Things to do in London this Sunday

After a quintessential Sunday activity? You need look no further than a relaxed market stroll. Take a relaxed market stroll and eye up (then treat yourself to) everything from colourful bric-a-brac and vintage dresses to street food and fresh groceries.

If you’re a fan of Borough Market but can’t face the weekend crowds, amble over to the nearby Maltby Street Market for plenty more scrumptious dishes and delicious gourmet street food from all corners of the earth. If you’re after local produce, Blackheath Farmers’ Market boasts all the jams and cheeses you could ever want. Or if you’re looking to barter for some antique bits and bobs, Northcote Road Antiques Market starts at noon, allowing for that much-needed Sunday morning lie-in.

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.  

Oh how we love a brunch – and that hasn’t gone unnoticed by London’s restaurant scene. Get your pancake fix at one of these lip-smacking brunch spots. Tuck into a hearty mezze-style Israeli breakfast at Haggerston’s Berber & Q or keep it classy at Bourne & Hollingsworth Buildings with a tasty huevos benedictos or drop scones with cream, berries and honey for those with a sweet tooth. Want to make the most of the last of the weekend? Go bottomless. South London’s Daddy Bao offers one hour of speciality cocktails for just £18, alongside fluffy steamed bao - the right way to end your weekend.

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

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.

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. If you feel like treating yourself after a long week, hop over to the Jugged Hare for a 45-day aged beef rump paired with a delicious tipple 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. 

If you haven’t been to Columbia Road Flower Market yet, you’re in for a treat. You’ll have to jostle the crowds to get the goods – aka the perfect bouquet – but it’s worth it. When you’re done perusing all the bountiful blooms on offer, be sure to duck into the cute cafés and shops lining the road, too. Arrive early to beat the crowds or late for the best bargains.

Want to avoid the crowds completely? Sunday is the perfect day to get yourself to Clifton Nurseries in Little Venice or Alleyn Park Garden Centre in Dulwich for lots of UK-grown stock from small local suppliers; we’re talking fruit trees, herbs, perennials and more.

Need more greenery in your life? Check out the best plant shops and garden centres in London.

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.