This Month in London: May Edition
Jam-packed with an iconic London walking route, fun day trips that offer something a little different, and some cool things to do around London this month
Hi there!
‘This Month in London’ is a blend of personal reflections and curated recommendations. Each month, I’ll share seasonal happenings, local gems, and everyday discoveries alongside thoughts on travel, personal growth, and intentional living. Whether you live here or are planning a visit, this monthly series offers a guide to exploring both London and yourself with curiosity, savoring the ordinary and extraordinary alike.
May so far has been a mix of enjoying quality time in London and its surroundings while planning for upcoming travels. Aside from the last couple of days, the weather has been spectacular, perfect for slower days in the city and fun day trips.
I hadn’t yet lived in London in spring/summer 2020 but I’ve been seeing many people say that the gorgeous weather so far this spring is akin to that period of time. It has been wildly beautiful and the energy is HIGH! I keep thinking about people who are visiting London right now and how lucky they are to see it like this.
That said, this month’s edition will be based around some fabulous ways to experience the city and some surrounding areas including:
An iconic London walking route that I often revisit
An easy day trip, just 20 minutes by train from London
A winery that is reachable by train - yes, there are vineyards in the UK!
And what has become one of my favorite seaside day trips
I’ve compiled some great spots worth exploring - places where I’d send my friends - and hope it inspires you to experience somewhere new, or perhaps return to some spots you love.
Day Trips From London
First, let’s head outside of the city.
Over the last couple of weekends, I’ve taken some day trips that I’d really recommend for this spring and summer, even into the fall. Each of these are very reachable by train from central London and would be great for both locals and visitors alike!
A historic day trip near London: St. Albans
On Friday of the long Easter weekend, we were looking for an easy day trip; some time outside of the city but without the commitment of a more complex journey. We settled on St. Albans, which was perfect and ticked all of our boxes. It’s such a charming town steeped in medieval and Roman history, and offered the perfect mix of green space, great food, and character.
All of this, just a quick 20 minute train ride from London. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly the hustle and bustle of the city gives way to the tranquility of the countryside.
Where I’d send my friends in St. Albans:
When you get off the train, head to Charlie’s Coffee Company to grab a coffee for your stroll into the center where you’ll stop at Proto Artisan Bakery for a pastry.
If you love a bookstore as much as I do, I recommend that you spend some time perusing Books On The Hill which is a short distance away from Proto.
Caffeinated and sustained, go and check out St. Albans Cathedral, which has the longest nave in England, a Norman tower constructed from Roman bricks, with a beautifully painted ceiling.
After you taken in the history of the cathedral, head over to Verulamium Park which stands on the site of the Roman city of Verulamium. There isn’t too much to see by way of actual ruins, except for a bit of the wall and a small section of mosaic flooring from an AD 200 townhouse, but there is a museum where you can learn more and it’s really neat to walk where the ancient Romans once lived. Nearby to the museum and park there are also remains of a Roman theater, which we did not get to see due to timing.
You’ll likely have worked up an appetite by now so I would suggest checking out one of the various great looking pubs, or do as we did and indulge in some BBQ at Craft and Cleaver.
Save room for dessert though, because The Pudding Stop is a cafe dedicated entirely to dessert and it was very good. Pudding Stop, if you’re reading this, I think you would do great in London.
From here, you can stroll around the town a bit more before grabbing a train back into the city. All in all, we spent around 5-6 hours in St. Albans which was enough time to take in the history, grab a bite to eat, and stop into a few local shops at a unhurried pace.
Kent, the Wine Garden of England: Mount Vineyard
Easter Sunday had us wanting to do something fitting for the holiday so we took a 1-hour train from London Blackfriars to Shoreham (Sevenoaks) with some friends and had ourselves a day. We made a booking at the on-site restaurant at the only time they had available, 4pm, and planned to wander around the village and do a wine tasting beforehand.
We arrived to Shoreham around 1:40pm and had time to stroll through the quaint village, which rivaled the Cotswolds for charm - minus the crowds and with good accessibility from London, especially if you don’t have a car.
Our walk took us down quiet lanes, over a small bridge spanning a babbling brook, and eventually on to a wooded riverside path. Here’s how we spent the afternoon, which includes directions for the walk:
You’ll arrive to the small station in Shoreham and walk along the edge of a field and through the church yard into the village.
Head straight down Church Street, take a right on High Street, a right on Mill Lane and then follow the Darenth Valley Path back towards town for a nice circular loop.
Once you arrive to Mount Vineyard, do a tasting at the shop to get a feel for the vineyard’s wines before going to the restaurant, which services small plates and pizzas, or ordering a pizza on the deck to enjoy with your favorite glass!
Note - be sure to book ahead for the restaurant if you would like to do that. The tasting did not require a pre-booking. There are snacks available at the shop and it seemed you could order a pizza to enjoy outside if you want a more casual dining option.
A day by the ocean: St. Leonard’s on Sea
Over the early May bank holiday weekend, we took the train 1h 40m south to the East Sussex coast. After two visits, I can confidently say it’s one of my favorite day trips from London.
It’s laid back, has some great independent shops, cozy cafes and restaurants, and a thriving creative scene. There’s even a small food hall where quality over quantity reigns supreme. While St. Leonard’s is absolutely worth an entire day all on its own, you do get a two-for-one deal as it’s only a short walk along the coast to Hastings.
Where I’d send my friends in St. Leonard’s on Sea:
When you get off the train at St. Leonard’s Warrior Square, head down Kings Road and pop into whatever shops strike your fancy. If you’re needing a bite, we enjoyed the bagels at Sleeper (where you get a mini ice cream cone with every filled bagel purchased). Walk around the corner for a coffee at Folks and pick up some pretty greeting cards to add to your stash!
If, like us, you are eager to get down to the sea then head straight there. The view down London Road will be calling you at this point!
If you’re not ready to laze by the water yet, then check out the shops on Norman Road where you’ll find a pleasing mix of vintage and antiques shops as well as homewares and clothing boutiques.
Once you’ve wandered around a bit, maybe by this point you are ready for a bite to eat. We’ve approached St. Leonard’s as a bit of a culinary adventure on both of our past trips as it’s hard to settle on just one spot! So don’t shy away from stopping in for some bites at a few different places.
We really enjoyed Heist Market and Goat Ledge with its unbeatable setting.
Still on our list are: Bistro ALBO, BAYTE, Farmyard, Colombo 16, and St Clement's Restaurant.
If the weather permits, take a dip in the sea and attempt to find a comfortable spot on the rocky beach to nestle into for a bit. It was very soothing to listen to the water crash against the shoreline dragging the rocks along on its way back out.
You may choose to walk west along the beach and then back towards St. Leonard’s on the path overlooking the water where you could stop into Dark Circles for a great coffee and to browse the records at the back of the shop. Alternatively - or in addition to - you could walk east to Hastings or stop midway and chill out at Selkie Seafood Bar and/or Starsky and Hatch, both of which are located in Bottle Alley with seating directly on the beach.
Before catching the train back to London, and if you still have room, stop into Collected Fictions for a craft beer or natural wine. Tell them what you like and they’ll pour you the perfect glass to close out a spectacular day by the sea!
Now back to London with a walking route that strings together many of its most iconic sights, as well as some things on my radar for this month.
An Iconic London Walking Route
Every so often, my husband and I take a stroll around some of London’s most iconic spots as a firm reminder that yes, we get to call this incredible city home - and wow, aren’t we so lucky to?
No matter how long you’ve lived in London, it will never ever, ever, ever get old to hear the chime of Big Ben, take in the atmosphere along the bank of the Thames, walk through St. James Park and catch that incredible view of the London Eye peering over the treeline or Buckingham Palace standing grandly in the distance (you can catch both of these views from The Blue Bridge).
Walking or cycling down Regents Street towards Piccadilly with double deckers and black cabs zooming past and the Union Jack (or Christmas lights starting from early November) decorating the streets overhead, or peering down Lower Regents Street from Piccadilly to see Big Ben framed beautifully ahead of you, will become etched in your mind. These moments and sights are what people dream of seeing when they come to London and so I wanted to share the perfect walking route for you to take them all in for your next visit - or if you just need a little ‘I love London’ moment.
Here’s the plan:
Starting from Oxford Circus, head down Regents Street towards Piccadilly Circus. You may want to veer off on the way to stroll down Carnaby, especially if it is Christmastime where they have their own lights display.
You also won’t be far from some iconic spots like Liberty, Savile Row, Burlington Arcade, Bond Street, The Royal Arcade, Piccadilly Arcade, Royal Academy of Arts, and Fortnum & Mason if you fancy a side quest.
Eventually, you’ll want to arrive to end up in Piccadilly Circus. While it is chaotic and you will not spend a lot of time here, it is one of London’s iconic spots with large neon signs and beautiful architecture.
Once in Piccadilly Circus, head down Lower Regents Street (the Shaftesbury Fountain will be on your left at this point). Follow this down to The Mall. If you’ve never seen Buckingham Palace before then take a right down The Mall to admire it before heading into St. James Park.
Stroll through St. James Park, eventually finding your way to The Blue Bridge to take in some great vistas. From here, it’s worth it to walk through the grand Horse Guards Parade through to Whitehall.
Head south on Whitehall - and this one doesn’t need much explaining because you’ll immediately see where you’re headed - to Big Ben and Westminster.
Walk up past Big Ben to Victoria Embankment where you’ll be heading towards Golden Jubilee Bridge for a spectacular view over the Thames before following Northumberland Ave to Trafalgar Square.
If your feet still want to keep going then you could explore more of this area including places like Seven Dials, Covent Garden, and Soho. Soho has some great spots for dinner and drinks if, at this point, it’s that time!
May in London
Now, on to some things that look cool to check out this month.
BLAST: New Works by Dominic Beattie, 28 March - 12 May and 23 May - 8 June at the Saatchi Gallery
Maro Gorky: The Thread of Colour, 28 March - 12 May and 23 May - 8 June, also at the Saatchi Gallery
Ceramic Art London will be running between May 9-11th at Olympia West and will be showcasing work from ceramic artists from the UK and around the world.
The V&A East Storehouse opens this month in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and will offer a behind-the-scenes look at how and where the museum catalogues it’s extensive collection of artifacts.
I wanted to share this helpful resource which lists all of the current and upcoming exhibitions, in both museums and galleries, in London.
Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta could be passing through the London sky on either May 11th or July 27th.
It wouldn’t be a This Month in London post without sharing some of the cafes and restaurants that I’d like to try!
Inspired by our trip to Japan later this year, I’ve been searching out Japanese spots. We’ve been to a few recently and next on my list are: Kissa Wa Cafe, Sakurado, and HIMI.
Going back to Dusty Knuckle for their famed pizza night has been living rent free in my mind, so that is most certainly on the list.
Cafes that come to mind to try include: Prufrock, Profile, and Frothee. I also want to go and get the Pistachio Tiramisu Matcha Latte at JENKI, which is on the menu through the end of the month.
On my radar for the upcoming warmer months
I’d like to see a show at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theater. I went to one a few years ago and it was such a unique experience - I’ve been looking forward to going back!
Taking a dip at a swimming pond on Hampstead Heath. Wild swimming is quintessential to British life and as I’ve been aiming to spend more time in nature, I think this would be a great way to do it.
I think that’s about it for now! As always, thank you so much for taking the time to read my posts. If you enjoyed it and know someone else who also would, or someone who is visiting from London, I’d love for you to share this with them! And if you make it to any of these spots or have suggestions for me, I’m allllllways all ears!!
Wishing you a lovely May with fingers tightly crossed for many more days of sunshine this month - and season!
Great guide!! Also excited to dip into hampstead heath ponds this summer. Kissa wa is lovely, I also recommend toconoco for a cozy japanese spot on regents canal. And helma is one of my fave cafes to check out in n1 if you haven’t been yet! Enjoy the sunny days ahead ☀️