Upgrade Your Weekend Plans With These 12 Springtime Activities
Looking to upgrade your weekend plans? Spring is well and truly in session, and the city is blossoming with everything from Chelsea Flower Show installations to buzzy seasonal menus. Whether you’re after a limited-edition smashburger collab, a tableside Bloody Mary ritual, or a wander through a landmark new sculpture exhibition, we’ve rounded up the very best ways to spend your time both in and outside of the capital this weekend.
Sink your teeth into this Dumbo x Planque collab
This week, the masters of the Paris-style smashburger, DUMBO, have teamed up with Planque for a limited-edition drop that you won’t want to miss.
Chef Seb Myers has lent his refined touch to DUMBO’s signature crispy patties, resulting in an irresistible burger offering. You’ll have to move fast, though, as this collaboration is only sticking around until May 17th. Head to their Shoreditch outpost to grab one before they’re gone for good.
Where: 119 Bethnal Grn Rd, London E2 7DG
Website: www.dumbo.com
This burger is absolutely delicious. The gribiche sauce is something I never knew I needed! I’ll definitely be returning.
Maddie, Campaign Success Executive
Experience The Ivy’s new menu
If you are looking to try something new this weekend, look no further than The Ivy Collection. This week, it is launching a fresh new menu, developed by Group Executive Chef Mark Askew.
Think bespoke-cured Severn & Wye smoked salmon and a creamy Stracciatella starter drizzled with the complex, floral sweetness of Black Bee Honey. Whether you’re in the mood for a light Roasted Salmon Supreme with pink peppercorn hollandaise or the theatrical, melting decadence of their Signature Chocolate Bombe, the new menu offers a refined slice of luxury that doesn’t break the bank.
Where: Selected Ivy locations
Book here
Elevate your Spring at JOIA
Elevate your weekend plans, quite literally, by paying a visit to JOIA on the 15th floor of Battersea’s art’otel. This spot has always been a go-to for views, but their new spring menu is giving the skyline some serious competition.
Curated by the legendary two Michelin-starred chef Henrique Sá Pessoa, the new offering is a vibrant love letter to Iberian flavours and seasonal British produce. Better still, JOIA’s iconic Rooftop is now officially open every day, so you can enjoy a post-dinner drink while soaking up the panoramic views of the city.
Where: 15th Floor, 1 Electric Blvd, Nine Elms, London SW11 8BJ
Website: www.JOIAbattersea.com
Soak up the sun on Gaucho’s new summer terrace
Nothing says British summer quite like a crisp spritz in a hidden garden, and Gaucho has just upped the ante. Partnering with ST-GERMAIN Elderflower Liqueur, the steakhouse has transformed its London terraces into floral, al fresco havens running all the way through September.
Whether you’re looking for a riverside escape at Gaucho Richmond or a secret garden vibe in Hampstead, the mood is set with a monthly live music programme featuring roaming musicians and midweek bands. For drinks, choose from the Matcha Spritz, the Pink Hugos, Palomas and many more.
Where: Selected Gaucho locations
Website: www.gaucho.com
Kickstart summer at this rooftop BBQ event
West London’s favourite rooftop destination, The Broadcaster, is officially turning up the heat this Sunday with the launch of its BBQ Summer Series. Overlooking the iconic White City skyline, they’ve invited a line-up of guest chefs to bring fire and theatre to the terrace, and first up is the legendary Matias Casotto.
Guests can expect prime cuts of meat slow-grilled to perfection over open flames, paired with vibrant sides and exclusive cocktails created in partnership with Windrush 1027. Tables are likely to go fast, so we recommend booking ahead to secure your spot.
Where: 89 Wood Ln, London W12 7FX
Book here
Unwind At Fulham Pier’s Sherry Jazz Sundays
Sundays are for slowing down, and Fulham Pier has found the perfect rhythm with the return of their Sherry Jazz Sundays series. Set against the idyllic backdrop of the Thames, these soulful performances are designed to help you reset and find your flow before the Monday morning rush.
From 1pm to 3pm, let the live jazz wash over you. It’s entirely free to attend, making it an easy addition to your weekend itinerary.
Where: Fulham Pier, London SW6 6HH
Website: www.fulhampier.com
Sip Among The Stars At Vesper Bar
The Dorchester’s Vesper Bar has just launched a brand new lineup of cocktails, and it is truly out of this world. The bar has unveiled its new Planetarium menu, and it consists of a dazzling collection of cocktails inspired by the solar system.
Each drink in the series is a liquid tribute to the cosmos, using vibrant flavour profiles and swirling colours to evoke different corners of the galaxy. If you are looking to add a touch of celestial sparkle to your weekend plans, this isn’t one to miss.
Where: 53 Park Ln, London W1K 1QA
Website: www.dorchestercollection.com
Pay a visit to the Bloody Mary trolley at Pan Pacific
If you like your Sunday brunch served with a side of tableside theatre, make a beeline for Straits Kitchen at Pan Pacific London. Their newly launched Sunday offering promises everything from pillowy buttermilk pancakes to crispy fried chicken and waffles,
However, the real star of the show is the Bloody Mary trolley. Bringing a spirited sense of occasion to your table, the trolley allows you to personalise your pour with three distinct recipes: the Classic Ritual, the Butcher’s Mary, or the herbaceous Garden Mary.
Where: 80 Houndsditch, London EC3A 7AB
Website: www.panpacific.com
Discover this Chelsea Flower Show exhibition
With the Chelsea Flower Show just across the water, Park Hyatt London River Thames is bringing a slice of the horticultural action to Nine Elms. The hotel has unveiled a month-long public exhibition, ‘Ask a Tree’, by the internationally acclaimed British sculptor Charlie Whinney.
This new collection uses regenerative design principles to create twisting, organic forms that feel like they’ve grown directly out of the hotel’s sleek lobby. While you’re there, you can’t miss Whinney’s permanent installation, Ebb and Flow, which mimics the movement of the Thames outside.
Where: 7 Nine Elms Ln, Nine Elms, London SW8 5PH
Website: www.parkhyatt.com
Explore this landmark exhibition at Kew Gardens
Almost two decades since his work last graced the Royal Botanic Gardens, Henry Moore has returned to Kew in spectacular fashion. The new landmark exhibition, Monumental Nature, is the largest outdoor showcase of Moore’s work ever staged, turning the 320-acre UNESCO World Heritage site into a breathtaking open-air gallery.
The exhibition features 30 bronze and stone sculptures, as well as 70 additional works spanning drawings, wood carvings and other smaller models. From the curves of a weathered stone to the rhythm of a landscape, the exhibition reveals how nature was the ultimate muse for Britain’s greatest sculptor.
Where: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, TW9 3AE
Book here
Book this countryside getaway
Just a stone’s throw from Bath, the beloved Jacobean manor Woolley Grange has officially completed its multi-phase restoration, and the timing couldn’t be better for a summer staycation. While the main house has always been a family favourite, this final milestone unveils the much-anticipated Walled Garden Rooms, a collection of sophisticated retreats tucked away in the hotel’s historic grounds.
If the sun is shining, we recommend heading straight for the newly revitalised heated outdoor pool. Surrounded by a fresh lounge area, it’s a vibrant oasis for a morning swim or a lazy afternoon. With the addition of the indoor spa facilities, it’s officially one of the most comprehensive wellness escapes for those looking to escape the city this weekend.
Where: Woolley Green, Bradford-on-Avon BA15 1TX
Website: www.woolleygrange.com
Attend the annual Charleston Festival
For almost 40 years, the Charleston Festival has been the spiritual home of the UK’s most provocative ideas and boundary-pushing art. Returning this month to the beautiful Firle estate, itt remains one of the most prestigious dates in the literary calendar.
The 2026 lineup is a powerhouse of creative trailblazers. This weekend, you can catch live conversations and electrifying performances from the likes of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, Sandi Toksvig, and Olly Alexander.
Where: Charleston, Firle, Lewes, East Sussex, BN8 6LL
Website: www.charleston.com
