London’s Best Weekend: Gardens, Maps, Markets & 175 Years
Green Spaces Open Their Doors Across the Capital
This weekend marks a rare opportunity to step behind the garden gates of some of London’s most coveted neighbourhoods. The London Open Gardens Weekend throws open properties across the city—from modest Hackney allotments to the prestigious Eaton Square gardens in Belgravia, which remain locked away from the public most of the year. For many Londoners, this is the only chance to peek at how neighbours garden in some of our most exclusive postcodes. Local gardening clubs and volunteer groups have spent weeks preparing, and proceeds often support community projects. Whether you’re seeking design inspiration for your own patch or simply want to explore how different neighbourhoods cultivate green space, these open days reveal the hidden horticultural treasures scattered throughout our city. The variety is striking—you’ll find everything from sustainable urban farming initiatives to period gardens lovingly restored by their residents. Don’t miss this window into the private green sanctuaries that keep London flourishing.
Heritage, Art & Discovery: Something for Every Londoner
History enthusiasts should head to the Royal Geographical Society’s London Map Fair, where 40 dealers showcase rare cartography spanning five centuries. Starting from just £10, these original maps tell stories of how our city—and world—has been charted and understood. Expert talks from historians like Rose Mitchell and Ashley Baynton-Williams make this accessible even if you’re new to collecting. Meanwhile, the Barnet Medieval Festival brings living history to the north of the capital, with the 1471 Battle of Barnet recreated at Lewis of London ice cream farm. You’ll witness mounted knights, archers and gunners in action, plus medieval crafts and markets that transport you back centuries. For contemporary culture, King’s Cross’s Coal Drops Yard hosts the Open Art Market, where local makers sell handmade pieces and limited editions alongside live music. The World Food Photography Awards exhibition at Mall Galleries showcases stunning images from a global competition, celebrating the artistry in how we grow, cook and share food. All these events reflect London’s distinctive character—a city that honours its past while celebrating present creativity.
Two Unmissable Weekends: Free Culture & Scientific Wonder
If you only venture out once this weekend, make it the Great Exhibition Road Festival, honouring 175 years since the original Crystal Palace opened in Hyde Park. This free celebration runs Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6pm, featuring wind tunnels, Bollywood dance classes, street parades and a spectacular kaleidoscopic butterfly installation. You can even step inside a virtual Crystal Palace and taste recreated Victorian dishes from 1851—all without paying a penny, unlike those original visitors. The neighbouring Serpentine Pavilion, designed with an irregular serpentine courtyard and brick-columned roof, opens this weekend too, offering free public access through October. The London Festival of Architecture kicks off simultaneously, with tours exploring the Crystal Palace Subway, the Festival of Britain’s Lansbury Estate in Poplar, and innovative spaces like Iron Works in the Royal Docks. Early June truly becomes London’s cultural crossroads. Whether you’re capturing food photography inspiration, discovering antiques at the new Capital Antique Market launching Saturdays, or energising your weekend with a morning rave at Russell Square, this 6-7 June weekend offers Londoners rare access to spaces, knowledge and experiences normally tucked away.
