I don’t know about you, but once the sun comes out in London it feels like anything is possible. Parks fill up, al fresco terraces spill onto pavements, and everyone’s trying to make the most of those long evenings before the weather inevitably changes its mind.
If you’re looking for things to do in London in summer, the obvious landmarks are always there. But the capital also boasts an incredible mix of unexpected museums, adventure experiences, gardens, and historic houses that many visitors completely miss. Travel by train and suddenly this list of experiences becomes amazing value for a day trip.
These are some of the most interesting days out and best things to do in London in summer.
Best outdoor things to do in London in summer
Soak up the vibes on Hampstead Heath
Call me basic, but no list of things to do in London in summer is complete without a visit to dreamy Hampstead Heath. If you want to escape the city without actually leaving it, Hampstead Heath is one of the best green spaces you can choose.
The huge parkland is full of meadows, woodland paths, and iconic outdoor swimming ponds, and the views from Parliament Hill are among the best in the capital. Bring a picnic, stretch out on the grass, and enjoy the atmosphere.
Address: Hampstead Heath, NW3
Hours: Open daily
Nearest Thameslink station: West Hampstead Thameslink
Watch the sunset from Primrose Hill
Just north of Regent’s Park, Primrose Hill is one of the most famous viewpoints in London. Featured in films such as Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004), Paddington (2014), and Paddington 2 (2017), it offers chilled vibes and stunning views, especially in summer.
On warm evenings, it’s the perfect place to gather with picnic blankets and takeaway food to watch the sun drop behind the skyline. It’s simple, social, and one of the most romantic things to do in London in summer.
Address: Primrose Hill Road, NW1
Hours: Open daily
Nearest Thameslink station: London St Pancras International
Enjoy a free al fresco cinema experience
Few things say summer in London quite like an outdoor movie night, and Everyman Screen on the Canal brings exactly that to King’s Cross every year. The free open-air cinema takes over the steps beside the canal with deckchairs and a huge screen showing a mix of films, live sport, and special events.
Arrive early and pick up some food and drink from nearby vendors, settling in as the sun goes down over the water. It’s relaxed, completely free, and one of the easiest things to do in London in summer if you’re already around London St Pancras International.
Address: Granary Square, N1C 4AA
Hours: Seasonal summer screenings (typically afternoons and evenings)
Nearest Thameslink station: London St Pancras International
Walk along the canal from Little Venice to Camden
One of London’s most underrated summer activities is simply walking along the beautiful Regent’s Canal. The route from Little Venice to Camden winds past colourful houseboats, waterside cafés, and peaceful stretches of greenery before arriving at Camden’s lively markets. It’s a brilliant way to see a quieter side of the city while still ending somewhere buzzing with energy. Bring a coffee and enjoy the views.
Address: Little Venice Basin, W9
Hours: Open daily
Nearest Thameslink station: London St Pancras International
Golders Hill Park Zoo
A small but charming wildlife spot inside Golders Hill Park, Golders Hill Park Zoo is completely free to visit. This surprising zoo in the heart of London houses deer, birds, wallabies and small mammals in beautiful landscaped gardens. It’s perfect for families or anyone who enjoys quiet wildlife experiences without the crowds of larger zoos. Combine it with a walk across Hampstead Heath for a brilliant summer afternoon, and make it even better value by getting the kids’ train tickets for just £2 each.
Address: North End Way, NW3 7UL
Hours: Open daily, 07:30am to dusk
Nearest Thameslink station: West Hampstead Thameslink
Picnic in Regent’s Park and Queen Mary’s Gardens
Sometimes the best things to do in London in summer are the simplest ones. Regent’s Park offers huge lawns perfect for picnics, while Queen Mary’s Gardens are famous for their thousands of roses blooming through the warmer months. Grab takeaway from nearby cafés and spend an afternoon stretched out in the sun.
Address: Regent’s Park, NW1
Hours: Open daily
Nearest Thameslink station: London St Pancras International
Best food markets and viral food spots in London
Maltby Street Market
While everyone else is jostling and fighting for personal space at Borough Market, head to Maltby Street Market. Tucked beneath railway arches near London Bridge, this street food market feels like a hidden gem that locals are gatekeeping.
Independent traders serve everything from gourmet grilled cheese and fresh pasta to pastries, tacos, and craft drinks. The atmosphere is lively but still relaxed, especially on sunny weekends when people spill out onto the narrow lanes with plates of food and cold drinks. If you’re hunting for things to do in London in summer that revolve around great food, this one’s a no-brainer.
Address: Arch 46, Ropewalk, Maltby Street, SE1 3PA
Hours: Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 11am-4pm
Nearest Thameslink station: London Bridge
Madison Rooftop Bar
For sunset drinks with an unbelievable view, Madison Rooftop Bar sits opposite St Paul’s Cathedral with one of the most dramatic terraces in the city. This rooftop bar looks straight across to the cathedral dome, while the rest of the skyline stretches out behind it. In summer the terrace becomes one of London’s liveliest outdoor bars. If your idea of things to do in London in summer involves cocktails, a skyline, and a stunning sunset, look no further.
Address: Rooftop Terrace One, New Change, EC4M 9AF
Phone: 020 3693 5160
Hours: Monday to Friday 12pm-12am; Saturday 12pm-1am; Sunday 12pm-10pm
Nearest Thameslink station: City Thameslink
Mercato Mayfair
One of the most spectacular and unexpected food halls in London is Mercato Mayfair, which occupies the former St Mark’s Church, where stained glass windows and vaulted ceilings now overlook a collection of street food vendors and bars. You’ll find everything from fresh pasta and pizza to sushi, tacos and gelato. In summer, the outdoor terrace and rooftop seating make it an especially lively and trendy place to eat.
Address: St Mark’s Church, North Audley Street, W1K 6ZA
Hours: Mon & Tues 9am-11pm; Weds & Thurs 08:30am-11pm; Fri & Sat 08:30am-12am; Sun 08:30am-10:30pm
Nearest Thameslink station: London Blackfriars
British Patagonia
Nothing says summer quite like ice cream, and this North London bakery has something rather special up its sleeve. Enter: the ice crone. This viral creation combines soft serve ice cream in a croissant cone. Yes, really. The indulgent treat is light, refreshing, and crunchy, and definitely lives up to the hype (which is rare). British Patagonia offers outdoor seating so you can enjoy the warm weather, and if you’re looking for viral things to do in London in summer, this is one of the best.
Address: 178 Upper Street, N1 1RG
Phone: 020 3903 5211
Opening hours: Mon 8am-7pm; Closed Tuesdays; Weds 8am-7pm; Thurs & Fri 8am-11pm; Sat 9am-11pm; Sun 9am-9:30pm
Nearest Thameslink station: London St Pancras International
Seven Dials Market
Just a short walk from Covent Garden, Seven Dials Market is one of the best indoor street food halls in central London. The former warehouse now houses a huge mix of food traders serving everything from Detroit-style pizza and bao buns to tacos and fresh pasta. There’s plenty of communal seating, making it ideal if everyone in your group wants something different. On busy summer evenings it has a lively, almost festival-style atmosphere.
Address: Earlham Street, WC2H 9LX
Hours: Mon & Tues 12pm-10pm; Weds-Fri 11am-11pm; Sat 10am-11pm; Sun 11am-9pm
Nearest Thameslink station: City Thameslink
Hidden gem museums in London
The Cartoon Museum
Tucked away near Oxford Circus, The Cartoon Museum celebrates British comics, political cartoons, and animation. Exhibitions feature everything from satirical newspaper illustrations to classic comic characters. It’s quirky, colourful and genuinely fascinating if you’re into art or pop culture. What’s more, it’s brilliant value for money, as under 18s go free, and adults can get two tickets for the price of one when you travel by train with Thameslink.
Address: 63 Wells Street, W1A 3AE
Phone: 020 7580 8155
Hours: Tues-Sat 10:30am-5:30pm; Sun 12pm-4pm; Closed Mondays
Nearest Thameslink station: London St Pancras International
Charles Dickens Museum
Hidden inside a Georgian townhouse in Bloomsbury, the Charles Dickens Museum is the only surviving London home of the famous Victorian author. Dickens lived here while writing classics including Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickleby, and the rooms have been carefully restored to reflect how the house looked in the 1830s. Visitors can explore the study where he worked, see original manuscripts, and wander through period interiors filled with personal objects. For literature lovers, it’s one of the most atmospheric small museums in London.
Address: 48 Doughty Street, WC1N 2LX
Phone: 020 7405 2127
Hours: Weds-Sun 10am-5pm; Closed Mon and Tues
Nearest Thameslink station: London St Pancras International
The Wallace Collection
Just north of Oxford Street, inside the former townhouse of the Seymour family, Marquesses of Hertford, the Wallace Collection is one of London’s most underrated museums. The galleries are filled with Old Master paintings, ornate furniture, armour, and decorative arts collected by the aristocratic family. Highlights include works by Rembrandt, Titian, and Velázquez, alongside lavish 18th-century interiors that feel almost palace-like. Best of all, entry is completely free, making it an easy cultural stop during a summer wander around central London.
Address: Hertford House, Manchester Square, W1U 3BN
Phone: 020 7563 9500
Hours: Open daily 10am-5pm
Nearest Thameslink station: London St Pancras International
Make the most of London in summer
One of the best things about the capital in warmer months is how easy it is to mix and match experiences. You might start with a park picnic, wander through a market, then finish with rooftop drinks overlooking the skyline.
With so many things to do in London in summer, travelling by train makes exploring the city easy and great value for a spontaneous day out.