With 3,000 public open spaces, including eight National Parks in London, you are certainly not short on options of where to head when the cloud breaks and the sun hits the capital.
In this list of 10 things to do on a sunny day in London, we have covered some of the best parks to venture to and several other ‘wildcard’ options that you may not have otherwise considered.
Whether you are heading out solo or looking for the perfect meeting spot for your friends, we’ve covered all bases to ensure there is an option to suit every mood and occasion, from exploring London via the waterways to eating Al Fresco at one of the top outdoor brunch spots to having a dip in one of the many outdoor pools.
What To Do on a Sunny Day in London: 10 Ways To Soak Up the Rays
1. Head to Hampstead Heath
Visiting Hampstead Heath is just one of our recommendations for what to do on a sunny day in London, yet there are several ways to make the most out of the temperate weather within the verdant reprieve away from the hustle and bustle. There are several walking routes recommended by the City of London. If it is your first visit, make a beeline for Sandy Heath & the Pergola. The Georgian terrace looks as though it has been frozen in time for its romantic grandeur. If it is unparalleled views of London you are looking for, Parliament Hill will provide breath-taking scenery; on a clear day, you will get to see the House of Parliament.
Literary fans may also want to stop by Keats House, where artefacts from his era and original manuscripts are exhibited; you can explore the garden for free, but if you want to view his legendary poetry, there is a £7.50 admission fee. Alternatively, if you’re looking to kill two birds with one stone while you’re outdoors and do some cardio, the running track and the myriad of swimming spots are both great options.
2. Attend an Open-Air Theatre
Regent’s Park is one of London’s biggest parks; it is also quite the cultural hotspot in the spring and summer; the award-winning open-air theatre frequently hosts star-studded plays, family-friendly shows, and new West End musicals. Tickets start from £19 per person, but you will want to book in advance to avoid the disappointment of missing the in-demand immersive experiences, which always have an element of unpredictability about them due to the sporadically unforeseeable nature of the Great British weather. The hottest tickets for this summer season include a fresh adaption of Robin Hood, a family-friendly retelling of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and the 1983 Broadway hit, La Cage aux Folles.
3. Cruise Down the Thames and Indulge in Afternoon Tea
There are plenty of ways to explore London on the waterways; one of the most extravagant is booking a cruise along the Thames while partaking in a British tradition; taking afternoon tea. The tea-related ritual hasn’t changed much since it was introduced in 1840; the menu still comprises delicate finger sandwiches, sweet pastries, cakes, and scones served with clotted cream and jam. On the Thames cruise, you can choose between endless cups of tea or a glass of bubbly – if that takes your fancy! From start to finish, the cruise will take an hour and a half, and the start point is Tower Pier. You can expect to pay £55 per person for a spot on the Thames Cruise, making it one of the more expensive options on this list, but it is certainly an option to consider if you want to make the most of a sunny day in London.
4. Soak up the Skyline in a Cable Car
There are plenty of ways to explore London on the waterways; one of the most extravagant is booking a cruise along the Thames while partaking in a British tradition; taking afternoon tea. The tea-related ritual hasn’t changed much since it was introduced in 1840; the menu still comprises delicate finger sandwiches, sweet pastries, cakes, and scones served with clotted cream and jam. On the Thames cruise, you can choose between endless cups of tea or a glass of bubbly – if that takes your fancy! From start to finish, the cruise will take an hour and a half, and the start point is Tower Pier. You can expect to pay £55 per person for a spot on the Thames Cruise, making it one of the more expensive options on this list, but it is certainly an option to consider if you want to make the most of a sunny day in London.
5. Immerse Yourself in the Hustle and Bustle of an Open Market
Whether shopping for antiques or artisan products, heading to one of the open markets in London is a great way to ensure that a sunny day doesn’t go to waste. You will put yourself at the centre of a vibrant community hub and give yourself the chance to uncover curios that you will treasure for a lifetime. Brixton Village Market is proud to be a multicultural and vibrant home of goods, food, and community. The whole market is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 am – 5 pm, but that isn’t to say it isn’t worth a trip every day of the week. If you love sampling ethical and local produce, discover the range of London gin, Brixton beer and Brixton honey. There is also a range of independent eateries and bars, including plenty of options for lovers of Japanese, European, Mexican, Portuguese, and Caribbean food.
6. Get Your Nature Fix in Richmond Park
For Londoners who want to truly lose themselves in Nature, there are few better options than Richmond Park, where Fallow and red dear have been roving since 1637. The deer are easy to spot, while the foxes, shrews, mice, rabbits, and voles are a little harder to find. Once you have explored the unique woodland, stop off at one of the refreshment points, treat yourself to ice cream at Roehampton Café, or get lavish with your sunny day out by eating at Pembroke Lodge; the Georgian Mansion offers classic English cuisine and stunning views of the Thames Valley. Richmond Park is also full of cultural and historical landmarks; historians believe it to be the location of King Henry’s burial chamber, and within the 13-acre grounds of Pembroke Lodge, you will find Ian Dury’s memorial bench.
7. Explore the Barbican
If you are an architecture fan who sees the beauty in Brutalism, spend a sunny London day exploring the grounds of the complex, which is often revered as the greatest piece of London architecture of post-war Britain. You can explore the complex, which also hosts a cinema and art gallery, amongst other things, at your own leisure or book a walking tour to uncover the history of the cultural landmark. It is also worth booking a free ticket to explore the hidden oasis of a conservatory, which is open to the public on selected days; limited tickets are available via the Barbican website.
8. Book a Table at Aviary Rooftop Restaurant and Bar
Traipse down to Finsbury Square to sample the award-winning menu in what is often revered as one of the best spots for al fresco dining and drinking, the Aviary Rooftop Restaurant and Bar. While you drink in the views of the London landmarks, the menu will allow you to select from a seasonal, locally sourced exquisite menu. The bottomless brunch sessions have returned for the summer season; your fine dining options include everything from luxury seafood to charcuterie boards to freshly baked pastries; whichever tickles your fancy, you will benefit from the live entertainment from resident DJs and musicians.
9. Enjoy an Outdoor Escape Game in Little Venice
Embark on an immersive quest with the imaginative walking tour through Little Venice; where you will follow clues to uncover hidden truths, local stories, and hidden gem locations that Londoners who have spent their whole lives in the capital haven’t discovered yet! Once you select a game and download the app, you are all set for what has been dubbed one of the best outdoor experiences in London. Keep your wits about you; you will need them to crack riddles and solve puzzles on the experience, which will allow you to go down an Alice in Wonderland-style rabbit hole.
10. Hit Hyde Park, Solo
Even if all your friends are busy, there is no reason to waste a sunny day in London. Hyde Park is often dubbed the best outdoor spot for Londoners to head to solo to relax and unwind with a book and cup of coffee from one of the many highly-rated coffee shops and cafes in the local area and within the public space itself. As it is one of the largest parks in London, you will easily lose yourself among the other park visitors, and you will soon see you’re not the only one flying solo!
