Our beloved capital is full to the brim with things to see and do – but what if you want to make the most of one of those unique sunny days in London? Sun may be relatively rare, but we’re not hurting for wonderful activities to do when it does break through the crowds above us. So, without further ado, here are our favourite things to do when we’re experiencing sunny days in London.
1. Head out for a walk
What better way to take advantage of the sun than actually getting out and enjoying its rays on a nice stroll around our city? London is home to a wealth of charming walking routes. Or, if you fancy, you could even take a day trip out of London for a proper country walk. Regardless of where you go, or how you get there, not much beats a simple stroll in the sun.
2. Turn up the heat and go for a run
If a walk doesn’t quite do it for you, you could always hit the pathways and opt for a run instead. And just like London’s walkers, there are plenty of running routes to choose from. These range from simple loops to more adventurous courses, and sight-seeing journeys.
3. Sip on a cocktail atop the O2
Sure, you’re probably already aware that you can climb the O2 and enjoy wholly unique views of the city. But did you also know that you can kick back and sip on cocktails up there? Up at The O2’s Summer Sessions launch on July 25, and will run every Friday until August 29. As part of the experience (with climbs timed for 7, 7:30, and 8pm), visitors can enjoy “a rooftop cocktail experience like no other on the iconic rooftop of The O2 Arena, complete with a live DJ and some of the most stunning views London has to offer.” So, who fancies a sunset cocktail right on top of a London institution?
Bookings are available now. Find out more here.
4. Sip on an iced coffee
What’s cooler than cool? Iced coffee! And thanks to London’s wealth of coffee shops, there are plenty of places to enjoy a chilled cup of java during those sunny days in London. After all, who’s sipping at a pipping hot cuppa on a warm sunny day? Whether you’re after a cold brew, an iced latte, or a chilled sweet treat with a hint of espresso, there are plenty of spots to choose from.
5. Continue the caffeine at an outdoor brunch
One of the best things about sunny days in London is al fresco dining. And do you know what’s even better than al fresco dining? Al fresco brunching! One of our top picks for outdoor brunching – or even a sunny afternoon tea – is the charming Dalloway Terrace. This flower-filled spot looks exceptional all year round thanks to its seasonally-changing floral decorations. It just might be one of the most picturesque spots in London to spend a sunny day…
6. Browse London’s street art
In a city as full of galleries and museums as London, you don’t even need to pop inside to catch some of the most stunning art. Instead, just look around you at the walls! There is some truly impressive talent to be found in the street art hidden down side alleys, spanning bridges, and plastered across multiple storeys of buildings.
7. Picnic like a pro
London is full of gorgeous green spaces and picturesque parks to put down your picnic rug when the sun’s out. From Primrose and Hampstead Heath to Greenwich Park and London Fields, there are plenty of places for you to indulge in one of the great British pastimes. So grab some mates, load up on the picky bits, and get stuck in for a lovely afternoon out!
8. Take a cooling dip in an outdoor pool or pond
When the sun shines and the temperature rises beyond 15 degrees or so, you can bet half the city is going to head to London’s lidos for a cool down. And who can blame us? We’ve got everything here from London Fields Lido and Hampton Pool to the famous Hampstead Heath Ponds and Hillingdon Lido. Add in wild swimming spots like Beckenham Place Park and the West Reservoir in Stoke Newington, and you can see why we’re spoiled when it’s one of our sunny days in London!
9. Sink a few pints at a beer garden
Sunshine pints are a staple of any British Summertime, just like music festivals and grumbling when it starts to rain. And where better to enjoy one than in the beer gardens attached to one of our many, many boozers? Heck, even some of London’s riverside pubs have delightful outdoor drinking areas.
If you want to make the absolute most of the sunshine/beer-garden combo, you can even check which pub gardens are in the sun before you go. (Or you can check which ones aren’t in the sun, so you can hide but still enjoy the outdoor spaces…)
10. Or head to your nearest coffee garden
If you want all of the sun-trap joy of a great beer garden, but it’s only 10 in the morning, why not head to one of these London cafes with their own coffee-fuelled alternative? From enormous cafes with extensive seating options, to hidden gems with impressive coffee gardens tucked away out the back, these coffee gardens are perfect for whiling away sunny days in London.
11. Cool down with some ice cream
Given sunny days in London are such a rare treat, why not match up the weather treat with a cooling sweet treat in the form of ice cream? After all, there are plenty of fab ice cream parlours dotted about our beloved capital. Chin Chin is always a good bet with their liquid nitrogen ice cream(!). But frankly, with so many spots to choose from, just head to the nearest one and enjoy.
12. Head to the rooftops
As we mentioned earlier, nothing beats al fresco dining when the sun is out. So to make sure you soak up all of that sunshine, get up high as close as you can to the sun’s rays on London’s rooftop venues. Truly, food and drinks just taste all the better in the sun.
13. Watch a flick at an outdoor cinema
Hollywood’s cream of the crop will be arriving at outdoor cinemas across London this summer, bringing the magic of film to rooftops, parks, and even canals. With a massive range of blockbusters, cult classics, and family-friendly films on offer, these venues boast something for everyone. But they’re not always open, so be sure to check online before you make the journey! (You’ll want to do that anyway, to see what films are screening.)
14. See the day off with a spectacular sunset
Rounding off this list of the best things to do on sunny days in London is catching the sunset from any one of our fantastic vantage points across the city. We might be a bit biased, but when the weather’s playing ball and you’re watching the sun go down over some of the most famous landmarks in the world, it’s hard to argue with the statement that we’ve got some of the best sunsets in the world.
So there you have it – a roundup of the best things to do during sunny days in London. From picnicking like a pro to getting all romantic watching the sunset, there’s loads of stuff to do when the sun’s out. So there’s no excuse not to explore…
