London May Bank Holiday 2017 - 10+ Fun Things to Do in May

May is a wonderful time of year to be in London, with moderate temperatures and hopefully some sun peeking through! If you’re spending some time in London on or around some of the May Bank Holidays (Early May Bank Holiday - 1 May, Spring Bank Holiday - 29 May), you’re probably searching for some exciting things to explore during your time off. If you’re looking for London May Bank Holiday 2017 ideas, check out some of these local activities and fun things do in London in May, including...

• Coca-Cola London Eye
• Hop-On Hop-Off London Bus Tour
• London Zoo
• London Eye River Cruise
• Wembley Stadium Tour
• Royal London Bike Tour by Fat Tire
• Pop Culture Walking Tours
• And more!

Save on Admission to Popular Attractions

Regular admission to a number of these attractions are available on the London Explorer Pass. Choose as you go from top of London attractions & activities and save up to 40% off combined admission vs paying at the gate. See all available passes and London attractions – Learn more. Please note, some of these special May Bank Holiday events may be separately ticketed and not available on the London Explorer Pass.

Coca-Cola London Eye

A ride aboard the Coca-Cola London Eye is practically a must for visitors – whether you’re a first time traveler to England or an experienced pro. This iconic observation wheel provides some of the best views of the city, and offers exciting opportunities to see the Thames and many other amazing landmarks from a unique vantage point. This May, the weather should hopefully be clear enough to give you expansive views across the whole city Getting In: Coca-Cola London Eye tickets are available with the London Explorer Pass.

Hop-on Hop-off London Bus Tour

Another important option for new visitors to London is a bus tour of the city. Given the city’s sprawling nature and expansive neighborhoods, it’s very difficult to get a full sense of the city’s diversity by exploring on your own. Opt for a hop-on hop-off tour that gives you the freedom to disembark any time something catches your fancy – an all-important quality on the Bank Holidays when you may find a street festival or special event happening around many corners! As a special bonus, this particular tour also comes with tickets to a leisurely Thames cruise – a double win! Getting In: Big Bus London tickets are available with the London Explorer Pass.

London Zoo

Enjoy fresh air and get to meet a bunch of cool animals? What’s not to love about a visit to the London Zoo? Located in Regent’s Park, this Zoo offers plenty of delightful animal encounters to explorers of all ages. Their many interactive exhibits are educational and innovative, like the underwater viewing area in “Penguin Beach.” Their hottest new exhibit is “Land of the Lions,” which showcases the harmony between Asiatic Lions and Indian people. Plus, when you’re done you can stroll the lovely park around you and enjoy the spring and summer blossoms. Getting In: London Zoo tickets are available with the London Explorer Pass..

London Eye River Cruise

What better way to enjoy the potentially warm weather of London in May than on an entertaining London Eye River Cruise? You’ll get to see top site and landmarks along the famed River Thames, like Big Ben, the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and many more. This 45-minute excursion provides the perfect overview of these bankside neighborhoods and is fun for the whole family. Getting In: London Eye River Cruise tickets are available with the London Explorer Pass.

Wembley Stadium Tour

With the Premier League season winding to an exciting close (are you rooting for Chelsea or Tottenham?), sports fans are sure to be in a football mood. Pay a visit to the iconic Wembley Stadium and tour this storied establishment as you learn all about the amazing history of English football, the FA Cup, and the nation’s past World Cup glory. Plus, you’ll want to get in a tour before the venue starts their summer concert season and stops offering tours of the stadium. If you can't work in a tour, be sure to watch the FA Cup Final (held at Wembley) May 27, 2017. Getting In: Wembley Stadium Tour tickets are available with the London Explorer Pass.

Royal London Bike Tour by Fat Tire

Enjoy your time off in early May with a fun bike tour of the city. Fat Tire hosts a leisurely 4-hour tour that winds throughout many of the city’s signature neighborhoods, highlighting major landmarks like the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, and many more. Halfway through, the group takes a break, giving you time to grab some chips or a quick pint. Getting In: Royal London Bike Tour tickets are available with the London Explorer Pass.

Pop Culture Walking Tours

Anglophiles rejoice! There are a plethora of exciting British pop culture tours to choose from on your trip to London. With Doctor Who’s season 10 back in action with a new companion and all new adventures, you can’t go wrong with a walking tour that follows in the footsteps of the Doctor. Or, opt for a walking tour that highlights the many sites of the Sherlock universe, from the BBC show to the films. 007 fans will also relish the chance to see where significant events from this long-running film franchise take place. Getting In: Doctor Who Walking Tour, James Bond Walking Tour, and Sherlock Holmes Walking Tours are available as options with the London Explorer Pass.

Warwick Castle

One of the most exciting attractions to explore this May Bank Holiday season is Warwick Castle. It’s absolutely chock full of delightful activities, from live-action shows to tours to interactive challenges. Learn all about the history of this amazing castle, which dates all the way back to 1068. From May 27 – June 3, 2017, enjoy a unique look back at the War of the Roses, which will please all of you Game of Thrones fans out there. Getting In: Warwick Castle tickets are available with the London Explorer Pass.

The Priory Arms May Bank Holiday Beer Festival

One of the most popular beer festivals in the city, Priory Arms May Bank Holiday Beer Festival has much to offer the beverage connoisseur. With over 100 different beers to try, including 6 real ciders and over 80 bottles and cans from all around the world, you’ll fun out of stamina before you run out of beers to sample. The festival runs from April 28 – May 1, 2017. Getting In: The Priory Arms May Bank Holiday Beer Festival is separately priced and is not included with the London Explorer Pass.

RHS Flowers & Flea Weekend

This is a good option for families. It’s part flea market, part garden festival (hosted by the Royal Horticultural Society) and all fun. Enjoy an entire weekend of talks from specialists who design some of the most beautiful gardens in the country. Then, explore stalls selling everything from plants to vintage designs to your standard flea fare. Then, of course, there’s the tasty food of all stripes from the Flat Iron Square vendors. It runs from April 29 – 30, 2017, in the trendy Flat Iron Square. Getting In: This event is free.

Remember to Save on Attraction Admission

You’ll clearly have no shortage of things to choose from for the upcoming May Bank Holiday in London. Whether you want to hop aboard a tour or cruise, explore castles, or simple enjoy a bit of local flavor, there’s something out there for you. Remember, many of these great ideas are included on the London Explorer Pass, where you can save up to 35% on combined admission vs. paying at the gate.