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 the most brilliant things to do this summer in London – how many will you get done before the seasons turn?
For a sunny getaway that doesn’t require booking a flight, you don’t have to look too far. Some truly stunning beaches are within just two hours of London, and we’ll definitely be making the most of them while the sun’s out. Grab your flip-flops and sunnies for a day trip to one of these beauties this summer.
Our favourite lavender farm near London has opened its doors for the summer once again, and right on cue, because we’re in serious need of some frolicking. Mayfield Lavender Farm is less than an hour from central London, with 25 acres of beautiful blooms.
Peak bloom is expected in July, but the farm will remain open until approximately August 23, and the views are pretty darn breathtaking throughout the whole season.
You might dismiss the London Eye as a mere tourist attraction and not a place you’d visit as a local, but what you probably don’t know is that you can spot some real gems from up there – things you had no idea you could see from the heart of London.
This summer, book yourself a ticket for a ride in one of the capsules and look out for these lesser-known sights, including the centuries-old Cleopatra’s Needle, two hidden rooftop gardens, a couple of castles, and many more.
A cold pint sounds just about perfect right now, and why not have it in one of the oldest pubs in London? In a city as old as ours, you can bet there are some pretty ancient alehouses kicking about, and these particularly ancient pubs in the capital are serving up history by the pint-load.
Picture this: you’re watching your favourite nostalgic 2000s films while being served an absolutely delicious multi-course menu inspired by key moments in the movie. If that sounds like the perfect summer plan, you’ve got to book yourself a night at Taste Film this season.
Some of the films you’ll get to watch at these eat-along film screenings before summer’s over: Ratatouille, Mamma Mia!, Jaws, The Parent Trap, Pretty Woman, and many more.
Escape the heat at Shrek’s Adventure, where you’ll embark on a journey through the kingdom of Far Far Away to find Shrek, interacting with all of the characters from the movies along the way. Expect lots of hands-on activities and interactive scenes, plus plenty of songs from the iconic Shrek soundtrack.
Whether you’re accompanying a child or you’re a kid at heart who can’t wait to see Shrek 5 in theatres next year, we can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t be entertained here.
London’s got weekend markets to boot, whether you’re looking for beautiful flowers, street food, local produce straight from the farm, or a vintage wardrobe refresh. Pick a weekend, put on sunscreen, and make your way to one of London’s best weekend markets.
Step out of the sun and pay a visit to the SEA LIFE Aquarium this summer, where you’re transported below the ocean to discover hundreds of marine species across 14 immersive zones. Walk directly next to sharks and jellyfish and learn what makes each species special – plus find out about some of the incredible conservation efforts that are being made to ensure they continue to thrive.
Catch an outdoor cinema screening
One of the most magical London activities you can’t miss out on in the summer is an outdoor cinema screening. Lots of free and ticketed screenings have already sprung up all over the city, so check out what’s on at these dreamy outdoor cinemas this summer.
🎥 Rooftop Cinema Club – Peckham and Stratford
🎞️ Summer Screens – Canary Wharf
🍿Lower Marsh Lates – Waterloo
🎥 Everyman on the Canal – King’s Cross
🎞️ Summer By The River – London Bridge
The London Dungeon takes you through some of the darkest stories in London’s past. Here you’ll encounter plague doctors, figures like Jack the Ripper, and plenty of twists and jumpscares. It’s not one for the squeamish or faint of heart, but if you love scary setups and can’t wait for summer to be over so you can celebrate Halloween instead, you’ve found yourself the perfect activity.
London has plenty of gorgeous parks and gardens, but if you start feeling cooped up in the city this summer, you’ll find some enchanting forests waiting to be explored right on the outskirts. Plus, it’s nice and cool under the foliage, so you can enjoy the beautiful nature without burning up in the sun.
Something a little different to do with your friends and family this summer: head down to the waxwork red carpet and strike a pose with your favourite London celebrities, from GRAMMY award winners to national treasures.
Madame Tussauds is home to countless stars who were born or built up their careers right here in London, whether they’ve been immortalised for their vocals, like Amy Winehouse and Dua Lipa, or for their iconic status as fictional characters, like Paddington.
The first heatwave of the summer is here, so it’s fair to say that lido season is well and truly upon us. The good news: four of Britain’s best al-fresco swimming pools are located right here in London. If you’re in search of the perfect place to cool off during this hefty heatwave, look no further.
There’s no feeling quite like clutching a pint, surrounded by your fellow supporters watching a match on the big screen. We may be in the midst of the season already, but we’ve still got some big games ahead, so here are all our favourite spots to catch a match around the capital.
Celebrate Pride throughout the summer
Pride Month is coming to a close with the end of June in sight, but that doesn’t mean celebrations are over. The official London Pride March doesn’t take place until July 4, and there’s still plenty to do in London throughout July and August to mark the occasion.
You could take the opportunity to drop by the iconic Gay’s the Word bookshop or the Queer Comedy Club. If you fancy a bit of a museum day, why not visit Queer Britain, the UK’s first and only museum dedicated to LGBTQ+ history? Or explore the queer history of London’s most famed museums by taking one of the LGBTQIA+ Tours at Tate Britain.
Craving a bit of an adrenaline rush this summer? We’ll be watching the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship at Excel London on August 15 to 16 – two full days of electric races, plus live music, food truck fare, VR racing simulators, and lots of fan village experiences.
As the grand finale of this racing season, the event will also feature the official crowning of the Season 12 World Champion – we’ll see you there.
We know the weather in London doesn’t always cooperate with the season, but summer is officially here, which makes it the perfect time for magical evening strolls through London’s parks and gardens. We’re pretty lucky to have so many gorgeous green spaces to make the most of the weather, so get yourself to these lovely spots this season.
If you’ve ever wanted to play tourist in your own city, we’ve got the most efficient London sightseeing tour for you to hit all the major sights in one fell swoop in the summer. Redditor magulagie created the ultimate London sightseeing map for tourists in a hurry, covering a ton of London’s most iconic spots in just about two hours – assuming you fly by and don’t venture inside.
While you could escape to one of London’s many green spaces to soak up the sun, we reckon a day trip outside of the city is very much needed to get out of the urban heat at some point this summer. After all, we’ve got to take advantage of the blue skies. And what better way to spend an adventurous day out than heading to one of the prettiest villages near London, each of which looks like it could have been plucked straight from a movie?
London is famous worldwide for being one of the best places to see award-winning plays, musicals, and West End shows. Whether planning a family-friendly theatre day out or a romantic theatre date night, you’ll find endless top London shows to enjoy. This summer, book yourself a seat at some of the best theatre shows in London in 2026.
