May in London 2018 brings royal wedding celebrations, flower displays and plenty of street food. In this monthly film, I walk from Westminster to Buckingham Palace, watch Harry and Meghan’s wedding in a pub, and head to Chelsea for lunch. Later, I return to the river for a sunny afternoon on the South Bank.
Filmed in May 2018 and originally published on YouTube on 15 July 2018. This article records that visit, including the buildings, stalls and displays as they appeared at the time.
May in London 2018 begins in Westminster
I start outside Westminster Abbey on a beautiful day for a wedding. Harry and Meghan are getting married in Windsor, so this walk follows the celebrations in London. There is no wedding procession to catch outside the Abbey. Instead, I want to see the atmosphere around the palace before finding somewhere to watch the broadcast.
The route takes me along Horse Guards Road. Beside it, St James’s Park offers a green backdrop, while temporary seating surrounds Horse Guards Parade. I point out the preparations for the Queen’s official birthday celebrations as I pass. Then I turn towards the Mall and follow its red road up to Buckingham Palace.
Buckingham Palace and St James’s Park
Hundreds of people have gathered outside Buckingham Palace. Some admire the building; others watch the royal wedding on their phones. The ceremony may be taking place elsewhere, but the sunny forecourt still feels like a fitting place to begin the day.
Afterwards, I head through St James’s Park and around the lake. The bridge gives me a chance to stop and take in the skyline, with a view back towards the palace as well. It is an easy change of pace after the crowds outside the gates. People are enjoying the grass and sunshine, and I continue towards a small passage at the edge of the park.
A royal wedding afternoon at the pub
The passage looks almost like an entrance to someone’s home. However, a few steps lead me away from the busy park to a much quieter street. Outside the Two Chairmen, cut-outs of Harry and Meghan make the occasion clear. Inside, I settle down with a beer and watch the wedding on television.
One of the funniest details is the broadcast’s subtitles. Some of the words go wrong, and the pub erupts with laughter. It is a lovely way to share the occasion before heading back into the sun. For the longer account of this part of the film, see my royal wedding day walk through London.
Chelsea street food in Duke of York Square
Next, I arrive in Sloane Square with food on my mind. Chelsea is getting into the spirit of flower show season, but my first destination is the Saturday market in Duke of York Square. The stalls sit near the Saatchi Gallery, with people making the most of the weather.
I know what I want before I reach the counter: a duck confit sandwich. This time, I choose onion chutney and hot chilli sauce. Then I find a spot on the grass in the gallery grounds and try it. The sandwich is as good as I remember, and the chance to sit outside makes lunch even better.
Flowers brighten the Chelsea shops
After lunch and a quick look around the Saatchi Gallery, I return outside to explore the flower displays. The film stays with Chelsea’s streets and shopfronts rather than taking us inside the flower show. Flowers frame entrances and turn a simple walk past the shops into part of the day’s entertainment.
One display spells out LOVE in large letters surrounded by blooms. Elsewhere, decorated doorways give me plenty of reasons to pause with the camera. You can explore this visit further in my Chelsea in Bloom and Duke of York Square food market article.
A South Bank walk and market lunch
Later in the month, I start another outing on Westminster Bridge. Big Ben is hidden under scaffolding in the film, while the London Eye rises across the river. I follow the South Bank past busy stretches of pavement, entertainers and places to stop by the water.
Eventually, I reach the food market behind the Southbank Centre. I like the scale of it: enough choice to make lunch a difficult decision, without feeling overwhelmed. After looking around the stalls, I begin with bruschetta. Then I pick up some paella and look for a place to sit.
Ending May beside the Thames
The steps overlooking the market make a good lunch spot. From there, I can look across the stalls, see the London Eye and spot the river nearby. The paella is delicious, and I finish the outing with a walk back towards the Thames.
That is my May in London 2018: a royal occasion enjoyed from the city, a sunny Chelsea lunch and another afternoon of market food beside the river. Watch the full film above to follow the walks, hear the street sounds and spend a little longer at each stop.
