London Bloggers Top 10 Things to do in Summer

As many of you know, I’m in Costa Rica this week (probably zip lining through the rainforest as you read this!) so I decided to ask my fellow London bloggers to come up with an exciting idea for a collaboration post. With my fingers still crossed that the sun will keep up its appearance over the next few months, I asked the question, what is your top thing to do in London in the summer? …Come rain or shine!

1. The London Gin Journey

Emma Pond from Miss Pond

For rainy days the London Gin Journey is a great afternoon out. A tour of east London via distilleries and wonderful bars. Learning about gins roots in London, how it’s made and its history, all whilst sampling gins and gin cocktails. It’s great for rainy days as the tour is carried out using a private “gin carriage” between the locations. You can find out more about Emma’s gin experience here.

2. Play in Brockwell Park

Mandy from Sneaky Veg Blog

We love to play hide and seek in the walled garden in Brockwell Park followed by a dip in the lido or a paddle in the kids paddling pool!

3. A summer’s day in a beautiful cemetery

Kaleigh from Jollies and Jaunts

Think cemeteries are gloomy? Think again! Highgate is a relaxing, peaceful and beautiful place to explore which is ideal for a visit on a summer’s day. The East Cemetery is the final resting place of many well-known names, including Karl Marx, Douglas Adams and Malcolm McLaren, and features a variety of unique headstones to spot. Nature lovers should keep an eye out for wildlife – along with local cats which love to wander between the gravestones. It gets a good deal of sunlight flitting through the trees and is a nice alternative to a stroll around a park. It costs £4 to visit the East Cemetery while the West Cemetery is only accessible by guided tour which costs £12 (although you do get your fee for the East visit back if you decide to do the West as well).

4. Improv at the Miller

Viki Bell from VikiBell.com

Improv is on the up and the Miller is the home of it in London. Not too many people know about it but they host really great nights on Friday and Saturdays. You’re guaranteed a laugh and it’s only £5. Throughout July they have their own comedy festival with some of the acts that perform at Fringe.Improv at the Miller. Improv is on the up and the Miller is the home of it in London. Not too many people know about it but they host really great nights on Friday and Saturdays. You’re guaranteed a laugh and it’s only £5. Throughout July they have their own comedy festival with some of the acts that perform at Fringe.

5. Visit Hampstead Heath

Elizabeth Williams from Where Roots and Wings Entwine

Visit Hampstead Heath for a stroll and play. Our family loves to enjoy the rich wildlife that it has to offer and the children’s facilities, especially the pools! I love the view of the big smoke from there too.

6. A Parkland walk across an abandoned train track

Hannah Hobson from Bow Dream Nation

I love Parkland walk which is in North London, a free woodland trial that runs from Finsbury Park to Muswell Hill via Highgate. Its on the abandoned Northern Line extension that was never completed. You walk past ghost station platforms, an amazing adventure playground and lots of colourful street art. It’s very shaded thanks to the tress and you’ll spot many runners, cyclists and dog walkers. It’s a bit of a hidden gem but the area is lovely so it’s worth seeking out. I love to exit at Highgate and visit the cemetery before walking to the top of Parliament Hill in Hampstead Heath for amazing views over the city.

7. A quiet picnic in a hidden park

Stephanie Sadler from Little Observationist 

I love to pack up a picnic and head over to St. Luke’s Gardens in Chelsea, my favourite little quiet green nook full of roses. Failing a full fancy picnic, taking a tea and a gourmandise from nearby Paul and a good book to the same park will do too!

8. See an exhibit at the V&A

Anisha from Fashion and Frappes

My top thing to do when its rainy in the summer is to visit some exhibits in the Victoria and Albert Museum. They have some fantastic exhibits on (Undressed and Botticelli and Curtains Up are ones to see in particular) which would appeal to the art lover or fashion lover. You can enjoy the exhibits while it raining and move to the beautiful central courtyard to eat and sit in once the rain stops! Its the best of both worlds.

9. Enjoy incredible views over London

Jess from Dream Work Win

For any weather, the Sky Garden in Aldgate is a perfect day out.Bookings are needed at least 2 weeks in advance, but it is free and has incredible views of London… Oh and a great bar.

And finally from me…

Thank you so much to my fellow London bloggers above who have shared their favourite thing to do in the summer. I couldn’t agree more with some of your ideas and will definitely be explorign some of your suggestions!

10. Explore the Kyoto Garden at Holland Park

I don’t think there is anything I love more on a sunny day in London (yes I’m staying positive!) than walking around the city and finding a hidden park. My favourite green spot so far has been the individually themed gardens in Holland Park, from a patch of glorious sunflowers to the Japanese Kyoto Garden, filled with wildlife and water features. You can read more about my adventure in the gardens here!

What is your favourite spot in London to enjoy on a summer’s day?