Things to do in London this Sunday
Forget about your day of rest with our hand-picked tips for what to do this Sunday in London
It’s Sunday, but that doesn’t mean the weekend is slipping through your fingers. There’s still loads of time to do something fun, exciting, delicious, inspiring or relaxing.
For some, a brisk walk and a hearty roast lunch is the recipe for weekend bliss, while others would sooner be checking out a new exhibition, seeing our handsome capital city from the saddle of their bike or getting lost in a flower market. Wind up the weekend in style with our guide to the most glorious ways to spend a Sunday in London.
RECOMMENDED: More things to do today and great events happening this weekend in London
Things to do on Sunday in London
1. Wander around one of London’s best markets
A leisurely market stroll is something of a quintessential Sunday activity. From colourful bric a brac and vintage dresses to street food and fresh groceries, the pleasure is in the browsing (and the sampling).
Like Borough Market but can’t face the crowds? Stroll on over to nearby Maltby Street Market, Borough’s smaller-scale rival, which is known for serving up delicious gourmet street food. For your local produce needs, Blackheath Farmers’ Market boasts all the jams and cheeses you could ever want. If you’re looking to barter for some antique bits and bobs, Northcote Road Antiques Market is the place to be, plus it starts at noon, which is just perfect for that Sunday morning lie-in.
2. Fill your arms with flowers from Columbia Road Flower Market
If you haven’t been to Columbia Road Flower Market yet, go! It’s pretty much an iconic Sunday in London activity. Worm your way through the crowds and 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.
3. Have a long (and potentially boozy) brunch
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. And, because it’s still the weekend and all that, take brunch to the next level by going 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.
4. Let someone else make you a Sunday roast
If you simply cannot fathom a Sunday without a big roast dinner, take comfort in the knowledge that you won’t have to look far for your beef and taters. Whether you’re in the mood for classic pub grub or something fancier, we’ve rounded up the best roasts in the capital.
For a reliably delicious lunch, 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 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.
5. See a new art exhibition
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. Beat the rush and arrive early for minimum neck-craning. 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.
6. Go for a bike ride
Remember going on bike rides as a kid? Recapture the magic and take your old wheels out for a spin. Oh, and don’t forget your lunchbox. 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. If you’re feeling more adventurous take a wheely good route out of the city, such as the one that takes you out of London to the much-loved Brighton seaside.
Prefer keeping your feet on the floor? Here are our favourite walks in and around London.
7. Leave London for a day trip
Itching to get out of the city? Set the alarm this Sunday and head out to explore one of these brilliant day trip spots. Within just an hour and a half, you could be kicking it by the Whitstable seaside with a pint in hand, or you could be 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, experiencing a slither of country life and stunning architecture.
Wish you could stay for longer? Plan a weekend away from London for next time.
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