When it comes to London in summer, you’ll see the entire city open up and all the people hit the streets to explore the stunning things the city has to offer, including the flourishing parks, beautiful canals and enthralling palaces, as well as the markets, restaurants and pubs around. In this guide, we aim to cover everything you’ll need to know about exploring one of the most popular cities in the world, during the summertime months.
What’s the weather like in London in summer
Regardless of what you’re expecting, summer in London still has its fair share of rain, though it is much less than the other seasons of the year. These rains typically aren’t full rain days and are usually scattered showers. On average, temperatures during summer in London are relatively mild: lows are typically around 13°C, whilst the highs are usually close to 24°C, except when a heatwave strikes. Heatwaves are the bane of a Londoner’s existence during the summer months. The city tends to get pretty miserable when this hit, thanks to the design of London leading to heat being kept in rather than the temperature being regulated, so be aware.
Hours of daylight during summer
Summer in London is the best in terms of daylight hours, with almost 17 hours of daylight during June and July and around 15 hours of daylight during August. This is one of the top reasons for many to come to the city during the summertime. The amount of daylight hours means more time to explore the city and surrounds, experiencing all the things you want to. You can continue sightseeing or stay in a park until close to 21:00 every evening.
Best things to do during summer in London
London is home to countless things to do and see throughout the city and the surrounding areas. You can spend time at festivals, frequent a couple of ponds and lakes, visit palaces or go for a picnic. Here are a few of the best things to do in the summertime.
Primrose Hill
On any given summer or even just a sunny, day in London, you can expect a large gathering of people at the most popular viewpoint in the city: Primrose Hill. People flock here to sunbathe, hang out with their mates and, of course, drink copious amounts of beer together, as Londoners do. Some of the sights you’ll catch a glimpse of whilst at Primrose Hill include the BT Tower, the famous London Eye, and the Shard; and whilst the place is popular with tourists, it’s usually packed with a lot more locals, which makes it a fantastic place to experience authentic London life. The best thing about it? Entry is completely free.
Camden Market
Camden Market is one of the most well-known and sought-after markets in the city and a popular choice of activity during the summer months. You’ll find thousands of shops selling everything you can imagine, including rugs, trinkets, and fashion accessories. Bring along enough cash with you to splurge – there’s no doubt you’ll want to. One of the best things about Camden Market is that it’s mostly outdoors, making it an ideal summer spot. People come to sit alongside the canal and eat food from the market and enjoy a couple of drinks whilst soaking in the sun.
Taste of London
If you’re in London in June, you cannot miss out on one of the world’s greatest food festivals, happening around Regent’s Park. This is where, every June, some of the top restaurants in the city gather to showcase the best delicacies from their curated menus, and even show you live how it’s prepared. As a foodie, this is an event you do not want to miss out on.
Hampton Court Palace
Visiting Hampton Court Palace during the summer is the best time to visit it if you want to enjoy the famous gardens to the fullest. Widely considered one of the most beautiful places in London, especially during the summer, Hampton Court Palace offers over 60 acres of gardens and hundreds of acres of parklands, with an array of vineyards, wildlife, vegetable gardens, and even a maze to lose yourself in. The gardens aren’t the only thing worth exploring; the palace itself is a magnificent testament to 16th-century architecture and comes with loads of rooms and sections to explore, each with a little offering of what went on when royalty lived there.
River Thames
What better time to explore the River Thames and all of the iconic attractions located along it than the hot summer months, when there’s less chance of being rained out. A Thames River Cruise through to Greenwich is a popular choice, running from Westminster to Greenwich and passing famous attractions along the way such as Shakespeare’s Globe, Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral, and Canary Wharf, among many others. It’s especially popular during the summer because the roof of the boat is an open deck. Here you can grab a seat and enjoy a drink and the views of the city as you coast along the water.
Explore the canals
Whilst keeping with the water theme, another one of the most popular things to do during the summer is head out onto one of the many canals. A highly popular one is the Regent’s Canal, which offers a winding route to Camden Town, passing through Little Venice en route. If you’d like to pretend you’re actually in Venice whilst passing by famous attractions like Maida Hill Tunnel and London Zoo, these canal boat tours are a must-do whilst hanging out in London. The tours typically include running commentary from a well-versed guide and take around 45 minutes in total.
What you should pack
Thanks to the unpredictable weather in London in summer, packing for your trip can be incredibly difficult. Some days start as hot as expected and then the temperature shifts in an instant. There are days when you could experience all of the seasons in a couple of hours. Keep this in mind when packing. Keep a couple of cold-weather items, like a hoodie, track pants as well as something waterproof, along with typical summer clothes.
If you’re unfamiliar with London, you’ll be using your phone a lot for directions and communication. Make sure you bring a portable charger with you that has a lot of battery life. It makes sense to keep a small umbrella handy as well, in case of sudden rains. You’ll also spend a lot of time walking around the city, so comfortable walking shoes are an absolute must.
Where to cool down in London in summer
You’ll find that the majority of locals make their way to the coast during the summer, especially on hot days. Brighton is typically the most popular but is prone to overcrowding thanks to that fact. One of the best ways to cool down during the summer is to head to a lido, what Londoners call public swimming pools outdoors – you’ll find them all over London. Some of the most popular lidos are the Hampstead Heath swimming ponds, the Art Deco Brockwell Lido, and the historic Tooting Bec Lido in Streatham.
How to save money during summer in London
The ideal time to head to London if you’re trying to save money on your holiday is the summertime because you can spend the majority of your time outside, where it’s free. You’ll want to consider heading there after the school holidays at the end of August; otherwise, you’ll be paying extra-high prices on accommodation. If you’re planning on visiting the attractions in town that require tickets, look into purchasing a multi-pass or booking your tickets ahead of time. You’ll usually save a bit of money this way.
One of the best things to do when visiting on a budget is to purchase the London Pass, which will give you entry into more than 70 different attractions and usually includes the most expensive, and most famous, attractions in the city.
Excited for your next adventure? Check out these great summer holiday destinations for lots more inspiration.
