We wait all year for the warmer, drier, better weather to come around and then when it’s finally here, we sit around wondering what there is to do in London this summer. Luckily, we can help with that.
We love London at all times of the year, and you shouldn’t be fooled by anyone who tells you to flee the capital during its greenest and most outdoorsy time of the year.
Yes, the Underground gets pretty stifling and all that concrete and glass doesn’t exactly cool you down the way you might like, but that doesn’t mean there’s not loads of things to do in London this summer, no matter what your preferred temperature is.
We’ve put our heads together to come up with our definitive guide to spending your summer in London in the best possible way. Read on to find out what’s about to be put on your bucket list…
And just so you know - we’re not paid by anybody to include these on our list. They’re just places we’ve been to or experiences we’ve loved that we want to recommend to you, so you can find the best things to do in London.
The Best Things to Do in London This Summer
1 - Play Out Your Own Summer Adventure with Race Across the World: The Experience
Looking for things to do in London this summer that get you moving? This is for you.
Race Across The World: The Experience is the official live experience of the award-winning hit TV show, brought to life in high stakes adventures across the City of London and London’s West End.
In private teams of 2 to 8 people, you’ll battle your way across the UK capital, pass iconic landmarks and hidden gems, tackle physical puzzles and manage your in-game budget to reach three checkpoints.
Important Info: You must be 18+ to purchase tickets. The experience is designed to be accessible and inclusive. See FAQs for details.
2 - Take on an Urban Treasure Hunt in London
Want to track down some of London’s most underrated spots and hidden secrets? Start here.
All of these London treasure hunts show you a whole different side to some of London’s most famous spots, including Greenwich, Southwark, The City and Mayfair. And if you’re more of a story kind of person, try solving a 200-year-old cold case or unravelling your own Dickensian mystery.
3 - Cool Down in the AC at London’s Best Museums
Ok, we’ll admit it. There are times where the heat gets unbearable in London during the summer, and then you’ll need to track down some of the few places that have air conditioning. Where, I hear you ask? The many museums and galleries and yes, the more famous/large it is, the more likely it is to have temperature-controlled rooms.
But don’t sleep on some of London’s lesser-known museums, either. Here are some of our favourites…
Photo: ©Loz Pycock
4 - Go to London’s Own Version of Jurassic Park
Looking for unusual things to do in London this summer? We reckon that tracking down the world’s first dinosaur sculptures counts.
Yeah, they look a little funky because the sculptors didn’t really have a clue what dinosaurs actually looked like, but that makes it all the more interesting in our opinion. Plus, it’s surrounded by shade so you’ll be able to cool down in some pretty “cool” company here.
5 - Go for a Scenic Picnic in the City
What is summer even for if you aren’t eating al fresco?
Despite feeling like you’re surrounded by urban landscapes, London is actually packed full of perfect picnic spots that feel a million miles away from the noise and bustle of The City. The best part is, you might not even have to hop on the Tube to reach most of these.
6 - Seek Refuge in One of London’s Secret Gardens
And if you’re not peckish, one of the best things to do in London in the summer is to just enjoy the abundance of green space that is all around us.
Seriously, there’s no better feeling than lying down in the grass or gathering your mates for a game of rounders on a lovely summer afternoon. Thank us later!
7 - Sip a Cooling Beverage in a Beer Garden
Sun’s out, Brits are out - in the pub garden, of course.
You don’t need us to tell you this is one of the best things to do in London during the summer but you might be grateful for a few tips about where the best pub gardens are.
8 - Head Over to an Arcade Bar
We can’t assume the weather will be stifling all summer long, so if it does start to rain cats and dogs or it gets a bit nippy out of nowhere, you’ll need somewhere to take refuge for an hour or two. Enter arcade bars!
The best part about arcade bars is they can accommodate all kinds of group sizes and let’s be honest, it’s a bit of fun for almost anyone. Give it a try!
9 - Visit London’s Tropical Rainforest
People are always surprised to find out that London has its very own rainforest, and even more surprised to find out that it’s tucked away inside one of London’s most divisive buildings.
Love it or hate it, the Brutalist architecture actually does a pretty good job at cooling you down when you walk through it and there’s nothing like being surrounded by verdant plants to give your soul a rest.
10 - Do Something Sporty and Active Before it Gets Too Hot
If you’re a Duracell bunny and you need to work up a sweat to have a good time, you’re in luck. Apart from the hundreds of (occasionally free!) outdoor basketball and tennis courts dotted in and around the city, there are plenty of places to get active during the summer in London.
Here are some of our favourite indoor hangouts:
Play a match of ping pong at 📍Bounce
Play Shuffleboard at 📍London Shuffle Club
Enjoy a round of mini-golf at 📍Puttshack
Rent 📍Santander Cycles and go for a ride around the city
More Fun Things to Do in London This Summer
11 - Catch a Movie Under the Stars at an Outdoor Cinema
Depends who you ask, but for us, there is nothing quite like watching a classic film against the backdrop of the London skyline. Skip the stuffy indoor cinemas and book a deckchair at one of the city's premier open-air screens.
- 📍Rooftop Film Club (Peckham & Stratford)
- 📍The Luna Cinema (Kensington Palace & Westminster)
12 - Captain Your Own Boat Down Regent's Canal
Be the master of your own maritime adventure by renting a self-drive electric picnic boat. You don't need any boating experience to steer your crew past the colorful houseboats of Little Venice and through the edges of Regent's Park and hey, you feel like you’re in a film while doing it.
📍GoBoat London (Paddington, Kingston, or Canary Wharf)
13 - Climb an Iconic Landmark for Panoramic City Views
If you want to experience London from a completely different angle (and don't mind a bit of a workout) head up to one of the city's architectural heights. Catch a summer sunset or just brag to someone you know about completing it, you do you!
- 📍Up at The O2 (Climb over the roof dome)
- 📍Horizon 22 (The highest free viewing platform in Europe)
14 - Sample Street Food at an Open-Air Food Market
When the sun is out, London's food scene moves entirely outdoors or into some neat cooler spaces. Skip the formal restaurants and wander through bustling food courts packed with everything from halloumi fries to bao buns. Here’s where you’ll find us ordering our favourites:
- 📍Seven Dials Market
- 📍Borough Market
- 📍Mercato Mayfair
15 - Watch a Performance the Way Shakespeare Intended
You’ve heard it before and we’ll say it again: you just have to do this.
Experience world-class theatre in a historically accurate (but definitely safer), open-air playhouse right on the banks of the River Thames. If you're feeling brave, buy a £5 "Yard" ticket to stand right in front of the stage as a groundling.
16 - Go For Brunch at an Elevated Rooftop Bar
Before the temperature has a chance to rise, Londoners head skyward. Pair your summer brekkie with sweeping, unobstructed views of the Shard, the London Eye, and St. Paul's Cathedral.
17 - Swim Indoors or Out at London's Historic Pools
Ok, it’s not often we get to say this but sometimes, you really do just need to take a dip to cool off. Whether you prefer a beautifully restored Art Deco lido or a wild swim in a natural pond, the city has a spot for you.
- 📍Brockwell Lido
- 📍Hampstead Heath Bathing Ponds
18 - Hunt for Vintage Treasures at a Famous Street Market
Looking for some retail therapy in the sunny weather? Spend a sunny weekend morning getting lost in rows of antiques, retro clothing, quirky bric-a-brac, or buying a beautiful bunch of flowers. Great for people-watching and grabbing a bargain.
- 📍Portobello Road Market
- 📍Columbia Road Flower Market (Sundays only)
Find More Things to Do in London with CityDays
Whatever your interests are, there’s always something new for you to discover in London.
In fact, you don’t have to go out of your way at all to find them - you just have to know where to look.
Discover London’s secret sights and noteworthy nooks by playing one of our London treasure and scavenger hunts, food experiences, escape room games or walking tours.
Looking to provide the best team building activities in London? Look no further.
You’ll find curated trails and hunts all over London, including Central London, Mayfair, Shoreditch, Kensington and Southwark.
The best part? We’ll recommend top-rated pubs, cafés and restaurants and give your team the chance to earn rewards by competing on our leaderboard.