LONDON

Terrace dining at ShadThames’ in south LondonThe Roof Gardensin KensingtonSensational Butterflies atthe Natural History MuseumBoating on Hyde Park’sSerpentine lakeREGENT’S PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE. IMAGE © DAVID JENSEN; THE SHARD © THE VIEW FROM THE SHARD;LITTLE VENICE & HYDE PARK IMAGES © VISITLONDONIMAGES/BRITAINONVIEW;SHAD THAMES IMAGE COURTESY OF PONT DE LA TOURFLORABook advance tickets for the famousRHS Chelsea Flower Show (21-25May). Inside you’ll find imaginativeshow gardens, stunning floraldisplays and luscious plants to buyat the Royal Horticultural Society’sannual gardening extravaganza(Royal Hospital Chelsea, SW3 4SR. 08443 380 338. rhs.org.uk/Chelsea Ë Sloane Square. Off map).Meanwhile, this year sees thesecond outing of a new London-widegardening festival called the ChelseaFringe (from 18 May). Running forthree weeks at a variety of venuesacross the capital, you’ll find a seriesof botanic exhibitions, events, walksand tours – most of them free.Among many highlights is GloriousGardens (30 May), a day of activitiesfor youngsters aged-two-to-16 atthe Geffrye Museum (p. 62), whichincludes baking with herbs and seedplanting ( chelseafringe.com).WATERWAYSWander along the picturesquetowpaths of London’s canalnetwork, or take one of the LondonCanal Museum’s fascinating tours(p. 62). This month, there are arange of guided barge and boattrips to enjoy, including one aimedat kids on a special Children’sActivity Day (28 May).Meanwhile, from 4-6 May visitors towest London’s Little Venice districtwill find a Canalway Cavalcade. Thisfree, family-friendly annual festivaloffers bands, boat trips, stalls, morrisdancers, a real ale bar and lots ofactivities for kids (between BlomfieldRoad, Warwick Avenue & WarwickCrescent, W9 2PB. waterways.org.uk/events_festivals Ë WarwickAvenue. Off map).Enjoy stunning views of Londonlandmarks on-deck as you travelalong the River Thames. For a tourwith a guided commentary, pointingout places of interest, travel withCity Cruises or London Ducktours.However, there’s also outdoorspace to enjoy the sights aboardKPMG Thames Clippers,a high-speed commuter servicewhich is a great way to reachattractions by water, taking inlandmarks on the way (all p. 44).THEATREThe hot days and warm nightsmake May the perfect time to catchoutdoor theatre. Regent’s Park OpenAir Theatre boasts an atmospheric1,240-seat auditorium, which is setbeneath the sun and stars within aleafy glade. The season’s openingshow explores racial tension inAmerica’s Deep South, with a playbased on Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prizewinningnovel To Kill A Mockingbird(from 16 May, p. 83). Meanwhile,the open to the elements yard atShakespeare’s Globe is a wonderfulplace to enjoy the Bard’s dramasThe Tempest (until 13 Aug, p. 82),or King Lear (from 13 May, p. 83).DININGSituated high on the 7th floor, 100ftabove Kensington High Street, therestaurant Babylon At The RoofGardens is set in lavish grounds.It comes into its own during thesummer with barbecues and alfrescodining on the terrace (99 KensingtonHigh Street, W8 5SA. 020 73683993. roofgardens.virgin.comË Kensington High Street. Off map).May 2013 |LONDON PLANNER|visitlondon.com | 17