Top 8 London Summer Activities 2017

Top 8 London Summer Activities 2017

• Visiting London, Sightseeing, Top Picks

When people think of summer, they generally think of the beach. Although there’s not a beach in landlocked London, it’s still arguably one of the best summer destinations. The city truly comes to life when the sun is out!

There are plenty of things to do and see in and around London throughout the warmer months, and we’ve put together our top picks and tips for you.

Picnic in the parks

You can’t beat a picnic in the park on a sunny Summer London day!

We recommend finding a shady spot to set up under the trees by by the famous serpentine lake at Hyde Park. If you’re more up for dining, there is also a lovely restaurant on the lake with outdoor seating overlooking the serpentine.

If you’re feeling up to it, you can also hire paddle and row boats – a great London family activity!

Another wonderful place to soak up the sunshine and the London skyline: Primrose Hill.  A sunset picnic here is incredible!

Catch an open-air performance or film

Nothing beats watching a film under the stars on a warm summer evening in the city. Whether you like to sing along to classic musicals, or prefer to hide behind blankets watching a horror, London has outdoors cinemas for all tastes. Add them to your summer 2017 to-do, and you won't regret it.

• Movies on the River: cruise along the Thames whilst watching an old favourite, including Clueless, Mary Poppins, and Jaws.
• Rooftop Film club, Peckham: catch a film with a view in south east London
• London Bridge City Summer Festival: all through June and July, The Scoop concrete amphitheatre by London Bridge will screen films for free on Tuesday nights. 
• Trafalgar Square: the Royal Opera house is taking over the iconic landmark for a season, beaming ballet and opera to the masses. 

 Spend the day on the Southbank

You can’t miss the inflatable purple cow of the Udderbelly Festival on the Southbank of the Thames. The pop-up festival is full of comedy, music, magic, circus, theatre and children's shows. You’ll also find a myriad of street food, delicious drinks and a great atmosphere!

Nearby, there’s a large sand pit with deck chairs, so you can even get your beach fix whilst resting by the Thames.

A beautiful clear summer’s day – what better time to go on one of London’s most famous attractions, The London Eye, which is luxuriously air-conditioned – so it’s a perfect option for escaping the heat and enjoying a sky-high view over the capital!

Find the best ice cream in London

Just like mama use to make! Visit one of London's many excellent ice cream parlous for a true taste of Italy. Hit up Gelatorino in Covent Garden, Gelupo in Soho, Gelato Mio in Holland Park,or  Odonno's in South Kensington for a refreshing, top-notch treat.

Visit a rooftop bar

Lap up the sunshine, sip on world-class cocktails and enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city from one of London’s best rooftop bars! Some of our favourites include –  

Kensington Roof Gardens – 99 Kensington High Street, W8.

Beautiful rooftop gardens next to High Street Kensington station, featuring four resident flamingos!

Sky Garden - 1 Sky Garden Walk, EC3M.

Sky Garden is one of London’s most exclusive rooftop bars, and for good reason. Located 35 stories above the city in a vibrant garden, this bar is an oasis with great cocktails! Be sure to book months in advance.                                                                                                                      

Madison – 1 New Change, St Paul’s, London EC4M 9AF

Lovely 6^th floor bar and restaurant with magnificent views over St Pauls Cathedral.

Culpeper Roof Gardens - 40 Commercial Street, E1.

This idyllic central London roof top bar grows its own herbs & vegetables on the roof terrace, which they use in their own kitchen to make their delicious meals! Very cool.

Shop to escape the heat (if you need an excuse)

Oxford Street is indeed a London hotspot for shopping, but it can also get very hot on a summers day!

Why not opt for exploring the backstreets throughout Soho and Notting Hill as a start – there are many hidden treasures nestled all throughout the streets of London to be discovered! 

World famous department stores, Liberty’s of London, Fortnum & Mason's and Harrods, are also great options for keeping cool, and are an incredible experience in themselves!

Get out on the water

Feel the breeze on your face while cruising along London’s River Thames! There are many companies that offer different types of services. From dinner cruises to hop-on hop-off, there’s something for everyone! Floating up stream along the Thames is a great way to explore the city, as when you spot something interesting you can simply hop off at one of the points and jump back on board to find your next adventure.  

Visit the animals  

London’s Zoo in Regents Park is a popular spot for tourists! If you’re looking for something a little lower key and for significantly less money, why not explore one of our City Farms?

We highly recommend Hackney City Farm or Spitalfields City Farm! In addition to being home to a variety of farmyard animals such as donkeys, meerkats, pigs, goats, rabbits, just to name a few, these city farms also offer environmental education to visitors. You can also pick up from fresh eggs (which are often laid daily) to take back to your Ivy London vacation rental.

Ivy Summer Vacation Rental Homes –

Montpelier Walk, Knightsbridge & Belgravia

A 3 bedroom vacation home in Knightsbridge.

Bermondsey Village Warehouse, London Bridge

A 1 bedroom apartment in Bermondsey.

Ennismore Gardens Mews, Knightsbridge & Belgravia

A 1 bedrooms mews apartment, right by Hyde Park

Imperial Wharf, Chelsea

A 2 bedroom holiday apartment, with a balcony overlooking the Thames.

Longbeach Road, Clapham

A spacious family vacation rental in Clapham.

Melody Road, Wandsworth

A 5 bedroom holiday house in South London, with beautiful garden.

Sherbrooke Road, Fulham

A 2 bedroom family London holiday home in Fulham.

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay this summer there is still time to book your trip to London – contact us here at Ivy Lettings! We have over 8 years’ experience servicing London Vacation rentals. You can trust our professional service and we’d love to help with your London holiday.

Please give us a call on +44 020 7349 7016 and we’d be happy to help you find the ideal holiday apartment or vacation home.