Investigate the genius of Christopher Wren and his ever-enquiring mind in this new exhibition at St Paul's Cathedral - said to be Wren's masterpiece.
Spring has officially arrived and with the weather starting to warm up, April is one of the best times to visit the City of London.
From marvelling at glorious blooms to exploring 2,000-year-old history, here are just some of the fantastic things to see & do this April.
1. Visit one of Roman London’s most fascinating remains
Beneath the curious old pathways of the City of London lies Billingsgate Roman House and Baths, a rich piece of Roman history surviving 2,000 years of building, fires and bombings.
The Billingsgate Roman House and Baths are one of Roman London’s most fascinating remains. First built around A.D. 150 then extended a hundred years later, it was occupied right through to the end of Roman London in the early 5th century A.D.
You can get close to the protected archaeological remains, which are preserved in immaculate condition, as if the archaeologists have just left the site.
Public tours of Billingsgate Roman House and Baths take place on Saturdays between April and November and advance booking is required. Tours will start this year from Saturday 13 April.
Tickets cost £12 per adult and £10 per child 14 years old or under (additional booking fee applies). Suitable for ages 8+.
2. Discover a fresh perspective on London at Guildhall Art Gallery’s latest exhibition
Anne Desmet: Kaleidoscope/London Exhibition opens its doors this month in Guildhall Art Gallery. From 12 April 2024 - 12 January 2025, visitors will be able to explore 150 artworks that offer a fresh perspective on London, its architecture and geography by multi-award-winning wood engraver Anne Desmet RA.
A deeply personal and endlessly imaginative show, Desmet has spoken candidly about her inspiration for the new work, pointing to “wild scattergun thoughts running through my mind” while undergoing treatment for cancer two years ago and looking at a fragmented view of the world through a toy kaleidoscope.
Entry to the exhibition is “pay what you can”.
3. Visit the "Instagrammable" Balloon Museum before it goes
The immersive Balloon Museum is a unique exhibition that explores the relationship between art and emotions through the captivating medium of inflatable art.
In the exhibition, twenty artists interpret and present works related to specific emotions or behaviours influenced by them.
Visitors are invited to interact with the installations - from jumping into the balloon ball pit and snapping selfies in the inflatable exhibits there’s lots of fun to be had.
The Balloon Museum is open until 14 April.
Photograph: The Balloon Museum / Photo by Matt Chung
4. Explore the world of Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire, but spent the greatest part of his life in London. Much of his time in the capital was spent living and working in the City of London.
A lot of Shakespeare’s Elizabethan London was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666 but you can still find places in the City where he lived, wrote, socialised, prayed, watched his plays and (probably) found his inspiration.
When exploring the City you will be able to see the site of the only home he owned in London, the site of the Blackfriars Playhouse theatre and a magnificent memorial to two of Shakespeare's fellow actors. Plus, you will also be able to find Middle Temple Hall where the first recorded performance of Twelfth Night took place in 1602.
Pick up a free self-guided map from the City Information Centre, near St Pauls Cathedral, to find the places where Shakespeare lived, worked and socialised in the City.
To round out your day of exploration, plan a visit to Guildhall Library, where until 29 August you will be able to examine the history of the printing of William Shakespeare’s plays.
5. Take part in the Great Leadenhall Goose Chase
Leadenhall Market’s popular Great Goose Chase is back this month, with a series of “eggstraordinary” challenges in and around the Victorian market, giving participants the chance to win Old Tom’s trophy (named after the legendary Market gander) and £500 to spend in Leadenhall Market’s boutique shops and restaurants.
In the tale of Old Tom, it’s said that a gander (a male goose) from Ostend came to England in 19th century by chance, following female members of his flock. At that time, Leadenhall Market was a centre for poultry trade – but Old Tom managed to avoid slaughter and became a Market celebrity! He lived for 38 years and was often found being fed at The Lamb Tavern. Today, visitors can enjoy a drink at the Lamb Tavern’s Old Tom’s Bar, and the Golden Goose pub.
The Great Goose Chase will have brand new tasks this year, which range from performing a song on the Market’s famous cobbled lanes, locating specific items in shops, to recreating the famous Harry Potter scene that was filmed in the Market.
The event is free and open to all ages from 1-30 April.
Leadenhall Market, London © Lucy Young
6. Get front row seats to watch every thrilling Grand Prix™ live on huge screens
Are you ready for the biggest Grand Prix™ season yet? The F1 Arcade is one of the best places to watch every thrilling Grand Prix™ live on huge screens with unlimited sim racing, entertainment, prizes, and DJs providing an electric atmosphere.
7. Plan a special Easter getaway
Andaz London is a stylish and sleek hotel in the City of London and is the ultimate treat if you’re looking to plan a special getaway this Easter. While you’re there enjoy a special Easter Brunch at Rake's Cafe Bar, or a delicious Easter set course menu at their Eastway Brasserie for £49 per person.
There’s also a 25% discount on stays this Easter at Andaz London and to make it even sweeter there’s a thrilling Easter egg hunt through the hotel's enchanting spaces.
8. Outdoor spots for a bit of spring sun
If you’re looking to soak up the spring sun, why not dine al fresco on the sunken lawn at Festival Garden next to St Paul’s Cathedral, step into a secret garden in church ruins at St Dunstan in the East or visit an indoor tropical oasis at the Barbican Conservatory.
This month you will be able to see City Gardens and green spaces bursting with colourful flowers including perfect pink cherry blossom in Aldgate Square and other locations (early April); creamy-pink magnolias in St Mary Aldermanbury Garden (early April), and bright red and pink tea peonies in Cleary Garden (from mid April). With 180 green spaces across the City, there’s a wide range of places to explore and relax.
9. See the Barbican Lakeside Terrace transformed by an incredible new installation
This month, the Barbican’s famous Lakeside Terrace will be transformed dramatically by an incredible new piece of artwork that will envelop the building’s iconic concrete exterior with approximately 2,000 square metres of bespoke woven cloth.
Purple Hibiscus by Ibrahim Mahama is an ambitious new commission created in collaboration with hundreds of craftspeople from Tamale in Ghana. The work has been woven and then sewn by hand to produce colossal panels of pink and purple fabric that will be fitted to the brutalist planes of the Barbican’s Lakeside façade, from 10 April – 18 August.
The commission forms part of the Unravel: The Power & Politics of Textiles in Art exhibition, taking place in the Barbican Art Gallery until May 2024.
Courtesy of Ibrahim Mahama, Red Clay Tamale, Barbican Centre, London and White Cube
10. Find Easter themed activities for all the family to enjoy
Keep the whole family entertained over the Easter holidays with our roundup of 5 brilliant things to do during the Easter holidays in the City of London.
From immersive experiences to Easter Egg hunts plan a fun-filled Easter break in the City.
Photograph: Family craft activities © Bank of England Museum
11. Explore the City while cheering on the London Landmarks Half Marathon
London Landmarks Half Marathon (LLHM) will be returning on Sunday 7 April for its 7th edition, with over 18,500 runners taking part. The event is incredibly special as it is organised by Tommy’s the baby charity, and is a 100% not-for-profit event partnering with 500+ charities. On the day there will be local music and dance acts, historical activations, free guided history tours as well as themed charity cheer stations.
Here are just some of the brilliant activations happening on the day:
- In Guildhall Yard, prepare yourself for gladiator fighting, centurion drilling and plenty of fun celebrating Londinium life at a Roman Reception. Plus, don’t miss your chance to grab a selfie with a gladiator. You can also combine this with a free visit to London’s Roman Amphitheatre, the well-preserved Roman ruins in which crowds would once have gathered to watch gladiatorial combats - entrance is via the Guildhall Art Gallery.
- Rock Choir, the world’s largest contemporary choir, will also be performing in Guildhall Yard once again, uplifting runners at the mile 6.5 mark with their infectious energy and powerful tunes. Not only is it a runner highlight, but it is one of their recommended spots for supporters to come enjoy the family fun, and cheer on their loved ones.
If you are cheering on your friends or family this year and searching for places to eat there are a variety of restaurants, cafes and bars for all tastes in the City including Zizzi, Pizza Express, Boom Bap Burger and more.
12. Feel inspired for your wedding day planning
One for the Brides and Grooms to be, on 13 April, head down to the Andaz London Wedding Show where you can sip on bubbles, listen to expert talks and be inspired by London's best suppliers.
The enchanting 1901 Ballroom is set to undergo a mesmerising transformation, turning it into a magical venue for the upcoming wedding showcase, with some of the wedding dresses from renowned designer Richard Quinn’s recent fashion show for London Fashion Week being shown on the evening.
From room décor to make-up, flowers to food, they have it all covered. Tickets for this event are free.
13. Join an expert guide on a walk exploring the literary legacy of the City of London
Did you know that the City of London is where the first printing press in England was established, and all written works had to be registered before publication? On this guided walking tour hear stories of the writers who were born and raised in the City, and those like Shakespeare who were drawn here to make their names.
Find out about the court case that destroyed Oscar Wilde’s reputation, and the brave publisher who held out for literary merit in a notorious obscenity trial.
Meet the colleagues who ensured Shakespeare’s plays were saved for posterity, and the priest poet who almost lost it all for love.
We recommend booking your place in advance and you can check out the full schedule of walks from official City of London Guides. From 1 April they will be offering guided walks on two different themes each day.
14. Catch live concerts & performances
From beautiful music in historic locations, to something more modern. Discover a wide range of concerts and performances across the City this month.
- Enjoy a free concert at Guildhall School of Music on 9 April, with Britten Sinfonia’s Magnus Opus 2024-25 launch concert which features the three composers embarking on this year’s edition of Britten Sinfonia’s composer development scheme.
- Kick-start your evening with 60 minutes of music – experience a Half Six Fix with the London Symphony Orchestra. Two performances to choose from this April: Daphnis and Chloé on 10 April; or Vaughan Williams 5 on 17 April.
- Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Axelle Fanyo, one of most promising singers of her generation, who is making a mark on both the opera world and in concert halls. Presented by Temple Music Foundation, Temple Song: Axelle Fanyo takes place in the stunning Middle Temple Hall on 18 April.
- Join 24 brilliant young disabled and non-disabled musicians on 21 April for an uplifting afternoon of music mixing acoustic, electronic and accessible instruments. Feel The Music by National Open Youth Orchestra, is a relaxed performance welcoming of disabled and neurodivergent audiences, families, and anyone else who would benefit from a less formal environment.
- The Olivier award-winning dance theatre company Boy Blue returns with a world premiere that celebrates change and the beauty of perpetual motion. Boy Blue: Cycles takes place at the Barbican from 30 April to 4 May.
