5 Free Things To Do In London This Summer
We might be a bit biased, but we think London is the best city in the world, and it is at its best in summer. To give you a bit of inspiration to get out there and explore, whatever your budget, we’ve put together a list of five free things to do the capital this summer.
Most of these are also family-friendly, so if you’re looking for free things to do in London with kids this summer, then be sure to add them to your agenda.
1. Pick Your Own Fruit
Thanks to Wimbledon, strawberries are a symbol of summer in London. So why not have a go at picking your own? There are plenty of farms on the outskirts of London that offer pick-your-own experiences, usually with free entry (although you’ll need to pay for the fruit you pick, of course). Good options include Parkside Farm in Enfield, Middlesex and Bury Lane Farm in Royston, Hertfordshire.
2. Attend Summer Fiesta at The Brunswick in Bloomsbury
The Brunswick Centre, located in the heart of Bloomsbury opposite Russell Square station, is known for its free family-friendly events, and this summer is no exception. Its Summer Fiesta on Saturday 6 July, will be a day filled with delicious street food from around the world, live music, dance, and even games like Giant Jenga and Giant Connect 4!
Pro tip: Architecture fans shouldn’t miss a trip to The Brunswick even when there are no events on, as it’s one of London’s most iconic examples of brutalist design. Combine a visit with a stroll across London to that other brutalist icon, The Barbican, and make a day of it!
3. Notting Hill Carnival, 24-26 August
Notting Hill Carnival is always one of the best weekends of the summer, a three-day celebration of the rich history of Caribbean culture in London. The highlight is watching the elaborate floats and costumed performers wind their way through the streets in the carnival parade to the sound of mas bands, steel drums and calypso music. You can also visit tasty world food stalls along the route.
If you want to visit with kids, Sunday (25 August) is family day, with a children’s parade in the morning.
4. Take in some stunning city views
We love London’s iconic skyline, and there are numerous free places in the city to take it in. Parliament Hill in Hampstead Heath is rightly famous for its unobstructed views of central London, including the Shard. For views of Canary Wharf and the City of London, it doesn’t get better than the hilltop Royal Observatory at Greenwich Park. Or for a bird’s eye view, head to the sky garden on the 43rd floor of the Walkie Talkie (aka 20 Fenchurch Street) (note that access us limited so make sure you reserve online in advance).
5. Relax on the beach – yes, really!
It may seem far-fetched, but you really can kick back and relax on a beach within the M25. Ruislip Lido beach is a sunny, sandy stretch on the shore of a 60-acre lake. The beach may be man-made, but you won’t see any of the families who flock there over the summer complaining. Note that you can’t swim in the lake, but there is a huge area of woodland for a spot of forest bathing instead.
