When I was living in London, I remember the thrill of a sunny day. During the summer, locals and tourists would flock to stake out a place on a green or by the river. Luckily, London is a city filled with parks and green spaces, making it possible to find solitude even amidst the summer frenzy. Indeed the extent of London’s green spaces puts New Yorkers’ pride in Central Park into perspective, though it’s hardly a fair comparison, since London has roughly twice the area with three million fewer inhabitants.
Some of London ‘s best-known green spaces are its eight Royal parks, which consist of 5,000 acres, including Hyde Park, St. James Park, and Kensington Gardens in the city and Greenwich Park and Richmond Park in the suburbs. These parks don’t even take the sprawling Hampstead Heath into account.
Of course, the grass doesn’t have to be real to be appealing. I’ve seen people plant themselves in lawn chairs on AstroTurf outside the Royal National Theatre on London ‘s South Bank, one of the city’s busiest pedestrian areas, looking as content as if they were lounging by the Mediterranean . In this case, it’s not the lure of an open green space at work but the lure of the River Thames.
Whether it’s the open heath, a pleasant green, the Thames, or a bustling market, there are many ways to get outside in one of Europe ‘s greenest cities.
Here are the top ten London summer outings:
10. Grabbing a lawn chair in Hyde Park
Hyde Park is the most famous of London ‘s parks. I recommend taking a nap or reading a book in one of the lawn chairs on the large green near the Serpentine Lake . The luxury of a lawn chair rental will cost you a couple quid for several hours, so if you want to save some money, it’s equally satisfying to plop down for about five minutes of illicit sitting before meandering along, or simply to stake out a plush place in the grass.
9. Boat ride to Greenwich
A boat ride from Westminster Pier to Greenwich is one of the best ways to enjoy the River Thames and take in the long history of London , as you pass under beautiful bridges and by some of London’s most important buildings, including St. Paul ‘s Cathedral and The Tower of London. You’ll likely be treated to cheeky commentary in a cockney accent from a member of the boat’s crew. The walk through Greenwich Park to visit the Old Royal Naval Observatory is a pleasant way to get some exercise.
8. Walking across Millennium Bridge
Millennium Bridge is London ‘s newest and most striking pedestrian bridge, connecting St. Paul ‘s Cathedral with the Tate Modern Art Museum . To the embarrassment of the engineer, during the bridge’s inauguration, the bridge swayed so severely under the weight of pedestrians that it caused a general panic, and likely, the stern disapproval of the Queen. No worries, it has since been stabilized, and the walk in either direction offers an unrivaled view of the Thames and either riverbank.
7. Tea at the Orangery in Kensington Gardens
You still have to drink it hot–yes, even in summer–but having tea with a scone, clotted cream and strawberry jam on the terrace outside this eighteenth-century conservatory built by Queen Anne is an exercise in true Victorian indulgence. It seems a testament to the frankness of the English to call the tasty spread “clotted cream” rather than hiding the decadence behind a softer name, say “heaven on a scone.” Walk it off in the beautiful setting of Kensington Gardens.
6. Biking in the East End
A bike tour is a great way to see London ‘s oft-overlooked East End. Riding through the Docklands and the Financial District is exhilarating, and the tour guides know all the best backstreets, so that you can mostly avoid competing with pedestrians and double-decker buses. You’ll peer up into the Gherkin or Cucumber Building, probably the most notorious building on the London skyline. You’ll ride alongside the canals and docks and get a better sense of life on the River Thames. You’ll likely stop to enjoy a drink and conversation at a riverside pub.
5. Picnicking in Kew Gardens
There are plenty of hidden spots for a picnic on the 300 acres that make up Kew ‘s Royal Botanical Gardens. It’s a beautiful setting to linger in with friends, feasting on local treats picked up a one of London ‘s famed food markets (more on the best of them below).
4. Dodging Pedestrians along South Bank
Enjoy the summer energy of London on the pedestrian-only walk from Southwark to Westminster Bridge , looking out for oddball street performers, dodging pedestrians, and taking in the views over the Thames . South Bank London is an exhilarating place to enjoy the hustle and bustle of London without having to worry about getting run over by a double-decker bus.
3. Wandering Hampstead Heath and stopping at the Spaniards Inn afterwards
Hampstead Heath offers one of the best panoramic views of London from atop Parliament Hill. It’s a wonderful place to get lost, with pretty ponds, open meadows, wooded areas and hidden gardens. If you wander up towards the West Meadow, there’s a lovely old pub called Spaniards Inn that’s one of the most atmospheric in London with beamed ceilings and creaking floors. Its pretty back garden is a perfect place to enjoy lunch.
2. Walking to Richmond on the Thames path
The Thames tow path follows much of the course of the River Thames, beginning at its source in Gloucester and running through several rural counties before reaching London . One of our favorite excursions is the walk to Richmond from Kew. You can take in the beauty of the Thames outside the heart of the city, watch the rowing teams glide gracefully down the river, and walk along the periphery of the Royal Kew Botanical gardens for a glimpse of its marshy, wild areas. Richmond itself is a beautiful place to spend a few hours. Stop at the White Cross Pub on the bank of theThames for a glass of Pimms, a fruity, summer cocktail.
1. Scavenging in Borough Market
Frankly, visiting this large gourmet market belongs on my list of all-time favorite things to do in London, regardless of the weather! But Borough Market comes alive in summer and is brimming over with local produce. There are so many delights to discover–rich Monmouth coffee with jersey cream, mouth-watering mozzarella di buffala from Italy , perfectly ripe, locally-grown strawberries, and the best chorizo sandwiches you’ll find anywhere. Enjoy your treats with other shoppers in the courtyard of Southwark Cathedral.
Sources
Personal Experience
“About Us,” The Royal Parks Homepage
