Summer weekend in London
How locals do summer in London — patios, beaches, festivals and the long-evening rituals that only happen in July and August.
Top spots in London
Hampstead Heath
OutdoorsHampstead
320 hectares of meadow, ponds for swimming and Parliament Hill skyline.
Borough Market
Food & DrinkSouthwark
Centuries-old food market — salt-beef bagels, oysters and raclette.
Sky Garden
NightlifeCity of London
Free indoor garden 155 m above the Walkie-Talkie — book ahead.
Where to eat
Dishoom Covent Garden
$$Bombay café · Covent Garden
All-day bacon naan and house chai in a Bombay Irani-café setting.
Lyle's
$$$Modern British · Shoreditch
Daily-changing produce-led tasting menu in a stripped-back room.
St. John
$$$British · Smithfield
Fergus Henderson's nose-to-tail classic — bone marrow and madeira.
Padella
$$Italian · Borough Market
Hand-rolled pici cacio e pepe; expect a 45-min queue.
Live & on stage
BBC Proms
Royal Albert Hall · Jul 18 – Sep 13 · Classical
BST Hyde Park
Hyde Park · Jul 4–13 · Festival / Pop
Notting Hill Carnival
Notting Hill · Aug 24–25 · Caribbean / Carnival
Winter Wonderland
Hyde Park · Nov 21 – Jan 4 · Christmas Market
Frequently asked
- Standouts right now: Borough Market, Hampstead Heath, Sky Garden. The shortlist is curated by people who live in London and refreshed regularly so it reflects what's actually open and worth your time.