With spring transitioning into summer and bringing along brighter and longer days, London offers a plethora of exciting outdoor activities to indulge in. While the British climate may not always be the most inviting, there's no need to jet off to warmer destinations to enjoy the alfresco experience. Whether it's immersing yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of a festival or uncovering the hidden gems of the city's secret gardens, there's something for everyone in London's outdoor scene.
One extraordinary outdoor activity to consider is attending the Visions Festival, held annually at various venues across London. This music and arts festival showcases emerging talents in independent music, combined with art installations and film screenings. Embrace the electric energy and dance the day away while experiencing the creative essence of London.
1. Dine outside
Of all the activities that Londoners relish, eating is right at the top. You may have done the Borough Market mooch more times than you’ve had, well, hot dinners, but a new wave of outdoor restaurants in London has reignited our taste buds. London Bridge’s Vinegar Yard is home to a host of pop-ups, from Sugo, serving Italian, mostly meatball-focused street food, to Nanny Bill’s and their hand-pressed burgers and croquette combos. Not far away, Maltby Street (one of the more established offerings) is home to some of the food-truck big-hitters. Nip through the market and get a place in line at La Pepia for flavour-packed Venezuelan street food.
Top tip: Hit up Baba G’s Bhangra Burger at Vinegar Yard for some spicy snacks that pack a punch. We’ve worked our way through the menu to find out who rules the roost: it’s the Naga Delhi Double Burger – a trifecta of lamb patty, crispy onion bhaji and fiery chilli sauce. The ‘Naga’ in the name is a type of tongue-tingling chilli pepper; you have been warned.
Address: Vinegar Yard, 72-82 St Thomas Street, Bermondsey, London SE1 3QU; Maltby Street Market, Ropewalk, Bermondsey, London SE1 3PA
Website: vinegaryard.london; maltby.st
When: Vinegar Yard is open from 5-10pm Monday-Wednesday, 12-10pm Thursday-Saturday and 12-8pm on Sundays. Maltby Street Market restaurants and grocers are open 10am-10pm Wednesday to Sunday.
2. Discover more of London on foot
One of the best ways to explore London is by walking around – especially when the sun is shining. Some of the capital’s top walking routes take you along picturesque canals and past the city’s most celebrated landmarks.
For a peaceful south London stroll, try heading from Richmond Hill (pictured) to Ham House, or head east and take the road less travelled as you wander from Hackney Wick to Beckton District Park. We’ve rounded up some of the prettiest parks in London, as well as the best walks in London – pick one, or try them all.
3. Enhance Your Personal Slice of Urban Eden
In a bustling city like London, spaces for large gardens in apartment homes are hard to come by. Thus, the growing trend of creating small urban gardens, either within the cosiness of your interiors or on compact balconies, has never been more crucial. In these oasis-like spaces, green thumbs get their fill by visiting, and buying from, the city's most charming garden centres. These shops are verdant havens where a sunny morning spent picking out potted plants can certainly begin to feel quite gratifying. Two standout establishments for consideration include Clifton Nurseries, a beloved greenery-facility in Little Venice since 1851, and the well-liked Petersham Nurseries located in Richmond.
In addition to these gardening landmarks, London also conceals an array of unknown, yet purely enchanting, green locales. There are exquisite hidden gardens tucked away in churches, botanical gardens, and many other unexpected spots. We'll guide you to discover London's finest hidden gardens that certainly need your exploration.
4. Try a new cycling route
You can get further, faster, on two wheels than on two feet. London has some seriously scenic bike routes to try – take a spin along the Thames, cycle between Finsbury Park and Alexandra Palace for brilliant views or loop around Hyde Park for an easy, traffic-free circuit. Dust down your own bicycle after a long winter, or pick up one for a few hours if you’re looking to a new area of the city far away from your usual spots.
5. Embark on an Exotic Indoor Gardening Adventure
Famed for its enticing price tags and lively ambiance, Columbia Road Flower Market offers more than just a shopping experience. It's a thrill in itself, securing your newest indoor plant friend after an energetic bargain chase. Make sure to confirm the market operation days before setting out on this urban jungle exploration.
Insider Info: Anyone who frequents the Columbia Road market would advise you to either get there with the dawn or take it slow and arrive near closing time. Despite avoiding the hustle and bustle by reaching early, chances are you might miss out on the best bargains. Opt for showing up as the stalls start to wrap up (before 2 pm) and avail of the lowest price offerings. This also presents an excellent opportunity to devour a sumptuous brunch at someplace else before hitting the market.
Location: Columbia Road Flower Market, Columbia Road, Shoreditch, London E2 7RG
Website: columbiaroad.info
Timings: Every Sunday, 8am-2pm
Entry Fee: Free
6. Venture into the marshes
One of our favourite open spaces in London, Hackney Marshes, offers a fantastic walking trail along the River Lea. Pick up the waterside path from the car park off Homerton Road, taking the canal footpath along to the Hackney Cut. The nearby Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, with its wealth of coffee shops and cafés, is a great end-of-route spot to kick back and refuel before making the return trip. For those not willing to travel east-bound, Richmond Park (a national nature reserve) is a full day out, with the deer roaming the grounds making you feel transported, if only for an afternoon, away from the bustling city streets. The Park also backs onto Wimbledon Common if you’re really looking to get that step count up with an hour or two of Womble spotting in the overgrown corners.
Address: Hackney Marshes, Homerton Road, London E9 5PF; Richmond Park, Richmond; Wimbledon Common, Windmill Rd, Wimbledon Common, London SW19 5NR
Website: hackney.gov.uk; royalparks.org.uk; wpcc.org.uk
When: All year round
Price: Free
7. Take to the water
Kicking off in April (if the weather is fair) and running until the end of October, London’s many lakes offer a great opportunity to enjoy a little down time away from the crowds and queues that many outdoor escapades attract. The most famous of the boating lakes is undoubtedly the Serpentine in Hyde Park, which is also home to the UK’s first SolarShuttle, a pleasure boat powered by the sun, seating up to 42. For a more intimate experience, the row boats and pedalos seat up to six and can be hired by the half-hour running until dusk.
East Londoners can take advantage of the rowboats on Victoria Park lake, which, after a 30-year hiatus, have become available once more. Open right up until the end of October, they have a strict no-booze-on-board policy, so one for a pleasant day with children in tow as opposed to a prosecco-fuelled afternoon catching up with friends. If you’re truly keen to make the kids the stars of the show, head across to Finsbury Park, where those dressed as pirates or princesses (we’re talking about children here) can enjoy 50 percent off ticket prices, which is something we can all get on board with.
Address: Bluebird Boats, Boat House, Hyde Park, London W2 2UH; Regal Boat Hire, Victoria Park, Bow, London E9 7DE; Finsbury Park Boats, Finsbury Park, London N4 1EE
Website: royalparks.org.uk; towerhamlets.gov.uk; haringey.gov.uk
When: April-October, weather permitting. Check the relevant websites before visiting to book, check seasonal opening times, and spot special deals.
Price: From £10 per boat
8. Feel the pride in picking your own
Travelling to the northern edge of London might seem a bit extreme for a punnet of berries, but fruit picking can be a relaxing, family-friendly activity. It may not be the cheapest way of procuring your produce either (fruit is offered by the kilogram, at around £5.20 for strawberries and £7.50 for blackberries), but it’s the feeling of walking among the crops on a warm summer’s afternoon, basket in hand, that makes it one of our top outdoor activities in London. And while consumption on site is forbidden, it’s a great way to have your kids get their fill of both fresh fruit and air.
Top tip: Keep a track of when various fruits are in season, as they can differ massively; see the farm’s website for a calendar of specific crops. Also, most importantly, be aware that larger groups will be turned away at the door – so this is not one for birthday parties or large get-togethers.
Address: Parkside Farm, Hadley Road, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 8LA
Website: parksidefarmpyo.co.uk
When: June-October
9. Find friends of the four-legged kind
Londoners, surprisingly, have a wealth of fantastic farms to visit – from a firm favourite located not far from London Fields to a hidden gem beside Gospel Oak Station. The former, situated in a prime location a mere-two minute walk from Columbia Road (see above), is open all year round and perennially houses the big hitters (goats, sheep, pigs) alongside other smaller furry critters such as rabbits and guinea pigs. Fresh eggs can be purchased daily from the shop, with the farm’s honey available weekly from the site’s substantial hive system. Of the lesser-known spots, Kentish Town City Farm is one of the more established and conveniently located – offering pony rides and even a kids’ club every Saturday morning, where children can be dropped off and picked up a few hours later.
Top tip: Hackney City Farm runs a fantastic (and reasonably priced) vegetable and fruit-box scheme, available every week from the front gate; while there can be a waiting list, it’s worth signing up for a hoard of fresh produce at the start of every week.
Address: Hackney City Farm,1a Goldsmiths Row, Hackney, London E2 8QA; Kentish Town City Farm, 1 Cressfield Close, Kentish Town, London NW5 4BN
Website: hackneycityfarm.co.uk; kcityfarm.org.uk
When: Both open all year round: Hackney City Farm open Tue–Sun, 10am–4pm (closed Mon except bank holidays); Kentish Town City Farm open every day, 9am–5pm
Price: Free
10. Sip cocktails on a swanky rooftop
It’s a known fact that us Brits are at our happiest, drink in hand, atop a fabulous rooftop bar admiring views of the city. At Forza Wine in Peckham, wash pesto-doused flatbreads and hearty meatballs down with jugs of sparkling wine and local beers. Netil 360 is another of our East London favourites; grab a bench or simply stand and mingle as the bar fills up after work.
The capital’s hotels have lots to offer when it comes to rooftop bars. Radio At Me London is one of the city’s hottest haunts, so prepare to meet the minimum spend requirements during your visit, while 12th Knot at Sea Containers London is a great place to unwind riverside over a craft cocktail or two.
Top tip: From street level, The Culpeper may appear to be just another East London pub. Venture to the rooftop for lunch, however, and you’ll be enjoying a multi-course menu that champions sustainable farming methods. Dishes include grilled Colchester oysters, lamb shoulder with purple sprouting broccoli, and vegan ‘nduja’ crostini with salsa verde. For an extensive selection of hotels that might offer a similar experience, take a look at www.hotels-of-london.com. To discover more top-rated accommodations in London that prioritize sustainability, you might want to explore tophotels.com.
Address: Forza Wine, The Rooftop, 133A Rye Ln, London SE15 4BQ; Radio At Me London, 336-337 Strand, London WC2R 1HA; 12th Knot, 20 Upper Ground, London SE1 9PD; The Culpeper, 40 Commercial St, London E1 6LP
Website: forzawine.com; radiorooftop.com; seacontainerslondon.com; theculpeper.com
11. Discover a secret garden
From hidden church yards to bountiful botanical gardens, there are lots of places across London in which to wile away an afternoon; many away from the tourist hordes and commuter crowds. With its tiered waterfall and majestic carp gracefully popping to the pond’s surface, Kyoto Gardens has a calm atmosphere and is the perfect place to unwind. The Hill Garden and Pergola awaits in Hampstead and is a great place to catch the sunset, while Cricklewood’s Mapesbury Dell is a true under-the-radar gem.
Top tip: Established by the capital’s apothecaries to grow medicinal herbs, Chelsea Physic Garden has occupied four acres of land since the late 17th century. Keep an eye on their website for an exciting series of summer tours and workshops, from sound baths to soap-making classes among the unique plants.
Address: Kyoto Garden, Holland Park, Holland Park Ave, London W11 4UA; The Hill Garden and Pergola, The Pergola, Inverforth Cl, London NW3 7EX; Mapesbury Dell, Hoveden Road, London NW2 3XD; Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Rd, London SW3 4HS
Website: rbkc.gov.uk; hampsteadheath.net; mapesbury-dell.org; chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk
12. Let your hair down at a festival
Soak up the sunshine while singing and dancing away to your favourite artists this summer at a series of festivals, ranging from the raucous to the relaxing across the capital. Join Michael Ball and Alfie Boe for an al fresco soiree in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace, celebrate the city’s diversity with the likes of The Sugarbabes and Jessie Ware at Mighty Hoopla, or see some UK festival exclusives as Cardi B and Burna Boy take to the Wireless stage.
Address: Hampton Court Palace, Hampton Ct Way, Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU; Brockwell Park, Brockwell Park Gardens, London SE24 0NG; Wireless Festival, various locations, London and Birmingham
Website: hamptoncourtpalacefestival.com; mightyhoopla.com; wirelessfestival.co.uk
Price: £92.50; £54.45; £95
13. Secure Your Place in a Brewery's Backyard
London is renowned for its magnificent pub gardens, providing an idyllic setting for whiling away the hours, enjoying chilly pints or ice-cold rosé with friends in a secluded corner of a brewery's outdoor space. Incorporate a fresh open-air stroll with your drink at Pub on the Park in London Fields, or soak up the river views in southwest London by making a pit stop at The Ship or The Crabtree. Indulge in a deliciously filling meal with your lager at The Duke of Edinburgh in Brixton (featured in the picture) or make your way to the verdant suburbs of Richmond or Hampstead for soothing garden arrangements.
Location: Pub On The Park, 19 Martello St, London E8 3PE; The Ship, 41 Jews Row, London SW18 1TB; The Crabtree, Rainville Rd, London W6 9HA
Online: pubonthepark.com; theship.co.uk; dukeofedinburghpub.com; thecrabtreew6.co.uk
In recent years, Hampstead and Richmond have emerged as favored spots for outdoor enthusiasts, known for their expansive green spaces and refreshing air quality. Did you know that The Duke of Edinburgh in Brixton maintains one of South London's largest beer gardens? It's an amazing place to relax and enjoy a good meal.