We’ve had months spent emerging from work into a world shrouded in darkness, the sun a distant memory for the day and the only light coming from a lone streetlamp, flickering desperately at the end of the road. Ok, I might be stepping into horror film territory there, but you get the jist – it’s been cold, dark and kind of bleak and we’re long overdue for some fun in the sun. Or even just in the daylight, clouds or no clouds, we’ll take what we can get. Luckily – thanks to the clocks going forward on Sunday, March 26 – instead of going straight home and crashing on the sofa after work, you can now soak up the natural light with London’s array of strolls, sports and sundowners.
1. Enjoy a spot of wildlife-watching at Richmond Park
Shut down your computer, grab your jacket and pull on your boots (or wellies, we’re still in the rainy season after all). I don’t want to give you childhood flashbacks to parents interrupting video games, but I’ve got to say, after a day spent staring at screens, an escape to nature can be just the ticket to remind you of the world that exists outside the window. You can leave behind London’s labyrinthine streets for the evening and spend the next few hours taking in Richmond Park’s roaming deer, melodious birds, ancient trees and wild plant life.
The park starts closing at 7.30 pm onwards as the days grow longer from March 26, so you’ll have more and more time to explore its natural delights – no torches or night vision goggles required. There’s also bike hire and horse-riding, so if you fancy taking it all in from two wheels – or four hooves – there’s that option too.
2. Take in city views over drinks at a rooftop bar
Rooftop bars haven’t been top of our list the past few months (blame the wind, fog, cold, you name it) but now we’re keeping our fingers crossed there’s going to be decent enough weather to venture upstairs and take in sweeping views of London once more. The city has no shortage of sky-high venues where you can enjoy an after-work tipple.
If you’re looking for a greenhouse-reminiscent setting, sipping Whiskey Smash cocktails among twisted vines and lush greenery, then The Culpeper in Spitalfields is perfect. Elsewhere, you can head over to Netil360 for laidback lagers and panoramic views of Shoreditch or admire the architecture of St Paul’s Cathedral from the botanical sanctuary of Sabine’s outdoor terrace.
3. Hunt for the cherry blossoms blooming around the city
Cherry blossom season is almost here. Over the next few months – mainly between April and May – we’ll start to see splashes of pink brightening up London, injecting a welcome bit of colour into the spectrum of greys that dominate the city streets in the Winter months. Why not head out for a wander to some well-known cherry blossom hotspots where the vibrant flowers are practically inviting you to take a photo? Regent’s Park is every blossom-loving influencer’s dream, filled with white and pink cherry blossom trees, while Mayfair’s Mount Street Gardens is an ideal spot to get lost in a book under branches bowed with the blush-pink flowers.
4. Indulge your inner child at Roof East
All work and no play makes us all feel, well, pretty dull. Thankfully playgrounds are not just for children according to Roof East, the fun-filled haven for grown-ups found on the top of a multi-storey car park in Stratford. It opens again for the spring and summer on April 20, with an irresistible array of games, street food and their atmospheric cinema in the sky, Rooftop Film Club. Round up your workmates and head on over for an evening of crazy golf, giant Jenga and cocktails, topped off with fully-loaded nachos or Turkish flatbreads to soak it all up. Plus, if there’s a certain colleague who won’t shut up about their impeccable fitness, they can put it to the test with the Beat The Bar challenge.
5. Take a curious wander through highgate cemetery before night falls
One thing that’s been on our to-go-to list is paying a visit to the intriguing Highgate Cemetery, but exploring its Victorian graves, serpentine pathways and moss-peppered mausoleums in the darkness will give even the bravest among us the heebie-jeebies. Besides, it’s all the more spellbinding in the daylight, wandering among its maze of trees and perusing the gravestones of literary figures, defected russian spy Alexander Litvinenko (in a lead-lined coffin don’t worry) and even Karl Marx himself, though – insert pearl-clutching gasp here – you’ll have to pay £4 to see his statue-adorned grave as it is private property. If you’re looking to up the spook factor a bit more you can always take a gander around the subterranean Terrace Catacombs.
6. Unwind among the daffodils at St. James Park
Brighten your afternoon with a visit to St. James’ Park to feast your eyes on the sea of sun-yellow daffodils that bloom every year. While star-fishing on top of them is a no-go, unless you want to be faced with a mob of flower fans and plagued with the guilt of crushing their fragile stems for the rest of your life, it’s the perfect backdrop for a Springtime selfie and a bit of late afternoon lounging. While you’re there you can always swing by the spring flower beds to breathe in their fresh fragrances before saying hi to the pelicans, who’ve been a St. James’s Park fixture for almost 400 years.
7. Try out a new nature-filled running route
Chances are you won’t be the only one who’s been reluctant to try new running routes during the darker seasons. Straying from the beaten path is not the best idea when night falls so it tends to put our running adventures on hold until we have more daylight to explore. After daylight savings, you’ll be working with lighter hours after work so this could be the time to up your training plan.
Those in need of a dose of nature to make their runs more interesting can finally take that detour through one of the green lungs of London, finding comfort in the swarms of people who will descend on the green expanses in sunnier climes rather than running tensely along a dimly-lit path with no one else in sight. The UNESCO-listed Greenwich Park in particular will delight even the most reluctant runner, with its deer park, 19th century Cutty Sark and lovely landscaped gardens ensuring an entertaining route.
8. Challenge your friend to a game of tennis
Wimbledon is on the distant horizon, wearing sports shorts is mildly less unthinkable and your competitive side is itching to be unleashed. We think it’s prime time for a game of tennis, don’t you? Handily, there are plenty of tennis courts to be found around London, most with idyllic surroundings and other outdoor features such as swimming pools or running tracks you can enjoy before or after a match.
You can find courts in Islington, Victoria Park, Brockwell Park and many more places across the city, each offering a therapeutic place to enjoy some fun cardio and healthy competition. Whether it’s your workmate, brother or a long-running tennis nemesis, get in touch with your competitor now to get a few matches booked in over spring.