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Black cottage with yellow windows, surrounded by colorful flowers under a blue sky. Things To Do In April 2025. Cultural Things To Do In The UK.
Derek Jarman: Modern Nature, The Prospect Cottage Diaries, 8th April

Here at Tat, we take the idea of things to do very seriously. It’s now one of the most popular sections on our site, and we’re rather proud of that. Our aim is simple: to guide you towards events and happenings you might not have the time (or energy) to hunt down yourself.


We believe in the power of cultural, community-based activities — the kind that encourage us to engage with the thoughts and narratives of others, and to share experiences in real life, with real people. That feels more important than ever.


So we’re here to gently steer you away from the grip of big tech and the weight of the world’s worries, and instead encourage you to get out there — quite literally — and smell the roses.


 

Now - 6th April


This online architectural history course explores London's significant modern residential buildings, from luxury homes to public housing estates. Learn from world-class experts at your own pace, with 12 hours of study over 6 weeks. Watch live lectures or recordings, access course materials on Microsoft Teams for 6 weeks, and engage with fellow students in discussions.


Price: £130


Iconic Houses: Modern London, Online Course, V&A Academy Online
Iconic Houses: Modern London, Online Course, V&A Academy Online

 



The Oxford Literary Festival fosters intellectual curiosity and debate, offering a platform for discussing big ideas in a welcoming atmosphere. Attendees can engage with leading thinkers and freely express their views, supporting free speech in a time of increasing censorship.


Price: Dependent on event selected



 



Luke Edward Hall’s solo exhibition at Patricia Low Contemporary, Venice, is set in 'The Silver Vale,' where mythology and personal identity merge. Featuring new paintings created in his Oxfordshire studio, the exhibition explores queer identity through the lens of mythology and nature, inspired by the painting There Was a Spirit Hidden in the Rustling Trees and the Grass Under His Feet (2024). Hall’s work draws on E.M. Forster’s The Story of a Panic (1912), where the god Pan transforms a young outcast, symbolizing queer revelation. In Hall’s pieces, Pan is both a seducer and liberator, guiding figures into a transcendent, self-affirming existence.


Luke Edward Hall, The Silver Vale, Patricia Low Contemporary
Luke Edward Hall, The Silver Vale, Patricia Low Contemporary

 



The Ben Uri Research Unit presents Franciszka Themerson: Stories from the Life, showcasing her rare 1929 Warsaw student paintings, 1933 drawings, and early London works. Curated by Jasia Reichardt, the exhibition highlights three oil paintings of interiors, two never before shown. The vibrant paintings focus on activities like dancing and dressmaking, while the black-and-white drawings depict landscapes and interiors, including a visit to a town hall in Schnackenburg. This is a unique opportunity to view mostly unseen works.




 



Women in Revolt! At the Whitworth features over 90 women artists and collectives who shaped the women’s liberation movement. Exploring six key themes, the exhibition covers maternal experiences, anti-racist and LGBTQ+ activism, Greenham Common, peace movements, and punk culture. Highlights include Bobby Baker’s An Edible Family in a Mobile Home, a sculptural cake and biscuit installation. This is the first free presentation of this major touring exhibition, organized by Tate Britain, the Whitworth, The University of Manchester, and National Galleries of Scotland.



 



In partnership with The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, they present a major exhibition showcasing one of the UK’s top impressionist and post-impressionist collections. It revisits the 1910 and 1912 Grafton Galleries exhibitions where Roger Fry introduced post-impressionism to Britain. Featuring iconic works by Van Gogh, Cézanne, Pissarro, and others, the exhibition includes pieces from both Charleston and the Barber. The Spotlight Gallery will display a Paul Cézanne painting once owned by John Maynard Keynes, famously left in a hedge outside Charleston. This exhibition highlights the lasting impact of post-impressionism on British art.


Price: £11


Andre Derain Portrait of Bartolomeo Savona 1906 oil on canvas. Image © The Henry Barber Trust The Barber Institute of Fine Arts University of Birmingham
Andre Derain Portrait of Bartolomeo Savona 1906 oil on canvas. Image © The Henry Barber Trust The Barber Institute of Fine Arts University of Birmingham

 



Roundhouse Three Sixty, a new festival for music and culture, pushes boundaries with a month of music, spoken word, theatre, visual arts, podcasts, and club nights, showcasing today’s boldest artists.


Roundhouse Three Sixty 2025
Roundhouse Three Sixty 2025

 



Discover the works of Albrecht Dürer, a pioneer of printmaking during the Northern Renaissance. Discovering Dürer showcases prints from their collection, newly conserved to reveal their intricate details and Dürer’s skilled techniques. Experience the transformation of these prints and appreciate the mastery of one of Europe’s greatest artists.


Hero Image: Albrecht Dürer, Adam and Eve, 1504, Engraving, black carbon ink on paper © The Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge.
Hero Image: Albrecht Dürer, Adam and Eve, 1504, Engraving, black carbon ink on paper © The Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge.

 



Eileen Cooper’s Evergreen explores landscapes as shelters, offering revitalising and welcoming spaces through paintings and drawings. Works like Winter Sun and The Lily Pond draw inspiration from Christina Rossetti’s poem, conveying longing and uncertainty. Cooper’s art blends creativity, sexuality, and fertility, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the landscape rather than simply observe.


Eileen Cooper - Evergreen (detail), 2018 Oil on canvas. 137 x 168 cm © Eileen Cooper, Courtesy of Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery . Photo © Justin Piperger.
Eileen Cooper - Evergreen (detail), 2018 Oil on canvas. 137 x 168 cm © Eileen Cooper, Courtesy of Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery . Photo © Justin Piperger.

 



Dorney Wood, purchased by Lord Courtauld-Thomson in 1919 and gifted to the nation in 1942, is now owned by the National Trust. Selected furniture, along with a Rex Whistler mural, a Winston Churchill landscape, Jacob de Wit over door paintings, and highlights from the book collection, will be available for closer inspection. The visit includes a Sparkling Afternoon Tea in the Music Room and, weather permitting, a stroll through the six-acre Garden.


Price: £130


Dorney Wood, Buckinghamshire
Dorney Wood, Buckinghamshire

 



Room to Breathe offers a peaceful space to experience art mindfully. Featuring works from their collection, it includes audio guides and meditations designed to promote relaxation and deeper engagement. Thoughtfully curated in terms of furniture, colour, and layout, it’s room for rest, recovery, and reflection.


Edward Hartley Mooney, Still Life, 1918
Edward Hartley Mooney, Still Life, 1918

 



Cloth/Metal/Clay is coming back for a spring sample sale! Expect gorgeous work from Phaedraclothing, Kano. Kano.shopE.F. Davis.clayEaston PotteryAli. HewsonHanderson Brown, and more! They'll have ceramics, jewels, and drawings for sale, making way for new things to come this year!


Cloth/ Metal/ Clay Spring Sample Sale, Kano, Helgate Pottery
Cloth/ Metal/ Clay Spring Sample Sale, Kano, Helgate Pottery

 



This series of short films, inspired by Noah Davis's Delusions of Grandeur, explores memory, community, and identity. From the 1960s to today, the films reveal the extraordinary within the ordinary, much like Davis’s painting, which captures a child's contemplation of an enormous staircase—a metaphor for ambition and life’s uncertainties.


Delusions of Grandeur: An audio-visual Response to Noah Davis (15*), Noah Davis Film Programme, The Barbican
Delusions of Grandeur: An audio-visual Response to Noah Davis (15*), Noah Davis Film Programme, The Barbican

 



Author Philip Hoare joins artist Jake Grewal for a conversation during the final weeks of Grewal's exhibition Under The Same Sky. Both have explored humanity’s connection to the ocean, with Grewal’s new paintings capturing coastal landscapes and the unpredictability of nature. This is a unique chance to hear them discuss the enduring inspiration of the ocean.


Price: £5


Philip Hoare And Jake Grewal In Conversation, Studio Voltaire
Philip Hoare And Jake Grewal In Conversation, Studio Voltaire

 



This tour explores the Jazz Age and Art Deco theatres and buildings between Covent Garden and Piccadilly, focusing on six theatres revamped or built between 1926 and 1937. You'll also discover other impressive Art Deco buildings, such as a bookstore, shop, and bank. The tour starts at The Dominion Theatre and ends at The Savoy Hotel on the Strand.


Price: £18


Art Deco Decadence – Flappers, Fashion, Fruit and Footlights, Jane's London Walk, London
Art Deco Decadence – Flappers, Fashion, Fruit and Footlights, Jane's London Walk, London

 



Join the weekend at RHS Garden Bridgewater for a plant-focused event with Plant Heritage North West. Explore the Middle Wood marquee for unique spring plants from Northern nurseries, enjoy talks and demonstrations, and prepare for the season ahead. Featured nurseries include Alchemy Ferns, Craft Plants, Plantagogo, and many more.


Spring Plant Fair, RHS Garden Bridgewater
Spring Plant Fair, RHS Garden Bridgewater

 



Sheffield Ceramics Festival returns to Kelham Island Museum this April. Over 50 ceramic artists, potters and sculptors from Sheffield and the surrounding areas will be exhibiting and selling their work over two the days.


Sheffield Ceramics Festival, Kelham Island Museum
Sheffield Ceramics Festival, Kelham Island Museum

 



This Easter, visit YSP for a new exhibition by artist Laura Ellen Bacon. In the Chapel, Bacon’s immersive willow installation Into Being invites you to explore the space and experience the sensory work made from natural materials.


Price: £11


Laura Ellen Bacon: Into Being, Chapel, Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Laura Ellen Bacon: Into Being, Chapel, Yorkshire Sculpture Park

 



Explore the latest exhibition at YSP, showcasing Felicity Aylieff’s Expressions in Blue. This collection features towering porcelain sculptures, some reaching up to five meters in height, combining traditional blue-and-white Chinese porcelain with modern abstract brushstrokes.


Price: £11


Felicity Aylieff: Expressions in Blue, The Weston Gallery, Outdoors, Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Felicity Aylieff: Expressions in Blue, The Weston Gallery, Outdoors, Yorkshire Sculpture Park

 



On loan from The William Morris Society, this exhibition celebrates the life and work of May Morris (1862–1938), daughter of William Morris. It showcases her designs for Morris & Co., her exquisite embroidery and wallpaper creations, and her pioneering role in founding the Women’s Guild of Arts—honouring her lasting impact on craft, design, and the role of women in the arts.


Price: £39.50


May Morris: Art & Advocacy, Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
May Morris: Art & Advocacy, Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

 


Week Commencing 7th - 13th April


Derek Jarman’s Modern Nature, adapted by Living Productions & Bold Tendencies, is a tribute to the iconic artist. It combines readings, music, and Super 8 footage. The performance reflects Jarman’s diary, written during his time at Prospect Cottage, where he found solace in nature after his HIV diagnosis and father’s death. It features readings by Olly Alexander, Jessie Buckley, and others, directed by James Dacre, with original music by Valgeir Sigurðsson, Max Richter, and more.


Derek Jarman: MODERN NATURE, The Prospect Cottage Diaries, Hall, Barbican Centre
Derek Jarman: MODERN NATURE, The Prospect Cottage Diaries, Hall, Barbican Centre

 


Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women is a beloved novel inspired by her own childhood. It follows the journey of the March sisters—Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy—through the challenges of the Civil War era. This new adaptation by Anne-Marie Casey breathes fresh life into the classic, celebrating themes of sisterhood, courage, and ambition. Little Women stars Belinda Lang (2point4 Children, Sister Boniface Mysteries), Honeysuckle Weeks (Foyles War, Calendar Girls the Musical), Jack Ashton (Call the Midwife, The Archers) and Grace Molony (Country Girls, The Great). With Cillian Lenaghan (The Woman in the Wall); Jade Kennedy (Rebus: A Game Called Malice); Catherine Chalk (Hilma) and Imogen Elliott (Grantchester).




 


Dreweatts is auctioning the collection of esteemed antique dealer Philip Astley-Jones, comprising art, furniture, and objets d’art. Amassed over many years, the sale reflects Astley-Jones’s singular aesthetic and vision—widely admired within the decorative arts world. The collection was most recently housed at The Old Rectory, Aston le Walls, which he shared with his partner, the jeweller Johnnie Lloyd Morgan.





 



The Cosmic House is located in Holland Park, an area once known for its architects and artists, now more the domain of bankers and inherited wealth. It belongs to a rich tradition of radical domestic architecture, with neighbours including Sir Frederick Leighton, William Burges, Linley Sambourne, and houses by Arts and Crafts pioneers Richard Norman Shaw and Philip Webb. Now a museum, The Cosmic House is an idiosyncratic former private home tucked discreetly into a residential street.


The Cosmic House Reopens
The Cosmic House Reopens

 



Join David Boyd Haycock for an insightful talk on Augustus John, one of the most influential British artists of the early 20th century. Exploring John's early fame and the reasons for her eventual decline, Haycock, author of Brilliant Destiny: The Age of Augustus John (2023), offers a fascinating look at her legacy.


Price: £20




 



Helena is determined to reclaim her late husband's legacy, with a new children's hospital named after him nearly ready to open. But when their son Oz returns for the unveiling, his ambitions risk exposing family secrets. Rachel O’Riordan directs Gary Owen’s contemporary reimagining of Ibsen’s classic, reuniting the team behind Iphigenia in Splott, Romeo and Julie, and Killology.


Ghosts, Lyric Hammersmith Theatre
Ghosts, Lyric Hammersmith Theatre

 



The family home is more than just a building—it’s a vessel of memory, inheritance, and, at times, magic. For siblings Stephen (Brian Gleeson) and Billie (Rosie Sheehy), their crumbling farmhouse is all they need—until the arrival of an ex-clergyman uncle (Seán McGinley) with a hidden agenda, a sister-in-law (Hannah Morrish) in search of a miracle, and a wayward brother (Chris O’Dowd) with a talent for disruption. From Olivier Award-winning writer and director Conor McPherson, The Brightening Air is a haunting tale of fate, family, and unseen forces in 1980s Ireland.




 



The Cotswolds Decorative, Antiques & Art Fair brings together over 45 exhibitors offering an eclectic mix of pieces for collectors, interior designers, and anyone seeking something distinctive. With prices ranging from £20 to over £10,000, the fair features everything from Victorian and 20th-century lighting to country furniture, Mid-Century Modern, Art Deco, sculpture, ceramics, glass, silver, jewellery, and more—all set against the grand backdrop of Westonbirt House.


Price: £5




 



The Whitworth presents the work of Roma-Polish artist Małgorzata Mirga-Tas, known for her narrative-rich textile art. Her vibrant, large-scale panels transform perceptions of Romany culture and history, offering a fresh view of the Whitworth’s textile collection. Mirga-Tas was the first Roma artist to represent Poland at the 2022 Venice Biennale. Tate St Ives organises the exhibition in collaboration with the Whitworth.


Image: Małgorzata Mirga-Tas 'The Three Graces' 2021. Presented to Tate by the artist in 2022. Photo Marek Gardulski. © Małgorzata Mirga-Tas.jpeg
Image: Małgorzata Mirga-Tas 'The Three Graces' 2021. Presented to Tate by the artist in 2022. Photo Marek Gardulski. © Małgorzata Mirga-Tas.jpeg

 



N4 Makers' Market presents the Ceramicists' Mart on Stoke Newington Church Street, featuring 65 talented makers from across London and the UK. Discover a mix of handcrafted homewares, striking sculptures, and wearable pieces—from plates and mugs to plant pots and jewellery trays. Enjoy a relaxed, community-focused atmosphere while meeting the makers and supporting independent creativity.


 



This is a fun, glassblowing experience for beginners! You can design, choose colours, and blow your own bauble. Your creation will need 48 hours to cool, after which it can be collected or couriered to you.


Price: £55 per Person




 



Pianist Sunwook Kim joins the Chamber Orchestra of Europe for a high-energy concert featuring Beethoven’s Piano Concertos 3 and 4. The performance also includes Anna Clyne’s Stride, inspired by Beethoven’s Pathétique Sonata. Kim, praised for his “vibrant, subtle, and personable” style (The Guardian), is a former Leeds Piano Competition winner and current Music Director of the Gyeonggi Philharmonic. On the 12th of April, he will combine his roles as pianist and conductor with the acclaimed Chamber Orchestra of Europe.


Sunwook Kim plays Beethoven, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Barbican Centre
Sunwook Kim plays Beethoven, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Barbican Centre

 



Join a walking tour through Spitalfields, guided by a local and enhanced with archive photos and paintings. Explore 2,000 years of history, shaped by waves of migration—from Huguenots to Bengalis—and discover how modern Britain was formed. The tour ends in a 300-year-old house with complimentary tea and freshly baked cakes.


Price: £40.40


Spitalfields Market by John Allin, 1973
Spitalfields Market by John Allin, 1973

 



At the Garden Museum - Spring Plant Fair, expert growers and nurseries from across the country gather to offer some of London's best garden plants. From shade lovers to pollinator-friendly varieties, meet the growers and get tips for your garden, balcony, or allotment. Featured stalls include Great Dixter Nursery and Beth Chatto’s Plants & Gardens, offering rare plants from their renowned nurseries. The event is curated by Susanna Grant, garden designer and founder of Hello There Linda.


Spring Plant Fair 2025, Garden Museum
Spring Plant Fair 2025, Garden Museum

 


Week Commencing 14th - 20th April


Explore rare books, archives, and artworks from their collections highlighting the people, plants, and places shaping gardening over the last 400 years. The RHS Lindley Library houses the world’s finest gardening books, archives, photography, and botanical art, spanning over 500 years of garden history.

This workshop, led by Fiona Davison, offers a tour of gardening history from the 17th to the 20th century. It is ideal for garden historians, archivists, and enthusiasts. Discover collections such as Thomas Fairchild’s The City Gardener (1722) and Adveno Brookes’ The Gardens of England (1856-7).


Price: £12


RHS Lindley Library Discovery Afternoon
RHS Lindley Library Discovery Afternoon



 



The workshop begins with a look at Charleston’s Spring garden, focusing on key plants, bulbs, and self-seeders. Head Gardener Harry Hoblyn will cover plant spacing, Spring pruning, weed management, and growing vegetables and dahlias. Participants will propagate hollyhocks. The day includes a tour of Charleston’s home and studio, refreshments, and a locally sourced lunch. Please bring secateurs, outdoor clothing, boots, and a notebook.


Price: £150


Lewis Ronald, The Gardening Year at Charleston: April, Harry Hobly
Lewis Ronald, The Gardening Year at Charleston: April, Harry Hobly

 



Ewan McGregor stars in My Master Builder, a new play by Lila Raicek, alongside Elizabeth Debicki, Kate Fleetwood, David Ajala, and Mirren Mack. On the eve of July 4th in the Hamptons, publishing magnate Elena Solness prepares a party to celebrate her architect husband, Henry, as he unveils his latest work. Their fragile union is disrupted by the arrival of Mathilde, a former student with whom Henry shared an intimate past. The evening leads each character to face a life-altering reckoning. Inspired by Ibsen, My Master Builder explores the vulnerabilities they expose when they open themselves to love.


My Master Builder,  Wyndham's Theatre
My Master Builder, Wyndham's Theatre

 



IACF is introducing exciting changes at Stoneleigh, including indoor and outdoor stalls. This event offers antique enthusiasts a fresh, immersive experience where they can discover rare items and engage with passionate dealers.


‘Celebration’ of Antiques at Stoneleigh, International Antiques & Collectors Fairs
‘Celebration’ of Antiques at Stoneleigh, International Antiques & Collectors Fairs
 


Week Commencing 21st - 27th April


Join Claire Cartwright for 10 hours of guided reading of Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus, recapping notes and a theatre ticket. This early Roman play is bold, bloody, and explores family, state, love, revenge, honour, and gender politics. After the online reading (Zoom), enjoy a field trip to see Max Webster’s production at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford, starring Simon Russell Beale.


Price: £290 per Person


Titus Andronicus - Online - RSC Stratford Upon Avon Production, 6 Week Course (Mondays), Friends With Shakespeare
Titus Andronicus - Online - RSC Stratford Upon Avon Production, 6-Week Course (Mondays), Friends With Shakespeare

 



Explore the LS Lowry collection. One of Britain’s most popular painters, Lowry is known for capturing the daily lives of northern British people against industrial backdrops. His seascapes and landscapes offer a stark contrast, often empty and desolate. Lowry sketched in real life and painted from memory, blending influences like surrealism and impressionism into his unique style.


Modern Life: LS Lowry Collection, The Lowry
Modern Life: LS Lowry Collection, The Lowry

 



Join the Graves Gallery for an informal, in-depth art and philosophy discussion. Each month, facilitator Rosie Carnall will guide you through a new question or theme using the Philosophy for Communities (P4C) method, encouraging creative, critical, and collaborative thinking. No experience is needed—everyone is welcome!


Sharing the View: Philosophy In The Gallery, Graves Gallery, Sheffield Museums Trust
Sharing the View: Philosophy In The Gallery, Graves Gallery, Sheffield Museums Trust

 



Join the Archive and Library team for a memorable morning in the Chatsworth Library, exploring the women who shaped Chatsworth. Enjoy exclusive access to archives related to figures like Bess of Hardwick, Duchess Georgiana, and others. The morning also includes visiting the Study Room, where the team will offer insights and answer questions about the displays.


Price: £45 per Person


Women Who Made Chatsworth, Chatsworth
Women Who Made Chatsworth, Chatsworth

 



Join acclaimed architectural designer Ben Pentreath as he discusses his life’s work and latest book, An English Vision: Traditional Architecture and Decoration for Today. With over 20 years of experience, Ben blends country cottage charm with traditional grandeur. He will explore his approach to scale, detail, and sustainability and showcase case studies from his projects in Dorset, London, Scotland, and beyond. This event is a must-attend for those passionate about architecture and design.


Price: £17




 



These one-to-one consultations provide expert advice from architects featured in this year's Don't Move, Improve! Competition. Perfect for those starting their home improvement journey or seeking space-maximising ideas, each 35-minute session offers tailored guidance. Bring plans, drawings, and images for the best experience.


Price: £6


Don’t Move, Improve! 2025 Design Consultations, NLA - the London Centre
Don’t Move, Improve! 2025 Design Consultations, NLA - the London Centre

 



Join them for their Spring fair with the Derbyshire Makers and celebrate the season. Browse and shop a showcase of locally handmade products by over 20 talented local artisan makers, including homewares, interiors, gifts, jewellery and more, alongside live music.


Derbyshire Makers Spring Fair at Peak Village, Chatsworth
Derbyshire Makers Spring Fair at Peak Village, Chatsworth

 



This one-day workshop will teach expressive oil painting of flowers, with studies painted directly from life in Rosemoor’s gardens. The focus will be on quick, loose techniques, covering drawing, colour, tone, and creating an appealing paint surface. Enjoy demonstrations and one-on-one support as you work on your painting.


Price: £80


Springtime in Oils, RHS Garden Rosemoor
Springtime in Oils, RHS Garden Rosemoor

 


Week Commencing 28th April - 4th May


This five-week evening course will enhance your figure drawing and painting by exploring five major art movements over the past 600 years. Led by artist Robin-Lee Hall, you’ll study influential artists like Michelangelo, Goya, and Cassat, using various mediums such as charcoal, oil paint, and gouache while working from life models.


Price: £500


Depicting the figure: Renaissance to Modernism, Royal Academy
Depicting the figure: Renaissance to Modernism, Royal Academy

 





Explore London’s history from the creation of Albertopolis to the new millennium, shaped by empire, war, and cultural renewal. This 12-week course offers over 40 hours of study with live or recorded lectures, giving you full access to the V&A’s collections. Learn at your own pace with lecture recordings, notes, and additional materials available for 12 weeks. Engage with fellow students and share insights outside of lesson time.


Price: £425


London: The Global City 1851 - 2020, V&A Academy Online
London: The Global City 1851 - 2020, V&A Academy Online

 


New Film Releases



Mr.Burton (4th April), Four Mothers (4th April), The Penguin Lessons (18th April)





 


Fairs & Fleas




Auctions


Phillips, Design - 24th - 30th April



 

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