Aug 26, 2024
The Best Ways to Enjoy the Sunshine in London this Summer
Evie Lucas
We Brits love to complain; It’s part of the culture. Winters are too cold, Autumn is bleak, Summer is short. Every year, we flock en masse to other parts of Europe in search of scorching temperatures – just to complain that it’s too hot.
The grass isn’t always greener, though, and there’s lots to appreciate about England’s milder summers. Average temperatures in July and August range from around 15 to 23 degrees, making for bright, breezy days without all the sweat.
And the best part? The atmosphere. Watch as London’s parks fill with barbeque smoke and restaurants spill out into terraces buzzing with activity. From open-air theatre performances and rooftop bars to bustling markets and riverside walks, London’s summertime is worth celebrating.
In this guide, we bring you the best London activities - not to hide from - but to bask in the sunshine this Summer.
Connect with Nature
Hiking in the UK is fun all-year round with the right gear, but not everybody wants to walk in the pouring rain. Still, London is blessed with over 3,000 green spaces, and your next summer trip is the perfect time to enjoy the city’s pockets of nature (or indulge in a day of booze, snacks, and sunbathing).
Go on a boating trip at Greenwich Park
Greenwich Park is the oldest Royal Park in the city. With panoramic views of London’s sleek financial district, these 182 acres are more than a park: they’re also the birthplace of Greenwich Mean Time, a variety of wildlife – including a herd of wild deer - and during the summer, boating on one of the area’s manmade ponds.
Take a dip in Hampstead Heath
Want to feel like you’ve left the city without leaving the city? Look no further than Hampstead Heath, a beautiful stretch of green dotted with grand stately homes, walking trails, and wild swimming. It even has a lido – perfect for a summer refresher.
Pet llamas in the middle of Canary Wharf
Perhaps one of the stranger sights of London is Mudchute Farm, 32 acres of countryside set against Canary Wharf’s skyscrapers. Mudchute’s most popular residents are their llamas, but they also house cows, pigs, sheep, donkeys, and a collection of other cute critters.
Wander around a traditional Japanese garden
Hidden away in Kensington’s Holland Park is Kyoto Garden, a pocket of peace and perfectly landscaped foliage. Everything you’d expect from a traditional Japanese garden is here: moss-covered stone lanterns, a tiered waterfall, and a pond full of koi carp. It’s like being transported to Kyoto.
After you’ve embraced your zen, why not take in a performance at Holland park’s outdoor theatre?
Explore an ancient forest
Travel a little further and you’ll find some surprisingly wild landscapes fit for a scenic daytrip. Straddling the border between Northeast London and Essex, Epping Forest is 2400 acres of ancient woodland, over 100 ponds and lakes, and clusters of cute fallow deer.
Indulge in Some Open-Air Entertainment
Forget everything you’ve heard about London’s foggy Victorian alleyways and reserved residents. In the summertime, the city transforms into a kaleidoscope of colour and fun. Whether it’s watching the parades at Notting Hill Carnival or cheering on your favourite band, there’s endless outdoor entertainment to discover.
Catch a movie on the water
Outdoor cinema is the perfect retro summer pastime, but what if, instead of pulling up in your car, you could pull up in a rowboat? Calling themselves the UK’s first ‘float in’ cinema, Openaire cinema allows you to do just that. If you don’t like the idea of being the captain, let yourself get swept up in a romcom on a cruise along the River Thames.
Dance your day away
What’s better than cocktails in the sun with your friends? Your favourite musician bringing the soundtrack! Crystal Palace Bowl hosts South Facing Festival and All Points East boasts some of the biggest names in music. Usually on the last weekend of August is Notting Hill Carnival, a two-day celebration of Caribbean culture with lots of dancing and spectacular feathered costumes.
Travel back to Renaissance London
London is one of the best cities for time travel, with history hidden around every corner. For the best open-air entertainment, book a seat at The Globe, a faithful reproduction of the original theatre. While there are fewer tomatoes thrown today, not much has changed: performances generally stick to the original language and there is still a standing area for ‘groundlings’ – available for just £5.
Watch a street performance
Walk anywhere in central London, and you’ll meet a host of characters – magicians, singer-songwriters, living statues, beatboxers and dancers – each bringing their own unique talent to the city’s streets. For the best chance of encountering an impromptu performance, head to Covent Garden’s piazza, known for its regular street performances.
Al-Fresco Feasting
London is a foodie haven thanks to its many international influences. Whether it’s Brick Lane’s famous bagel store, Beigel Bake, or an Italian aperitivo on a rooftop bar, London is bursting with flavours to sample under a beautiful skyline.
Sip a cocktail on top of the city
Heralded as the ‘home of sunset Negronis’, Frank’s Café is a hipster paradise in Peckham open during the summer months. The rooftop bar began as an art installation and has since won the hearts of many Londoners who eagerly await its opening every May.
For more thrills (and a huge disco ball at its centre), Netil360 in Hackney has panoramic views of the city, dancing, and even a sauna. Meanwhile, Roof East’s brightly coloured adult’s playground offers crazy golf, movie nights, lawn bowling, and batting cages.
Take your pub grub outside
Situated safely on the ground, the vertigo-averse might want to enjoy the sunset from one of London’s many, many beer gardens. For a taste of tradition, the Earl of Essex in Islington has everything you’d want from a no-fuss British pub: craft beer on tap, a walled garden, and of course, a Sunday roast. Then there’s Magic Garden Pub in Battersea, whose beer garden is like something out of Alice in Wonderland, complete with a funky cocktail menu and live music. Finally, drink like a sailor at The Ship, a boat that has been overlooking the Thames since 1786.
Wind away your day at an outdoor market
London’s markets are vast and overflowing with history. History buffs’ first stop should be Borough Market in Southwark. Nowadays, it’s a dizzying spread of international flavours and local specialties, but hundreds of years ago this bustling labyrinth began as a simple Medieval market selling fruit and veg. For fashion, Brick Lane is well known for its vintage selection and Camden Market is a haven for alternative threads. Finally, pick up some flowers along Columbia Road in Shoreditch to make your summer even brighter.
Go to the beach – sort of
Nothing screams summer more than the beach, so why not take a trip to the British seaside? The best part: you don’t even need to leave London to make use of your bucket and spade. Walthamstow on Sea might sound like a seaside resort, but it’s actually a manmade beach built by Big Penny Social, a stylish bar and community space in Walthamstow.
Eager to experience London in the sun? Combine your Summer stay with English language enrichment at our London Centre. Situated in London’s historic Docklands area, it’s the best way to immerse yourself in everything the capital has to offer while refining your English skills!