Things to Do in London This Summer (How to Get There Easily)

London in summer offers some of the best experiences in the city, from outdoor events and rooftop views to parks and historic landmarks. If you’re planning your trip, knowing the best things to do in London in summer and how to get there easily can save time and avoid unnecessary travel stress.

This guide covers top summer activities in London, along with the fastest and most convenient ways to reach each location, whether by Tube, taxi, or private transfer.

From watching the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace to floating on the Serpentine in Hyde Park, summer lets you experience London at its most vibrant. But here’s the catch: the city gets packed. That’s why knowing how to get around efficiently is just as important as choosing where to go. In this guide, we’ve mapped out the best things to do in London in summer and how to reach each one without the stress.

Key Takeaways

• London’s best summer spots cover a mix of royal landmarks, open green spaces, rooftop views, and street festivals
• Several venues including Sky Garden, Buckingham Palace, and BST Hyde Park require advance booking and sell out fast in summer
• The best summer months to visit London are June and July for weather, events, and manageable crowds
• Getting around is easiest by combining the Tube for central journeys with a private transfer for airport arrivals, day trips, and late night returns
• My London Transfer provides fixed price, door to door transfers to all eight destinations covered in this guide

Best Things to Do in London in Summer (At a Glance)

Here’s a quick overview of the best summer spots in London and how to reach them easily:

#	Place	Best For	Peak Month	Booking Required
1	Buckingham Palace	First time visitors, families	June, July	Yes (State Rooms)
2	Tower of London and Tower Bridge	History lovers, couples	June, July, August	Yes
3	Hyde Park and the Serpentine	Relaxation, music fans	July	Yes (BST Festival)
4	Hampstead Heath	Locals experience, swimmers	June, July, August	No
5	Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill	Romance, theatre, gardens	June, July	Yes (Open Air Theatre)
6	Sky Garden	Views, rooftop drinks	June, July, August	Yes
7	Greenwich	History, day out, families	June, July, August	No
8	Notting Hill Carnival	Culture, food, festivals	August only	No

1. Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard

If there’s one thing that defines a London summer, it’s watching the Changing of the Guard in full swing. Soldiers in red tunics and bearskin hats, a live military band, horses, and a crowd buzzing with energy. It’s theatrical, it’s iconic, and it genuinely delivers every time.

What to expect:

• The ceremony runs daily in summer giving you more flexibility with timing
• Soldiers march between St. James’s Palace and Buckingham Palace along The Mall
• Live military band accompanies the full procession
• The ceremony lasts around 45 minutes from start to finish

Tips for visiting:

• Arrive at least 45 minutes early as prime spots along The Mall and Victoria Memorial fill up fast
• St. James’s Park is right there afterwards, perfect for a slow summer morning stroll
• Buckingham Palace State Rooms open every August and September so book tickets well in advance as they sell out

How to get there:

• Tube: Green Park station (Jubilee, Victoria, Piccadilly lines)
• On foot from Westminster or Victoria, both under 15 minutes
• Private transfer: ideal for families or groups wanting a direct, hassle-free arrival

2. Tower of London and Tower Bridge

The Tower of London rewards visitors who slow down and give it proper time. A rushed visit misses most of what makes it one of London’s greatest historical sites.

What to do here:

• Book a Yeoman Warder tour, included with entry, entertaining, and full of history most guidebooks skip
• See the Crown Jewels including the Imperial State Crown, the Sovereign’s Orb, and the Koh-i-Noor diamond, more spectacular than most people expect
• Walk the glass floor walkways on Tower Bridge for views directly down to the Thames below
• Have lunch at Butler’s Wharf just along the riverbank with riverside tables and a direct view of the bridge

Tips for visiting:

• Buy tickets online in advance as summer queues at the gate are long
• Arrive early as doors open at 9am to see the Crown Jewels before the main crowds build
• Combine with a Thames Clipper river bus arrival as it is far more dramatic than the Tube

How to get there:

• Tube: Tower Hill station (District and Circle lines)
• River: Thames Clipper to Tower Pier
• Private transfer: around 15 to 20 minutes from central London

3. Hyde Park and the Serpentine

Hyde Park in summer is London at its most relaxed. 350 acres of open green space in the heart of the city and on a warm day every bit of it is in use.

What to do here:

• Hire a rowboat or pedal boat on the Serpentine lake
• Swim at the Serpentine Lido, open June to September, one of the only outdoor swims in central London
• Catch a concert at BST Hyde Park in July as major international headliners perform here annually on the Great Oak Stage
• Visit the Diana Memorial Fountain where children paddle freely on hot days
• Explore the Serpentine Galleries for free contemporary art exhibitions
• The park sits close to some of London’s best late night shopping in london areas including Oxford Street and Knightsbridge, making it easy to combine a park day with an evening shop

Tips for visiting:

• BST Hyde Park sells out months in advance so check the lineup in January and book immediately
• The Lido gets busy by late morning on hot days so arrive before 10am or after 3pm
• Santander Cycle docking stations are throughout the park, good for moving around without walking the full length

How to get there:

• Tube: Lancaster Gate, Hyde Park Corner, or Marble Arch depending on your entry point
• Santander Cycles from Oxford Street or Knightsbridge
• Private transfer: easy to reach from most central London hotels

4. Hampstead Heath

Hampstead Heath is where Londoners go to genuinely escape the city without leaving it. Wilder, hillier, and far less manicured than the Royal Parks, this is proper outdoor London.

What to do here:

• Swim in the natural open-air ponds, men’s, women’s, and mixed, all spring-fed and open May to September
• Walk up to Parliament Hill for one of the best free panoramic views of the London skyline
• Spread a picnic on the meadow slopes and stay for the afternoon
• Visit Kenwood House at the northern edge with free entry and home to a Rembrandt self-portrait

Tips for visiting:

• Pond queues build fast on hot days so go early or visit on a weekday
• Parliament Hill is best in late afternoon when the light falls across the skyline
• Bring water and wear comfortable shoes as the Heath is large and the terrain is uneven

How to get there:

• Overground: Hampstead Heath station (Gospel Oak line)
• Tube: Hampstead station (Northern line), 10 minute walk downhill
• Private transfer: recommended if coming from an airport or carrying supplies

5. Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill

Regent’s Park is consistently underrated compared to Hyde Park, which makes it one of the better summer decisions you can make in London.

What to do here:

• Walk through Queen Mary’s Gardens in June and July with over 12,000 roses across 85 varieties at full bloom
• Watch a show at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre with West End quality productions completely open to the summer sky
• Walk up Primrose Hill at the park’s northern edge for a famous view of the London skyline at sunset
• Browse Marylebone High Street just outside the park, one of London’s best streets for independent shops and restaurants

Tips for visiting:

• The rose garden peaks in late June so time your visit if you can
• Open Air Theatre shows sell out weeks ahead so book as soon as the season programme is released
• Bring a blanket for evening shows as summer nights in London cool down quickly after dark
• Primrose Hill is best an hour before sunset so arrive early to get a good spot on the slope

How to get there:

• Tube: Regent’s Park station (Bakerloo line) or Baker Street (multiple lines)

6. Sky Garden

Sky Garden is one of London’s best kept open secrets, a free, publicly accessible rooftop garden at the top of 20 Fenchurch Street with 360 degree views across the entire city.

What to expect:

• Three floors of tropical garden with palms, ferns, and flowering plants wrapped in floor to ceiling glass
• Views of Tower Bridge, The Shard, St. Paul’s, the Thames, and Canary Wharf all from a single spot
• A bar, restaurant, and café on site with brunch bookings offering excellent value for the setting
• Completely free to visit with an advance reservation

Tips for visiting:

• Book at least two weeks ahead in summer at skygarden.london as same day availability is almost never there
• The bar occasionally takes walk-ins if viewing level slots are full
• Late afternoon visits give you daylight views transitioning into the lit up evening skyline

How to get there:

• Tube: Monument or Bank station, 5 minute walk from either

7. Greenwich

Greenwich earns a full day, not a rushed afternoon. It’s compact enough to cover on foot but layered enough to keep you busy from morning through evening.

What to do here:

• Visit the Royal Observatory and stand on the Prime Meridian at the top of Greenwich Park
• Explore the Cutty Sark, a fully restored Victorian tea clipper and one of the most impressive historical ships in existence
• Visit the National Maritime Museum with free entry and a world class collection
• Browse Greenwich Market on weekends for some of the best street food in South East London
• Take a Thames Clipper back to central London along the river for a scenic finish to the day
• Greenwich Market and the surrounding area are among the most popular London attractions sunday with most stalls and museums fully open and at their busiest on Sundays

Tips for visiting:

• Arrive by Thames Clipper rather than the DLR as the river journey is scenic and the arrival by water makes Greenwich feel like a proper destination
• Start at the Observatory hilltop and work your way down as the best views are at the top
• Weekday visits are noticeably quieter than summer weekends
• Combine the Cutty Sark and Maritime Museum in the same morning as both are within a two minute walk of each other

How to get there:

• River: Thames Clipper from Embankment, Waterloo, or Tower piers
• DLR: Cutty Sark or Greenwich station
• Private transfer: 20 to 30 minutes from central London

8. Notting Hill Carnival

If your London visit falls over the August Bank Holiday weekend, Notting Hill Carnival is non-negotiable. It’s the largest street festival in Europe and one of the most sensory-rich experiences the city offers all year.

What to expect:

• Sunday is Children’s Day, colourful, festive, and better for families
• Monday is the main parade day with full costumed procession of bands and floats through the streets
• Steel bands, soca, calypso, and sound systems on every corner running through both days
• Caribbean food stalls lining every road, jerk chicken, curry goat, ackee and saltfish, rum punch

Tips for visiting:

• Avoid Notting Hill Gate, Ladbroke Grove, and Westbourne Park stations at peak times as the crowds are intense
• Arrive from Latimer Road or walk in from surrounding areas for a much smoother entry
• Use a zipped crossbody bag as pickpocketing is a known issue in the main crowds
• Getting dropped off 10 to 15 minutes walk from the perimeter and walking in is far easier than trying to arrive directly by car
• Wear comfortable shoes as you will be on your feet for hours across uneven street surfaces

How to get there:

• Tube: Latimer Road or Westbourne Park, less congested than the main stations
• Cycling or walking from surrounding areas is genuinely the easiest option on carnival days
• Private transfer to the perimeter as road closures prevent direct access to the parade route itself

Getting to Each of These Places

All eight places are reachable by Tube, but some journeys are far more practical by private transfer, particularly for families, airport arrivals, or late night returns after events.

The Tube Fast and cheap for most journeys. Use an Oyster card or contactless bank card and never buy paper tickets. Avoid peak hours on weekdays between 8 to 9:30am and 5 to 7pm. The Elizabeth, Jubilee, and Victoria lines have air conditioning. The Central and Northern lines do not and can be genuinely unpleasant during July and August heat.

Walking Central London is more walkable than most visitors realise. The stretch from Buckingham Palace to the South Bank, or from Covent Garden to Borough Market along the Embankment, can be done entirely on foot and shows you far more of the city than the Tube does.

Cycling Santander Cycles (red hire bikes) are docked throughout zones 1 and 2. Day access costs around £2 with individual rides under 30 minutes included. Good for park to park travel and riverside routes.

Private Transfer Worth using for airport arrivals, early morning starts, family travel, or late night returns after events. Before booking any ride, it helps to understand the taxi prices London so you know exactly what to expect with no surprises. My London Transfer covers Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and City Airport transfers, plus intercity routes and day trip transfers to all eight destinations covered in this guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Words

London in summer is one of those experiences that stays with you long after you’ve left. From the ceremony and pageantry of Buckingham Palace to the wild swimming ponds of Hampstead Heath, from rooftop cocktails above the skyline to the electric energy of Notting Hill Carnival the city packs more into three summer months than most destinations manage all year.

The key is showing up prepared. Book the attractions that need booking. Pick your parks based on what kind of day you want. And sort out your transport before you need it not when you’re standing outside a venue at midnight with tired legs and a flat phone battery.

That last part is where My London Transfer comes in. Whether you’re arriving at Heathrow after a long-haul flight, heading to Greenwich for a full day out, catching an early morning departure from Gatwick, or getting home after an evening at the Open Air Theatre My London Transfer handles the journey so you don’t have to think about it. Fixed prices, professional drivers, door-to-door service, and zero stress from start to finish.