There are three bank holidays on the horizon, as well as the King’s Coronation, half term and events such as Ascot – so May and June are promising to be lively across the country! Here, we’ve rounded up some of the best ways to enjoy spring in England, whether you are visiting from abroad, taking the family for a staycation, or looking to enjoy some downtime while in town for business.
The bank holiday weekend of 6th to 8th May will be an iconic one across the country, as we celebrate the coronation of King Charles. Expect to see plenty of patriotic bunting, jugs of Pimm’s, and even some iconic landmarks lit up in commemoration of the royal event!
The coronation itself will take place at Westminster Abbey on the Saturday, 15 minutes from our Vincent Square apartments, with crowds lining The Mall to glimpse the royal procession. You can also view the ceremony on huge screens across the capital; Grosvenor Square, around 20 minutes’ walk from our Marylebone serviced apartments, is hosting a family-friendly (and free!) Coronation Garden Party from 6th to 7th May. Grab a deckchair to watch the ceremony and the Windsor Castle concert on a cinema-sized screen, snap a souvenir picture on the floral throne, and enjoy some lovely food and drink at local businesses – and dogs are welcome too!
A 16-minute train from our serviced apartments in Canning Town will get you to Stratford’s Roof East, where rooftop cinema returns at the end of April. Enjoy a movie in the evening air before checking out one of the food stalls selling a range of halal, vegan, vegetarian and downright delicious dishes. Roof East Bars offers cocktails, wine and beer, and proceeds from select drinks will go to this year’s charity partner Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM).
If you’re staying in our Tooley Street serviced apartments in London Bridge, you’re well placed to take in some Shakespeare at the open-air Globe Theatre, less than 20 minutes’ walk away in the artsy South Bank area. Popular comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be showing from the end of April, while from mid-May you can catch a revival of the madcap play about mistaken identities, The Comedy of Errors. While in the area, enjoy a meal at Comptoir Libanaise, a bright Lebanese restaurant on Tooley Street; have a drink at tucked-away neighbourhood cocktail bar, Nine Lives; and – of course – check out the iconic landmarks of the Shard, Borough Market and the Tate Modern.
Our Richmond serviced apartments are a great base for a family day out. The world-famous Kew Gardens is only a 10-minute drive away, while the sprawling greenery of Richmond Park can be reached within a 20-minute walk. At Hampton Court Palace, a 25-minute drive away, there’s plenty to do: explore the royal residence or time your visit with one of the many events taking place over May and June, including an Artisan Fayre in the East Front Gardens, open-air concerts for the Hampton Court Palace Festival, and Horrible Histories live on stage. Across the bridge you can enjoy a coffee at dog-friendly Canela Café or eat some delicious (and healthy!) food at riverside restaurant Mezzet Box.
Our serviced apartments in Slough are a mere 15-minutes’ drive from Windsor Castle, which is hosting a range of family-friendly coronation celebration events in May. While in the area, enjoy some retail therapy at Windsor Royal Station, housed in an 1850s rail station! At Windsor Home Park, the Royal Windsor Horse Show is taking place from 11th to 14th May while later in June, Royal Ascot will bring the best of pageantry, dressage and fashion to the area from the 20th to the 24th.
Walking fans will be delighted to know that the St James Way, the English portion of the famous Camino Ingles pilgrim’s route running from Reading Abbey to Southampton, is now waymarked. Tread the path that thousands have followed or join Reading’s first walking festival, taking place 10th to 14th May, where over 40 guided walks will explore the area’s storied heritage and the surrounding countryside – from short one-hour family-friendly strolls to a two-day pilgrim’s path. In June, head to Reading Town Hall, 13 minutes’ walk from our serviced apartments, to view Luke Jerram’s beautiful Gaia installation as part of Reading Climate Festival 2023.
Exchange Buildings is less than 10 minutes’ walk to Bournemouth pier, making our apartments a perfect spot to enjoy a long weekend or the half-term holidays. Take the kids to explore miles of beautiful coastline – the sandy beaches will keep them occupied for hours! – then head to the many waterfront restaurants serving some of the freshest seafood in the South. While we’re all hoping for sunny skies, if the weather doesn’t co-operate simply head to Bournemouth Pier, where the whole family can enjoy an amusement arcade, variety theatre, café, indoor climbing and more. For something a little more grown-up, visit the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum to admire Victorian and pre-Raphaelite art in a beautiful villa.
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Our award-winning portfolio apartments in prime locations across London are all serviced, self-contained and fully furnished; offering you all the comforts of home while you stay. Here's what our guests can expect from every stay.