May in London is such a perfect time. Longer days, warmer weather, two sets of bank holidays… And there’s about a million things to do. Also, this year there’s a Coronation. So grab your exploring shoes and let’s go!

Here’s your hand-picked list of interesting things to do in London this May.

06 May: The Coronation of King Charles III

WHAT: Ah yes, the Coronation of King Charles. You might have heard about that one. It’s on May 6th, and the coronation route will be open from 6am. No chairs allowed. The Coronation itself starts at 10:20, when King Charles and Queen Camilla will make their way, slowly, from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey in a gilded carriage.

The service is at 11:00 and last 2 hours, after which the royal couple will make their way back to Buckingham Palace in another gilded carriage, although calling that one a gilded carriage is like saying water’s a bit wet. (It’s also apparently very uncomfortable, according to the late Queen Elizabeth.) Back at Buckingham Palace at 13:30, and then a short balcony appearance 14:30 and then that’s the end of the event (at 14:45).

There will be screening sites in Hyde Park, Green Park and St James Park. Hype Park opens at 5am, the other 2 sites at 6am. Oh yeah, and your local pub will probably screen it too…

WHEN: 06 May, 10:20 to 14:45

WHERE: Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST: Free

More info: on the coronation page on the uk.gov website.

Anything else? If you missed the event, or want to relive it, the BBC has extensive coronation coverage.

Until 08 May: Ukraine: “Photographs from the Frontline” at the Imperial War Museum

WHAT: Powerful images from life in Ukraine taken by photojournalist Anastasia Taylor-Lind, taken between 2014 (when Russian forces annexed Crimea) and June 2022.

WHEN: until 08 May

WHERE: Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Rd, SE1 6HZ, Lambeth

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST: Free

More info here: https://www.iwm.org.uk/events/iwm-london-ukraine-exhibition

From 08 May to 14 May: London Craft Week

WHAT: This is to crafts what London Fashion Week is to clothes. From 3D printing to Textile making, as well as the more expected disciplines of ceramics and jewellery making, there are talks, workshops, guided tours, and even online events. Catch the work of over 700 designers, makers and brands and celebrate craftsmanship!

WHEN: from 08 May to 14 May

WHERE: Various venues

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST: Varies

More info: here’s the full programme.

From 11 May to 14 May: Photo London

WHAT: Fine art photography show, with exhibitions, workshops, talks and awards. And while you’re in the area, why not visit Temple Gardens?

WHEN: from 11 May to 14 May

WHERE: Somerset House, Strand, WC2R 1LA, Temple

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST: £32

More info: on the London photo website.

Starting on 19 May: Sarah Sze, “The Waiting Room”

WHAT: A multimedia installation? sculpture? reflection on our modern world? created by New York based artist Sarah Sze. Set in a Victorian waiting room at Peckham Rye train station that has not been open to the public since the 60s.

WHEN: from 19 May to 16 Sep

WHERE: Peckham Rye Station, Station Way, SE15 4RX, Peckham

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST: Free

More info here: https://www.artangel.org.uk/project/sarah-sze/

Also starting on 19 May: “Indo + Caribbean, the creation of a culture” at the Museum of London Docklands

WHAT: “a chance to learn more about Britain’s colonial footprint and the diverse communities from the Caribbean that have enriched our city.”

WHEN: from 19 May to 19 Nov

WHERE: Museum of London Docklands, No 1, West India Quay, Hertsmere Rd, E14 4AL, Canary Wharf

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST: Free

More info here: https://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/museum-london-docklands/whats-on/exhibitions/indo-caribbean

From 20 May to 28 May: The Chelsea Fringe Festival

WHAT: An “alternative” Chelsea Flower Show? Not many flowers, but talks, tours and workshops on permaculture, natural dyes and pigment making, delft painting, as well as community gardens visits. Not all events are in London, in fact not all events are in the UK, but London is well represented nevertheless. Also – free pizza!!!!!!

WHEN: from 20 May to 28 May

WHERE: Various locations

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST: variable

More info here: https://chelseafringe.com/event-search/

Until 21 May: “Magdalena Abakanowicz: Every Tangle of Thread and Rope” at Tate Modern

WHAT: I dare say you’ll never look at wool the same way if you visit this. Magdalena Abakanowicz’ sculptures are towering pieces, and their impact is all the stronger for being made from humble wool fibre. Striking doesn’t even start to convey their impact.

WHEN: until 21 May

WHERE: Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG, South Bank

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST: £16

More info here: https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/magdalena-abakanowicz

From 22 May to 28/29 May: Chelsea in Bloom and Belgravia in Bloom

WHAT: Flowers, flowers, flowers. Flowers everywhere, in amazing displays that put the art in floristry. This year theme is “Into the Wild”, so expect lots of fantastic creatures. Here you can get a taste of the amazing creations on display.

WHEN: Belgravia in Bloom is from the 22 May to 29 May; Chelsea in Bloom is from the 22 May to 28 May.

WHERE: Various locations around Belgravia and Chelsea.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST: Free

More info here: Chelsea in Bloom | Belgravia in Bloom

From 23 May to 25 May: Clerkenwell Design Week

WHAT: Talks, showroom visits and street installations around Clerkenwell. The most intriguing installation, for me, is undoubtedly “Symbiocene Living” by PLP Architecture (“artistic mycelium installation that encourages the public to envision and engage with fungi architecture“) on St John’s Square. What’s your favourite? Pssst… while you’re there, do visit the garden of the museum of St John, it’s so lovely!

WHEN: from 23 May to 25 May

WHERE: Various locations in Clerkenwell

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST: Varies, street installations are free.

More info here: https://www.clerkenwelldesignweek.com/

And also: while you’re in the area, why not explore the great little independent shops ofClerkenwell?