Discover summer in the city with Time Out

"One thing I love to do is stroll along the River Thames, especially in the summer when the water is filled with sightseeing boats, river cruises, kayaks and even paddleboarders making the most of the longer days. More often than not, I'll head down to the South Bank, which is where we are now. If you head north and follow the riverside path, you’ll soon end up at Shakespeare’s Globe, which puts on many of the Bard’s plays, and lots of other shows. Summer really is the best time to go as it's an open-air theatre – it’s a great way to enjoy the good weather! 

"If you do walk down the Southbank to the Shakespeares Globe, check out the Millennium Bridge, which Londoners know as the Wobbly Bridge. (Long story, but they have fixed it now!) If you walk across, look down: the artist Ben Wilson has done hundreds of tiny paintings on people’s old bits of chewing gum."

"Feeling peckish? I know I am. Then follow the river north towards The Shard, that impossibly tall, pointy building, and you'll soon arrive at Borough Market! It's a vibrant place that’s been selling food to hungry Londoners for more than a thousand years, and in the summer months it's buzzing with stalls filled with seasonal produce.

"It’s also a great spot to pick up tasty street food – my go-to is the chorizo roll from Brindisa, a Spanish deli, which I like to eat in the Red Cross Garden. It’s a green oasis just a few minutes walk away. It’s especially worth visiting at this time of year, when its flowerbeds are in full bloom. This area is also where you’ll find Time Out’s number one restaurant in the city for 2026: French bistro Camille. And fun fact: in the original Bridget Jones movie, Bridget lived right next door to Borough Market. Talk about prime location, especially in the summertime!"

"Nothing hits the spot in summer like a refreshing dip. Did you know you can do that in Canary Wharf? If you look East into the distance you may see the area, which was once the busy docks of London, with ships from all over the world loading and unloading. Now it’s one of London’s premier Financial Districts, full of offices, luxury apartments and iconic sky scrapers. This summer, they’ve even opened an Olympic-sized open-air swimming pool in one of the old docks!"

"One of the most recognisable buildings in the City of London has to be St Paul’s Cathedral. Look north-west and you’ll spot its iconic domed roof which has  dominated the London skyline for more than 300 years.

"When I’m visiting that area, I love having a little sit-down and maybe a picnic at St Dunstan in the East – an old church that’s been turned into a beautiful garden. It’s especially lovely in the summer: a real slice of peace and quiet in one of the city’s busiest areas. Soak up the sun, unwind from the hustle and bustle – and before you go, be sure to grab a takeaway box from the nearby Good Eating Cafe. It’s a great little spot recommended by Time Out.”

“One of the best things about London in the summer is the open-air concerts, and they have some fantastic gigs at Somerset House. If you look over the river, towards the north-west, you’ll see a  big white building with columns and a little green dome. They’ve been hosting big summer gatherings and events in the famous courtyard for hundreds of years! Look to the left of Somerset House, two buildings along, that’s The Savoy – one of the most famous hotels in London and home to Simpson’s in the Strand. It’s a grand old restaurant that’s been there since 1828 – and it was recently chosen as one of Time Out’s top ten places to eat in London.”

“It’s an amazing view up here, isn’t it? You can see all the way to Wembley Stadium – well, provided you find yourself up here on a clear day, of course! It’s over to the west, that big white arch on the horizon. All the football legends have played there including Bobby Moore, Messi and of course Harry Kane. You can even do a stadium tour where you get to find out what it feels like to win the FA Cup. Plus there are loads of great concerts. Harry Styles was recently there and Bruno Mars and The Weeknd are dropping by over the summer. I’m also planning to check out Summer Rocks around the stadium, which I spotted on Time Out. Throughout the season, there’ll be loads of free music, art, food, sport and family fun. How good does that sound?”

“London looks especially lovely in the sunshine – but those green and orange office blocks, north of the BT Tower, really stand out! That’s Central St Giles, right on the edge of Covent Garden, London’s theatre district.

"Lots of people go there for West End shows, but in the summer I love it most for the quaint little tucked-away spots like Neal’s Yard. There, you can grab a coffee from Monmouth, find a spot to sit and soak up the sun. People-watching around here is especially fun in the summer: there’s such an amazing, feel-good energy in the city! And if you’ve forgotten your sunglasses or sunhat? Well, Covent Garden is one of the best shopping districts – especially for last minute summer essentials!”

“See that funny-looking tall building to the north west – the one that looks a bit like a lightsaber? That’s the BT Tower, and between here and there is Leicester Square.

"The square is famous for red carpets and glitzy film premieres – but my favourite is the Prince Charles Cinema. It’s a London institution that screens everything from blockbusters to the weirdest cult classics. It’s also my secret summer hideout, where I like to escape the heat with a couple of hours in their air-conditioning! Right next door is Chinatown. The Time Out guide recommends Wong Kei or Leong’s Legend for a proper dim sum feast, especially good after a sweaty day exploring London in the sunshine.”

“Looking West, beyond the trees of St James’s Park, and you’ll see Buckingham Palace. Summer is a special time there. Crowds gather to watch the famous Changing of the Guard, with soldiers in their bright red tunics and iconic bearskin hats. Even on the hottest days of the year, they still wear that full uniform! Normally that’s where the British monarch lives, though I’ve heard that King Charles prefers Clarence House, just across the park.

"Actually, there’s another grand old British institution that way: Duke’s Bar. The martinis there are legendary – they’re served from a trolley. Apparently they inspired James Bond’s cocktail order.”

“Want to hear one of my favourite London facts? Big Ben isn’t actually the name of the world famous clock tower that you can see over the river. That’s the Elizabeth Tower – and Big Ben is the name of the massive bell inside. Apparently it weighs fourteen tons, and if you were up close when it rang, it’d sound as loud as a rock concert! It’s part of the Houses of Parliament – where the House of Commons and House of Lords meet. If you’re planning to take a tour, the summer months are the best time to go. It's during parliamentary recess, which means there are more places to explore. Yes, even the Members of Parliament need a holiday!”