London – it’s pretty much fantastic, isn’t it? You’ve got Big Ben, Westminster, Buckingham Palace and an almost endless list of other places to visit.
But really, will these attraction-staples let you appreciate the great outdoors?
Nah.
They may be great feats of architecture, but they won’t let you relax and soak up the all too rare British sunlight.
Summer is one of the best times in London, although you aren’t guaranteed sun or warm weather, the weather is usually a lot better than the rest of the year so you can go out and explore some incredible places.
That’s why we’ve put together the ideal list of things you can do in London when you’re yearning for a spot of sunshine.
Whether you live in London, or you are going to be visiting during summer, here are some amazing things to do.
1. Hyde Park Lido
London is a landlocked city, but did you know there are beaches?
Well kind of. Okay, don’t expect the Maldives, or even Ibiza, but if you head deep into Hyde Park you can find an artificial beach located on a lido where you can go swimming.
Hyde Park beach is such a hidden location that not even many people know about it, even Londoners.
Although this lido is located only around 25 minutes walk from Oxford Street it really is a world away for hectic central London life and it is the perfect summer escape if the weather is good.
2. Swimming in Hampstead Heath
Hampstead Heath probably has the most well-known free ponds in London. They open around April time, so pack your swimsuit, a drink, some food and a towel to aid the recovery.
3. Sky Garden
The Sky Garden is a totally amazing tourist attraction to check out in central London.
Entry to the Sky Garden is free of charge on weekdays 10am-6pm and weekends 11am-9pm, and it is great to visit both day and night.
There are trees, plants, food, drink and amazing views of the London skyline.
4. Opening of the Museum Gardens
There are so many museums to visit in London and the typically high ceilings and airy interiors in museums are just another reason to visit London’s museums in the summer.
A few of them also have some pretty cool gardens out the back too – the John Madejski Garden at the V&A is surrounded by lemon trees and there’s a shallow elliptical pool too.
Or visit Hampton Court Palace and sit in the garden to admire the Tudor and Baroque architecture or hang out in the Orangery, Exotic Gardens and the Home Park too.
5. Parks
The sun shining over London is enough of an excuse to picnic in Hyde Park, Victoria Park, Hampstead Heath, or in any of the other tens of big green spaces in the city.
Take a Frisbee, a dog or just a few crisps and dip, and you’ll be entertained for hours.
Hampstead is one of the most expensive and scenic London boroughs, with huge mansions. Hampstead Heath is a popular green space with amazing city skyline views.
You could visit Clapham, a youthful and vibrant borough located in south London, and home to lots of young professionals.
There are lots of bars, cafes and restaurants on the high street and during summer, Clapham Common, a huge open green space is a popular place to relax and hangout.
Although there are no specific tourist attractions in Clapham Common, it is a great place to have a picnic, sunbathe or just people watch.
6. Grab a Pint in the Sun
There are thousands of pubs in London and so many have gardens or outdoor spaces to enjoy the summer weather.
London has some of the finest places to grab a pint outdoors. For a start, go to The Mayflower Pub, which offers a stunning view of the Thames and a delectable, although reasonably expensive, restaurant.
For an earthier taste of the city, give The Palm Tree a try. A real “east end boozer”, it’s the type of bar that plays host to young, hip students and older, fustier types, making it both trendy and arcane. Either way, it’s the perfect place to lounge when the sun peeks out over Blighty’s sky.
You could visit Soho, a vibrant area with hundreds of bars, cafes, restaurants, cinemas, theatres and entertainment. Camden is home to one of London’s best markets. Get a drink, and some food and sit by the canal and watch the world go by.
7. Primrose Hill
Primrose Hill is located in north London and is home to a host of celebrities, musicians and movie stars.
One of the highlights is taking a blanket and just enjoying the fantastic skyline views and sunset over the city.
You could combine a visit with a trip to nearby Camden which has one of the best markets in London.
8. Find a Farm in the City
The one thing that people love when the sun is shining and they’re in a massive city like London is to not be there.
What you want is the opportunity to soak up the countryside. London provides a hint of that pastoral wonder, being home to over a dozen inner-city farms. They’re perfect if you have kids as they can pet goats, sheep, llamas and pretty much any other farmyard life.
It’s the type of activity that will brighten your day – after all, who doesn’t want to relax in the sun with a llama?
9. Catch a Film at Somerset House
Fancy watching a film under the stars? Consider buying a ticket.
Your film-watching experiences are probably consigned to the damp silence of darkened rooms, but that doesn’t have to be the case in London’s summer sun. In those sunlit months at Somerset House, you’ll be treated to an eclectic programme of films.
These cinematic events are packed with everything from hyperactive blockbusters to quirky indie flicks. But the films are only half the story – as you watch your movies, you’ll get to watch the sun lilt away until, by the film’s end, you’re sitting underneath a blanket of stars.
There are also lots more outdoor summer cinemas in London. Wonderful doesn’t even cover it.
10. Outdoor Theatres
When you visit London during the summer months, one of the most enjoyable activities is to watch a play in one of the many outdoor theatres, such as the Shakespeare’s Globe, that are spread throughout the city.
These theatres literally turn themselves inside out to allow you to enjoy performances of some of the most famous and loved plays while sitting under the open sky.
You can have an unforgettable experience watching a variety of different plays such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Tempest, Macbeth and more from the comfort of a lawn picnic, or while enjoying a beer with your friends from a terrace that will give you a wonderful view of the stage and the performers.
Around the city of London there is a selection of delightful theatres that move their performances outside during the summer months. They are found all across London and we have selected two examples of some of the best theatres found in the heart of the city.
You will allow you to create memorable moments as you enjoy the experience of watching the many famous and breath-taking plays that are performed in the pleasing, summer weather.
These are some of the best places to check out:
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre hosts a variety of plays from the world’s most famous playwright, William Shakespeare.
Some of his globally renowned plays that will be performed during the summer months include the tragicomedy of The Tempest, which will be showcased until the 18th of August, the flurry of A Midsummer Night’s Dream that will be shown until the 12th of October, and the infamous tragedy of Macbeth, which will be performed up to the 13th of October.
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre also offers tours that include an audio guide that is available in a variety of languages. These various theatre tours allow you to discover more interesting facts about the theatre itself such as its architecture and famous board.
The National Theatre
The National Theatre is considered to be the spiritual home of Britain’s theatrical traditions.
This venue hosts fantastic settings and free music in the foyer, and it often performs experimental outdoor shows on its roof and terrace to visitors that come from all over the world. All the normal indoor performances of the theatre are stretched out across the surrounding terraces, squares and riversides toward the end of summer and beyond.
The National Theatre’s host an Inside Out festival which is very popular and includs many fun activities such as theatrical performances, exhibitions, pop-up workshops and more, and this is a wonderful opportunity that should not be overlooked when you visit London.
11. Music Festivals
We love festivals, and London has so many during the summer including Lovebox, Field Day, SW4, Hyde Park and Wireless.
As well as previous big headliners like Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna and Hot Chip, they’ll all have some sort of cabaret, vintage bazaar, street theatre and art installations too.
12. Notting Hill Carnival
More than a million people come to Notting Hill on the August Bank Holiday weekend to watch the floats, parades and dancers go by.
With more than 40 static sound systems and hundreds of food stalls you’ll need to take plenty of cash for jerk chicken, fried plantain and curried goat and make sure you wear your raving shoes for the reggae, heavy dub, drum & bass and R&B stages pumping out the tunes.
This really is one of the best world festivals to experience at least once in your life.
13. Wimbledon Tennis Championship
The Wimbledon Tennis Tournament held in July is the highlight of all the pro tennis players’ calendars. If you don’t manage to get a ticket join sports fans on the famous Murray Mound outside the courts and watch all the action on the big screens. Don’t forget the Pimms and strawberries.
Plan Your Perfect Summer Day in London
When the sun’s out in England’s capital city it’s the best place to be in the world.
There are film, food and music festivals to enjoy, plenty of parks to picnic in and tens of beer gardens to knock some Pimm’s back in.
If you do fancy an escape, London has a fantastic transport network to the rest of the UK and there are so many recommended day trips from London. If a beach appeals, view our reasons to visit Bournemouth.
