If you’re a Welshie or have been forever entranced by England’s Celtic neighbours, London is brimming with ways to celebrate Welsh culture, heritage, and community. With St. David’s Day just around the corner (on March 1), there’s never been a better time to explore the capital’s wonderfully Welsh offerings.
From gorgeous daffodil displays to enjoying a pint and a cwtch at the pub, there are plenty of ways to embrace all things Cymru in the capital, and here are some of the absolute best. So, get your red glad rags on and let’s get going right now, in a minute!
1. Check out London’s dashing daffodil displays
One of the best and cheapest ways to celebrate St. David’s Day, or honour your Welsh roots, is by visiting the many daffodil displays dotted around London. Daffodils are the national flower of Wales, also known as Cennin Pedr, which translates to “Peter’s Leek” in Welsh.
The best place to go is undeniably around Buckingham Palace, with both St. James’s Park (pictured above) and Green Park boasting bloomin’ brilliant options. In fact, one million daffodil bulbs are planted across the Royal Parks each year, so they are all worth visiting for some daffodil hunting during the spring.
Daffodils usually bloom from February to May, but the exact time depends on a myriad of things, including the variety of daffodil. Other London hotspots include Postman’s Park near St. Paul’s Cathedral, as well as Kew Gardens if you don’t mind the entry fee.
2. Visit the London Welsh Centre
Consider this place your official headquarters for all things Welsh in London. This fantastic cultural hub has been bringing a slice of Wales to the capital for over a century; being a must-visit social space for any Welshie or Welsh-loving Londoner. From networking, language classes, and creative workshops in the day, to gigs, comedy nights, and more come sundown, it’s the perfect place for a pint or a well-needed taste of home. For more information and their lineup of events, click here to visit their website.
📍157-163 Grays Inn Rd, London WC1X 8UE
3. Cheer on Wales during the Six Nations
Let’s face it, Welsh rugby has seen much better days. But despite this, you’ll never struggle to find a pub in London that’s full of passionate Welsh fans when the Six Nations is on.
If you’re looking for good pubs to visit during the game if you’re Welsh, the previously mentioned London Welsh Centre is the best ticket in town. But there’s plenty more fantastic hotspots including Flat Iron Square in Borough and Big Penny Social in Walthamstow. For our round-up of the best Six Nation pubs in London, click here.
4. Enjoy a St. David’s Day celebration at Quaglino’s
The Welsh superstar Katherine Jenkins has teamed up with Quaglino’s to not only celebrate the launch of her brand-new Cygnet Gin, but also for an epic St. David’s Day celebration!
The beloved music restaurant and bar in Mayfair will be serving up an absolute treat for the big day, with Executive Chef Jack Smith collaborating with Katherine herself to design an exclusive three-course menu. Each dish highlights classic Welsh ingredients and draws inspiration from cherished memories of growing up in the market town of Neath.
There will even be live music from Idalia String Quartet, a talented group of students from the Royal Academy of Music, where Katherine studied. This special evening will take place on St. David’s Day (Saturday March, 1). For more information and bookings, click here.
📍 16 Bury St, London SW1Y 6AJ, United Kingdom
5. Take part in Wales Week London
For one glorious week each year, London gets a full-on Welsh takeover. Wales Week London is an annual celebration of Welsh culture, featuring everything form live music and poetry readings to exhibitions and beyond.
It usually ties in with St. David’s Day too, making it the perfect way to soak up the best of Wales without hopping on a train to Cardiff. This year’s iteration is taking place from February 22 until Mach 8. For more information and the full lineup, click here.
6. Try Wales’s favourite craft beer at these London pubs
Welsh craft beer has been making waves in the brewing scene, and Tiny Rebel is undeniably Wales’ favourite. This Newport-based brewery is famous for its bold, playful beers like Clwb Tropicana (a tropical IPA) and Cwtch (a Welsh red ale). You don’t have to travel too far to find it either with a few London pubs frequently stocking this lesser-known gem.
The Lyric in Soho is a great option if you’re on the hunt for Tiny Rebel. As well as The Albany in Fitzrovia and The Conductor in Farringdon. Of course, to guarantee you fix, your best bet is to order from their online shop.
7. Witness some Welsh marvels at the V&A
Dame Shirley Bassey: the woman, the myth, the legend. Cardiff’s most glamorous export has left her mark on the V&A Museum, where you can admire one of her dazzling stage outfits up close; proving that diamonds really are forever.
For more recent additions, don’t miss the His Dark Materials display, which features costumes and props from the BBC’s hit adaptation of the fantasy trilogy, famously filmed in Wales. You can also find an extensive collection of Welsh artefacts on their website by clicking here.
📍 Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL.
8. Learn Welsh at the London Welsh Centre
The London Welsh Centre has come up quite a bit in this round-up and for excellent reason. As well as being a pub and community centre, this awesome space also runs Welsh language classes for all levels, whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to brush up on your skills.
Welsh is one of Europe’s oldest living languages, and there’s no better way to connect with Welsh history and culture than learning some of it. Surprise your Welsh friends with a perfectly pronounced ‘diolch yn fawr’ and you’ll have a friend forever.
📍157-163 Grays Inn Rd, London WC1X 8UE
9. Get cultured at this Welsh contemporary art exhibition
During Wales Week London (from February 25 until March 9), you can witness some of the finest contemporary art to come out of Wales at this exciting exhibition. Inspired by Wales’s landscapes, culture, and history, expect traditional and modern artworks through various media forms. The exhibit will be taking place inside the gorgeous Garrison Chapel in Chelsea. For more information on the exhibition, click here.
📍Garrison Chapel, Chelsea Barracks, London SW1W 8BG.
10. Discover Dylan Thomas’ London
Dylan Thomas, one of Wales’s greatest poets is closely linked to London, spending much of his time in the capital living and writing in Camden. A blue plaque has been adorned to his former home, which you can spot at 54 Delancey Street.
Speaking of blue plaques, The Wheatsheaf pub has also commemorated the poet with a similar honour. Other pubs the poet would frequent include the Cittie of York, Marquis of Granby, The French House and the Fitzroy Tavern.
11. Get crafty at this embroidery workshop
Learn your way around a needle and thread at Jessie and Buddug the Shop, a super personable place to learn all about embroidery by creating your very own piece. This adorable Welsh-owned business in South London is great for stocking up on gifts, or trying your hand at embroidery with a kick-ass workshop. For more information and bookings, click here to visit their website.
12. Visit the Welsh chapels of London
There are a handful of Welsh chapels dotted around London, with the most famous being the Welsh Church of Central London, which is located just off Oxford Street (pictured above). From charming Welsh services to a well-needed sense of community, find your nearest Welsh chapel in London by visiting their official website, here.