London is a vibrant and diverse city that never fails to captivate visitors.
Whether you live in London or are visiting, there's so much to do in the city.
If you're planning a visit to London this August, you're in for a treat.
Here are some amazing things to do and experience during your time in London.
1) GO FOR A WALK
The best way to see London, apart from by boat, is on foot. You can have spontaneous moments, at your own pace.
Take time to take in London's iconic buildings, skyline and hidden gems. Whilst stopping to grab some delicious food at a street food stall or take in a riverside drink.
Head to one of London's beautiful parks or the river, or do a trail, self guided walking route or organised walking tour.
Why not combine with a picnic and grab some delicious food from a local restaurant or deli.
Hampstead Heath is one of my favourite places to head for a walk . Read my blog here.
TRAILS
Find 70 different themed Morph characters around London until 20th August.
Download a map or the app, raising money and awareness of Whizzkidz.
15 life sized gorilla sculptures have been placed around Covent Garden. The sculptures are raising awareness for the conservation of gorillas in Africa. They are in Covent Garden until October.
Chimps are Family is a public art exhibition by Gillie and Marc in Kingston Town centre.
Perfect to combine with a day by the river or trip to Hampton Court.
SELF GUIDED WALK
The Line is an art walk in East London connecting the 02 and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Go Jauntly is an app that's an encyclopedia of walks, wherever you are.
There are free and paid versions of the Go Jauntly app.
I've used it to explore my local area and discovered places I never knew existed.
TOUR
An actor takes you on a tour seeing architecture through the creator John Nash's eyes around Marble Arch. Tours last an hour
2) SWIMMING IN AUGUST IN LONDON
The perfect way to cool down is taking a dip in water. Luckily there's plenty of lidos and swimming pools in London.
The swimming ponds make the experience more special and unique.
Hampstead has it all. There's a lido, mens, women and mixed swimming ponds. As well as some incredible views, beautiful park land and Kenwood House. Combine a swim and a picnic.
A beautiful park in South East London with regular events and a lake for swimming and kayaking.
One of London's most beautiful and iconic open water swimming locations is the Serpentine Lido. It's is open to the public from May until September. It's £7.40 for a day pass for adults or £2 4-6pm. There is also a gorgeous cafe bar next to it.
3) OUTDOOR THEATRE PERFORMANCES
When theatre is performed outside, in a beautiful location, it adds a magical dimension.
Regents Park is a romantic place, this August you can catch Le Cage Aux Follies and Dinosaur World Live.
The Globe offers £5 standing tickets for all performances. The theatre is outdoors and it's an amazing experience. You can get close to the actors and feel immersed in the show.
This month you can see As You Like it and Macbeth.
4) GO ON A BOAT
London is best seen on the River Thames (preferably with a drink in your hand) , so cool down on a boat trip
Thames Clippers is the easiest and most frequent London boat to catch, as it's a river taxi. You can use a contactless card to pay or buy day passes.
I absolutely love the frequency and freedom of the Clipppers. The interior feels luxurious with a cafe bar to buy drinks and snacks. There's also an outside area to sit and watch London go by.
Go Boat is self drive boat rental in Paddington, Canary Wharf or Kingston.
A social sailing experience which lets you discover London from a different angle.
5) IMMERSIVE ART
In 2023 we want our senses to be stimulated whilst being entertained. You can now not only look at art but be completely immsersed into it using cutting edge technology.
Framless is a collection of 4 different immersive galleries in Marble Arch. You can currently enjoy a very beautiful 'Garden of Earthly delights lunch. Book online for best price.
I recently visited and loved it (see the review here).
There's something beautifully calming about Frameless and just sitting and allowing to be fully immersed in the art and sound felt amazing.
Frameless are introducing lates on August 4th, where you can experience the galleries in the evening with adults only. With an emerging artist work being displayed, live music, food and drinks with entrance to all galleries £13.50.
We downloaded their Spotify playlist too!
An immersive exhibition in Kings Cross dedicated to David Hockney. There's 6 themed chapters on David Hockney's life and career.
The Van Gogh immersive experience is currently in Spitalfields.
This 360 degree art exhibit gives you insight into the Dutch artists life and work.
The Dali immersive experience takes on an extra level and also uses VR headsets.
It's the first collective metaverse show. It celebrates the surrealist world of Spanish artist Salvador Dali.
6) BEACHES IN LONDON
It may surprise you but there are a few beaches in London you can head to, and pretend your somewhere more exotic. Unfortunately you can't swim at any of them though but hopefully they'll get you in the holiday spirit.
Limin Beach Club is a Caribbean beach club ijust by the river Thames at St Gabriels Wharf.
There's brunch parties, D.J's and iconic fish and chips.
SOUTHBANK BEACH
There's parts of the Southbank where you can sit on the banks of the Thames. You'll often find amazing sand sculptures and metal detectorists as well as spontaneous parties. Just take the steps down to the beach and enjoy.
Ruislip Lido is a 60 acre lake complex with a sandy beach. Swimming is not permitted but there is a little train going around the lake.
Fulham Beach Club is at Neverland, a short walk from Wandsworth.
There's drag bingo, bottomless pizza Fridays and bottomless brunches. Open Wednesday to Sunday until September.
The cultural hub of Woolwich, Woolwich Works now has a beach area for Summer.
Complete with sand, deckchairs and rum cocktails and is open Wednesday-Sunday.
You can also join a free guided tour of Woolwich Works.
The Royal Docks Beach is next to the Emirates cable car. There's exercise classes, film screenings and even swimming at this beach! Check their twitter feed for updates.
Open 10am-6pm until 20th August and it's free.
7) ROOFTOP BARS
Summer is a perfect time to head to a rooftop and admire London as the sun goes down.
These bars give you an incredible view as well as great drinks.
The bar above Hotel Saint with an intimate feel and gorgous view. Enjoy a champagne slushie or their house cocktail of pineapple and rum served in a pineapple glass. Read my full blog here.
Skylight is a bar on top of a carpark in Wapping at Tobacco Dock.
The views across London are fantastic. There's brunch, bottomless wings nights and sports screenings. There's indoor croquet courts, ping pong tables and shuffle board
They also have a venue in Peckham.
Joia is a brand new Iberian restaurant in Battersea. It's on top of the 15th floor of the Art'otel at Battersea Power Station
Historically the Berkeley rooftop pool bar has been strictly for guests only but from 1st August it's opening to the public. It feels like you're in the South of France but with stunning views of Knightsbridge.
It will be open Tuesday-Saturday evening all Summer from 7.30pm.
Book tables for summer sangrias, spritzes, rose and mediterranean small plates.
The striped loungers will be available for walk in customers.
The swimming pool is not in use during this time.
8) TREASURE HUNT
A great way to explore London and have an adventure at the same time is to go on a treasure hunt.
Street Hunt is an immersive outdoor game that helps you discover hidden places in London. It's self guided so you can go at your own pace. It's £16.50 per person.
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Gourmaze is a tasty treasure hunt. It's a combination of an escape room and walking food tour. You can book different food theme packages. You'll play via Whatsapp, solves the clues and collect food along the way.
Clued Upp Games are immersive outdoor adventures. You use your smart phone to crack clues and complete challenges and compete against each other.
Clued App Games have 2 city quests you can play anytime, Alice in Wonderland and The Smurfs. Theses are available to play in Covent Garden, Kingston and on the Southbank.
The Beauty and the Beast is an exclusive experience and is only available in London on 19th August in Covent Garden.
I've played the Alice in Wonderland City Quest on a set day and it was really fun. What's great about the exclusive experience dates is that you see so many people getting dressed up and there's a lovely sense of friendly competition and community.
Each ticket includes up to 6 devices and unlimited kids and costs from £20.
9) FESTIVALS AND CARNIVALS
Feel part of something and head to one of London's festivals or carnivals this Summer.
Kensington and Chelsea Festival started on July 1st and ends on August 31st.
75% of the festivals shows are free or Pay What You can.
There's indoor and outdoor shows with dance, music, film, circus, arts, talks and walks.
The Greenwich and Docklands international festival starts on 25th August until 10th September and is completely free.
It's an outdoor and performing arts festival. Expect spectacles that pushes boundaries including vertical dancing on St Paul's Cathedral.
Notting Hill Carnival is taking place on 27th and 28th August.
A multi cultural community celebration with live music, D.J's, sound systems and processions .
10) OUTDOOR GIGS AND CONCERTS
London Parks become amazing gig venues during Summer.
Gunnersbury Park is hosting Festival Republic this August. Line up includes N-Dubz, Kygo, Limp Bizkit and Boy Genius
Join the Royal Philharmonic in Battersea Park. On the 26th August it's a night at the musicals, 27th August is proms in the park
11) EAT ICE CREAM
If you're looking for something a bit more adventurous than a Mr Whippy to cool you down, give one of these a try.
Anya Hindmarch's ice cream concept store is back by popular demand until August 27th.
They are selling ice creams and sorbets with a twist. Think of some of your household favourites turned into ice cream including crumpets, Branston pickle and tomato ketchup. Expect to queue and arrive well before closing time.
British Patagonia is a artisan bakery and coffee shop in Angel.
Their ice cream crone has gone viral. Ice cream, in a cone made of croissants and topped with nuts. What's more is it's vegan, so anybody can eat it.
Anita Gelato is an ice cream boutique in Covent Garden.
They have a huge selection of flavours, 150 to be exact, and have cream, vegan, sugar free and yoghurt versions.
12) YOGA IN THE PARK
Make the most of the warmer weather and relax your nervous system with some park yoga.
Eliza runs yoga classes for all abilities in Walthamstow.
There's morning stretch on Sunday's 9.30am-10.30am and Thursday's 6.45pm-8pm.
Classes are £12 and bookable via the website. The yoga class can also be moved indoors, so can continue no matter what the British weather does. Bring your own mat.
Zenw2 is a community yoga studio in Willesden Green.
Join Zenw2 for their annual Summer series of Yoga in the Park on Sundays, 10-11am at Gladstone Park.
The sessions are general level and open to all.
Book online and remember your mat (although they do have a couple of spares!)
Meeting point is The Stables Cafe.
13) OUTDOOR CINEMA
Love films? Enjoy outdoor cinema at stunning locations this August.
Luna Cinema offers cinematic experiences in iconic locations.
During August you can enjoy experiences at Hampton Court Palace, Kensington Palace, Regents Park and Kew Gardens.
There's free screenings on Tuesdays throughout August in Canada Square Park - Canary Wharf . There's also a family film club.
Rooftop film club has rooftop cinema locations in Peckham and Stratford. Expect comfy deckchairs, headsets and iconic views.
14) DRINK ROSE
Make the most of the warmer months and lighter evenings by enjoying a rose somewhere gorgeous.
The Pantechnicon is a unique and beautiful building in Belgravia.
It was built in the 1830's as an arts and crafts centre.
This Summer they have launched a rose courtyard in conjunction with Minuty Rose wine. On weekdays between 4-6.30pm you can get 2 glasses of Minuty for the price of one.
ami wine studios is located inside the gorgeous Eccleston Yards in Belgravia.
It's a wine bar, shop and art gallery. They sell their own Ami wine, and it's quite delicious.
Lily's is a sweet cafe in Covent Garden with an outdoor rose terrace.
They offer a bottomless rose brunch in partnership with Ultimate Provence. Get 2 brunch dishes and bottomless rose for £50 for 90 minutes, available at weekends.
I hope these ideas have given you inspiration to have a wonderful August in London .
Check the businesses socials for any updates as some events take place in all weathers, others may be postponed. London weather is unpredictable so be prepared!
If there's anything you'd recommend please feel free to DM on socials or email me.