Spring Renaissance
Discover how to spend Spring in the city
As Spring slowly begins to settle in, throughout the month of April our minds turn to lighter evenings, al fresco dining and drinking, and rediscovering the city from the outdoors, basked in the warmer weather. As nature takes centre stage again and the sun shines brighter, there are plenty of ways to spend your time in the city. From sport races, nature inspired exhibitions, outdoor evenings or family moments, April is bursting with spring events in London guaranteed to keep you busy.
Alfresco Dining Is So Back
There’s nothing Londoners love more than a refreshing pint or delicious meal sat outside amid the city around them, and we know as soon as the sun comes out everyone’s in search for where to eat outside in London. The Brush Grand Café’s terrace puts you right in the centre of the Shoreditch neighbourhood with a spacious outdoor seating area spanning the outside of the restaurant. Looking out onto the buzz of the area, it’s the perfect people watching spot, with heaters and blankets to keep you cosy – even as the sun goes down.
If you’d rather admire the city from above, then head up to our 25th floor restaurant Solaya which boasts beautiful sun-soaked terraces with dazzling 360 views of London below. Paired with delicious French Mediterranean food and an imaginative cocktail list, you’ll find a dreamy spot to spend a leisurely evening. It’s set to be one of the best outdoor terraces in London.
For those after an outdoor watering hole, check out The Strongroom, just off Rivington Street, which features the biggest beer garden in Shoreditch in the form of a heated covered courtyard. Enjoy all your favourite classic pints, sourdough pizza and a dynamic line-up of live music nights. Head further into Shoreditch and you’ll find your new regular spot tucked away out the back of the popular The Crown and Shuttle. Your classic pub garden right in the heart of the neighbourhood – nothing fancy, just the great atmosphere and perfectly poured pints.
A Spring Day Out
April is the month to remember what it feels like to spend an entire day outside, without racing to a warmer refuge, making it the ideal time for the two iconic sporting events: the London Marathon and the Oxford vs Cambridge Boat Race. Whether you know someone competing, or just love being immersed in the energetic atmosphere and camaraderie of the crowds, it’s always guaranteed to be a good day out.
For the best spots in the London marathon route, we’d suggest watching from the Tower Bridge, St James Park or The Mall opposite Buckingham Palace. For the boat race, there are plenty of riverside pubs where you can catch the race whilst enjoying easy conversation over your favourite drinks. We’d recommend The Blue Anchor, an idyllic riverside pub that has tables perched right by the water. You’ll have a premium view for watching the race from here, but make sure to arrive early to secure the best spot.
If spending a day watching sport doesn’t float your boat, but an artistic endeavour is calling your name, check out our Gallery Stroll with Nimi where you can appreciate the beauty of the city from the inside and out, as you move from one gallery to another. Discover hidden gems, weave through exhibitions and connect with fellow art lovers.
A Celebration of Nature and Creativity
With so much beauty to be found in the natural world around us, it’s no wonder that nature is often the muse for art. Spring art exhibitions to see in London include our own gallery showcase: Dan Hoopert’s digital exhibition “A Conversation Between Trees” which invites viewers into an immersive exploration of the subtle exchanges that occur within forest ecosystems. Drawing on 3D scan data captured in Epping Forest, the work translates the hidden communication networks of trees and plant life into a dynamic world of light and sound – making it one of the most captivating art exhibitions in London this season.
Across the city, the Natural History Museum offers another standout in the line-up of spring exhibitions in London with their immersive experience “Our Story”, narrated by the one and only David Attenborough. These captivating projections guide guests through 4.5 billion years of Earth and all the stages of nature throughout time, set to the comforting sound of Attenborough’s voice, inviting you to witness the birth of life on our planet and it’s evolution ever since.
Your Family Basecamp
The Easter holidays in London make for an ideal setting to whisk your family away on a city break. The weather isn’t too hot for the kids, but it’s sunnier and it’s drier, meaning you can walk from place to place, without having to fight your way through the tube. At art’otel London Hoxton, we have the perfect set up for a family staycation in London. With studios and inter-connecting rooms to keep everyone close together, a swimming pool to let off that extra energy and family-friendly dining in The Brush Grand Café, you’ll have everything you need for a fun‑filled escape.
As for things to do in London with kids in April, we’ve got you sorted. Over the Easter weekend our film-house returns with a specially themed event; a curated lunch with a kid’s menu on offer and an Orange Blossom Kinder surprise for dessert, paired with a screening of either Wonka or Peter Rabbit in our cosy cinema room. For those who want to dive into a hands-on creative moment, our Artist in Residence Kate Adelskaya will be running a family friendly tracing workshop where you’ll leave with your own piece of layered collage.
Throughout the month of April, the Spring renaissance takes hold as sunnier days call for long terrace lunches, pub garden weekends, and days spent wandering around the city with an unhurried ease. Whether you’re here to visit with family, to catch a glimpse of the marathon or Boat Race, or simply a local reconnecting with the city, it’s the perfect month to be in London.
