Whether you're seeking honorary Welsh identity, or are a genuine Cymry looking for the occasional home comfort, here's where to find a taste of Cymru in London this St David's Day and beyond.
1. Tuck into posh Welsh fare at Quaglino's
Welsh singing superstar Katherine Jenkins has helped create a St David's Day evening at Quaglino's. On 1 March 2025, the swanky St James's restaurant is serving up a three-course meal (inc. cockles, smoked pancetta & laverbread; honey & lavender-glazed shoulder of salt marsh lamb with braised leeks; and Welsh amber tart) accompanied by music from the Idalia String Quartet and New Atlantics (feat. some Welsh classics). Four Welsh-inspired cocktails made with Jenkins' Swansea-distilled Cygnet Gin are also available at Quaglino's throughout March and April.
Quaglino's, St James's
2. Soak up the sounds of contemporary Wales
While the music at Quaglino's (see above) will err on the traditional side, the Lower Third in Soho uses St David's Day as an excuse to showcase four up and coming Welsh acts — TWST, teethin, Talulah, and Siula. If you like your sounds less Delilah and more, in the words of TWST, "ironic, post-ironic, post-truth, aspirational, yet classic and timeless", then you've found the St David's Day for you.
The Lower Third, Soho
3. Cheer on the London Welsh rugby club
The Welsh may be fiercely proud of their national team, but there's no lack of Welsh players at London clubs — not to mention London Welsh itself. Based in Richmond's Old Deer Park, London Welsh is not just one team, but a whole gaggle of them: London Welsh Women, Druids, Griffins, London Welsh Vets... oh yes, and the London Welsh first team. Upcoming home matches for the latter are on Saturday 8 March and Saturday 5 April 2025. Hope you like wearing red.
London Welsh, Richmond
4. Take part in a A Modern Welsh Takeover
Shoreditch Arts Centre hosts Clwb Creative Cymru's REFRESH / RETOLD: A Modern Welsh Takeover, showcasing trailblazing young Welsh talent across film, photography and music. There are panel talks on the likes of Welsh language, identity & independence in music; a photography exhibition featuring the work of Lorna Cabble and Callum O'Keefe; and a screening of Ryan Andrew Hooper's black comedy film Ambition — and much more besides.
Clwb Creative Cymru Presents: REFRESH / RETOLD: A Modern Welsh Takeover, Shoreditch Arts Centre
5. Wet your whistle with something Welsh
The most widely-available Welsh beer in London comes from Newport-based Tiny Rebel, brewers of exotic session beer Clwb Tropicana, as well as Stay Puft marshmallow porter, and a Mojito Sour. If you like your beers a little sweet and novelty-like, this'll be up your avenue. You'll often find Tiny Rebel brews at the Conductor in Farringdon, the Lyric in Soho, the Green Dragon in Croydon, plus many more pubs besides. You'll most certainly find it at the Welsh Centre on Grays Inn Road (also see below), which also pours like the likes of Brains ales and Ryan Reynolds' fave, Wrexham Lager. Tbh, if you're in any half-decent boozer, it's worth asking if they've got any Tiny Rebel stashed away in the fridge.
For our money, a Welsh brewery that's far superior to any of the above is Polly's Brew Co — particularly if you're into brews with hoppy heft. It's trickier to find Polly's (especially on tap), but try your luck at a proper craft beer bar like Craft Beer Cabin in South Norwood, or Ghost Whale in Brixton/Putney.
For something stronger, Penderyn whisky is another good Welsh export, and available in better-stocked whisky joints across the capital, such as Boisdale of Canary Wharf and the Britannia in Bermondsey, which offers an impressive five varieties, included a peated one.
6. Learn Welsh at the London Welsh Centre
Welsh is one of the 300-odd languages spoken in London, and you're most likely to hear it at the Welsh Centre. The thumping heart of Welsh London, this splendid building on Grays Inn Road offers evening classes and one-day courses in Welsh. That's just the start of it: they host everything from Welsh art exhibitions, to Welsh gin tastings. Plus the Welsh Centre is home to The London Welsh Chorale, The London Welsh Gwalia Male Choir and The London Welsh Male Voice Choir. Walk past at the right time, and you'll hear their dulcet tones wafting through the windows. You can also simply enjoy a Welsh beer and snacks at the Welsh Centre's bar while watching the rugby. Not that 2025 is proving a good year for the men's Welsh team...
Needless to say, the action ramps up around this time of the year, with a St David's Day walk on Saturday 22 February and Saturday 8 March 2025, and a St David's Day evening of folk music, dancing and food on Saturday 1 March 2025.
London Welsh Centre, 157-163 Grays Inn Road
7. Admire hosts of golden daffodils at Osterley Park
When spring is sprung in London, it's time to go in search of that glimmering Welsh icon, the daffodil. St James's Park in central London in rampant with them, as is nearby Green Park. Golders Hill Park and Hampton Court Palace are also worth a look-in. For our money, the gleaming hosts of daffodils in Osterley Park are particularly spectacular. Plus it's way out west, so you're basically halfway to Wales.
Osterley House and Park, Isleworth
Feature image: Callum O'Keefe
