shampuri (skewers) and khemsi (small plates). The wine list is curated to celebrate Georgia’s 8,000-year winemaking heritage.
Address: 10 Heddon St, London W1B 4BX
Book here
16. Try a Michelin-starred breakfast tasting menu
Move over Michelin-starred evening tasting menus, London’s first ever Michelin-starred breakfast tasting menu has launched. Pull up a chair at Pavyllon at Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane to try it. Created by executive chef Benjamin Ferra y Castell, and under the guidance of chef Yannick Alléno, this five-course menu comprises dishes like tiramisu pancakes and French toast with freshly pressed juices (or amuse-juice as the restaurant has named them), pastries by chef Francesco Mannino and Eggs Royale – go all out with added caviar.
Available from 6.30am on Saturdays and 7am Sundays, until 10.30am
£70 per person with an optional drinks pairing for an additional £20pp
Book here
17. Flow Into The Weekend With Sunrise Yoga at art’otel Battersea
Start your weekend as you (perhaps) mean to go on at art’otel Battersea, where sunrise yoga kicks off at 7.30am sharp on Saturday 11 April. Taking place in Perola Bar on the hotel’s 14th floor, one-hour gentle flow yoga classes are led by @jinisyogi. Overlooking the Battersea Power Station chimneys and with breakfast included (coffee or juice and a pastry), this is one very good reason to get up and go this weekend.
Starts at 7.30am. Equipment provided.
Address: 1 Electric Boulevard, London SW11 8BJ
Find out more and book here
18. Dine At This Mayfair Hotspot
Brought to you by Serdar Demir, the man behind Turkish fine-dining restaurant The Mantl in Knightsbridge, and spread across three floors, Chargal uses oak-charcoal cooking to serve up delicious plates of mezze (kuru cacık, hummus, muhammara, manti and more) alongside main dishes like pistachio lamb cutlets, lamb fillet with smoked aubergine, and a fish platter comprising scallops, sea bass, octopus and carabinero prawn. Don’t miss the dark chocolate sorbet made with fennel pollen and olive oil for dessert.
Address:11 Berkeley Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 8DS
Book here
19. Enjoy The Traitors: Live Experience with friends
Were you hooked on the latest season of The Traitors? If you’re missing the twists and turns of the show and are convinced your tactics would leave you with the trophy then it’s time to find out if you’re right. Let out steam with family and friends at The Traitors: Live Experience in Covent Garden, where you become just like a contestant in the show. The experience lasts about two hours (longer if you fancy taking it to the bar) as you’ll be sent missions to win and conversations to start. Let the lies (or is it the truth?!) all come flowing out… Ella Mansell
Address: 60 Short’s Gardens, Covent Garden, WC2H 9AH
Tickets start from £29.50
Book here
20. Drinks with the girls at Kitty Hawk
Address: 8 St. Martin’s Place, London, WC2N 4JH
21. Take a Day Trip
While not technically in London, all of these trips are very easy to reach from London – whether for the day or overnight. Top spots include Bath to warm up in the spa waters; Oxford to spot the university (and Harry Potter) landmarks; Canterbury to see the cathedral; Winchester to pick up a sale bargain on a historic high street; The Cotswolds for winter rambles; Margate to blow the cobwebs away on a beach walk; and Brighton to shop the pretty lanes (and Laines). All are less than two hours from London.
22. Step into the wonderful world of Wes Anderson at The Design Museum
Wes Anderson’s characteristic visual symmetry, funky colour schemes, tongue-in-cheek exaggeration, but often serious plot lines, are known to all – avid fans or not, his films are inescapable. This Design Museum exhibition is a behind-the-scenes snapshot into the incredible productions, as over 700 items from the archives are on display for the first time ever in the UK, marking the first ever retrospective of the filmmaker. The exhibition is arranged largely chronologically, sectioned out by film. In each, marvel over everything from the colourful costumes, clips from the movies, mini set replicas (the entire Darjeeling Express included), on-set BTS stills, soundtrack snippets, and all the props you could think of, from sketches, to books, to typewriters to perfume bottles, and even the iron tasseled keys from The Grand Budapest Hotel near a scaled model of the entire hotel. As co-curator and chief curatorial director of the Design Museum, Lucia Savi explains, Wes Anderson’s “extraordinary archive is testament to his unique cinematic approach,” and this exhibition is a wonderful prompt to revisit your favourites from his work. Ella Mansell
Wes Anderson: The Archives is open now until 26 July 2026 at the Design Museum.
Address: 224-238 Kensington High St, London W8 6AG, United Kingdom
Book here
23. Hunker down in a Soho Listening Bar
Image Credit: Eleonora Boscarelli
Weather not quite what you’d hoped this weekend? It’s time to settle into a Tokyo-style underground bar. Listening bars have become all the rage across the world – including right here in London. The Listening Room, inside Wardour Street’s MOI restaurant, is a Japanese-inspired grill and omakase bar. An intimate lounge-bar on the lower ground floor of the restaurant, this space serves small plates, sushi and low-intervention wine, sake and cocktails – and all with music at its centre. Live DJ nights at weekends are a mix of digital and vinyl sets, and the sound system is sharp – boosted by the expertise of London-founded audio specialist Friendly Pressure.
Address: The Listening Bar, MOI , 84 Wardour St, Soho, London, W1F 0TQ
Walk-ins welcome, or book a table here
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