10 Things To Need To Do In London Before The End Of Summer
After months of never-ending sunshine, it's hard to envision a time where the leaves are turning orange and a crisp autumn breeze is in the air, yet time’s ticking away and the summer is disappearing fast. So, to help you make the most out of this glorious British summer, here are the 10 things you need to do in London before September comes around …
Watch A Movie On The River
Watching a movie on a rooftop is so summer 2017. This year, why not take to the Thames instead? Running until early September, now you can enjoy food, drinks and London’s best sights on a sunset cruise down the river before the boat docks and you can settle back with your popcorn to watch a classic movie (like Dirty Dancing or Jaws). Get tickets, here.
360 Rooftop Festival
There’s something about summer in London that just makes us want to be on a rooftop! Netil’s House in Hackney has a 360-degree roof and is hosting a full programme of events throughout summer. Whether you’re in the mood for a day rave, yoga or even a lesson in bookbinding, there’s certainly something for everyone to enjoy! See the full events list, here.
Hit The Beach
Who said you have to escape the city to enjoy the beach this summer? Head to the Southbank or Camden Beach at The Roundhouse to get that sand in between your toes feeling without trekking out of the city. With pop up bars, food stalls, and plenty of deck chairs, there will be plenty to entertain you after the novelty of building sandcastles has worn off!
Frida Khalo V&A
As much as we LOVE the sun (we’re not complaining we promise), sometimes it all just gets a bit too sweaty. The Frida Kahlo exhibition is the perfect way to cool down whilst getting some culture. Full of personal artefacts and clothing belonging to the iconic Mexican artist, never before seen outside of Mexico, it’s the perfect opportunity to learn more about Frida’s exuberant life. Learn more about Khalo’s Tickets are selling out fast though, so book in advance to avoid disappointment…
Hit The Lido
Whether you want to get in some serious laps, or just float around on a rubber ring with a cocktail in hand, make the most out of this glorious weather and head to one of London’s lidos. We’ve rounded up the best outdoor pools in London that are definitely worth a visit. Check out the blog post, here.
British Summer Time Hyde Park
From Little Shop of Horrors and Dinosaur World Live to comedy performances from the likes of Jimmy Car, Regent Parks outdoor cinema is a pretty epic new London landmark, perfect for those evenings when you’re after something a little more cultured whilst still getting to enjoy an evening sat outside in the park. See the full list of August events, here: https://openairtheatre.com/whats-on
Notting Hill Carnival
The August Bank Holiday is all about Notting Hill Carnival, and it’s a true Summer celebration. For those who haven’t been before, you can expect the brightest of outfits (with a whole lot of feathers), incredible dancers, drummers and all sorts of performers filling the streets of west London for three days straight.
Hire A Bike and Explore
Office working life has most of us sat inside more than we’d like, so make the most out of your weekends whilst the weather is still nice and grab yourself a Boris bike to explore the city. It’s a great excuse to head down to an area you wouldn’t usually visit; like cycling down to Richmond Park for a bit of deer spotting! And after all that exercise, you’ll need to cool down and refuel. To do this in style, check out this blog post on the best frozen treats in London:
SUP Paddleboarding
Who needs to go on a far-flung retreat to enjoy a bit of paddle boarding or SUP yoga? SUP yoga is a traditional yoga class on the water, where the paddleboard becomes your floating yoga mat! It’s a whole new experience (and a whole lot trickier to balance), but is great for core stability and is certainly a lot cooler than your regular class. Check out Active 360 to book into a class in the city, here.
Get Out The BBQ
There’s something inheritably British about a Sunday afternoon barbie in the sunshine with a couple of blankets, an excessive amount of picnic food and a game of football in the park. Unfortunately, there are a few pesky laws that ban us from BBQ'ing in many of our favourite green spaces. So, to help make things easier, here's our list of BBQ-friendly parks in the capital so you can get those sausages sizzling this weekend!