One of London’s great spring rituals returns as Oxford and Cambridge universities battle it out along the Thames. The stretch between Putney and Mortlake fills with crowds, but Fulham Pier offers a more polished way to watch, with riverfront views, food, drinks and a lively atmosphere throughout. 

Fulham Pier, Fulham, SW6 6HH; Saturday 4th April

Visit FulhamPier.com

Walthamstow’s Blackhorse Beer Mile turns four, with every stop along the route getting involved. Expect fresh pours, street food, live music and pop-ups across breweries like Signature Brew, Exale and Pretty Decent. It’s part crawl, part mini festival, and a solid excuse to spend a day working your way through E17.

Unit 15 Uplands Business Park, Walthamstow, E17 5QJ; Saturday 4th April

Visit BlackhorseBeerMile.co.uk

A serious hospitality pedigree lands in Ladbroke Grove with this new pub from the Spiteri family. In the kitchen, there will be bistro classics with a twist – confit potatoes, bisque-rich pasta, slow-cooked meats – while the bar offers good beers and low-intervention wines. It’s designed to feel like a proper neighbourhood spot, just with a bit more polish.

10 Latimer Road, Ladbroke Grove, W10 6RQ; opens Tuesday 21st April

Visit TheLatimer.co.uk

The Ministry of Sound turns its attention to fitness with a high-energy, team-based workout set inside the club itself. Cycling, circuits and cardio challenges are all powered by live DJs and immersive lighting. There are leaderboards, a recovery zone and an afterparty once you’re done.

103 Gaunt Street, Elephant & Castle, SE1 6DP; from Saturday 11th April

Visit MinistryOfSound.com

One of the capital’s best music events returns with three days of live sets across venues in and around the Truman Brewery. Count on over 100 artists spanning jazz, soul and experimental sounds, from established names to rising talent. New for this year is a conference element, adding talks and workshops to the mix.

91 Brick Lane, Shoreditch, E1 6QL; 24th-26th April

Visit BrickLaneJazzFestival.com

The Sunday series returns to Quality Wines with a rotating line-up of guest chefs, each collaborating on a one-off menu of six to eight dishes. It’s relaxed, generous and more about good food and good company than anything overly formal. Tickets for QW & Friends drop monthly and tend to go quickly – the next date to remember is 26th April, when Anna Ansari will be bringing the flavours of the Silk Road to the fore.

88 Farringdon Road, Farringdon, EC1R 3EA

Visit QualityWinesFarringdon.com

The team behind Café Mondo have chosen Deptford for a second, more casual site focused on takeaway subs. Look for the cult Mondo Frango alongside new specials, plus pints and frozen slushies. There’s limited seating, but a decent terrace means you can hang around if you want. 

Deptford Market Yard, Deptford, SE8 4BX; soft launch 10th-12th April

Follow @Mondo.Sandwiches

One of the capital’s defining days returns as tens of thousands take to the streets from Blackheath to The Mall for this year’s London Marathon. Prime viewing spots fill early, but anywhere along Tower Bridge or the Embankment guarantees energy in spades.

Sunday 26th April

Visit LondonMarathon.org

Two heavyweights of French cooking come together for a one-off dinner as Yannick Alléno hosts Claude Bosi at Pavyllon London. Their six-course menu will blend classic technique with modern precision. One for special occasions.

Hamilton Place, Mayfair, W1J 7DR; Wednesday 29th April

Visit FourSeasons.com

Soho launches a free music series this April that will see Kingly Court taken over by DJs and acoustic sets. Running Thursday to Sunday, it’s an easy drop-in between shopping, drinks or dinner, with a rotating line-up and a particularly strong Easter weekend programme.

Kingly Court, Kingly Street, Soho, W1B 5PW

Visit ThisIsSoho.co.uk

This is an Italian opening with a regional focus you don’t often see in London: Abruzzo. Chef Mike Bagnall steps into his first permanent site with a menu built around chitarra pasta, brothy cappelletti, whole grilled fish and wild boar skewers.

1 Mentmore Terrace, London Fields, E8 3DQ

Follow @Auguste_London

Chef Meedu Saad’s first solo restaurant lands in Soho, bringing Egyptian influences together with classical French training. The menu leans confident and produce-led, with dishes like ghee-roasted duck with mango and black lime alongside carefully sourced British fish and dairy. It’s personal cooking with a polished edge – and one of the more interesting openings to hit Dean Street in a while.

13–15 Dean Street, Soho W1D 3RP; Opens late March (dinner from April)

Visit ImpalaSoho.com

Andrew Clarke is expanding the ACME Fire Cult universe with a taco concept landing across the yard at 40FT Brewery. Inspired by Mexico City, the menu is all about big flavours – suadero tacos, wagyu quesabirria, shrimp mariscos and crisp pork belly with serious crunch. There’s a vegan option too, and everything pairs beautifully with a pint from the brewery.

40FT Brewery, 10 Lockwood Way, E17 5RB; opens Friday 3rd April

Visit 40FTBrewery.com

The British Library explores the enduring appeal of fairy tales, from early manuscripts to modern retellings. Rare texts and immersive displays are presented alongside familiar stories seen from new angles. It’s designed for adults as much as kids – and makes for an easy cultural detour.

96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB; until Sunday 23rd August

Visit BL.uk