20 things to do in London during summer
In this guide, I’ll be covering 20 of the best things to do in London this summer. Without a doubt, London is still one of my favourite cities in the world to explore. And summer in London? Honestly, it’s just amazing, and the warmth lightens people’s moods, making the place feel alive and leaving you craving London’s summer all year round.
London changes by the day, I swear. Doesn’t matter how long you’ve lived here, there’s always something new, a market that’s popped up out of nowhere, a pop-up shop, a rooftop bar you swear wasn’t there last week. But summer in London is when it really comes alive. Markets everywhere, outdoor cinemas, rooftop bars packed out, all these little hangouts you’d never find unless someone told you about them.
We’ve had genuinely gorgeous weather the last few weeks (I’ve been making the absolute most of it, if my camera roll is anything to go by), so it felt like the right moment to finally sit down and pull this list together properly.
I also asked my Global Travellers family to chip in with a few of their own favourite hidden gems, because with 7,000+ of us exploring this city, someone always knows a spot I’ve missed. If you fancy joining that group, come say hi here; it’s a genuinely lovely little community.
So without further ado, here are my 20 best things to do in London this summer.
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20 things to do in London during summer…
Have a picnic in Hyde park
Grab your favourite book, your best friend and a basket of fresh goodies and get ready to soak up all the glory and greenery that Hyde Park has to offer. Pop on your favourite playlist, lay out your cosy picnic blanket and soak up all the rays. Watch out for the squirrels though!
There are several little supermarkets surrounding the park (M&S, Sainsbury’s, Tesco’s & Waitrose, to name a few!). Perfect summer picnic vibes, my personal favourites to stock up on are fresh strawberries, crisps and dips and fresh juices… yum!
Nearest tubes: Hyde Park Corner, Knightsbridge or Marble Arch. All within walking distance to Hyde Park.
- 13 reasons why you’ll fall in love with London here.
- The best free things to do in London
- A complete 48-hour guide to London
Travel trip:
Fancy something a bit different in Hyde Park to do? Hire a pedalo or rowing boat on the Serpentine lake for an hour of fun. No need to book ahead, just turn up at the boathouse and book in person.
Hire roller skates and skate around Hyde Park
One of the best things to do in London for trying something new is Hyde Park. Slick Willies offer skate hire, giving you an alternative way to enjoy the park! You’ll see lots of people shaking around, and it’s a great way to meet new people!
If you want to find out more information about skate hire, click here.
Explore St Dunstan’s in East London
If you’re after a slower, quieter kind of summer’s day, away from the crowds and want to escape the London coast. St Dunstan’s is one of my favourite escapes in East London.
It’s a public garden surrounded by the ruins of a medieval church, beautiful to walk around, with stone archways covered in ivy and flowers growing all through them. It genuinely feels like you’ve stumbled onto a secret garden in the middle of the city.
I love coming here with a coffee and just sitting for a while with a book, it’s properly peaceful, the kind of spot where you forget you’re still in London. If you’re craving a bit of quiet without leaving the city, this is the perfect spot to visit in London.
- See the 30 best places to visit in the UK here
- See a bucket list of unique Airbnb stays in the UK here
The Classic London Walk
Head out to the South Bank area for my favourite walk, which takes you across some of the most beautiful and famous locations in one day in London. People with picnics, and I even saw a pop-up DJ turn up there once.
In the summer months, they host the Between the Bridges pop-up, with an open-air beer garden, a selection of eateries and bars, and often live music. To find out more about events, food, and opening hours, click here.
See more photos and get the full route for my best London walk through Westminster.
Head to Primrose Hill, Regent’s Park.
Honestly, if you only do one thing on this list, make it this. Get your friends together, a blanket, a drink of your choice and head up Primrose Hill for some of the best skyline views in London.
Get there early, though, it fills up (which creates the perfect atmosphere) around sunset. Even better, it’s perfect if you are on a budget because it’s completely free, and it’s one of those views that never really gets old, no matter how many times you’ve been.
Wander through Battersea Park with an ice cream from one of the vans.
Nothing fancy about this one, grab a 99 (or more like £5 in the London economy these days) from one of the vans by the entrance and just wander around the lake.
The Pear Tree cafe is a very vibey spot in Battersea Park. After work hours on a Friday are when it’s most lively. Try to get there early, as they limit the number of people they let in. You can purchase lots of food and drinks there, and they often have live music.
Battersea Power Station is only a short walk along the Thames from here, too, so if you fancy having a wander down, grab a bite, and have a look round the shops before heading back.
Looking for something a little different? Here are 12 unique places to stay in the UK.
Explore ZSL London Zoo.
Take a trip to the ZSL London Zoo if you are an animal lover and fancy a fun day out. Located in Regent’s Park, which is also a great place to check out. A perfect place for a stroll or a picnic, which appears to be a common theme here in this blog for the best things to do in London during summer.
If it’s for a special occasion, what about a sleepover at the zoo (see my experience here), or becoming a keeper for the day (see my experience here).
Travel tip:
If you have kids (or you just love going to the zoo), it’s a better value for money to buy a membership pass, which lets you visit every day if you want to.
- Looking for a unique London experience? Read this post for 12 London days out!
Rent a boat on Regent’s Canal
This is something I haven’t done yet, but am desperate to do and have heard super fun things about. Grab your besties, rent a canal boat for the day, and take a picnic. I’ve been warned that the steering is a bit chaotic if you’ve never done it before, so watch out, but part of the fun of it!
Watch a movie on the River Thames.
You can’t beat combining a beautiful sunset, your besties, and your favourite movie while floating along the River Thames! Starting at the Tower of London, Time Out’s movie boat has announced its first-ever cinema on the Thames.
Once the sun sets blissfully over the Thames, sit back, relax and enjoy one of the coolest movie experiences you will ever have! Find out more here.
Kayak on the Thames
If you’re the type who can’t just sit still on a picnic blanket all summer, grab your friends and head out onto the Thames. Kayaking on the Thames gives you a totally different view of London, all the bridges and the whole city, while watching busy London life go by from the Kayak.
It’s a bit of a workout-type sightseeing, but lots of fun even if your muscles ache a little bit the next day. Book your kayaking experience here.
Camden Market
This is the heart and soul of Camden and is perfect if you are a foodie! If you feel like exploring a little beyond just food, though, Camden Market is perfect. Not only does it offer some of the tastiest foods around London, but it’s also made up of small stalls selling clothing, art and other cool bits!
One of my favourite food stalls is AREPAZO BROS, offering Venezuelan arepas, some really yummy food and a bonus if you are celiac, as they are naturally gluten-free!
- Click here to see my complete guide to Camden!
Walk through Tower Bridge and grab some goodies at Borough Market.
Start with a walk across Tower Bridge, the prettiest bridge in London! Then wander through the famous Borough Market, cheese, fresh bread, a grilled cheese sandwich (a personal favourite), great coffee, and so much more. It’s chaos in the best way!
Columbia Road Flower Market
One of my favourite, most wholesome things to do on a weekend in London. Whether you are going on a solo date, with a partner, or with friends, it’s a great way to treat yourself to some flowers or new plants. There are lots of coffee shops on Colombia Road, or head over for a walk along the canal to Victoria Park. This market is only open on Sundays, and it’s best to go early for the best selection and fewer crowds.
Mercato Metropolitano, Elephant and Castle
If Borough Market’s a bit too chaotic for you, Mercato Metropolitano is the calmer indoor food market, great for drinks/food with friends (or even a great chilled date spot!), as there are so many options of cuisine to suit everyone’s taste.
A few guides worth checking out of you are a foodie lover in London:
Have a drink at a secret cocktail bar inside a fridge.
Yes, you did read that correctly. It sounds crazy and exciting, but it is possibly one of the coolest things to do around London. This secret cocktail bar is known as “The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town” but is located inside the cafe The Breakfast Club. We even sussed out the secret password that’s needed to enter the secret cocktail bar… “I want to see the mayor”.
If you love London at night, here are some great guides worth checking out:
Dine in the dark at Dans le Noir
By far one of my favourite suggestions by one of our Global Travellers! In Dans le Noir you can challenge your taste buds by immersing yourself in a special dining experience in the dark.
Spend the evening sharpening your taste buds while experiencing inclusivity as you are hosted and served by visually impaired waiters. Looking for a fun and different date night? Pop it into your London date bucket list! Find out more here.
Play rugby
I loved playing O2 Touch Rugby in London during the summer. A great social thing if you want to meet new people, too!
The Inner Warrior camps and sessions are for rugby players of all levels! And what’s more, the sessions are free! Click here to read about my experience.
Enjoy afternoon tea on a bus.
Yes, an actual moving bus. You sit there sipping tea, eating sandwiches, and scones while a vintage double-decker bus passes all the big London landmarks. It is a little bit touristy, but honestly, still very fun and a very English thing to do. It’s something fun, a little bit unique and a great way to see the city. See my experience of the afternoon tea London bus tour here.
Take a boat ride on the Thames instead of taking the Tube.
Possibly my new favourite way to see and get around London. The interior of the boat, the spacious comfy leather seating and the views on board make it a great option for transport in London in summer! There’s a cafe on board serving up coffee (the good stuff), alcoholic drinks, all the teas and even food (including vegan options).
To use the service, you can tap on with your Oyster or contactless card and transport yourself across London via the Thames with all the iconic views of the city’s landmarks, e.g. Westminster, the London Eye, Tower Bridge and more.
See the Thames Clippers routes available here.
Take a day trip to Windsor.
If you fancy escaping the city for a day, Windsor is a great choice, with it being just under an hour on the train. Imagine all things castles, cobbled streets, and a classic English town, what people imagine the UK to look like. It’s Queen Elizabeth’s hometown, so it’s full of history too!
Perfect to grab lunch somewhere by the river, have a wander round Windsor Castle, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot the odd royal carriage. A really nice change of pace from the London chaos for the day.
Visiting London in winter?
Looking for more London inspiration?
London Google Map
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Have you visited London in summer?
What were your favourite spots? I’d love to know!
Love as always + happy adventuring,
Mollie.
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