Unmissable Events To Visit In South East England This Spring

It’s an enjoyable time of year as the events and festivals season warms up along with the weather! There are also three long weekends to look forward to, as we await the late Easter holiday followed by the two May bank holidays. It is the perfect time to plan a day out at one of the many exciting events happening in southern England this spring.

If you are planning to attend any of these events in a group, coach hire is an ideal way to travel, especially for popular events in London and the surrounding areas. This way you will avoid having to deal with congested roads and the stress of finding a safe parking space. Here’s a round up of what’s happening near you this spring.

The London Marathon, 27 April

The London Marathon is one the most famous and well-attended running races in the world. Whether you are taking part or want to be a spectator, it’s essential to start planning your journey early because the road closures and influx of visitors to London will make it even more tricky than usual.

However, the effort will be well worth it as this event has an extraordinary camaraderie and welcomes all-comers, from the world’s most elite athletes to the most amateur of charity runners. Enjoy the fun and creative fancy dress costumes, cheer on the stragglers, and be awed by the endurance and stamina of the race leaders. 

Oxford & Cambridge Boat Race, London, 13 April

The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race has an illustrious history of 195 years of not so friendly rivalry between teams from two of the world’s most prestigious and ancient universities. It takes place over a 4.25 mile stretch of the tidal Thames in West London, and attracts around 200,000 spectators who line the banks of the river.

Brighton Foodies Festival, 3-5 May

Brighton Foodies Festival is billed as the UK’s biggest celebration of food and drink, so if that’s your passion in life, this is an event not to be missed! As you would expect, there’s a plethora of tasty food and drink stalls and street food at the artisan market, talks and demonstrations by leading chefs, and much more.

A new feature for 2025 is the Tasting Theatre with Fabulous Food Finds, which allows you to discover new and delicious foods that you may not have sampled before, and also chat to the makers. There’s also a Cake & Bake Theatre, where you can learn how to make amazing cakes with the stars of the Great British Bakeoff and other baking experts. 

When you have had your fill of gastronomical delights, there is live music to enjoy with a headline set from Pixie Lott on Saturday 3 May, and The Wanted 2.0 on Sunday 4 May, while Scouting For Girls perform on Monday 5 May. There’s also a silent disco, a fairground, and a luxury VIP tent. 

Elderflower Fields Festival, Ashdown Forest, 23-26 May

Elderflower Fields Festival has a picturesque setting in Pippingford Park in East Sussex, set within the Ashdown Forest. It’s geared towards families, with an exciting mixture of nature-led activities, music performances, theatre, storytelling, arts and crafts, and food. It’s a welcoming and inclusive environment with quiet zones and a commitment to sustainability.

There is a huge range of activities so there’s bound to be something for everyone to enjoy, from bushcraft skills and crazy golf to plant dye printing, sports camp, the Olympic Silly Games, Mudland Monsters, Middle Aged Rave, and the Big Family Dance Off. This is only a select few features from a packed schedule,

As if that’s not enough, the website explains that this year’s theme is the “Carnival of Critters vs. Jungle Jukebox.”

If this means nothing to you, it helpfully enlightens us: “Whether you’re shaking your tail feathers, grooving through the jungle, or swinging along with the critter crew, Carnival of Critters vs. Jungle Jukebox will have you moving to nature’s wild rhythm and discovering skills you never knew you had!”

“This 2025 theme promises to be a vibrant explosion of colour, music, and energy with more new activities to explore than ever before.” Whatever that holds in store, it all sounds like enormous fun and an event not to be missed this May!