There are so many brilliant things to do in London in the summer.
We love London all year round, but when the temperatures rise and the sun actually shines, the streets are all the more magical. Here are some of our favourite things to do in the summer in London – how many will you get done before the seasons turn?
Big summer events to try in London
1. Feel the blues at ‘Merica-lovin Black Deer Festival (June 21-23)
2. Explore late-night art at… Art Night (June 22)
3. Groove away at this funk and soul summer solstice (June 22)
4. Indulge your sweet tooth at London’s Gelato Festival (June 29-30)
5. Enjoy the rhythms of Cuba, Ibiza, and Club Tropicana at these sun-soaked parties (Jun 30-July 20)
6. Join the Queue and catch the tennis at Wimbledon (July 1–14)
7. Check out the blooms at the Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival (July 2–7)
8. Explore a room full of rainbows at Tate Modern (from July 5)
9. Scoff everything in sight at this rooftop wing festival (July 5-7)
10. Feel the love at the Pride Parade (July 6)
11. Chill out at the rum & reggae rooftop party (July 6, Aug 3, Aug 25)
12. Sip something special at co*cktails In The City (July 12–13)
13. Sail the high seas on a bouncing brunch boat (July 13, Aug 10)
14. Mosey on over to this secret garden party (July 13)
15. Dine while suspended 100ft above the city at London In The Sky (until July 15)
16. Judge the vegetable sculptures at Lambeth Country Show (July 20–21)
17. Get involved in the first National Park City Festival (July 20-28)
18. Crunch and crunk your way through London’s first crisps, dip and gin festival (July 20, Aug 24)
19. Belt out film classics at a singing cinema (July 20, Sep 28)
20. Hop a train to fab festival Standon Calling (July 25-28)
21. Catch a movie at Somerset House’s Film 4 Summer Screens (Aug 8–21)
22. Hop along to London Craft Beer Festival (August 9–11)
23. Glitter yourself up for the epic Elrow Town party (Aug 17)
24. Eat yourself into a sugar coma at the London Dessert Festival (August 17-18)
25. Take on a massive inflatable obstacle course at Alexandra Palace (Aug 23)
26. Live like common people at Clapham’s South West Four (August 24-25)
27. Twerk and jerk at Notting Hill Carnival (August 24–26)
Things to do in London all summer long
28. Toast marshmallows around a campfire at the beautiful Midnight Apothecary
29. Frolic in the fields of Mayfield Lavender Farm
30. Set sail in your very own floating hot tub
31. Climb Greenwich Park’s hill and enjoy the sunset
32. Fly above the treeson this 60ft zip wire
33. While away the afternoon in a grassy pub garden
34. Explore the butterfly house and gardens at Horniman Museum
35. Catch a movie on a rooftop with Rooftop Film Club – or any of London’s other top outdoor cinemas
36. Enjoy London Zoo without the kids at ZSL Zoo Lates
37. Sink a co*cktail at one of these beautiful rooftop bars
38. Blast out the hits at Vauxhall’s outdoor karaoke pit
39. Take a walk along the Thames at one of these riverside pubs
40. Combine alcohol and chocolate with these boozy libations
41. Walk amid the treetops at the gorgeous Kew Gardens
42. Soak up the sun at the South Bank Beach Brunch
43. Finally explore one of London’s many hidden gems
44. Walk the length of Regents Canal, sampling wares along the way
45. Go deer spotting in Richmond Park
46. Throw some shapes on this silent disco walking tour
47. Sample some culinary curiosities at these outdoor street food markets
48. Master the art of croquet on this east London rooftop
49. Witness Hamlet performed in a lovely summer garden
50. Have a picnic on the water when you sail your own GoBoat
51. See Kensington’s flower-covered pub in full bloom
52. Destroy your enemies in the traditional manner: crazy golf
53. Head out on a spirited co*cktail safari
54. See ALL the art at the annual Royal Academy Summer Exhibition
55. Take someone special on a charming summer date
56. Dip a toe (and more) in one of London’s lovely lidos
57. Taste summer with this refreshingly light co*cktail
58. Go for dinner at one of these fab restaurants with al fresco seating
59. Test your skill on the green at FestiBowl
60. Marvel at the new Serpentine Pavilion
61. Feel the wind in your hair with a speedboat ride along the Thames
62. Hire a Santander Cycle and explore the city along these quiet routes
63. Splash about in the fountains on the South Bank, Granary Square, and Olympic Park
64. Watch the sunrise from Primrose Hill
65. Learn something ludicrous on a fascinating walking tour through London
66. Find a new favourite park in the city: here are 111 of them!
67. Unwind at this indoor beach club paradise
68. Sunbathe on the hidden beach at the end of the Piccadilly Line
69. Save yourself a trip to Spain at this tapas and sangria night
70. Paddle your own canoe through the waterways of east London
71. Have a bangin’ BBQ in the park – here’s a list of parks that allow barbecues!
72. Head to London’s free riverside summer festival
73. Explore the street art of Camden
74. Try a sundae to die for from one of these great London ice cream parlours
75. Explore the grounds of a gothic castle
76. Take a pedalo trip around a lovely London lake
77. Dive into a tropical bottomless brunch
78. Grab a ‘gram at the sumptuous Isabella Plantation
79. Frolic with the animals at a city farm
80. Catch a cooling breeze… while you dangle from the Orbit Tower
81. Take in a play at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
82. Sip co*cktails on an urban beach
83. Cool off in the London bar made entirely of ice
84. Blaze a trail in a summer running race, like the Shoreditch 10k
85. Puzzle your way out of the Hampton Court Maze
86. Swing with the best of them at Birdies Crazy Golf
87. Check out modern art at the Frieze Sculpture Garden
88. Head to Hampstead Ponds for a bracing dip
89. Spend a day spending no money at all
Summer escapes from London (go on, we’ll forgive you)
90. Grab your bucket and spade and take a trip to a beach near London
92. Hop on a sleeper train and wake up in the Highlands…
93. …or jump on a Eurostar all the way to Amsterdam!
94. Get some fresh air at one of these seaside towns
95. Hire a huge, party-friendly houses for your squad
96. Head for a whirlwind 48 hour trip to somewhere ace – how about Paris, or Lisbon, or Barcelona, or even Seville?
97. Stay overnight in one of these magical treehouses
98. Get the magic train pass which saves you 30% off trains throughout the south-east
99. GTFO of town for a night of glamping beneath the stars
100. Hop on a train and try one of these 100 brilliant day trips near London
Featured image: @missagi101
Also published on Medium.
