Alrighty, straight from the results from the London Winter Cool List, it’s time for the Summer 2016 edition! I’ve picked 10 activities that I can’t wait to get up to in London this season, ranging from picnics to pop-ups to promenades. Do you have any you’d add to your own list?
1. The Udderbelly Festival
Kicking it off with a dose of culture, there’s a purple cow on Southbank calling my name. No, seriously – the Udderbelly Festival is staged in and around a giant purple cow. Running until 17 July, there’s a huge variety of performing arts, from comedy to dance to circus to song. You can check out the brilliant Austentatious, fabulous James Acaster or see a drag Margaret Thatcher – I think the most difficult decision will be narrowing it down!
2. Explore the Barbican Conservatory
Inspired by Jaime of Angloyankophile, if English weather isn’t behaving and I need a dose of the tropics (highly likely) I might just head to the Barbican. Escaping into this urban jungle looks like the perfect way to leave London far behind for a moment!
3. Gaze on the glories of a stately home
London has no shortage of beautiful stately homes to visit, as typified by LondonKiwiEmma’s wander around stunning Osterley House. I’d love to visit Eltham Palace, wander the corridors of the Queen’s House in Greenwich, or visit Apsley House which I’ve wandered past so many times!
4. Drink in a former loo
And from culture to booze. One of London’s many quirky themes to spring up recently is that of a bar in a former public convenience. Think WC in Clapham Common, Attendant in Fitzrovia, or the glam of the Bermondsey Art Club. And of course, there’s always the crazy space-age loos in Sketch – not a drinking spot, but a destination in their own right!
5. Hike the Seven Sisters
I have a great group of friends that I go for Sunday hikes with every so often – I know, so wholesome right?! We’ve already started again this season, but one of our aims for the year is to hike the Seven Sisters, a stunning cliff-top walk along England’s south coast. The sisters are in fact the various hills that you climb over the course of this 22 km walk – I’m hoping we’ll be distracted by the views!
6. Primrose Hill Market and Picnic
I thought I’d visited most of London’s foodie markets, but I was happy to read on This City Life London that there’s another in town. The pretty area of Primrose Hill seems a perfect candidate for some market shopping and picnicking in the sunshine – I can’t think of many things nicer than leaning back and admiring that view with a stomach full of fresh delicious produce.
7. Morning Yoga with a Difference
I really got into yoga last year, with the help of the brilliant Ché Dyer aka Indieyogalife. Unfortunately with a change of jobs I can’t make it out to classes anymore, meaning I’m looking for an alternative. What better way to get myself back on the yoga bandwagon than yoga at the top of the Shard, the walkway of Tower Bridge, or a Dalston rooftop?!
8. A Walking Tour
The only activity with the dubious distinction of being on every seasonal list so far, I am determined to make it onto a walking tour this summer. If only to prove to myself that I’m not allergic to organised perambulations!
9. Model Market
Having much enjoyed Street Feast’s other night markets at Hawker House, Dinerama and Dalston Yard it’s clear I need to now get myself to Model Market in Lewisham. Starring some of my favourite street food traders like Yum Bun, and some that I’m sure will become new favourites like Up in My Grill, I’ll be making a night of it there very soon!
10. Tour Buckingham Palace
Another one I’ve been itching to get to, yet have somehow missed out each summer. The ‘Royal Day Out‘, where you get to tour the State Rooms, the Queen’s Gallery and the Royal Mews, sounds like the perfect mix of royalty, incredible architecture and snooping!
Have you been to or done any of these? Any extra quirky activities you think I should keep on my radar?
