5 Things to do for International Women’s Day in London
Have you recently found out it was International Women’s Day? Not sure what you can do to celebrate? No need to worry as we have compiled a list of five easy things you can do to best spend the holiday in London.
1. Support Women-Owned Businesses
Looking for a new spot to try? Why not visit a women-owned business for International Women’s Day. Across London there are a variety of businesses with owners, operators, and founders who are women (including Totally Tailored). There’s no better way to show your support than by visiting one of them. Here are a couple of our favorites:
Where: Borough Market, Camden Market, and Old Spitalfields Market
What: A shop specializing in delicious homemade fruit crumbles and founded by Kim Innes
Where: Borough Market
What: Uniquely creating British goats’ milk ice cream with incredible flavors and owned by Josie Wells
Where: Borough Market
What: An organic Greek grocery store led by founder Marianna Kolokotroni
Where: Tours run from a variety of locations: Stow on the Wold, Burford, Bibury, Bourton on the Water, Woodstock, Oxford, Chipping Campden
What: Personal guided tours of Cotswold led by Victoria Proffitt-White
Where: 5 Fournier Street, London, E1 6QE
What: A gallery, shop and coffee shop that has been operating for over 20 years by Fiona Atkins
Tour guide tip: Book our Borough Market Tour to learn more about some of these shops or to skip the infamously long line at Humble Crumble
2. Visit Famous Women Statues
Another great way to spend the day is by visiting statues of influential women. For many years, Parliament Square was home to only male statues until 2018 when everything changed. Through campaigns and petitions, suffragist Millicent Fawcett was given a statue in Parliament Square alongside other historically influential individuals, such as Nelson Mandela, Winston Churchill, and Gandhi. Check out our article from 2018 “Girl Power: Fawcett’s Westminster Statue” to read more about the unveiling of her statue.
Other Statues to Visit:
Where: Waterloo Place, St James’s
Where: St. Martin’s Theatre
Where: Gordon Square, Bloomsbury
3. Donate to Charities
Donating to organizations with a focus on assisting women is another great way to show your support today. With so many amazing charities to donate it may appear difficult. Check out this link recognizing organizations that serve to support women in various ways.
4. Visit Museums Honouring Women
Photo Courtesy of Tate Britain
Are you a fan of museums? Well, London is home to almost 200 of them. Many display portraits and galleries recognizing women. From activism to pop culture, women have had quite the impact and theres no better way to discover some of those accomplishment than through museums.
Right in time for Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, Tate Britain is offering the “WOMEN IN REVOLT! ART AND ACTIVISM IN THE UK 1970-1990″ exhibition. The exhibition closes April 7th, so make sure to stop by before then. For more exhibitions check out, “10 Must-Visit Art Exhibitions In London Celebrating Women Artists” by Jack Rattenbury.
Tour guide tip: Want to see other popular museums in London with some insider knowledge? Check out some of our tours!
5. Be there for the Women in Your Life
Photo courtesy of Omar Lopez through Unsplash
Being there for the women in your life is arguably the best way to spend the day. Support the women in your life by listening and advocating. If you are feeling generous, you can also take them out for dinner. Just check it’s a women-owned restaurant beforehand.
Regardless of how you decide to spend International Women’s Day, on behalf of Totally Tailored we hope it is a great one. Are you interested in a tour focused more on Women’s History in London reach out to us, and we can work to set you up on a private tour with an expert guide. Our Tours can be Totally Tailored to best fit your interests.
Written by Isabella Abouhana
