- Tat London
- Apr 28
- 21 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Things To Do In May 2025
It's about the time of year when everyone starts to say, "Can you believe it's already May?!" This always strikes me as odd, given that for the first three months of the year, people are almost grotesquely miserable about how slowly the weeks seem to drag by. This sudden shift in tone always reminds me just how maddening the human race can be. But I shall move on, otherwise we risk tumbling down a perilous — and frankly boring — rabbit hole of ranting.
It’s safe to say that if you're bored in May, you clearly haven’t had a look at the Tat Things To Do. This month has been a veritable hullabaloo of terrific activities — so much so that we had to separate out the Craft Week Things To Do, as it was all becoming a little too much to digest at once.
A quick side note: the Noah Davis show at the Barbican is on until 11th May, and I would strongly recommend a visit.
Now - 4th May
8 Holland Street presents AL BATES | ELBOW ROOM, Now - 24th May, 8 Holland Street, Kensington, London, W84LT
This debut solo exhibition showcases Bates’ textile works and paintings that explore memory, materiality, and domestic space through layered, tactile compositions. Chairs, textiles, and everyday objects are rendered in subtly surreal forms, balancing comfort with unease. Bates draws on influences from mid-century design and artists like Valentine Schlegel, Sandra Blow, and the Gee’s Bend quiltmakers, blending fine art, craft, and design. Each piece integrates quilting, knitting, and still-life painting to reflect on how objects and interiors shape our sense of belonging. The show follows Bates’ recent recognition with the Colour in Design Award and other notable prizes.
Victoria Miro presents an exhibition celebrating the centenary of renowned Scottish artist Ian Hamilton Finlay (1925–2006). Part of Fragments—a major new book and a series of eight global exhibitions curated by Pia Maria Simig—this show highlights Finlay’s legacy as an artist, poet, and garden designer. Best known for his garden Little Sparta, Finlay’s work blended classical themes with concrete poetry and visual art, leaving a lasting impact on contemporary art and literature.
Join them for an architecture tour of the Southbank Centre’s modernist and brutalist icons, and discover decades of innovation from a new perspective. Explore how the Royal Festival Hall became a future-proof masterpiece in under two years, and why the bold, irregular Queen Elizabeth Hall still sparks debate. From timber-textured concrete to glass-walled foyers, uncover the stories behind these landmark buildings with insight from those who know them best.
Price: Standard From £15.30
Introducing Sol's Sister - A New Floral Gallery & Gathering Space in Bayswater‘s Leinster Terrace. Sol’s Sister is a new floral studio and event space from the team behind Bayswater’s beloved wine bar, Sol’s.
Located next door, it offers seasonal flowers by Sophie Shephard, curated garden tools, ceramics, and homewares. The calm, coastal-inspired space also hosts events, exhibitions, and intimate dinners.
Subscriptions and bespoke floral styling are available, with prices starting at £45.
The V&A Photography Centre is the UK’s largest space dedicated to a permanent photography collection. Spanning seven galleries, it explores the medium from its earliest techniques to today’s contemporary practices, offering a rich journey through photography’s history and its influence on how they see the world.
Step into the glamour of the Edwardian age through the lives of two royal couples: Edward VII and Alexandra, and George V and Mary. Discover their personal tastes, lavish events, and influential circles.
Featuring over 300 Royal Collection objects—many on display for the first time—the exhibition showcases works by leading artists like Fabergé, Sargent, and William Morris. It spans from Edward and Alexandra’s 1863 wedding to the end of the First World War.
Price: £19
Discover a curated selection of 60 makers (30 each day), all focused on sustainable and vintage fashion. From one-off dresses to handmade bags and vintage jewellery, this market is your go-to for unique spring wardrobe finds. Many brands will offer exclusive pieces you won’t find anywhere else. Try on beautifully made items, get measured for a custom dress, and explore accessories crafted by top local makers. With changing areas and full-length mirrors, it’s a shopping experience you won’t get on the high street.
This spring, Tavola by Skye McAlpine pops up in Belgravia, offering a curated lifestyle shop featuring Tavola’s full collection, antique homeware, and the debut of C. Atherley—a new scent and body care brand by Cath Kidston Padgham MBE. Discover the pelargonium-inspired Pellymania collection, including the fresh Geranium No. 3 fragrance. Enjoy a programme of workshops and events, from tea with Skye and Cath to children’s art sessions and tablescaping classes. The space, styled by Skye with vintage pieces from Pelican House, brings a touch of timeless charm to spring shopping.
This exhibition offers a rare chance to see masterpieces from Kenwood House, including six works by Thomas Gainsborough—among them his iconic Mary, Countess Howe and Lady Brisco. Also featured are works by Reynolds, Romney, Kauffman, Pater, and Boucher. In partnership with English Heritage, the show places Gainsborough in context with his British and French contemporaries, highlighting the richness of historic British art.
Join them at beautiful Sennowe Park for the much-loved Norfolk Churches Trust Car Boot Sale, generously hosted by Mr & Mrs Charles Temple-Richards and Mr Tom Cook. Support Norfolk’s Heritage, all proceeds go to the Norfolk Churches Trust to help fund vital repairs and conservation of local churches. With 10,000 shoppers in 2022, it’s a great day to sell and buy. Experts will be on hand to help with pricing.
Stephen Cox: Myth, 4th May - 28th September, Houghton Hall and Gardens, Houghton Hall, King's Lynn, Norfolk, PE31 6TY
Stephen Cox: Myth is a major exhibition at Houghton Hall, showcasing over 40 years of work by the acclaimed British sculptor. It’s the largest display of his career, featuring pieces created in India, Egypt, Italy, and the UK. Around 20 marble and stone sculptures will be set across the gardens and park, with smaller works shown in the historic State Rooms. A modern gallery space will feature drawings and Shrine, a large sculpture first shown at the National Gallery’s Encounters in 2000.
Price: £22
Step into the dreamlike world of Noah Davis at the Barbican, where over 60 of his evocative works are showcased in the UK’s first institutional retrospective of the late American artist. Known for his uncanny blend of realism and surrealism, Davis’s paintings capture the nuances of Black life with profound humanity and imagination. This exhibition not only celebrates his artistic legacy but also honors his community-driven vision through The Underground Museum, which he co-founded in Los Angeles.
Week Commencing 5th - 11th May
The Decorative Fair is a must-visit for interior designers, with over 130 dealers offering antiques, art, and design from the 1700s to 1970s. The Spring Fair highlights outdoor pieces—garden statuary, furniture, and decoration—alongside its usual wide-ranging mix.
Price: £10 Per Person
To mark its 20th anniversary, the Olivier Award-winning producers of Fleabag and Baby Reindeer present Tim Crouch’s groundbreaking play An Oak Tree at the Young Vic. A father meets the man who accidentally killed his daughter—on stage, during a hypnotist’s act. What unfolds is a bold, comic, and deeply moving theatrical experience. Each night, a different guest artist joins Crouch live without seeing the script in advance. Surprise guests include stars like David Tennant, Jessie Buckley, Adjoa Andoh, and Meera Syal.
Price: From £29
Affordable Art Fair Hampstead returns this spring to Hampstead Heath, featuring 100+ galleries and thousands of contemporary artworks from £100. Enjoy emerging artist showcases, unique installations, and relaxing cafés and bars.
Curator & Maker May Pop Up: 'AS YOU LIKE IT', 7th - 10th May, 11 am - 6 pm (Daily, Except Sunday), Myriad Antiques, 131 Portland Road, London, W11 4LW
This spring, Curator & Maker celebrates the romance of the English countryside through the eyes of 10 UK-based makers. Inspired by Shakespeare’s Forest of Arden, expect birdsong, blossoms, and handcrafted beauty — from collaged hedgerow birds and exuberant ceramics to reimagined flower bricks, woven baskets, and recycled cashmere knits. A joyful celebration of Spring, nature, and craftsmanship.
Caspar Heinemann’s first UK solo exhibition at Studio Voltaire explores spiritual, political, and sexual countercultures through folk art and vernacular architecture. Featuring sculpture, performance, and drawing, his work engages with queer storytelling and historical movements. Centered on the word sod, symbolizing ground, anger, and secrecy, the exhibition includes miniaturized dioramas and a site-specific installation that challenges the audience’s perspective. Heinemann’s residency deepens his exploration of land politics and spiritual histories.
Garden Visit, A Tom Stuart-Smith Designed Walled Garden And A Stunning Woodland Quarry Garden In Cheshire, 8th May, 9.30 am-5.30 pm, Meeting - Warrington Bank Quay Railway Station
Join at Warrington Bank Quay Station (under 2 hours from London Euston) for a visit to two spectacular Cheshire gardens. The first stop is Manley Knoll, a 10-acre garden featuring a dramatic quarry garden, formal terraces, woodland walks, and sweeping views. Enjoy morning coffee before you continue on Next, you'll visit Cogshall Grange, home of garden influencer Julia Kirkham. Lunch will be served in the Tom Stuart-Smith-designed Walled Garden, centred around a tranquil reflective pool. Explore prairie plantings, cloud topiary, wildflower meadows, sculptures, and Julia’s cut flower garden.
Price: £160 – £175
Join a member of their Landscape Team for a small group tour (max. 20) exploring the flora, fauna, and management of Chatsworth’s 1,000-acre parkland, boundary, and the River Derwent—a great chance to ask questions and learn from the experts.
Rejina Pyo, London Sample Sale – Next Week, 8th - 10th May, Yorkton Workshops, 1-3, Yorkton Street, Hackney, E2 8NH
Join them for a 3-day event with up to 80% off unique samples, archive finds, and more. Enjoy daily restocks, kidswear in multiple sizes, plus curated womenswear, shoes, and bags.
Note: Card payments only, In-store only and All sales final
RHS Malvern Spring Festival, 8th - 11th May, Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcester, WR13 6NW
Enjoy stunning gardens, vibrant blooms, and home gardening ideas. Discover this year’s highlights, must-see features, and top tips to make the most of your visit.
Price: Tickets from £26.85 (Non-Member)
Join Adam Toole for a two-night tour of Yorkshire’s top historic houses, including Castle Howard, Harewood, Temple Newsam, and Lotherton Hall—now featuring exciting new acquisitions.
Includes private visits to Birdsall and Weston Hall, plus an evening lecture by former curator James Lomax.
Spring Studio Sale Art Untamed. X IOTA, 9th - 11th May, 10 am - 6 pm, Cornerstone Studios, One Addington Square, SE5 7J2
IOTA and Art Untamed. are wrapping up their two-year studio lease in Camberwell. To mark the move and make space for future projects, they’re hosting a May pop-up with major discounts. Expect plenty of stock—especially the popular fruit pieces!
Run by the Craft Potters Association, Ceramic Art London is a leading international ceramics fair, attracting 6,000+ visitors annually. Featuring 120+ makers from the UK and beyond, it celebrates global creativity—from functional pieces to bold, abstract works.
Just steps from Trafalgar Square, Locatelli blends classic Italian flavours with seasonal ingredients in a relaxed, elegant setting. From breakfast pastries at Bar Giorgio to leisurely lunches, it’s a perfect spot to savour great food in the heart of London’s cultural district. Giorgio Locatelli, one of the UK’s leading Italian chefs, has crafted a space where the essence of traditional Italian cuisine truly comes to life.
Week Commencing 12th - 18th May
At Town Bar, Kevin Armstrong serves a sharp menu of classic and original low-ABV cocktails. The wine list offers old and new world picks, with flexible pour sizes and rare bottles. Town is Stevie Parle’s new spot, focused on British produce and regenerative farming.
Celebrating exceptional creativity and craftsmanship, the festival unites over 1,000 emerging and established makers, designers, brands, and galleries worldwide through 200+ events. A curated showcase chosen for substance, not status—infused with that spark of true inspiration.
In AA, sponsor James and newcomer Luka bond over shared struggles—until Step 5 forces hidden truths to the surface, risking their fragile trust and recovery. After a sold-out Edinburgh run, Jack Lowden and Martin Freeman star in this gripping, darkly funny new play by David Ireland, directed in-the-round by Finn den Hertog.
Price: Tickets from £25
Parnham Park: A Modern Grand Tour on the Jurassic Coast, 13th May, 10.30 am, Dreweatts, Auction venue: Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE / Viewing venue: Parnham Park, Beaminster, Dorset DT8 3LZ
Following the success of the Aynhoe Park auction, Dreweatts offers James Perkins’s exceptional collection, influenced by Parnham Park’s decay and the Jurassic Dorset landscape. Featuring prehistoric fossils, ‘Grand Tour’ sculptures, bespoke furniture, and works by artists like Damien Hirst and Jacques Duval Brasseur, this sale blends history and contemporary design. View the collection at Parnham Park before the auction at Dreweatts Newbury.
To mark their Bicentenary, 12 of the nation’s most iconic paintings were lent to venues across the UK. Now, they’re returning home and hosting a series of 45-minute talks to celebrate their arrival back at the Gallery.
Price: Members - £20
Bold voices and fresh ideas take centre stage at the 36th Charleston Festival. Highlights include Yulia Navalnaya, Richard E. Grant, Roxane Gay, Grayson Perry, Cherie Blair, Julia Donaldson, Chineke! Orchestra, and many more.
Photo London returns to Somerset House for its landmark tenth edition, marking a decade as the UK’s leading photography fair. This special anniversary edition brings together the best of past, present, and future photography—from iconic masters to groundbreaking emerging talent.
Best known for his fashion photography, Cecil Beaton was also a set and costume designer, artist, and garden enthusiast. This exhibition explores how flowers and gardens shaped his creative work—from photography and portrait backdrops to floral costumes and lavish party designs. Curated by Garden Museum Curator Emma House and designed by artist and designer Luke Edward Hall.
A home reflects its inhabitants, layered with memories, rituals, and personal history. In this inspiring conversation, renowned interior designer Ben Pentreath and beloved food writer Skye McAlpine explore how to create spaces that feel truly lived-in and full of meaning. Pentreath’s An English Vision celebrates 20 years of projects, from country cottages to Jacobean castles, all rich in character and history. McAlpine’s writing and recipes focus on the joy of gathering—where food, friendship, and setting come together. Together, they share how thoughtful details, storytelling, and simple pleasures bring beauty and soul to our homes.
Price: Tickets £20 / £10 Under 30s
One of the world’s most prestigious rare book fairs, Firsts London is a must for collectors and book lovers alike. From literary masterpieces and historic manuscripts to ephemera once owned by famous readers, discover remarkable finds in the heart of Chelsea.
Axis brings together six artists who explore the idea of axis as a point of balance, movement, and perspective. From symbolic bridges between night and day to reflections on the human experience, each artist offers a distinct interpretation. Some challenge traditional composition, while others reveal the unseen forces that shape how they perceive the world. Together, their works invite deeper contemplation of the visible and invisible structures that guide us.
The Hawthorn, formerly The Pocket Watch and The British Queen, will reopen in May under Peter Creed & Tom Noest, who run five other Cotswold pubs. Expect pub food, a straightforward drinks list, and locally sourced produce.
Custodian Antiques hosts its first pop-up in Notting Hill, showcasing 18th to early 20th-century furniture with British charm and European flair. Discover expertly restored pieces, many available exclusively at the event.
This exhibition explores how cloth tells powerful personal and collective stories, from everyday experiences to global events. Featuring intimate works that express identity, resilience, and connection across cultures, it highlights textiles as a medium of empowerment and change. It was curated by textile art pioneers Professor Alice Kettle and Professor Lesley Millar MBE.
Price: £8.90
Colourist Cassandra Ellis, founder of Atelier Ellis, has designed seven bespoke paint colours for the Helen Chadwick and Caroline Walker exhibitions at The Hepworth Wakefield. Each colour is carefully crafted to complement the unique essence of the artists' works—Chadwick’s exploration of nature through unexpected mediums, and Walker’s intimate portrayals of women’s everyday lives. These specially created colours aim to enhance the exhibitions' atmosphere and provide a subtle backdrop to the curatorial experience. The paints are also available for purchase, with 10% of proceeds supporting the gallery’s initiatives.
Join Vintage Textile Designer Chloe Jonason at her Lincolnshire home studio for a French-style Brocante shopping event. Discover a curated selection of vintage and handmade home, garden, and fashion items from across the country, all set in the idyllic surroundings of The Orchards. Explore unique, romantic pieces to add charm and whimsy to your home in a one-of-a-kind shopping experience.
This major exhibition showcases over 150 works exploring artistic relationships, identity, and influence in modern and contemporary British art. Featuring over 80 artists, including Lucian Freud, David Hockney, and Paula Rego, the display reveals the connections, friendships, and emulations that have shaped British art over 125 years. From rare portraits to new commissions, discover how artistic circles, from the Bloomsbury Group to the YBAs, have evolved.
Create a lasting bas-relief casting of seasonal flowers from RHS Rosemoor. Begin by learning about suitable plants, then collect flowers from the gardens. After exploring composition, press the flowers into clay to make impressions, which will be transferred to plaster. Finish your cast and take it home to hang.
Aliénor Cros, interior designer and founder of Artfully Crafted, will host a panel at London Craft Week featuring four alumni from the Creative Connections programme: Belinda Coyne (enamel artist), Jo Grogan (sculptor), Joanne Lamb (textile artist), and Sofia Karakatsanis (carver). They’ll discuss their work, shared themes of nature and beauty, and how the programme has supported their careers in the craft world.
Petersham House garden, located next to Petersham Nurseries and owned by Gael and Francesco Boglione, will be open to the public to raise funds for the Vineyard Community Centre. Explore the vibrant spring gardens, featuring stunning double borders, topiary, and a burst of rich colours.
Week Commencing 19th - 25th May
Adam Buxton, comedian, writer, and host of The Adam Buxton Podcast, is one of the UK’s most beloved cultural figures. He’ll celebrate his new memoir, I Love You, Byeee, a sequel to Ramble Book. Buxton will share stories from the book, his creative partnership with Joe Cornish, encounters with icons like David Bowie, and the joys and absurdities of family life.
Join them for a special screening of The Man Who Painted His House at All Saints’ Church, Cambridge. This short film explores Parr’s craft and legacy, created by Dr. Victoria Mills and Lily Ford, with an original score by Richard Uttley. The screening takes place at a site Parr painted while working for F. R. Leach & Sons. The live performance of the score, inspired by the Arts & Crafts movement, will feature Uttley (piano) and Kinga Wojdalska (viola).
Clerkenwell Design Week celebrates the world’s leading design hub, showcasing over 600 showroom events, 15+ exhibitions, installations, talks, and a fringe programme. With its vibrant mix of emerging talent and top interiors brands, CDW has become the UK’s leading design festival.
Speronella Marsh will be hosting a Pop-Up at Felt in London coinciding with the Chelsea Flower Show. Felt, an independent jewellery shop in Chelsea, offers vintage costume jewellery for purchase, barter, or rent. Speronella will showcase a collection of block-printed homewares, including fabric, wallpaper, cushions, lampshades, throws, tablecloths, and more.
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show offers stunning garden designs, breathtaking floral displays, and exclusive shopping. As the highlight of the horticultural calendar, it showcases the best in gardening, with something for every type of gardener to enjoy.
Price: Tickets from £95.85
Join V&A Guide Rob Mathieson for a tour exploring the rich history of the V&A South Kensington’s Victorian architecture. Discover the stunning original designs by Francis Fowke and Henry Scott, along with hidden gems usually closed to the public. This tour also provides insight into the development of the museum as one of the cornerstones of ‘Albertopolis’.
Price: Members - £20
Peter Mitchell, a leading colour photographer of the 1970s and 80s, has captured the evolving landscape of Leeds for over 40 years. His work offers a poetic glimpse into the city’s people, places, and changes.
Join Clare Grafik, Head of Exhibitions at The Photographers' Gallery, for a tour of this retrospective exhibition.
This exhibition explores the 2,000-year-old roots of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain sacred art, tracing iconic images like Ganesha and the Buddha to ancient Indian nature spirits. With over 180 objects and global loans, it reveals how these traditions spread across Asia and continue to inspire billions today.
Price: From £16
The house will be open all day for drop-in visits—no appointment needed. Browse their homewares, including Raviolo Cushions, Monster Pinch, and the Beata Heuman Verden Candle. Beata will also be on hand to sign copies of Every Room Should Sing.
Join architect and town planner Lachlan Anderson Frank for East End Homes, a walking tour exploring the diverse housing of East London. Inspired by the Museum of the Home’s Real Rooms Project, the tour highlights the area's rich architectural history, pioneering social housing, and modern homes—connecting past and present through the lived experiences of local communities. Expect insights into Georgian townhouses, post-war estates, and innovative new builds, all shaped by East London’s vibrant, multicultural heritage.
Price: £15
Ashley’s journey began with the rise of So Solid Crew, followed by setbacks—including a conviction at 19 just weeks after a Brit Award win. These highs and lows shaped his belief that success is about rising after the fall. He rebuilt through acting, earning acclaim in Top Boy, Missing You, and now as a director with his debut film Boys. In this powerful talk, Ashley shares how resilience and mindset transformed his life—offering a roadmap to purpose and lasting success through his Always Winning philosophy.
Price: From £36.20
Held in the Leicestershire countryside, Nevill Holt Festival celebrates opera, music, art, and more. Set in award-winning gardens with sweeping views, the festival features performances, exhibitions, family events, and sculptures by leading British artists—all against the stunning backdrop of Nevill Holt Hall.
This May, Petersham Nurseries in Richmond launches the Potting Bench—a new service where visitors choose plants, have them potted while they explore, and collect their custom planter on the way out.
Located at the heart of the Nurseries, the bench offers seasonal blooms like salvias, geums, and scabiosa, with expert help available for perfect plant pairings. Choose from a range of pots, including handmade Italian terracotta and Petersham’s own designs. Whether enjoying tea or a workshop, guests can leave with a ready-to-go planter for their home or garden.
New Film Releases
The Phoenician Scheme (23rd May) The Ballad Of Wallis Island (30th May) & The Salt Path (30th May)
Fairs & Fleas
Builth Wells National Antiques Fair of Wales - 3rd & 4th May
Auctions
Bamfords, The Bakewell Country Home Interiors & Collectors Auction including Furniture, Ceramics, Textiles, Jewellery, Contemporary Design - 21st May
Wimbledon Auctions, The May Auction of Fine Art and Antiques to include Local Estate Contents - 28th May
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