Pancake Day, which is otherwise known as Shrove Tuesday,it is always the day before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the 40 days leading up to Easter. This year it falls on Tuesday, February 25th . The tradition of eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday began as a way to use up ingredients including butter, milk and eggs that were not supposed to be eaten and would go bad during the period of Lent. Pancakes, particularly thin and buttery crepes, were a great way to clear the cupboards in one easy and indulgent dish. Besides from just eating pancakes on Pancake day there are lots of fun events happening so check out below. Please see our previous pancake blog on some of the best places to get crepes and pancakes in London.
Flippin Good Pancake Races
Location: 5B Greenwich Market, Greenwich Peninsula, London SE10 9HZ
Website:www.greenwichmarket.london/events
Take part in the annual Flippin’ Pancake Race at Greenwich Market on Saturday 22nd February from 11am and Shrove Tuesday 25th February from 12 noon and win a medal! All funds will go to the Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice. If you want to enter as a team, please get your ticket from Eventbrite. If you just going to support, entry is free. Pans will be provided and everyone who dresses up (optional) and enters – gets a free pancake to eat!
Better Bankside Pancake Day Races
Location:Borough Market,43 Borough High Street SE1 9AH
Website:/boroughmarket.org.uk/events
Every year on Shrove Tuesday, Bankside businesses get a team together and compete with their neighbours in a fast and furious pancake-flipping relay. All proceeds will go towards Paintings in Hospitals, there will also be yummy pancakes available throughout the event (free for our racers!). Teams will need to register at 12pm and the races will start at 12.30pm, then finish around 1.30pm on 5 March 2019 in Borough Market’s Jubilee Place area. To enter a team for the event, email info@betterbankside.co.uk with a team name and the names of those racing. Feel free to come along to cheer and support if you don’t wish to compete.
Pancake Races
Location: Leadenhall Market, Gracechurch St, Langbourn, London EC3V 1LT
Website: leadenhallmarket.co.uk/
Competitors from City law, banking and accountancy firms race around the historic 14th century Leadenhall Market while attempting to flip a pancake in the legendary Leadenhall Market Pancake Race. The winners walk away with free pancakes and the highly coveted frying pan trophy and for spectators there’s plenty of pancakes as well as beer. The race starts at 12pm, entry is free but teams need to register in advance by emailing lambtavernevents@youngs.co.uk .
Inter Livery Pancake Races
Location: Guildhall Yard, London EC2V 5AE
Website: www.cityoflondon.gov.uk
The Inter-Livery Pancake Race takes place on 25th February, with the Mansion House, Guildhall, Old Bailey and City Livery Company of Poulters competing in fancy dress for a commemorative frying pan. The annual Shrove Tuesday race is to help raise money for the Lord Mayor’s Charity. The event takes place from 11.30am-3pm. Find out more details on their website.
Where the pancakes are
Location:Arch 35a, 85a Southwark Bridge Road,
London SE1 0NQ
Website:wherethepancakesare.com/
Finally, if you just want to eat pancakes on Shrove Tuesday then be sure to check out this restaurant and pop up store. Open all day (7:30am-9:30pm) serving nothing but pancakes, you can get your fix here at any time. Offering sweet and savoury options as well as vegan and gluten free choices this place is a pancake lover’s dream! Check out their Instagram for their 6 pancake day special made pancakes.
If you are looking for a great venue for a company meal, drinks reception, office party or any kind of event in London, then we can help with our Free Venue Finding Service. Because of our direct relationship with the venues, we can often get better rates than you would do if you contacted them directly, and this service is offered to you completely free! If you have any questions, or would like more information, please call +44 (0)20 8 391 3019 or email info@obis360.com