Things To Do In London This Bank Holiday Weekend: 29 April-1 May 2017

Looks like this article is a bit old. Be aware that information may have changed since it was published.

Canalway Cavalcade. Photo: Torsten Reimer

All weekend

BANK HOLIDAY: Lacking inspiration? Take a look at our guide to how to spend a bank holiday weekend in London.

MARKET: After a series of pop-up events last year, Canopy Market is returning to King's Cross. Plenty of independent traders offering fantastic wares from designer pieces to fresh produce, alongside some live music. West Handyside Canopy, free, just turn up, 28-30 April

WILD WEEKEND FESTIVAL: London's newest nature reserve hosts a family-friendly wildlife festival with tours, workshops, talks and debates, and a farmers' market. Woodberry Wetlands (Stoke Newington), free entry, just turn up, 9am-6pm, 29-30 April

CANAL FESTIVAL: It's the Canalway Cavalcade in Little Venice. It's a pageant of boats, trade shows, stalls, live music, activities for kids, morris dancers and a procession of illuminated boats on Sunday night. Little Venice, free, just turn up, 29 April-1 May and 9pm-10.30pm Sunday for the illuminated boats.

SOHO FILMS: The old Soho is rapidly disappearing; here's a chance to get a nostalgic glimpse of the area's past. Soho A Gogo film festival looks back at the jazz and naughtiness that had hundreds flocking to the area. Regent Street Cinema, various prices, book ahead, 29-30 April

DESIGN FESTIVAL: Head to Brockwell Lido for the 10th year of The Modern Movement — a festival bringing the best of 20th century design to south London. Brockwell Lido, free, just turn up, 29-30 April, 10.30am-4pm

PORTOBELLO LIVE: A winning formula of music, cabaret, spoken word and art take over Portobello's pubs and venues for two days. Portobello, £20, book ahead, 30 April-1 May

Art review: stunning and moving photography

Shaolin Kung-Fu practitioners. © Luo Pin Xi, China

Syrian family portraits include empty chairs for relatives who have died in the conflict, and there are understandably many more images of war and refugees in what's been a pretty horrendous year. But all aspects of life are covered, including brilliant landscapes, stunning wildlife and images capturing sporting triumphs. This is a monster exhibition across two wings of Somerset House, and an excellent snapshot of the diversity in photography today. Sony World Photography Awards & Martin Parr - 2017 exhibition at Somerset House, until 7 May, £7-11 ★★★★★ Tabish Khan

Saturday 29 April

MODERNISM WALK: Recovering from the Blitz, the mid 20th century City of London embraced Modernism during its rebuild. Walk around the remains of this Modernist legacy. Starts at Blackfriars tube station, £12/£9, book ahead, 10.30am-12.30pm

GLUTEN-FREE FESTIVAL: Limehouse Social Market celebrates its first birthday with a gluten-free festival. Expect street food (crepes, pizza, hummus, cupcakes), a farmers' market, live music and graffiti workshops. Limehouse Basin, free entry, just turn up, 11am-5pm

ELIZABETHAN ISLINGTON: Acquaint yourself with the Islington of 1583 on this Elizabethan Islington walk, which ties in with this year's Cityread events. Hear stories of archery contests, Huguenot migrants and more. Finsbury Library, free, book ahead, 11am-noon

VAISAKHI: All Londoners are invited to Trafalgar Square to celebrate Sikh festival Vaisakhi. Events include live performances, food and drink, children's activities and turban-tying demonstrations. Trafalgar Square, free, just turn up, noon-6pm

EXPERIMENTAL MUSIC: Go to the punnily named Fear Of A Crap Planet, for an evening of groundbreaking experimental tunes in Dalston. Warning: it might get ambient. Cafe Oto, £8/£6/£4, book ahead, 7.30pm-11pm

FEMALE BOSS: Go Dancing In The Dark with the first ever all girl Bruce Springsteen cover act, The She Street Band. This is their debut gig and all proceeds are going to charity. Moth Club, £7, book ahead, 7.30pm-1am

Food review: going bottomless in Peckham

French toast and granola at The Nines

They didn't tell us about the free entertainment: sitting outside The Nines, a unicorn plays ping-pong while on the roof above us, a superhero photo shoot unfolds. Why are we here again? Ah yes, bottomless brunch. While French toast with fresh strawberries is on the right side of unctuous (if a bit mushy), our second course — the Eggs Baconaddict — is saltier than an old sea dog, and strangely herby. Add to that bottomless fries and bread, and there's more chance that unicorn's real than there is you'll clean your plate. Trimming down portions, and making the food properly good, wouldn't be a bad idea. As for drinks: the Bloody Mary packs heat, and has just the right-sized slug of vodka. The Nines is laid-back enough to let you mix it up with cava and mimosas throughout your two hours. Although be warned: the countdown starts when your booking slot does. Two-hour weekend bottomless brunch: £33 (£26 without booze). The Nines, Unit 9A Copeland Park, 133 Copeland Road, SE15 3SN ★★★☆☆ Will Noble

Sunday 30 April

Illuminated Boat Tour with London Shell Co

JAZZ AFTERNOON TEA: A new afternoon tea, inspired by the golden age of jazz, begins today. Tuck into ornate mini trombones and the like as you listen to live music. Monday-Thursday, the hotel's regular harpist plays, and Friday-Sunday, jazz musicians accompany your meal. Jazz Afternoon Tea at the Palm Court. Grand Sheraton Park Lane, £39, book ahead, until 30 July

SPRING MARKET: The days are getting lighter and the weather's getting warmer so celebrate by treating yourself to some of London's best independent traders at Beckenham Market. Venue 28, £2 (kids free), just turn up, 10am-4pm

MILE END: Mile End looks nothing like the rural retreat for wealthy merchants that it once was. This guided walk explores the hidden clues to Mile End's past. Mile End Station, £10, book ahead, 11am-1pm

TROLLOPE WALK: It's the week of Anthony Trollope's 202nd birthday, so take a guided tour around the parts of London that inspired his work. Hyde Park Corner, £10, book ahead, 2pm

BENGALI MUSIC: The Bengali Baul and Vaishnav Music Festival culminates at Rich Mix today with performances of Bengali folk music, poetry translated into English, and Sufi dance. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), free entry, just turn up, 6pm

Food review: brunch meets afternoon tea

It's so inspired, we don't know why we've never tried a full English breakfast served inside a Yorkshire pudding before. It's just part of this new brunch-themed afternoon tea, which also features chocolate brownies, English muffins filled with smoked salmon, and more. Red pepper, chilli, cheese and avocado scones make a welcome appearance too. We could have lived without the sweet potato garnish on the brownies, and the chocolate eggs and dippers might prove too saccharine for all but the most sweet-toothed — we managed to polish off the lot though. Our tip? The Berries and Tea cocktail has the ideal balance of sweet and sour to wash down every course. B 'N T: Brunch Afternoon Tea, Terrace Bar & Grill at Le Meridien Piccadilly, 21 Piccadilly, W1J 0BH. £35 with a cocktail/£45 with bottomless sparkling wine, book ahead. ★★★★☆ [Saturday and Sunday, 12pm-5pm] Laura Reynolds

Monday 1 May

UV Life Drawing at The Duke of Wellington

FAMILY TECHNOLOGY: Head along to a family friendly day at the Institute of Imagination, showing off the best in cutting edge design. Meet a supersonic car, learn to design 3D objects, explore the concept of reality and much more. Institute of Imagination (Lambeth High Street), £8, book ahead, 10am-5pm

HOLLYWOOD E17: Actor Paul McGann unveils a plaque in Walthamstow, celebrating the area's past as London's 'Hollywood' of silent cinema. Afterwards, the nearby Duke's Head hosts an afternoon of classic silent cinema with themed food and drinks. Wood Street, Walthamstow. Free, just turn up, noon

CITY FARM: Kentish Town City Farm host its annual May Day Festival. Games, arts and crafts, pony rides and goat grooming are just a small slice of what they have planned. Kentish Town City Farm, £1/50p, just turn up, 1pm-4pm

ARCHEOLOGY & MAGIC: In the ancient world, people used spells to solve everyday spells. Dr Drew Wilburn talks through the archaeological remains of these spells and shows how they're vital to understanding ancient practices. Treadwell's Bookshop (Bloomsbury), £8, book ahead, 7.15pm-9.15pm

UV LIFE DRAWING: Life drawing is a fun hobby, but for some it's just too dull. That's why the Duke of Wellington is brightening it up with some neon at their UV Life Drawing Class. The Duke of Wellington (Dalston), £12, just turn up, 7.30pm-9.30pm