T.S Eliot famously remarked that April is the cruellest month but, here at La Gaffe, we beg to differ.

Whilst it can still be chilly at this time of the year in London, the bitterly cold winter we’ve just been through is finally behind us and all over the capital now you see daffodils in bloom, crocuses popping up and blossoming on the trees.

Even better, the clocks have gone forward which means more light in the evenings - sunset will be anywhere between 7.30-8pm giving you time to take a walk in the park, wander along the Thames or meet friends for a drink and dinner without feeling you’re enveloped in darkness!  

With a long weekend on the cards too - it’s Easter after all - there’s more time to enjoy yourselves and with this in mind, here are a few of the events we’d recommend you check out if you’re in the mood for exploring London.

Happy April everyone!

1. “The ‘80’s - Photographing Britain” exhibition at the Tate Britain Museum - from now until 5th May

For those of us old enough to remember, the 80’s was a critical decade -  think Margaret Thatcher’s successive governments, the Berlin Wall crumbling, the internet taking off, and that’s just for starters. 

The Tate Britain Museum (the sister who often lives in the shadow of the Tate Modern) has a thought-provoking exhibition about the 1980’s running, highlighting social, cultural and political events in Britain over those 10 years or so.    From black and white images of striking miners battling the police and dole queues in impoverished towns in northern England to well-heeled garden parties and Saville Row gentlemen living the life, this exhibition really shows the growing social divide in the UK.

Take a walk along the river afterwards, and by crossing Westminster Bridge and walking east you’ll end up at the South Bank, which is always a good place to stop for a coffee, and enjoy the astonishing views of Big Ben, Westminster’s Parliament and the London skyline,


2. The Big Egg Hunt at Covent Garden - 24th March to 27th April

This spring, London’s hosting what’s called the 'The Big Egg Hunt' - essentially it’s a free public art exhibition (dreamed up by some hard hitters in the worlds of design fashion, jewellery and food) and all proceeds will go to will be launched all over London as a free public art exhibition designed by leading names from the worlds of art, design.

Just download the app and all along the trail tick off eggs you find with a chance to win mystery prizes!  There are venues all over the capital (including Battersea Power Station, Canary Wharf and Buckingham Palace) but we think one of the best places to start is at Covent Garden, where over 100 enormous egg sculptures are on display.

And Covent Garden is such a wonderful area, whether you’re a tourist or a resident, because it’s packed with activities.  Whether you want to shop, grab a bite, sit in one of the many famous pubs and watch the world go by, or visit one of London’s top museums and galleries (the National Gallery and British Museum are both just 5 minutes walk away), you’ll have a wonderful day out.


3. ‘Messiah’ on Good Friday at the Royal Albert Hall - 18th April

This epic choral work, famous for being performed over Easter - has been sung every year since 1876 at the Royal Albert Hall, save for the Blitz in World War II and over the Covid pandemic.

This year is no exception and listening to Handel’s  Messiah, a truly spine-tingling piece of music, promises to be a wonderful way to spend Good Friday afternoon.

The choral work will be sung by 150 singers and a full orchestra, and the Royal Albert Hall is a pretty spectacular venue in and of itself.  Conducted by the Royal Choral Society’s Music Director Richard Cooke, the choir will be accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with a quartet of fabulous  soloists.

Afterwards, stroll in Hyde Park, take a walk along the Serpentine or jump on the number 10 bus and head off to Kensington High Street for dinner.  What could be more perfect?

4.  Brick Lane Jazz Festival - 25th to 27th April

For those who love jazz, street markets and the urban grit of the capital, eschew the glamour of west London for the ‘cool’ of Whitechapel and head to the Truman Brewery in East London for the Brick Lane Jazz Festival.  

Running for three days, it brings together London's vibrant underground music community, and you can expect to hear both established artists and exciting new musicians playing.  Held at three different venues, all five minutes walk from each other, it’s the place to be for anyone who’s interested in emerging music trends.  Brick Lane also hosts one of the city’s most energetic and colourful street markets, and the street art in itself makes the area worth a visit.

And for art lovers, pop into the Whitechapel Art Gallery afterwards - it’s edgy, it’s contemporary and it’s free.


5. Take a Walk on Hampstead Heath with a group of nature lovers - 21st April 

OK, we’re biased, but we’re based in what we think is London’s most wonderful neighbourhood - Hampstead, with Hampstead Heath, Kenwood House and Parliament Hill all on our doorstep.  And whilst it’s all free and accessible, day and night, if you want to make new friends and have things pointed out to you that you might not notice, then what about an organised walk?

For the princely sum of £5, join the ‘Meet Up’ Hampstead Heath Walk led by Ken at midday on Monday 21st April at Hampstead tube, before setting off for a long, rambling walk through what feels like countryside.  Think ponds, woods, streams, 300 year old trees, plus photographic points high up at some of London’s best observation points.

Even better, after the walk concludes people often go off for a drink together, so you may well end up making new friends…

If you're coming to London and looking for a lovely place to stay, why not consider staying at La Gaffe Hotel Hampstead? Located in leafy Hampstead, our comfortable, family-run and family-owned guest accommodation. is just three minutes walk from the tube, a quick stroll both to the lush, green Heath and charming Hampstead Village.  Our comfortable guest accommodation is competitively-priced, we’re family-run and owned (so you’re assured of a warm and personal welcome) and our rates include VAT and a continental breakfast (complete with our famous cappuccino).  

We’re just three minutes walk from Hampstead tube and then it’s a quick trip (around 15-20 minutes) into the city centre by underground.  And our neighbourhood is so charming, many people never want to leave it!  

To find out more about us, give us a call on 0207 435-8965 or book directly with us (for the best rates!) on our website.