The next big change in the Government's third coronavirus lockdown has happened, with a whole host of hospitality and entertainment options reopening on May 17.

The third stage of the Government's roadmap has seen pubs and restaurants open indoors, as well as cinemas, museums and more, and a number of other freedoms return.

But also receiving a welcome boost this week as they reopen to the public are some of Greenwich and Bexley's more unique offerings, from international music venues to butterfly houses.

Here's a summary of what's now open, focusing on some of south east London's more unusual destinations.

As part of the Government’s COVID-19 roadmap from 17 May up to six people or two households will be able to meet indoors and up to 30 people outdoors.

All remaining outdoor entertainment can reopen, such as outdoor cinemas and performances. Some larger events will be able to take place, including conferences, theatre and concert performances, and sports events. Restrictions on the number of attendees will remain as set out in the Government's roadmap.

Cinemas are among those to reopen, and in Greenwich, councillors went along to the Vue in Eltham for reopening day declaring 'lights, camera, popcorn!'

Vue in Eltham has also reopened

Vue in Eltham has also reopened

Ashley Richardson, General Manager at Vue Eltham, said: “We are delighted to finally open our doors today and welcome our staff and customers in Eltham back. We know what demand there is for out-of-home experiences that can provide true escapism, and the big screen experience delivers just that.

“We look forward to safely welcoming our customers in Eltham through the doors again.”

Royal Museums Greenwich has also reopened all its museums and attractions, and are ready to welcome back visitors.

Royal Museums Greenwich - Cutty Sark

Royal Museums Greenwich - Cutty Sark

This means the Cutty Sark, National Maritime Museum, Royal Observatory in Greenwich Park and the Queen's House are all now open and ready to book.

Royal Museums Greenwich

Royal Museums Greenwich

In exciting news for locals, the Butterfly House at Bexleyheath's Hall Place has also reopening.

The borough's Butterfly Jungle was actually forced to close after falling victim to the devastating economical impact of Covid-19.

But two of the jungle's former employees have given it a new lease of life, taking the lease of its new home and announcing the newly titled Butterfly House and Garden Centre.

The owners say its been "a long time since we reopened," and they have been busy getting everything ready as well as restocking up on butterflies.

Bexleys Butterfly House has reopened

Bexley's Butterfly House has reopened

Phil Savage, who reopened the butterfly sanctuary along with Daniel Hynes, said: "We are just as excited as you to welcome you back we've missed you and missed our butterflies."

The venue is offering 30 minute slots, pre-booking advised.

Another of the more unusual destinations reopening its doors to the public this week is the Crayford Greyhound Stadium, who say they are "excited to welcome back spectators."

STARDOM (t1) gets up to beat Towcester Story (t2) by a head in the Ladbrokes Golden Jacket Final. Crayford. Photo: © Steve Nash

STARDOM (t1) gets up to beat Towcester Story (t2) by a head in the Ladbrokes Golden Jacket Final. Crayford. Photo: © Steve Nash

The sport was actually the first professional sport to return after the first national lockdown last year, but has been running safely behind closed doors ever since.

Stardom poses with her owners The Jabber Crew as Mick Pacey holds partner/trainer Heather Dimmock’s Golden Jacket winner. Crayford. Photo: © Steve Nash

Stardom poses with her owners The Jabber Crew as Mick Pacey holds partner/trainer Heather Dimmock’s Golden Jacket winner. Crayford. Photo: © Steve Nash

So visitors will be allowed to return, starting from today (May 18), with the stadium saying it "has not been the same without their guests cheering their canine athletes on."

The Crayford Stadium will be re-admitting visitors every Tuesday evening, Wednesday morning, Thursday and Friday afternoons and Saturday morning and evening, with pre-booking required for all.

Crayford Stadium has been hosting greyhound racing since 1937 and is home to a number of prestigious events across the racing calendar, including the Golden Jacket.

The Stadium has two major competitions coming up in June; the Ladbrokes Kent St Leger and the Ladbrokes Guys and Dolls, with thousands of pounds up for grabs.

Connections (left) of Skilful Sandie cheer home their Golden Jacket winner as Antigua Fire (t6) misses out for the second year running. Crayford. Photo: © Steve Nash

Connections (left) of Skilful Sandie cheer home their Golden Jacket winner as Antigua Fire (t6) misses out for the second year running. Crayford. Photo: © Steve Nash

Peter Broadbridge, Stadium Manager at Crayford Greyhound Stadium, said: “We are very much looking forward to being able to welcome our owners and spectators back through our doors next week. Our staff have been working tirelessly to ensure we have everything in place for our guests to enjoy a safe and fun visit to our stadium.

“We are proud to be a place for our local community to come to enjoy racing and spend quality time with friends and family.

"Although we’ve been busy racing behind closed doors, it has not been the same without the public here cheering our athletes on. We have some great racing lined up over the next weeks, including a number of exciting open race competitions and we look forward to seeing both familiar and new faces at our track.”

One of the region's big global destinations has also announced its reopening plans, with O2 Arena hosting a series of 'Welcome Back' events.

Fresh after hosting the Brit Awards in front of a large, NHS-filled audience last week as part of a Government pilot, the O2 will host a number of performances in front of full-capacity crowds for the first time since March 2020.

However, this will have to wait until August, when an exciting line up of headline artists and performers will "showcase the very best of British and International acts."

Before then, Up at The O2 has announced a new summer event series on the roof of The O2, with daytime, sunset, night-time and the new Thursday Lates options, giving mesmerising views of the capital and more.

Up at The O2

Up at The O2

Emma Bownes, VP of Programming for AEG Europe (owner and operator of The O2) said: “The Welcome Back Shows mark a really exciting moment for The O2 and for our fans, as we get ready to welcome full capacity crowds back to the venue after such a long period.

"We’re planning a stunning string of events that will bring the best in comedy, dance, afrobeat, rock and pop to London and give fans what they’ve been waiting for.

"We’re delighted to be launching our return season with the very best of British comedy and know that hearing The O2 arena roar with 20,000 laughs is the tonic we all need.”