Deeply rooted in its past, the city of London stands tall as a contemporary metropolitan that offers the best of both worlds. Whether you want to glimpse into yesteryears or to taste the vogue of the future, the capital city of both the United Kingdom and England, diligently hands you your heart's desire. London offers a bellyful of attractions from iconic landmarks, museums, galleries to various sporting and cultural events. One of the most special months for the city is April as the sprouting spring flowers are accompanied by various special events and attractions.
What makes London in April Special?
April is kind of a midway for London, the weather is still in the middle of a transition and so is the tourist season. The onset of spring allows you to experience mild chill during early morning and evening hours and mild heat during the day. The flowers are starting to bloom and while the cherry blossoms, daffodils, and bluebells among others dip the whole of London in an avalanche of colors, they also give the air a beautifully musky tinge.
A perfect time to explore sites of London and engage in outdoorsy activities like the London Marathon, Underbelly Festival, Easter hunts etc. Additionally, being a shoulder season the capital city is not jam-packed with tourists, lesser time spent waiting in line and more time spent in enjoying the views. Notably, you can attend the world-famous “Changing of Guard” ceremony since, in April, it commences on a daily basis.
London in April : Weather
The temperature of London during April can tip in any direction - it can be warm, chilly, sunny or rainy. Days get warmer as the month progresses, with average daily highs and lows increasing from 13°C to 16°C and 7°C to 9°C respectively, from 1st to 30th. Average sunshine is for eight hours each day and rain is expected for about 18-19 days.
Visiting London in April : Things to do
1
Tower of London
Like a wonderfully illustrious page from the history of the Royals, The Tower of London, one of the biggest tourist attractions of London, lets you explore the monumental White Tower, the infamous Ravens, the impressive collections of the Royal Mint and the Crown Jewels. You can also opt for the Yeoman Warder Tours.
April Timings
Tue - Sat - 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Sun - Mon - 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Last admission - 5:00 PM
St Katharine's & Wapping, London EC3N 4AB,
UK
Getting There ›
2
The Shard
Covered with over 11,000 glass panels on its exterior, the tallest building in Western Europe is an eyeful in itself. In addition, you can ascend to a height of 800 feet to discover the panoramic view of London from the open-air Skydeck situated on the 72nd floor.
April Timings
Daily 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM.
Last entry at 9 PM
32 London Bridge St, London SE1 9SG,
UK
Getting There ›
3
Westminster Abbey
A notable structure in British history, the gothic church bore witness to royal coronations, weddings, burial of monarchs and notable Britishers. Adorned with stained glass windows, paintings, sculptures, and religious artifacts, Westminster Abbey is also known for its exceptional choir services, which is especially magical in during Easter time.
April Timings
Mon - Fri - 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Sat - 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Sunday - Open for services
Timings are subject to change regularly; visit the official website for confirmation.
20 Deans Yd, Westminster, London SW1P 3PA,
UK
Getting There ›
4
Kensington Palace
Home to the Royal Family since the 17th century, Kensington Palace’s current residents are Kate and William a.k.a the Duke and the Duchess of Cambridge, along with their children. April with its blooming spring lends exceptional beauty to the world-famous Orangery and the well-manicured gardens of the Palace.
April Timings
Mon - Sun - 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Last admission - 5:00 PM
Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX,
UK
Getting There ›
5
Stonehenge - Day Trip
The prehistoric monument made up of standing stones befuddle historians and archaeologists, as even today, the exact utility, details of construction, and purpose of Stonehenge remain a mystery. Explore this mystery and get a glimpse into the life of neolithic era - the structures, tools and objects used 4,500 years ago.
April Timings
Daily - 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM
Amesbury, Salisbury SP4 7DE,
UK
Getting There ›
6
River Thames Cruise
Explore London while cruising over the river that has stood with the city since its inception. During April, fresh blooms enrich the city which can be observed alongside some of London’s oldest and most impressive landmarks such as the London Eye, Shakespeare’s Globe, Westminster Abbey, and Big Ben among others.
Pipers Island, Bridge St, Reading RG4 8AH,
UK
Getting There ›
7
A West End Show
London’s West End aka the entertainment district or the "Theatreland", houses around 40 theatres that tend to musicals, classic plays and comedies. During April 2019, you can catch musicals like Wicked, Mamma Mia, Les Miserables, and Phantom of the Opera to plays like Betrayal, All About Eve, and The Mousetrap.
40 Bloomsbury Way Lower Ground Floor, London WC1A 2SE,
UK
Getting There ›
8
ZSL London Zoo
Housing over 700 species, the London Zoo is one of the largest, most diverse, and most fascinating zoos in the entire world. You can feed, interact, and observe animals and birds in their habitats through various exhibits including the Tiger Territory, Penguin Beach, Gorilla Kingdom, Spiders among others.
April Timings
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM daily
Last entry is at 3:00 PM
London NW1 4RY,
UK
Getting There ›
9
Harry Potter Tour
Whether via studio set-ups or live locations, London has been a massive part of the Harry Potter universe. Depending upon a chosen tour, you will be transported to various iconic locations from both the books as well as the movies such as the Great Hall, the Forbidden Forest, and Platform 9 and 3/4.
Studio Tour Dr, Leavesden WD25 7LR,
UK
Getting There ›
10
A Stadium Tour
Home to several leading football clubs of England, the capital city celebrates Football as its most popular sport, both in terms of participants and spectators. A London stadium tour will not only pump up your love for the sport but also satiate your thirst for football trivia and paraphernalia.
London,
UK
Getting There ›
London in April : Events to Look Out For
Easter Weekend
April 19-22, 2019
Easter is a special time in London, churches all over the city including, Westminister Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral celebrate with special/extended church services. Many other attractions also organize Easter special activities throughout the weekend that range from egg-hunts to Easter-themed afternoon teas to interactive exhibitions.
English Premier League
August 2018 - May 2019
The English Premier League will be in full-swing during the month of April as end of season approaches. A true-blue football fan is in for a treat every Saturday with matches like Southampton v Liverpool, Arsenal vs Crystal Palace, Manchester United vs Chelsea, Chelsea vs Burnley among others.
Underberlly Festival
TBC
From April until the end of September, the south bank of the Thames will come alive with the 11th edition of Underbelly Festival. The stage welcomes an affordable line-up of circus, theatre, cabaret, comedy, music and children’s shows. The free-to-enter festival also hosts street food trucks and London's largest outdoor bars.
London Marathon
April 28, 2019
Every year, while the runners compete in a 42.2km race through the capital city that weaves through various important landmarks including the London Eye, the Tower of London and finishes at the mall in front of Buckingham Palace; a hoard of spectators cheers the athletes from their vantage points.
London in April : 5-day Itinerary
- Day 1
- Day 2
- Day 3
- Day 4
- Day 5
London April Essentials
LanguageEnglish
Time zoneGMT+1
Country Code+44
Socket Type G
CurrencyPound (£, GBP)
London Weather in April
As the month progresses, it becomes warmer and the average daily high increases from 13°C to 16°C and the daily lows goes from 7°C at the start and up to 9°C by the month end. Rain is expected for about 18-19 days and the remainder of the month is likely to be sunny with 12 -13 hours of sunlight.
Where to Stay in London during April
In terms of lodging, London can come as across slightly expensive even in April. The capital city has a plethora of choices ranging from luxury hotels to hostels to suit your budget. Noting the formidable size of London, it is important to first zero in on a neighborhood and look for accommodation accordingly.
- Luxury Hotels - Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard, The Connaught, The Savoy
- Mid-Range Hotels - The Soho, The Montague On The Gardens, The Chesterfield Mayfair
- Budget Stays - Premier Inn Leicester Square, SoHostel, The Hide London
What to Pack for Visiting London in April
April is at best unpredictable and thus your travel essentials should be accordingly - an umbrella for those occasional rains, a thick windcheater that can double up as a jacket for cooler mornings or evenings, and lightweight attires for warmer days. The smartest thing to do is to bring clothing that can be altered according to the day’s temperature in addition to a scarf/hat, sufficient sunscreen, and shades.
Getting Around London in April
The 32 territories or boroughs in London are divided into nine fare zones, with zones 1 & 2 being central London. The city offers extensive options for public transportation including the underground tube, overground, DLR (Docklands Light Railway), River Boat, rail services, bus, tram, and taxis.
Tube offers the most convenient and fastest way as it connects all major boroughs. The double-decker bus that sometimes features on London’s postcards also enjoys great connectivity. The London Taxi is also a convenient way, though slightly expensive. You can also hire cycles to explore the city from a more economical perspective.
Must-Try Dishes While Visiting London in April
Traditionally eaten with mushy peas and garnished with salt and vinegar, there’s nothing more British that the humble Fish & Chips. Mostly you’ll spot a massive basket of fish and chips on almost every pub’s menu and different versions of it in the elitest of restaurants as well.
Where to order: Poppy’s, Golden Union, Rock & Sole Plaice
A pure British classic, the Sunday roast is traditionally eaten any time from 12 noon to 5pm on Sundays. Traditionally served with beef, you can get a turkey, chicken, pork, lamb or veggie serving as well. For the top-end experience, what matters most is where you choose to have your Yorkshire pudding.
Where to order: The Three Stags, The Windsor Castle, Marksman Pub
The English Breakfast is a mighty meal that will surely induce the right kind of food coma. A perfect hangover recipe, it traditionally includes sausages, eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes, blood pudding, potatoes, and toast. Your trip won’t be considered complete if you leave London without indulging in a proper English breakfast.
Where to order: Breakfast Club, Chunnel Bar
A British classic that is flaky, juicy and filling when cooked right, Beef Wellington is a London signature. Traditionally, a filet steak is covered with pate, wrapped in puff pastry and baked. Modern versions have different types of protein baked in pastry, include sausage and salmon and even a mushroom version to appease the growing population of vegans.
Where to order: Simpsons in the Strand, Hawksmoor
A spiced sweet bun that is marked with a cross on the top and made using currants or raisins. Traditionally eaten during Easter, the cross represents the crucifixion of Jesus, and the spices signify the spices used to embalm him at his burial. Most bakeries prepare it during the month of April.
Where to order: Popham's Bakery, Fortitude Bakehouse, The Good Egg
Tips for Visiting London in April
- Dress Code: Places of worship like the Westminster Abbey asks the visitors to dress modestly and sensitively. Bear the same in mind when visiting the special Easter services.
- Pre-book: While April is a shoulder season for London, it does tend to get a little crowded. Book your hotels, passes, entry tickets in advance as per your itinerary to have a smooth and pocket-friendly trip.
- Check weather forecasts: Do check the weather before you start packing for London, make note of the forecasts made. Also check weather before your daily excursions to plan your days outfit accordingly.
- Springtime walk: London is dotted with blooming gardens and beautiful green spaces, make sure you add one or more such places in your itinerary in order to experience the onset of spring and in turn, the city at its most beautiful.
- Passes: London can be daunting for budget travelers and a smooth and simple way to manage your expenses is to avail passes like the London pass or the Visitor Oyster Card that ideally suits your itinerary.
Ready To Visit London in April?
The post Visiting London In April – The Definitive Guide appeared first on Headout Blog.
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