The 13 best things to do in London this weekend (21-22 April)

It’s going to be absolutely roasting this weekend - think ‘potential record April levels’ hot.

If you’re fortunate enough to have a bit of time to enjoy the good weather, we’ve picked out some of the best things for you to do.

1. Record Store Day

London’s best-known independent record stores are hosting a variety of intriguing events this weekend to celebrate Record Store Day. Highlights include live DJs at Rough Trade East and West, free cocktails at Soho Radio, and a frankly ridiculous assortment of exclusive vinyl at Sister Ray. Wherever in London you are, you won’t have to travel too far to get involved.

https://recordstoreday.co.uk/home/ - Free, All day Saturday, Various locations

2. The London Marathon

If you’re running the London Marathon, best of luck to you. If not, then the good news is it’s likely to be perfect watching weather and imperfect running-twenty-six-point-two-miles weather. There are viewing points across London – including plenty along the London Overground route – so there’s no excuse not to head out and cheer on friends, family or just complete strangers who happen to have their names written on their vests.

https://www.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/en-gb/ - Free, Sunday, 8:55am, Various locations

3. Feast of St George at Borough Market

It’s St George’s Day on Monday, and Borough Market is marking the occasion over the weekend with more than just brilliant food from local traders (including a few one-off special dishes and snacks). There’s going to be music, theatre, cooking demos, children’s activities and more over the course of Sunday afternoon.

http://www.boroughmarket.org.uk/events/celebrate-the-feast-of-st-george – Free, Sunday 12-4pm, Southwark Street SE1

4. Urban Makers Spring Eco Market

Urban Makers East is a designer-led market, which this weekend will be holding workshops around the theme of ending plastic pollution. Jewellery, embroidery and other handmade and sustainable products will feature at the event, held at the Ecology Pavilion in Mile End, while there will be indoor and outdoor activities across the weekend and a range of food from independent traders.

https://urbanmakerseast.co.uk/upcoming-markets/eco-makers-market/ - Saturday and Sunday, 11am-5pm, Grove Road E3

5. Espresso Martini Society

We’re moving into cocktail season, and the Bon Sin Experiment has opted for variations on a theme – that theme being espresso martinis. The menu at their temporary Soho home includes 20 different versions of the cocktail, such as ‘A-List Avocado’ with vodka, coffee liqueur, Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, vanilla syrup, condensed milk, avocado and matcha.

http://www.thebonsinexperiment.com/ - Free, all weekend, Moor Street W1D

6. Five Years of Five Points

Five Points Brewery is celebrating its fifth birthday with a quintet of collaborations with some of the UK and Ireland’s best. If you buy a ticket and make your way down to their Hackney home, you’ll get half a pint of one-off beers made with Lost & Grounded, Northern Monk, Thornbridge, Wild Beer Co and Yellowbelly, with street food on sale and a free after-party at the Pembury Tavern across the road once it’s all wrapped up.

http://fivepointsbrewing.co.uk/events/five-years-of-five-points/ - Currently sold out, but keep an eye on Five Points’ Twitter account

7. Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition

More than 600 artists will see their work featured in this exhibition, which begins its run at Somerset House this weekend. It’ll feature street photography, travel pictures, portraits and more, as well as a selection of works by an unnamed but “renowned” artist. It’s only on until 6 May, so you’ll need to be quick.

https://www.somersethouse.org.uk/whats-on/2018-sony-world-photography-awards - £6-18, All weekend, Strand WC2R

8. Space Rocks

Indigo at the O2 is playing host to an event that’s part music festival and part science panel, and probably the most famous astronaut in the world Tim Peake will be there. Peake will be joined in a ‘Science Fiction vs. Space Fact’ discussion by former Ash guitarist Charlotte Hatherley, who is also one of the musicians on the bill.

http://spacerocksofficial.com/ - £10-27.50, Sunday, 12:30-10:30pm, Peninsula Square SE10

9. Trapped in a Prison Van

Escape rooms on their own are so passe – you need a theme now, and an original one at that. East Village, near the Olympic Stadium, has gone back to basics and thought “what have people famously escaped from? Oh yeah, prisons”. It’s an immersive escape room in a real prison van, so you can’t criticise them for lack of authenticity.

https://www.trappedinaroom.co.uk/prison - £30, Saturday and Sunday, Various time slots, Corner of Honour Lea Avenue & Sunrise Close E15

10. Bourne & Hollingsworth Prohibition Party

This 1920s-style extravaganza won’t skimp on authenticity – they’re even banning clothes which don’t fit with the time period in question. Imagine the excesses of The Great Gatsby, both the original book and the OTT Baz Luhrmann film adaptation, to get a feel for the style, booze and gambling on display at the ‘illicit’ party.

https://www.prohibitionpartylondon.com/ - £30-40, Saturday, 8pm-2am, Secret location

11. ’Bicycle Thieves’ Screening and Italian Feast

Classic Italian film Bicycle Thieves turns 70 this year, and Ida Restaurant in Queens Park is holding a special screening of Vittorio di Sica’s multiple award-winner. Guests will be treated to a three-course meal and a glass of prosecco, all inspired by the film’s setting in Rome’s Val Melaina neighbourhood – you’ll feel as though you’re right there.

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/idarestaurant/157957 - £45, Sunday, 5pm, Fifth Avenue W10

12. Max & Ivan: Our Story

One of the highlights of the Underbelly Festival, this two-man coming-of-age show sees the W1A actors and Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Award nominated double-act play themselves in the final performance of a show which has sold out its runs at the Edinburgh Fringe and Soho Theatre.

http://www.underbellyfestival.com/whats-on/max-ivan-our-story - £15.50, Saturday, 7:45pm, Belvedere Road SE1

13. Just sit in the park with some cans

It’s the weather for it.

https://www.shortlist.com/news/london-parks-best-ranked - Free, All weekend, Your local park

(Images: Getty/Space Rocks/East Village Escape Room)