Four Great Events in London this Spring: London Marathon, Oxford Cambridge Boat Race and more

Feb 22nd 2011

As February draws to a close, we’re beginning to see the first signs of spring coming through. Now that it’s warm enough to leave the house at the weekend, everyone’s starting to look for things to do in London when they are out and about. If you’re stuck for ideas, we have a few suggestions for activities to attend in London this spring.

The Tate Modern is putting on an exhibition of the life’s work of Spanish surrealist artist Joan Miró. The exhibition will consist of over 150 different works by the artist, including paintings and sculptures, collected from all over the world. Not only that, but the exhibition is also going to consider the broader influences on Miró’s work, including the Spanish Civil War, the Franco regime and his Catalan identity.

The exhibition, ‘The Ladder of Escape’, opens on the 14th April 2011 and runs until 11th September. It includes the painting The Farm 1921-2, which was once owned by Ernest Hemmingway. The Tate Modern is located a short distance across the river from some key locations for meeting room hire in London at No. 1 Cornhill.

Art lovers may also want to visit The Affordable Art Fair, which showcases art under £4000. This event, which is becoming ever more popular, doesn’t just provide an opportunity to view and buy art, as there are a number of other activities including talks about print making, pointers on collecting art, and a number of workshops for all ages. There is also a creche on site for children under 10, as well as a café and wine bar.

According to the website, £73 million worth of artwork has been purchased in the UK alone during the event’s short history.

The Affordable Art Fair will take place on London’s Battersea Park from 10-13 March 2011 and will be displaying work from 120 different galleries. If you can’t make it to the London event, but are interested in attending, the fair will also be coming to Bristol from 13-15 May.

Runners in the London Marathon – Photograph by Julian Mason

The London Marathon is a great event, whether you are watching or participating. As well as raising thousands for lots of different charities, the race also brings the city to life. The route encompasses lots of London’s main attractions, so if you’re planning to go and watch the event, it can be an excellent way to see the city at the same time, or make it part of a family day out. There are also a number of performers and shows in the streets to accompany the race, making a day out even more enjoyable. The race covers a large area of central London, starting at Greenwich Park and ending up at St James Park, near a number of our London meeting rooms at St James’s Square and Pall Mall.

In 2011, the race is scheduled to take place on 17th April. It’s a fun day and a brilliant way to make a difference. If you would like to make a donation to one of the many charities who receive money from the event, please click here.

Crowds enjoying the Boat Race – Photograph by Peter Hall

The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race is a fantastic spring event in London, and it’s free to attend. Watching the race is only part of it though, as the event itself only lasts for 15 minutes, so it’s a good idea to find somewhere to have a few drinks before and after. Lots of people will be celebrating the event in this way, giving the Thames’ riverside a festival atmosphere.

The race takes place between Putney and Mortlake, and there are a number of locations along the way which are ideal for watching the boats as they speed down the river. In Putney, a little way into the course, The Boathouse on Brewhouse Lane is a good place to have a drink, with excellent views of the river. In the same area, try the Duke’s Head, which often has a BBQ to accompany the race. For somewhere towards the middle of the course, The Dove in Hammersmith is highly recommended. If you would like a view of the Barnes Bridge stretch nearer the end, visit Ye White Heart in Barnes.

For those who want to spend the day outside, but would like to see the whole race, there will be a number of screens set up in Bishop’s Park, towards the start of the course. A little further along is Furnivall Gardens, which is also going to have a number of screens showing the race.

The event’s website has a great map of the route, with a number of suggested pubs marked on it.

This year’s Boat Race is going to take place at 17:00 on 26th March. The course passes close by some of our London meeting rooms in Hammersmith as the Thames snakes through the west of the city.

Have you attended any of these events in the past? Going to any this year? Let us know about your experiences in the comments below.

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