If there’s ever an outside chance of sun in London, you’re going to want to be outside.
And thankfully our capital duly provides when the good weather hits: going for a dip in natural ponds, sipping cider at an urban rooftop farm and racing swan pedalos across a lake is all but a mere taster of all the things you can do outdoors in London.
This, on the other hand, is a very comprehensive list. Here’s what to do in the city when the weather heats up:
1. HIT THE LIDOS
Entry to most of the city’s open-air pools is usually under a tenner – so you can splash out without splashing out.
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2. LISTEN TO JAZZ BY THE CANAL AT GROW
But don’t wade in the water.
Details: Thursday evenings | Grow, Main Yard, Hackney Wick, E9 5LN | £5/6
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3. GO ON A PUB CRAWL OF LONDON’S FINEST BEER GARDENS
And drink up the sunshine.
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4. GO BOATING
Upthrust. It’s what floats everyone’s boat. And you can row, power along in pedalos or just drive your own electric boat at all these great boating spots in London.
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5. DINE AL FRESCO
Treat yourself to breakfast, lunch or dinner on one of London’s outdoor dining terraces, gardens or rooftops.
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6. TOP UP YOUR T-SHIRT TAN BY GRANARY SQUARE
Take a boat drip down the canal, run through the fountains, grill your own dinner on the terrace at Parrillan, or catch a free film screening by the canal with an ice cream from Ruby Violet.
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7. LISTEN TO LIVE GIGS BY THE RIVER
London’s Bridge’s totally free festival, Summer By The River, gives you plenty of good reasons to er, spend summer by the river.
Details: Until 3rd September | The Scoop, London Bridge, SE1 2AA | Free
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8. TAKE A HIKE
Get out the city for one of these scenic hikes near London – or take a more leisurely stroll with these great London walks.
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9. JOIN PELICAN FEEDING TIME AT ST JAMES’S PARK
Then see how many London landmarks you can tick off from the Blue Bridge.
Details: St James’s Park, London SW1H 9AP
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10. DO EVERYTHING AT THE HORNIMAN MUSEUM GARDENS
Views over the South Downs? Check. Alpaca pens? Check. Grown-up and not remotely amusing name? Check.
Details: Open daily | Horniman Museum, 100 London Road, SE23 3PQ | Free
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11. INVITE YOUR FRIENDS OVER FOR A BBQ
On a private BBQ boat that sails around Canary Wharf.
Details: Available daily | Skuna BBQ Boats, Off Hertsmere Road, West India Quay, E14 4AL | £90+
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12. PRACTISE ARCHERY ON AN EAST LONDON ROOFTOP
The ultimate hub of outdoor activities in London, Roof East also has open-air crazy golf… and batting cages… and glitter lawn bowls.
Details: Open Tues-Sun | Roof East, Stratford Multi-Storey Car Park, Great Eastern Way, E15 1XE
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13. WATCH A MOVIE BENEATH THE STARS
Adventure Cinema, Picturehouse and Rooftop Film Club are just a few of the screens popping up outside in London this summer.
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14. TAKE PART IN A HIGH OCTANE PETANQUE CONTEST
Boulebar makes other bowls pop-ups look like boulesh*t.
Details: Daily | 101 Upper Ground, London, SE1 9PP | £10pp
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15. WATCH COMEDY, MUSICALS AND MORE IN REGENT’S PARK
This year, the Open Air Theatre is staging Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, classic musical Fiddler On The Roof, and more.
Details: Until 21st September | Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Inner Circle, Regent’s Park, NW1 4NU | £15+
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16. WALK THROUGH THE TREETOPS AT KEW GARDENS
Take a stroll 18m in the air, scale the heights of the pagoda, explore the Victorian glasshouses… then spread out on the grass until closing time.
Details: Open daily | Kew Gardens, Richmond, London, TW9 3AE | £12-20
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17. SEE LIONS, TIGERS, AND KOMODO DRAGONS AT THE LONDON ZOO
Even better, see them with a cocktail in hand at the Zoo’s twilight lates.
Details: Fri evenings 9th June – 28th July | ZSL London, Regent’s Park, Regent’s Park, North London, NW1 4RY
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19. WALK ALONG REGENT’S CANAL
One of London’s more picturesque spots. And if there’s a table, stop off at Towpath Café en route.
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20. HOP ABOARD THE CUTTY SARK
After all that sunshine, make sure you get some liquid refreshment afterwards at this Cutty Sark.
Details: Open daily | Cutty Sark, King William Walk, Greenwich, SE10 9HT | £20+
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21. GET LOST IN THE WALTHAMSTOW WETLANDS
No, seriously, it’s over 200 hectares. You could actually get lost.
Details: Open daily | Walthamstow Wetlands, 2 Forest Road, N17 9NH | Free
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22. TAKE YOUR DRINKING UP A NOTCH
At one of London’s many rooftop bars.
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23. TALK WITH THE ANIMALS AT LONDON’S CITY FARMS
See goats and pigs in Hounslow, Islington, Battersea and more…
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24. GO KAYAKING AROUND HACKNEY WICK
Then reward yourself with a canalside pizza and a brew at CRATE.
Details: Kayak hire available every weekend | Sweetwater Mooring, White Post Lane, E9 5EN | £38
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25. TRAVEL THE WORLD THROUGH LONDON’S FOOD MARKETS
Build the picnic basket to end all picnic baskets, and take it to one of London’s lovely parks and hidden gardens.
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26. BREAK OUT A SWEAT ON A CRAZY GOLF COURSE
Remember, in golf being sub-par is a good thing.
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27. STOP AND SMELL THE FLOWERS IN HAM HOUSE GARDENS
Then go for lunch at Petersham Nurseries.
Details: Open daily | Ham House and Garden, Ham Street, Richmond-Upon-Thames, TW10 7RS | £16.50+
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28. GO ANTIQUE HUNTING AT PORTOBELLO MARKET
Then grab a bite at Portobello Schoolyard market.
Details: Open Mon-Sat, main day Saturday, Schoolyard market open Saturdays | Portobello Road, London, W10 5TY
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29. BRAVE A DIP IN THE PONDS AT HAMPSTEAD HEATH
If you want to cool down, this is where to do it.
Details: Open daily | Hampstead Heath, London, NW3 1AS | £4.70, book ahead
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30. TAKE A TRIP TO KYOTO
Without leaving West London. Pick up coffee and a sākuro pastry from Kuro Coffee, then walk down to the Japanese gardens in Holland Park.
Details: Open daily | Kyoto Garden, Holland Park, Holland Park Avenue, London W11 4UA | Free
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31. TAKE A CRUISE… IN A HOT TUB
You can bring booze on-board – just try not to get steaming drunk.
Details: Open daily | Off Hertsmere Road, West India Quay, E14 4AL | £130-180
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32. DANCE TO BRASS BANDS & MASSAOKE ON THE SOUTHBANK
At al fresco playground, Between The Bridges.
Details: Open Tues – Sun | Queen’s Walk, South Bank, SE1 7PB | Free entry
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33. GET £5 GROUNDLING TICKETS AT THE GLOBE
Shakespeare, as Elizabethan peasants would have seen it. And it’s open-air, so you can top up your tan at the same time.
Details: Shakespeare’s Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, London, SE1 9DT | £5+
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34. LISTEN TO LIVE MUSIC IN A TWINKLING GARDEN
If it gets chilly, don’t worry – the bar sells beer jackets.
Details: Tuesday nights until 24th September | Dalston Curve Garden, 13 Dalston Lane, London E8 3DF | £11+
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35. WATCH DRAG, DANCE & MUSIC BY THE RIVER
The National Theatre‘s pop-up river stage is in full flow again, with free events curated by The Glory, GDIF and Rambert. Plus, the KERB food market and The Understudy are both right there for crucial dancing fuel.
Details: Weekends from 5th-28th July | Outside The National, South Bank | Free
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36. GO FORAGING ON HACKNEY MARSHES
Preferably with someone who knows what they’re doing. Like this guy.
Details: Various dates throughout summer | Hackney Marshes, Parkland Walk & Hampstead Heath | £40+
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37. STRETCH OUT AT A PANORAMIC BEER GARDEN
Ally Pally’s terrace is vast. And it also makes a pretty spectacular setting for their annual Kaleidoscope festival…
Details: Open daily | Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY
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38. GO TO TRAPEZE SCHOOL IN REGENT’S PARK
It’s a great place to hang out.
Details: Until 15th September | Regent’s Park & Kensington Gardens | From £37
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39. KICK BACK AT LIMIN’ SOUTHBANK
A glorious Caribbean bar complete with jerk chicken, jugs of rum punch, and actual sand.
Details: Open daily | Gabriel’s Wharf, 56 Upper Ground, South Bank, SE1 9PP
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40. EXPLORE LONDON’S BACKSTREETS ON A CRYPTIC HUNT
Follow in the footsteps of Bond, hunt down the Cheshire Cat or try to outwit Moriarty. It’s like an escape room, but in the sunshine.
Details: Runs daily | Across London | From £20pp
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41. GO OTTER SPOTTING AT THE LONDON WETLAND CENTRE
Yeah, so this is just casually tucked away in Barnes.
Details: Open daily | WWT London, Queen Elizabeth Walk, Barnes, London, SW13 9WT | £18.20+
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42. GO ON AN ICE CREAM CRAWL
Because crawling is really the only way you’ll be able to do it.
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43. GO ON A DEER SAFARI IN RICHMOND PARK
Then go on pub safari through all of Richmond’s great beer gardens.
Details: Open daily | Richmond Park, TW10 5HS | Free
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44. RUN THROUGH LAVENDER FIELDS IN VAUXHALL

Luise and Nic/Unsplash
Just be prepared to feel very, very sleepy afterwards.
Details: June – August | Vauxhall Park, 12 Lawn Lane, London SW8 1UA | Free
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45. WALK THE LINE (SCULPTURE TRAIL)

Rana Begum
Stretch your legs and expand your mind, with outdoor artwork by Rana Begum, Anthony Gormley, Tracey Emin and more…
Details: Open daily | Between Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and The O2 | Free
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46. EXPLORE A HIDDEN, 350 YEAR-OLD APOTHECARIES’ GARDEN
And sip rosé on the lawn. Just as the apothecaries would have done.
Details: Open Sunday – Friday | 66 Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4HS | £15
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47. WITNESS CHAKA KHAN’S MELTDOWN
The 80s powerhouse is guest curator for the Southbank Centre’s annual festival this year. And in between all the big ticket shows, there are free al fresco parties, classes and more.
Details: 14th-23rd June 2024 | Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX | Free
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48. ESCAPE TO EPPING FOREST
You can go on long walks, hire rowboats and spot deer – but you may not, according to local bylaws, chase commoners’ cattle.
Details: Open daily | Epping Forest, Loughton | Free
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49. TAKE SOMEONE SWINGING AT GO APE
The views from Ally Pally are pretttty spectacular.
Details: Tues-Sun | Alexandra Palace, Battersea & Cockfosters | £32+
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50. GO STAND UP PADDLEBOARDING
And try not to go swimming while you’re at it.
Details: Open year round | Across London | £45+
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51. STORM SEVERNDROOG CASTLE
It’s an 18th century folly plonked in the middle of the woods, with ludicrously good views from the top. And from here you can carry on along the Green Chain Walk to…
Details: Open Sundays | Severndroog Castle, Castle Wood, Shooters Hill, London SE18 3RT | £4
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52. CHECK OUT THE CRYSTAL PALACE PARK DINOSAURS
And if you’re not left feeling terrorised to the core, go boating afterwards.
Details: Open daily | Crystal Palace Park | Free
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53. HIT THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN CEMETERIES
Less creepy, and probably more Ancient Egyptian, than you’d expect. Check out our guides to Abney Park Cemetery, Highgate Cemetery, Kensal Green Cemetery, Nunhead Cemetery and Brompton Cemetery.
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54. TAKE A STROLL ALONG CHISWICK FLOWER MARKET
Then hit High Road Brasserie‘s terrace before you wilt.
Details: First Sunday of the month | Old Market Place, Chiswick High Road, W4 2DR
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55. LISTEN TO LIVE MUSIC IN THE PARK
Regent’s Park and Greenwich Park bandstands have live bands every weekend throughout the summer. Bring a few tinnies and it’s basically a free mini festival.
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56. PERUSE POP BRIXTON
Join a pub quiz, stock up on street food, or dance till the wee hours.
Details: Open daily | 53 Brixton Station Road, London, SW9 8PQ | Free entry
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57. SEE THE SIGHTS BY BOAT
Get a load of the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and Greenwich, without any of the crowds.
Details: Daily | Departs from 24 piers along the Thames | £9+
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58. RACE THROUGH THE HAMPTON COURT HEDGE MAZE
See if you can beat the average time of 20 minutes…
Details: Open daily | Hampton Court Palace, Hampton Court Way, East Molesey KT8 9AU | Inc. with palace admission (£27.20+)
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59. GO UP THE MONUMENT
311 steps, but the views are totally worth it. Plus, you can recover at Tacos Padre afterwards.
Details: Open daily | Fish St. Hill, London, EC3R 8AH | £6
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60. TACKLE THE BERMONDSEY BEER MILE
Over a dozen craft beer breweries (and one sake brewery) to check out, most of which have outdoor seating.
Details: Saturdays | Check the route for the Bermondsey Beer Mile here
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61. THEN TACKLE THE BLACKHORSE BEER MILE
Probably not on the same day, though.
Details: Across Walthamstow – recommended route here
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62. PLAY THE ULTIMATE GAME OF HIDE & SEEK BY GOING GEOCACHING
Tiny little boxes and messages hidden around the city, which you can track down with your phone.
Details: Whenever, wherever
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63. LISTEN TO JAZZ ON A PALACE LAWN
606 Club pops up at Fulham Palace for Champagne-laced jazz nights every summer, and they’re excellent.
Details: 2nd & 3rd August | Fulham Palace, Bishop’s Avenue, London SW6 6EA | £22
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64. TOAST MARSHMALLOWS IN A ROOFTOP GARDEN
And sip botanical concoctions from the Cocktail Gardener.
Details: Fridays & Saturdays | The Midnight Apothecary, Brunel Museum Rooftop Garden, Railway Avenue, SE16 4LF | £8
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65. TAKE A BEACH DAY (IN WALTHAMSTOW)
Walthamstow-on-Sea is returning for another summer. Because as it turns out, plonking an enormous sandy beach in the middle of Walthamstow – complete with beach huts for hire, frozen cocktails, ice cream and a postcard box – was actually quite a popular idea.
Details: Open Fridays, Saturdays and some Sundays | Big Penny Social, 1 Priestley Way, London, E17 6AL | Free entry
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66. ENJOY A WINE TASTING… WHERE IT’S MADE
There’s a surprising number of vineyards near London, where the owners will take you on a stroll through the vines… then let you taste the fruits of their labour.
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67. GO ON A MEWS CRAWL
Window shop for dream houses along London’s prettiest mews streets.
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68. GO HORSE RIDING IN HYDE PARK
It’s a thing you can do! And they’re conveniently based in a mews, too.
Details: Rides daily | Hyde Park Stables, 63 Bathurst Mews, London W2 2SB | From £115
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69. LEARN TO TANGO OUTDOORS
Free beginners classes, followed by a couple of hours of dancing in the open air.
Details: Various Sundays throughout summer | Amphitheatre Canopy, Bishops Square, Spitalfields Market, 37 Brushfield Street, London E1 6AA | Free
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70. PICK YOUR OWN PICNIC
Harvest your own strawberries, sweetcorn, and sunflowers at these PYO farms near London.
Like discovering the best things to do in London? Check out our 101 London Date Ideas