Spring in London 2026: 15 Best Things to Do for Arab Visitors

# Spring in London 2026: 15 Best Things to Do for Arab Visitors Spring transforms London into one of the most beautiful cities on Earth. From late March through May, temperatures rise to a comfortable 12-18°C, parks burst with colour, and the city comes alive with outdoor events. For Arab visitors, spring is arguably the best time to visit — the weather is mild, Ramadan-friendly dining options expand, and outdoor activities become plentiful. Here are 15 carefully selected spring experiences, each evaluated for halal dining access, prayer facilities, and family friendliness. --- ## 1. Cherry Blossom Season in Greenwich Park **When:** Late March - Mid April **Cost:** Free **Best For:** Photography, couples, families Greenwich Park hosts some of London's most spectacular cherry blossom displays. The avenue near the National Maritime Museum turns pink for roughly three weeks each spring. **Why Visit:** - Stunning cherry blossom tunnel perfect for photos - Views of Canary Wharf and the Thames from the hilltop - Royal Observatory nearby (£18 adults) - Free entry to the park **For Arab Visitors:** - Halal restaurants on Greenwich Church Street (10 min walk) - Open green space suitable for family picnics - Easy to reach via DLR from central London - Relatively quiet on weekday mornings **Pro Tip:** Visit before 10am on weekdays for photos without crowds. The blossoms peak around the first week of April. --- ## 2. Kew Gardens Spring Festival **When:** March - May **Cost:** Adults £21, Children free (under 4) **Best For:** Nature lovers, families with young children The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew are breathtaking in spring. Over 50,000 bulbs bloom across the 300-acre site, and the famous glasshouses keep tropical plants warm year-round. **Highlights:** - 50,000+ spring bulbs (daffodils, crocuses, tulips) - Temperate House — world's largest Victorian glasshouse - Children's Garden with interactive play areas - Treetop walkway (18 metres high) **For Arab Visitors:** - Bring your own halal picnic — many designated picnic areas - Prayer space can be arranged at the visitor centre - Pushchair and wheelchair accessible throughout --- ## 3. Borough Market Spring Produce **When:** Open year-round, best in spring **Cost:** Free to enter **Best For:** Foodies, couples London's oldest food market (over 1,000 years old) transforms in spring with fresh seasonal produce and outdoor eating. **Must-Try Spring Foods:** - English asparagus (May) — the short season makes it special - Fresh strawberries from Kent farms - Artisan pastries and breads - Specialty coffees and fresh juices **For Arab Visitors:** - Several halal-certified stalls (look for Halal signs) - Arrive before 11am for calmer browsing - London Bridge station is a 2-minute walk **Tip:** Go on Thursday or Friday mornings. Saturdays are extremely crowded. --- ## 4. Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens **When:** All spring, best April-May **Cost:** Free **Best For:** Families, relaxation Hyde Park and the adjoining Kensington Gardens form a 625-acre green space right in central London. Spring brings blooming rose gardens, rowing boats on the Serpentine, and open-air cafes. **Spring Activities:** - Rowing boats on the Serpentine (£14/hour) - Diana Memorial Playground (free, children under 12) - Italian Gardens — restored Victorian fountains - The Serpentine Gallery — free contemporary art **For Arab Visitors:** - Multiple halal restaurants on Edgware Road (10 min walk north) - Marble Arch mosque is adjacent to the park's northeast corner - Wide open spaces for families to spread out --- ## 5. Chelsea Flower Show **When:** 19-24 May 2026 (expected) **Cost:** From £45 (book months ahead) **Best For:** Garden enthusiasts, luxury experience The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is the world's most prestigious garden event. Held annually at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, it attracts 150,000+ visitors over five days. **For Arab Visitors:** - Smart dress code — plan accordingly - Limited halal food on-site; eat beforehand or bring snacks - Book weekday tickets for a calmer experience --- ## 6. Thames River Cruise **When:** Best from April onwards **Cost:** From £14.50 (City Cruises) **Best For:** First-time visitors, families Seeing London from the river is magical in spring. The light is softer, the riverbanks are green, and you can spot landmarks without fighting street crowds. **Key Routes:** - Westminster to Greenwich (1 hour) — passes Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf - Westminster to Kew (1.5 hours) — quieter, scenic - Evening dinner cruises (from £65) — sunset views **For Arab Visitors:** - Several operators offer halal meal options on dinner cruises (confirm when booking) - Audio commentary available in Arabic on some services - Children under 5 often travel free --- ## 7. Ramadan in London (March 2026) **When:** Expected late February - late March 2026 London is one of the most Ramadan-friendly cities in Europe. Spring Ramadan means moderate fasting hours (approximately 5:30am-6:15pm in March). **Best Iftar Experiences:** - **Edgware Road:** Dozens of Arab restaurants with special Ramadan menus - **Maroush, Ranoush, Al Waha:** Classic Lebanese iftar spreads - **The Shard:** Luxury iftar with panoramic views (book early) - **East London Mosque:** Community iftar (free, donation appreciated) **Prayer Facilities:** - London Central Mosque, Regent's Park — largest, most accessible - East London Mosque, Whitechapel — vibrant community - Marble Arch area — several smaller mosques **Practical Tips:** - Suhoor restaurants are harder to find; Edgware Road stays open latest - Most major museums have water fountains and quiet rest areas - Prayer apps like Muslim Pro work well for London timings --- ## 8. Notting Hill & Portobello Road Market **When:** Saturdays are best **Cost:** Free to browse The pastel-coloured houses of Notting Hill look best framed by spring blossoms. Portobello Road Market stretches over a mile with antiques, vintage clothing, and street food. **For Arab Visitors:** - Several halal food stalls and restaurants along the market - Walkable from Bayswater (large Arab community area) - Combine with a visit to nearby Holland Park --- ## 9. Regent's Park & Queen Mary's Gardens **When:** Late April - May for roses **Cost:** Free Regent's Park contains London's largest collection of roses — over 12,000 plants. Spring also brings the Open Air Theatre season. **For Arab Visitors:** - London Central Mosque is literally inside the park (southwest corner) - Wide paths suitable for pushchairs - Quiet even on weekends compared to Hyde Park --- ## 10. Columbia Road Flower Market **When:** Sundays only, 8am-3pm **Cost:** Free entry Every Sunday, this East London street transforms into a riot of colour and fragrance. **For Arab Visitors:** - Halal cafes on nearby Brick Lane (10 min walk) - Arrive by 9am — very crowded by 11am - Combine with Brick Lane Market for a full morning --- ## 11. Camden Market **When:** Daily, best on weekends Camden Market gets a spring energy boost with outdoor stalls, live music, and canal-side dining. **For Arab Visitors:** - Multiple halal food stalls (clearly labelled) - Shisha cafes near the canal - Connected to Regent's Park via a 15-minute canal walk --- ## 12. Day Trip to Brighton **When:** April-May **Cost:** Train from £12 return Brighton is just one hour south of London by train and makes for a perfect spring day trip. **Highlights:** - Brighton Pier — classic British seaside - The Lanes — narrow shopping streets - British Airways i360 — 162m observation tower (£19) - Brighton Pavilion — stunning Indian-inspired palace (£18) **For Arab Visitors:** - Several halal restaurants along the seafront - Mosque on Dyke Road with Friday prayers - Train from London Victoria every 15 minutes --- ## 13. West End Theatre Season **When:** Year-round, spring brings new shows **Cost:** From £20 (TKTS booth, Leicester Square) **Current Must-See Shows:** - The Lion King — family favourite - Hamilton — hip-hop musical - Wicked — returns periodically **For Arab Visitors:** - Theatres near halal restaurants in Edgware Road area - Matinee shows (2:30pm) suit families with children - TKTS booth sells same-day discounted tickets --- ## 14. V&A Museum **When:** Daily, 10am-5:45pm (Fridays until 10pm) **Cost:** Free The Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington houses 5,000 years of art and design. **For Arab Visitors:** - Exceptional Islamic Art collection (Gallery 42) — Qurans, ceramics, textiles - Free admission makes it easy to visit multiple times - Several halal restaurants in South Kensington nearby --- ## 15. Hampton Court Palace **When:** April-May (gardens at their best) **Cost:** Adults £29.50, Children £14.75 Henry VIII's favourite palace is 35 minutes from central London by train. The famous maze is fun for all ages. **For Arab Visitors:** - Bring halal snacks for a full day - Wide grounds with space for families - Train from Waterloo, direct service --- ## Planning Your Spring Trip ### Best Months | Month | Weather | Crowds | Highlights | |-------|---------|--------|------------| | March | 8-12°C, some rain | Low | Ramadan, early blossoms, lower hotel prices | | April | 10-15°C, mixed | Medium | Cherry blossoms peak, Easter events | | May | 13-18°C, pleasant | High | Chelsea Flower Show, outdoor dining | ### What to Pack - **Layers** — mornings 8°C, afternoons 18°C - **Rain jacket** — spring showers are sudden - **Comfortable walking shoes** — London is best on foot - **Prayer mat** — for outdoor prayers in parks ### Halal Food Quick Reference - **Edgware Road** — largest concentration of Arab restaurants - **Whitechapel** — Bangladeshi and South Asian halal - **Shepherd's Bush** — diverse halal restaurants - **Knightsbridge** — upscale halal dining near Harrods --- *Spring in London is magical. The combination of blooming parks, mild weather, and halal-friendly experiences makes it the perfect season for Arab visitors. Book early — spring availability fills fast.* *Last updated: February 2026*