london in summer
What to do in London in summer
Is it your first time in London? Then you are in luck. Unless you come specifically to check the number of liters of rain that fall in the capital, this is one of the best times of the year to visit it. For this reason, here is a list of everything you cannot miss during your trip to London in the hottest season; monuments, neighborhoods, going through events and even some of the delicacies that you should not miss.
What to visit in London in summer
- Buckingham Palace . If there is a place that you should not miss on your trip to London, that is the Royal Palace. We are not only talking about witnessing the famous changing of the guard , but you will have the possibility to visit its interior. Yes, you read that right: During the hottest months, Buckingham Palace opens its doors to a total of 19 royal stays for several weeks. Even so, it is important that you book your tickets well in advance, you are not the only person who wants to feel like a queen for a day!
- Historic London . In addition to the official residence, it is essential to take a tour of other highly relevant historical buildings. Let's start with Westminster Abbey, one of the most visited complexes and where famous people such as Charles Dickens or Isaac Newton are buried. Adjacent to it is the Palace of Westminster , in which are the House of Commons and the House of Lords, which make up the British Parliament. Not far away, you can continue your journey on foot to Saint Paul's Cathedral, of great importance for having been the first erected by Henry VIII after breaking relations with the Vatican. Another consequence of this break with Rome was the use of the Tower of London, originally from the 11th century, as a place where political and religious prisoners were tortured. Crossing the Thames, end the afternoon with a stroll through Greenwich, a neighborhood where you will find the Old Royal Naval College , a building that was once the favorite royal residence of the Tudors, and take the opportunity to enter the Cutty Sark, the famous merchant ship .
- London parks in all their glory . Grab a bike and start exploring the many green spaces London has to offer in summer. Roll through the majestic Hyde Park, where, in addition to squirrels, you will find different lakes, Kensington Palace and Speaker's Corner, a place where groups of people gather every Sunday to listen to theories and debates by speakers as disparate as Karl Marx or George Orwell once were. You can also take advantage of the beautiful postcard that paints the sunset in Hampstead Heath , one of the places with the best views of the city.
- Cruise on the Thames . After you've climbed the London Eye, it's time to see the city from a third perspective. It is about taking one of the boats that leave next to the most famous Ferris wheel in the city to embark on a quiet walk through the most beautiful views, starting with Big Ben, passing under the London Bridge and up to Canary Wharf, or take an alternative tour of the Regent's Canal on a narrowboat and learn more about the importance canal networks played in the industrialization of the country.
- The most interesting museums . To see some of the most important pieces of European art, stop by Trafalgar Square and enter the National Gallery, where you can discover the best of Vermeer, van Dyck, Rubens, Rembrandt or Van Gogh. Another of the big ones is the British Museum, where you can find historical pieces from the five continents, some of them as important as the Rosetta Stone, marble pieces from the Parthenon or the collection of Egyptian mummies. But if you prefer something more modern, you can not miss a visit to the Tate Modern, which boasts the best collection of modern art in the city, with paintings created by Picasso, Braque or Klee, or sculptures such as Rodin. If art doesn't go with you, we recommend the Natural History Museum, with impressive architecture and pieces.
- Neighborhoods with their own character . If you want to travel to London as a family or as a couple, the best thing you can do is get lost in some of its most iconic neighborhoods. It begins in Camden Town , the birthplace of irreverence and the punk scene of the seventies. Here, browse the food stalls at Camden Lock Market, choose from one of the market's stalls, and sit by the canal while you soak up the sun. Don't forget to pay tribute to singer Amy Winehouse, who has a statue nearby. Another neighborhood with an alternative essence is Shoreditch , which has the highest concentration of street artfrom all over the city and a colorful flower market. But if what you want is to know how the upper class lives, take a tour of Kensington and visit Holland Park, the Royal Albert Hall or have a tea in the Kensington Roof Gardens.
- Company or The Cornish Bakehouse.
- Scotch eggs . Another idea for alfresco dining is to opt for this classic British picnic. It is an egg wrapped in sausage meat and breadcrumbs. For this we recommend the Marlby Street Market, where you will find several food trucks that will offer many more options.
- Mr. Whippy ice cream. Another idea for alfresco dining is to opt for this classic British picnic. It is an egg wrapped in sausage meat and breadcrumbs. For this we recommend the Marlby Street Market, where you will find several food trucks that will offer many more options.
- Fish & chips , of course . We know that, a priori, it is not the most appetizing option, but if you want to taste the best-known British dish in the world, we can give you references. Being a historically working-class meal, we advise you to eat it the old-fashioned way, with its vinegar, its garnish mushy peas and wrapped in newspaper. More authentic London examples include Poppies' Fish and Chips, Golden Union Fish Bar or Sutton and Sons.
London weather in summer
If while looking for cheap flights in Europe you have fallen in love with the British city but you are still not sure if it is the ideal option, don't worry: the weather in London during the summer is not going to make you miss any destination in the world. Mediterranean.
The reality is that the weather has been crazy lately, so past summers have been hotter than usual. To give you an idea, the average temperature is between 13 °C and 23 °C and it rains an average of seven days per month.
So how to dress in London in summer ? Since the weather is quite unpredictable, we recommend that you pack long pants and short t-shirts, although you could also pack shorter clothes just in case. Likewise, it is advisable to have a light jacket on hand so as not to get cold once it gets dark. Of course, do not forget the travel umbrella, you never know!
You may also be wondering what time it gets dark in London in summer to organize your visits or capture the magical sunset. In June and July, the sun sets shortly after 9am, while in August and September it will set a little earlier, between 8:50pm and 7:17pm on the last days of summer.