The spring bank holiday weekend at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in 2026 is a genuinely brilliant one. Three thousand elite swimmers competing at the London Aquatics Centre. West Ham‘s last home game of the season at London Stadium on the Sunday. And Draughts right here in the middle of it all at 5 Aquatics Walk.
May is one of the best months to be in this part of east London. The park is in full bloom, the evenings are staying lighter, and the area around Stratford station has enough going on that you can build a whole day around it without trying too hard. Here’s what’s on this May bank holiday.
AP Race London International – Elite Swimming at the Olympic Pool
The spring bank holiday falls across 23-25 May – which is exactly when the AP Race London International takes place at the London Aquatics Centre. Three days of elite competitive swimming in the same 50-metre pool that hosted the 2012 Olympics, with hundreds of national and international swimmers competing across multiple sessions each day.
Spectator tickets are available at aprace.club – it’s one of the more unusual bank holiday days out in London, genuinely exciting to watch if you have any interest in swimming, and completely unlike anything else happening in the city that weekend. The Aquatics Centre itself is worth seeing up close even if you don’t go in – Zaha Hadid’s wave-form roof is extraordinary.
And when the session ends? We’re five minutes from the pool. Draughts Stratford is at 5 Aquatics Walk – the name is not a coincidence. Over 1,000 games, a kitchen running a full menu, and a bar that stays open.
West Ham’s Last Home Game – Sunday 24 May
The day after the early swim sessions – Sunday 24 May – West Ham play their final home game of the 2025-26 Premier League season at London Stadium. West Ham vs Leeds United, kick-off in the afternoon, with 62,500 seats to fill for the last time until August. London Stadium is a ten-minute walk through the park from Draughts. If you’re coming in for the match, we’re the obvious place to be before kick-off – good food, a great bar, and a game or two while the pre-match energy builds. Post-match works just as well. The park route back from the stadium is calmer than the main Stratford approaches, and Draughts is on the way.
We’ve written a full guide to making a day of it – including walking routes, timing advice and what to order – in our West Ham post. Link to that when publishing.
V&A East – The New Museum on Your Doorstep
V&A East opened earlier in 2026 and is already one of the most talked-about cultural openings in London in years. The east London outpost of the Victoria and Albert Museum is inside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, a short walk from Draughts, and its debut exhibition – ‘The Music is Black: A British Story’ – is a serious piece of cultural programming exploring the influence of Black artists on British music across generations.
We’ve covered V&A East in detail in two separate posts – one on things to do after visiting, one on where to eat nearby – so rather than repeat ourselves, we’ll just say: if you haven’t been yet, the May bank holiday is a genuinely good time to go. The park is at its best in May, the museum is busy but not overwhelmingly so, and the combination of the exhibition and a few hours at Draughts afterwards makes for one of the best full days out in east London right now.
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in May
May is arguably the best month to spend time in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. 560 acres of it, beautifully landscaped, with the spring planting at its peak – the wildflower meadows, the formal borders around the Velodrome, the waterway planting along the canals. It looks different in May than it does in any other month.
The north of the park – up by Tumbling Bay playground and Timber Lodge cafe – is the quieter end and the best place to escape the crowds when the stadium events are running. The canal towpath that runs up towards Hackney Wick is genuinely lovely on a May morning. And The Line art trail starts right here in the park and runs south along the waterway to The O2 – seven kilometres of free public art, outdoor, self-guided, completely free. If you want the full guide to the park’s lesser-known corners, we’ve got a dedicated hidden gems post for that.
Come to Draughts Stratford This Bank Holiday
We’re at 5 Aquatics Walk, inside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, E20 2AS. Open from midday across both May bank holiday weekends – the early May bank holiday on 4 May, and the spring bank holiday across 23-25 May. Over 1,000 games, a full food menu, cocktails, beers and soft drinks. Our games hosts will find the right game for whoever you’ve brought with you.
The spring bank holiday weekend in particular – with the AP Race and West Ham’s last home game both running – is one of the busiest weekends of the year in the park. Book your table at draughtslondon.com in advance. Don’t leave it until the day.
Practical Tips for the May Bank Holiday in Stratford
- Stratford station is served by Central, Jubilee and Elizabeth Lines, DLR and National Rail – one of the most connected stations in London
- AP Race spectator tickets need to be booked in advance at aprace.club – don’t leave it to the day
- West Ham vs Manchester United is Sunday 24 May – London Stadium is a ten-minute walk from Draughts through the park
- V&A East can get busy on bank holidays – check vam.ac.uk for any timed entry requirements
- Tumbling Bay playground (north of the park) and Timber Lodge cafe are the quieter option when the stadium end is busy
- Book Draughts at draughtslondon.com – the spring bank holiday weekend fills up
Frequently Asked Questions Things to Do in Stratford on the May Bank Holiday 2026
What’s on in Stratford on the May bank holiday 2026?
The spring bank holiday weekend (23-25 May) is particularly busy at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in 2026. The AP Race London International elite swimming competition runs at the London Aquatics Centre from 23-25 May, and West Ham play their final home game of the season – vs Manchester United – on Sunday 24 May at London Stadium. V&A East museum is open throughout, and Draughts Stratford at 5 Aquatics Walk is open from midday across both May bank holiday weekends.
When is the May bank holiday 2026?
There are two May bank holidays in 2026. The early May bank holiday is Monday 4 May. The spring bank holiday is Monday 25 May. Both give you a three-day weekend.
What is the AP Race London International 2026?
The AP Race London International is an elite international swimming competition taking place at the London Aquatics Centre, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, from 23-25 May 2026. The event draws national and international competitive swimmers and takes place in the 50-metre pool built for the 2012 Olympics. Spectator tickets are available at aprace.club.
Is Draughts Stratford open on the bank holiday?
Yes – Draughts Stratford is open from midday across both May bank holiday weekends. The address is 5 Aquatics Walk, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, E20 2AS. We’re a board game café, bar and restaurant with over 1,000 games. We strongly recommend booking in advance at draughtslondon.com, particularly for the spring bank holiday weekend when the park is very busy.
How far is Draughts from London Stadium?
Draughts Stratford at 5 Aquatics Walk is approximately a ten-minute walk from London Stadium through Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The route through the park is straightforward and well-signposted.
Where can I eat near the London Aquatics Centre on the bank holiday?
Draughts Stratford is at 5 Aquatics Walk, a five-minute walk from the London Aquatics Centre inside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. We serve a full food menu at the table while you play – Korean fried chicken, birria tacos, smashed burgers, halloumi fries and more. Open from midday. Book at draughtslondon.com.
Is V&A East open on the May bank holiday?
Yes – V&A East is open on bank holidays. Check vam.ac.uk for current opening hours and any timed entry requirements for the current exhibitions. The museum is inside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, a short walk from Draughts Stratford at 5 Aquatics Walk.
What is The Line art trail?
The Line is a free, self-guided public art trail running 7.7 kilometres from Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to The O2 in Greenwich, following the waterways and the Greenwich Meridian. It features sculptures and installations by artists including Anthony Gormley and Tracey Emin. The trail starts in the Olympic Park and is open daily, free of charge. Download the route map at the-line.org.
How do I get to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park?
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is in Stratford, east London. Stratford station is served by the Central, Jubilee and Elizabeth Lines, DLR and National Rail. The park is a short walk from the station. Journey time from central London is approximately fifteen to twenty minutes on the Elizabeth or Central Line.
What’s West Ham’s last home game of the 2025-26 season?
West Ham United’s final home game of the 2025-26 Premier League season is against Manchester United on Sunday 24 May 2026 at London Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. London Stadium holds 62,500 in its football configuration and is a ten-minute walk from Draughts Stratford.
What is there to do at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park beyond the headline attractions?
Beyond London Stadium, the Aquatics Centre and the ArcelorMittal Orbit, the park has a number of lesser-known highlights. The north of the park has Tumbling Bay playground and Timber Lodge cafe. The Line art trail starts here and runs south to The O2. The canal towpath leads to Hackney Wick in about twenty minutes. Three Mills Island – one of the most atmospheric spots in east London – is a short walk away. And Draughts at 5 Aquatics Walk is right in the middle of it all.
