Things to do in London this Sunday

Escape the tyranny of boring chain stores and blandly utilitarian supermarkets by discovering London's always-exciting markets. Borough Market is probably the most famous, and it's undeniably full of foodie delights. But it gets seriously packed, so escape the crowds at nearby Maltby Street Market for delectable street food and bags of historic atmosphere. Each of London's local markets has a distinctive flavour: Hackney's Broadway Market is where you'll find fashionable types mingling over matcha lattes; Blackheath Farmers’ Market is a dose of countryside romance in SE3; Clapham's Northcote Road Market is a bougie suburban paradise with fancy cheeses galore. Fill your tote bag and feel smug all week.

Nothing is better on a Sunday than a big roast dinner, but the work that goes into making one can be off-putting. Luckily, London is packed to the rafters with pubs and restaurants that will make a delicious roast for you, and all they’ll ask of you is to part with a bit of cash. Don't know where to start? From classic pub grub to fancier fixings, we’ve rounded up the best roasts in the capital.

Try your nearest Hawksmoor – the roast dinner is both lip-smacking and good value. Get a gaggle of friends together to enjoy a mammoth sharing steak at Hackney's Five Points Brewing Co, or walk into the welcoming embrace of Harwood Arms for their famed game specials.

Want to sample roast potatoes all around town? Here’s our guide to London’s best Sunday lunches. 

Oh how we love a brunch – and that hasn’t gone unnoticed by London’s restaurant scene, which is ready to thrill morning diners with delights from pretty much any cuisine imaginable. Go bold with big, meaty flatbreads from Black Axe Mangal, keep things sweet and light with caramelised babka French toast at Chet's, or pile your plate high with vegan waffles and finest facon (fake bacon) and The Black Heart.

Still peckish? Check out more of London’s loveliest brunch spots. 

Londoners, real Londoners, genuinely love walking and Sunday is the perfect time to do it. There are loads of truly beautiful spots in London for a weekend walk, whether you want to learn a little about the past with a historical trot around town, or feel calm and restored after bathing in the glory of nature. 

Whether you want to follow the Thames along its meandering path, parade through the stunning scenery of Hampstead, or get stuck into ancient woodlands, there are plenty of ways to see a new side of London. Here are our favourite routes to get you started.  

Got an itch to get a little further afield? Set your alarm for early this Sunday and head out to explore one of these brilliant day trip spots.

Getting out of the city might seem like an effort, but in just an hour and a half, you could be chilling out by the Whitstable seaside or perusing the historic Roman baths of... well, Bath. For minimum travel time (and maximum swoon-time), visit one of these cute chocolate-box villages, which are all within easy reach of London. Great Missenden, the home and workplace of iconic children’s author Roald Dahl, still has its magical charm, while Ashwell in Hertfordshire is the perfect spot for picnics and has some beautiful architecture. 

Wish you could stay for longer? Plan a weekend away from London for next time.

How long is it since you actually went on a proper picnic? We're not talking Pret among the pigeons here: we mean a hamper of delights, preferably including dainty sandwiches, a tartan blanket, and a bottle of bubbly to while away the hours with. Find a secluded corner in wild Hampstead Heath, delight in the ruinous romance of St Dunstan-in-the-East, or watch the roaming deer in Richmond Park: a gorgeous view will only make those faintly squashed sarnies more delicious. 

Read on for more glorious spots for your next lawn-based meal.

Sundays (and especially rainy Sundays) are well spent catching up on any art exhibitions you’ve missed. And if you don’t want to splurge on tickets, there are countless free-entry galleries and museums to get lost in, from Tate Modern to the National Portrait Gallery. Early birds will be rewarded with quieter galleries and much less neck-craning needed. Sundays are for joining a tour of the Barbican’s tropical conservatory or catching a gritty documentary at the Institute of Contemporary Arts.

Like what you see? Here are the best art exhibitions on in London right now.

Take your old wheels out for a spin, lunchbox in tow, for a nostalgic whizz around the city. Try one of these particularly scenic bike routes in London and take in the city’s riverside landmarks from Battersea to Greenwich or go for a looping whizz around Hyde Park. Looking for a little more adventure than merely cycling around the capital? Try a wheely good route further afield, like one that takes you to the pebble beaches of Brighton. Treat yourself to an ice cream once you get there – you’ll have earned it.

Prefer keeping your feet on the floor? Here are our favourite walks in and around London.