{Guest Post} Top 5 things to do in London this summer

Living in London most definitely has its perks. It’s such a diverse, multicultural and open city with lots to do! There’s something for everyone. And it’s rare that you will struggle to find something new or different to explore.

Now that the weather is starting to heat up there are even more activities and places to visit that differ from colder months. So I wanted to share my top 5 places to visit during the glorious summer months (few and scarce as they may be!)

Check out the view from Madison’s

Everyone’s heard of St. Paul’s cathedral and if you’ve been to London as a tourist it’s probably one of the first places on your list. But did you know that just down the road at One New Change, you have access to a rooftop bar via Madison’s?

The bar also has a great outdoor seating area for you to enjoy a cocktail or two. Perfect for the warmer weather. Don’t feel obliged to buy a drink at the bar though, you can just pop by for the photo op!

Pretend you live in Notting Hill

You may have seen the gorgeous mews featuring cute pastel houses covered in wisteria all over Instagram. Well, let me tell you there are loads of these in Notting Hill and Shepherd’s Bush.

There’s also Portobello Market where you can bag a few bargains as well as feast on a range of food treats. I recommend heading to the fresh donuts stall late in the day as they drop the prices down to 50p a donut to clear their stock!

On the weekends you can see hundreds of tourists swarm the street market and stop by the pretty houses to take a photo or two. Tip from me, head to Kentish Town for similar pictures but less tourists!

Have a picnic in Greenwich Park

Greenwich is a great place to visit. There are lots of different things to see and do, including visiting the Cutty Sark, the Maritime Museum and even the Royal Observatory.

One of the beautiful things about Greenwich is the park and the incredible skyline view of London. I recommend sitting a little bit below the Observatory where you can see across the whole of London. Enjoy some picnic treats and sit and top up the tan!

Have a pint along the river

You can’t really talk about London without mentioning the pubs. They are a national treasure (slight exaggeration but ask any other Londoner and I’m sure they’ll agree).

For a pint with a view, head to The Founder’s Arms. It’s right by the Tate Modern so you can even soak up some culture before soaking up a pint! This gets busy even in winter months due to it’s perfect location, so I recommend heading over a little bit earlier to beat the lunch time crowds.

Go for a swim in the Serpentine

Lastly if it’s water you’re craving, head over to Hyde Park where you can go for a dip in the Serpentine! I only discovered this outdoor lido a few years ago, and right in the middle of London! The nearest tube is either Marble Arch or Hyde Park station itself, just wonder towards the gardens and you’ll be in for a treat.

I’ve been during the summer months a couple of times and they are only open during certain months so check ahead before planning your trip. It’s still a bit of a hidden secret and it doesn’t actually get that busy. And if you’re not a swimmer why not just pull up a deck chair and lie and enjoy the sun?

Hyde Park and the other Royal Gardens are another little gem to explore in London. They spread out quite a bit so you could even rent a bike and cycle through the bike paths.

So that makes my top places to visit in London during summer. Have you ever been to any of these? Have any other suggestions to add?

Bio

Amanda is a digital marketing and PR professional with over 6 years experience. She blogs over at ldnrose.com covering topics including work life, travel with a little bit of fashion and beauty.

Insta: @ldn.rose

Twitter: @arcasela