75 Things To Do Outdoors in London

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: consider going for a dip in natural ponds, dining al fresco on a sunlit terrace and playing shuffleboard with frozen slushy cocktails a mere taster of our run-down of things to do outside in London.

Here it be…
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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. Check out London’s best outdoor swimming spots here
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2. PLAY A MINI ROOFTOP OLYMPICS AT SKYLIGHT

Challenge your friends to the noble sports of croquet, pétanque, shuffleboard, ping pong and er, giant jenga.

Details: Open Thurs – Sun | Tobacco Dock, London E1W 2SF
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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. WORK UP A SWEAT AT LONDON SHUFFLE CLUB

Then cool down with a Blood Orange Spritz or two.

Details: Open Tues – Sun | 4 Ebor Street, Shoreditch, East London, E1 6AW | From £25
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7. CHILL OUT BY GRANARY SQUARE

Run through the fountains, take a boat trip, or catch a free film screening by the canal with an ice cream from Ruby Violet.
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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 | £100-250
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12. PRACTISE ARCHERY ON AN EAST LONDON ROOFTOP

The ultimate hub of outdoor activities in London, Roof East also provides crazy golf… and baseball… 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, Rooftop Film Club and Luna Cinema 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 BOWLS CONTEST

It makes other bowls pop-ups look like boulesh*t.

Details: Daily | 101 Upper Ground, London, SE1 9PP | £25-42 (half price for Nudge Members)
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15. WATCH COMEDY, MUSICALS AND MORE IN REGENT’S PARK

This year, the Open Air Theatre is staging musicals La Cage aux Folles and Once On This Island, cult film screenings, comedy from Tim Key, and more.

Details: Until 3rd September | Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Inner Circle, Regent’s Park, NW1 4NU | £25+
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16. STOP AND SMELL THE FLOWERS AT KEW GARDENS

Stroll through bamboo forest, scale the heights of the pagoda, and explore the Victorian glasshouses.

Details: Open daily | Kew Gardens, Richmond, London, TW9 3AE | £17+
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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 | £21.50
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18. SAY HI TO THE HORSES 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 | £14+
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19. WALK ALONG REGENT’S CANAL

One of London’s more picturesque spots. And if there’s space, grab a table at Towpath Café en route.
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20. CLIMB THE RIGGING OF THE CUTTY SARK

One of the more active things to do outside in London — so make sure you get some liquid refreshment after, at this Cutty Sark.

Details: Open daily | Cutty Sark, King William Walk, Greenwich, SE10 9HT | £46-52
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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. PADDLE YOUR WAY TO CRATE BREWERY

And reward yourself with a pizza and a brew by the canal.

Details: Regular dates throughout summer | Canoe Shed, Limehouse Basin, Limehouse, E14 7JZ | £49.99
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25. TRAVEL THE WORLD THROUGH LONDON’S FOOD MARKETS

Build a banquet from your favourite countries you’ve visited.
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26. 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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27. PLAY CRAZY GOLF. WITH DINOSAURS.

Check out our run-down of London’s best crazy golf.
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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 | £4.50, book ahead
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30. TAKE A TRIP TO KYOTO

Without leaving West London.

Details: Kyoto Garden, Holland Park, Holland Park Avenue, London W11 4UA
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31. TAKE A CRUISE… IN A HOT TUB

And try not to get steaming drunk.

Details: Open daily | Off Hertsmere Road, West India Quay, E14 4AL | £150-250
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32. DANCE TO GUILTY PLEASURES 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.

Details: Shakespeare’s Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, London, SE1 9DT | £5+
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34. LISTEN TO LIVE MUSIC ROUND A ROARING FIRE

Bring blankets. And a hip flask.

Details: 16th June – 18th August | Across London | £16
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35. WATCH DRAG, DANCE & MUSIC BY THE RIVER

The National Theatre‘s pop-up river stage is making waves again. And this summer, there’s a KERB street food market with a 70m long banqueting table.

Details: Weekends from 9th June – 2nd July | Outside the National, South Bank | Free
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36. HOP ON BOARD A CRAFT BEER CRUISE

And see double the sights.

Details: Saturdays throughout summer | The River Princess, Lambeth Pier, Albert Embankment, Vauxhall, SE1 7SG | £54
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37. 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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38. STRETCH OUT AT A PANORAMIC BEER GARDEN

Ally Pally’s terrace is vast. And you could always time a visit with their midsummer celebration or Kaleidoscope festival…

Details: Open daily | Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY | Book here
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39. GO TO TRAPEZE SCHOOL IN REGENT’S PARK

It’s a great place to hang out.

Details: Throughout June & July | Regent’s Park | From £37
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40. KICK BACK AT LIMIN’ SOUTHBANK

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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41. EXPLORE LONDON’S BACKSTREETS ON A CRYPTIC HUNT

It’s like an escape room, in the sunshine.

Details: Runs daily | Across London | £25pp
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42. GO OTTER SPOTTING AT THE WETLAND CENTRE

Yeah, so this is just in Barnes.

Details: Open daily | WWT London, Queen Elizabeth Walk, Barnes, London, SW13 9WT | £15.40+
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43. GO ON AN ICE CREAM CRAWL

Because crawling is really the only way you’ll be able to do it.
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44. GO ON A DEER SAFARI IN RICHMOND PARK

Then try your hand at ‘power kiting‘. Which should be a breeze.

Details: Open daily | Richmond Park, TW10 5HS | Free
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45. RUN THROUGH LAVENDER FIELDS IN VAUXHALL

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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46. WALK THE LINE (SCULPTURE TRAIL)

Stretch your legs and expand your mind, with 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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47. 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 | £12.50+
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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 | £48+
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51. STORM SEVERNDROOG CASTLE

The view from the top’s insane. 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 terrified 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, and Kensal Green Cemetery.
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54. TAKE A STROLL DOWN COLUMBIA ROAD FLOWER MARKET

Then hit The Marksman‘s terrace before you wilt.

Details: Sundays 8am-3pm | Columbia Road, London, E2 7RG
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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.
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56. PLAY PING PONG OUTSIDE

Canary Wharf currently has artist-designed ping pong tables, minigolf, beach volleyball and basketball courts.

Details: Open daily | Montgomery Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 | Free
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57. PERUSE POP BRIXTON

Take a gong bath, 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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58. HEAD UP (THEN DOWN) THE ARCELORMITTAL ORBIT

The views at the top are great. But it’s all downhill from there.

Details: Friday – Sunday | 3 Thornton Street, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, E20 2AD | £19+
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59. 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 | £8.20+
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60. 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 (£26.30+)
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61. 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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62. TACKLE THE BERMONDSEY BEER MILE

Over a dozen craft breweries to check out, most of which have outdoor seating.

Details: Saturdays | Check the route for the Bermondsey Beer Mile here
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63. THEN TACKLE THE BLACKHORSE BEER MILE

Probably not on the same day, though.

Details: Across Walthamstow – recommended route here
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64. PLAY THE ULTIMATE HIDE & SEEK GAME 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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65. 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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66. OR 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: 14th & 15th July | Fulham Palace, Bishop’s Avenue, London SW6 6EA | £20
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67. 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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68. SPEND A DAY AT NIGHT TALES

Yeah, there’s a club indoors… but outside is this shaded tropical paradise with multiple cocktail bars, a pizzeria and huge bookable areas.

Details: Open Fridays & Saturdays | Night Tales, 14 Bohemia Place London E8 1DU
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69. GO ON A MEWS CRAWL

Window shop for dream houses along London’s prettiest mews streets.
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70. THEN 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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71. LEARN TO TANGO OUTDOORS

Free beginners classes, followed by a couple of hours of dancing.

Details: Various Sundays throughout summer | Amphitheatre Canopy, Bishops Square, Spitalfields Market, 37 Brushfield Street, London E1 6AA | Free
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72. TAKE UP GARDENING AT DALSTON CURVE

Or just drop in for the live music nights on Tuesdays.

Details: Volunteer gardening on Saturdays (apply here), gigs on Tuesday evenings | 13 Dalston Lane, E8 3DF | Free entry to garden but donations are encouraged. Gigs from £5
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73. GO AXE THROWING BY THE CANAL

And yes, somehow you can BYOB.

Details: Open Wed-Sun | Skeeter’s, Hamlet Industrial Estate, 96 White Post Lane, Hackney Wick, E9 5EN | From £35
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74. THEN HEAD TO BARGE EAST FOR POST-THROW REFRESHMENT

They have loads of outdoor seating, right next to the ingredients they grow for their dishes.

Details: Gardens open on weekends | Sweetwater Mooring, River Lee, White Post Lane, Hackney Wick, East London, E9 5EN | Book here
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75. PICK YOUR OWN PICNIC

Harvest your own strawberries, sweetcorn, and sunflowers at these PYO farms near London.

 

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Like discovering the best things to do in London? Check out our 101 London Date Ideas