Flippin' great: 5 Pancake Day events in London

Elasticated trousers at the ready, Shrove Tuesday (February 17) is nearly upon us. Take part in a race and burn off a few calories to justify that 13th pancake, or spectate with crepe in hand
Victorious: Lord Redesdale crosses the finish line for the House of Lords team in last year's Parliamentary Pancake Race
Pippa Bailey5 February 2015

Where the Pancakes Are

The Proud Archivist, Feb 14-22

In the run-up to the opening of its permanent restaurant this summer, Where The Pancakes Are is holding a pop-up event at bar/restaurant/gallery space The Proud Archivist. Fill up on posh buttermilk and buckwheat pancakes, served with gourmet toppings including smoked salmon, asparagus and hollandaise, kumquats and blood-orange Cointreau cream and — a twist on the classic lemon and sugar — limoncello ricotta and sugar. We recommend you go for sweet and savoury and make it a two-course meal.

2-10 Hertford Road, N1 5SH, from 11am, free entry, wherethepancakesare.com

The Great Spitalfields Pancake Race

Old Truman Brewery, Tue Feb 17

Don your finest fancy dress and pop down to Brick Lane with three willing teammates to take part in the annual Great Spitalfields Pancake Race. Prizes, including bottles of bubbly and jewellery from Tatty Devine, will be awarded for the winners, runners up, best dressed and (the unacknowledged booby prize?) best-behaved teams, plus all racers receive a free pancake from the Hungarian Creperie. Musical entertainment will come from the Lost Marbles String Band and all money raised from team sponsors and donations goes to London’s Air Ambulance.

91 Brick Lane, E1 6QL, from 12.30pm, free entry, alternativearts.co.uk

Egg-cellent: spectators out in force to watch the race at Spitalfields

Parliamentary Pancake Race

Victoria Tower Gardens, Tue Feb 17

Westminster’s finest tossers (the pancake kind, that is) will be racing around Victoria Tower Gardens, flipping as they go. There are separate teams for MPs, Lords and political correspondents, all vying for the top prize: the Race Magnificent Tin Cup. The event aims to raise awareness for host charity Rehab, which works with disabled and disadvantaged people across the UK.

Millbank, SW1P 3JA, from 10am, free entry, rehab.ie

Better Bankside Annual Charity Pancake Day Race

Borough Market, Tue Feb 17

Unless you’re part of the Bankside business community, this one is just a spectator sport. Watch local teams race in the pancake-tossing relay along Jubilee Place while you feast on pancakes, including Thai coconut creations from traders Khanom Krok, and other foodie delights from Borough Market. All money raised goes to local charity Paintings in Hospitals.

Jubilee Place, SE1 1TL, from 12.30pm, free entry, betterbankside.co.uk

Greenwich Market Pancake Race

Greenwich Market, Sat Feb 14

If you’re too busy dining al desko to head out for some frivolity on Shrove Tuesday, Greenwich Market Pancake Race is helpfully taking place on Saturday 14 instead. There are observer-only races for teams of local traders, plus some open to the public, including the visitor race and Valentine’s Day race for couples. Not the athletic sort? Go for the best fancy dress award instead. Planet Pancakes will be serving the crowds all day and all donations go to Macmillan Cancer Support.

Durnford Street, SE10 9JZ, from 12pm, greenwichmarketlondon.com

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