The best summer activities in London

At the end of the Piccadilly Line you'll find Ruislip Lido, a sandy artificial beach for swimming, boating, fishing, and catching some sun. This summer hotspot also has play areas for children, an outdoor gym for adults, and is surrounded by woodland if you fancy a nice shady walk.

London has plenty of great spots for a picnic but one option in South London is Clapham Common, measuring over 85 hectares. This green space combines open land, meadows, woodland, and avenues of trees, with lots of room for walking or picnicking. During the summer there's a music programme at the Victorian bandstand to make your visit more enjoyable.

Cool off with a dip in the Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park. This lake is a hotspot for birds and nature but also has a designated swimming area in the summer months. People have been swimming in this outdoor spot since the 1860s and if it does get chilly you can warm up in the café afterwards.

Enjoy a show at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. This award-winning theatre is one of the city's largest, and it's open for 18 weeks per year, including the summertime. Arranged in a fan shape amongst towering trees, it's an atmospheric place for plays, musicals, comedy, and shows aimed at children.

Discover nature at Walthamstow Wetlands. This 211-hectare site is a nature reserve and reservoir of international importance, home to thriving and diverse wildlife. Walk around in the spacious and peaceful setting here and join events like bush-crafting workshops. On-site you'll also find a gift shop and a café.

Visit Hackney City Farm to see a working farm in the heart of East London. This is a fun day out for all ages. Explore the farmyard and gardens, meet the animals, visit the sustainable farm shop, and enjoy a meal at the on-site Italian restaurant. A range of workshops and activities for kids and adults take place too.

With its picturesque network of canals, Little Venice is a delightful place for a walk in the summertime. This idyllic part of West London comes with tons of photo opportunities and unique businesses running from barges, like cafés and bookshops. Take a breather among the flowers in the tranquil Rembrandt Gardens by the canal, enjoying views of the water before boarding a cruise to another part of the city.

Home to the British monarchy, Buckingham Palace is an iconic landmark. You can view the building from outside all year round but in the summer you can head inside to visit the State Rooms. The famous changing of the guard ceremony takes place here and happens every day during June and July, so that's the best time to catch it.

Thrill-seekers can climb to the top of the O2 Arena with Up at the O2. You'll scale the roof and at the top you'll be rewarded with clear views of Greenwich, Canary Wharf, the Olympic Park, and beyond, looking especially impressive on a nice summer's day. Daytime, twilight, and sunset climbs are available.

Go Ape adventures take place in all weather conditions but it's a great outdoors activity for the summer. These treetop experiences run at several parks around London and are fun challenges for all ages. Explore plunging zip wires and adventures at a height – groups and parties are welcome too.

This lush park in Upper Clapton offers a peaceful retreat, slightly hidden from the more famous Clissold Park and Victoria Park. Visitors can enjoy sweeping views of Walthamstow Marshes and take a scenic walk or bike ride along the Lea River towpath to Hackney Wick's Here East, where riverside dining and drinks await. You can also put your brain to work by sitting at one of the outdoor chess tables here.

A variety of paddleboard experiences are available with Active 360, suitable for all levels of experience. You can learn the basics if it's new for you, get private tuition to improve your skills, take paddleboarding tours, or try yoga or pilates on your board. You can also rent a paddleboard and go off on an independent adventure if you're experienced.

London Zoo is the world's oldest scientific zoo and is home to a varied range of wild creatures. During the summer the zoo is open late for adults on Friday nights, letting you see the residents in a different light, join informative tours, and play animal-themed games. Pop-up bars and street food vendors are available too.

Avoid getting stuck on the sweltering tube in the summer by travelling with Uber Boat by Thames Clipper. This is a fun and scenic way to get about, whether you're sightseeing or commuting. You're guaranteed a seat and refreshments are sold on-board. A number of different routes operate along the Thames.

Immerse yourself in botanicals at Kew Gardens. This riverside space is an ideal way to escape the hectic pace of the city. You'll see a huge variety of plants, flowers, and trees here. The Princess of Wales Conservatory is a popular spot, with different climate-controlled zones and fascinating ecosystems.

Based in the heart of Piccadilly, the Royal Academy of Arts puts on blockbuster exhibitions by contemporary and historical artists throughout the year. Every summer the galleries are taken over by the Summer Exhibition, which anyone can enter and which features rooms curated by some of today's top artists like Bob and Roberta Smith.

Originally built for the 2012 Olympics, the London Cable Car has now become a unique way to see London's sights. The journey takes you over the Thames between Greenwich and the Royal Docks, showing you gorgeous panoramic views. Daytime trips take about 10 minutes but there are slower journeys during the evening.

Known for being the home of Henry VIII, Hampton Court Palace is an impressive Grade I-listed palace that's still owned by the royal family today. As well as the building, there are acres of grounds to explore, including the palace's maze that's fun to wander through on a sunny day.

Even during the summer, London's weather is unpredictable but the clear pods of the London Eye mean you can enjoy sightseeing in all conditions. Located on the South Bank, this is the city's famous observation wheel, attracting millions of visitors per year. A leisurely journey takes about half an hour and offers fab city views.

Stroll along picturesque Regent's Canal for an enjoyable summer walk. The canal snakes across the city connecting areas like Little Venice, Camden, Islington, and Bethnal Green. A walk here can be as long or short as you'd like, but wherever you are you'll see barges cruising gently by and idyllic canalside scenery.

Camden's Primrose Hill is a great place to take a walk, enjoy a picnic, or sit down and take in uninterrupted views down into central London. The summit of Primrose Hill is one of London's protected viewpoints, and even the trees here are kept below a certain height to ensure views aren't obstructed.

It might not look like it, but you can actually swim in the Thames—not just anywhere, though. The Love Open Water project has set up swimming areas in Canary Wharf and the Royal Docks, making sure the water is clean and safe. Swimming loops of different lengths and for different skill levels are available, and safety personnel are present throughout your sessions. During summer, Love Open Water also organises group swims and competitions such as the Dock2Dock swim.

One of the biggest fixtures in London's sporting calendar is The Wimbledon Championships. Tennis players and fans from all over the world descend on the famed All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club grounds each summer for the oldest tennis tournament in the world. The tournament is broadcast by the BBC but you can also enter ballots for tickets or purchase on-the-day tickets to see the action in person. Alternatively, rock up to one of the big screens or pubs around London showing all the tennis action.

The Notting Hill Carnival is a huge event on London's calendar and has been since 1966. Taking place during the August bank holiday weekend, thousands of people descend on Notting Hill's streets for this Caribbean celebration. Expect music, dancing, costumes, street food, sound systems, and a serious party vibe. It's one of London's top bucket list items and we cover everything you need to know about it here.

Summer is lavender season, and if the thought of traipsing through endless rows of purple-hued flowers and taking in the scents as bees buzz about on their business sounds good to you, we have good news. There are quite a few pretty lavender farms open to visitors within easy reach of London, making for a lovely day trip. Pack a picnic and get ready to take a deep breath.

It seems as if the very moment the sun peeps out from between the cloud, Londoners throng to whichever park is nearest, ready to lounge the day away on the grass while soaking up the rays. Parks are overrun with pods of peppy picnickers, ranging from lovey-dovey couples clinking glasses and feeding each other strawberries to rowdy friend groups munching on takeaway pizza. We've highlighted some of the best spots for a picnic right here.

The seaside might be a ways away, but the city still boasts plenty of waterways to enjoy thanks to the River Thames and an extensive network of canals. Various different options are available for those who wish to set sail, ranging from sightseeing pleasure cruises and picnic boats you can pilot yourself to high-powered speedboats blasting down the river James Bond-style and even floating hot tubs. Choose which vessel to captain this summer with the help of our guide to boat hire in London.

Summer is peak festival season in London and the UK as a whole. There's hardly a park to be found in the capital that doesn't host a major music festival during the summer, and the big ones such as BST Hyde Park, Wireless or All Points East bring together thousand of people to enjoy shows by some of the biggest stars in the world. Our rundown of the best music festivals this summer will help you find the right one for you and your crew.

Warm summer evenings are perfect for pulling up a deck chair to a classic film. Outdoor cinemas are a staple of London summer, with big screens sprouting up in parks and rooftops all over the place. The programmes span everything from family-friendly movies to the latest blockbusters, and there are usually snacks and drinks served as well. Check out our guide to the best outdoor cinemas in London to plan your next summer movie night.

When the sun is shining, it's easy to spend a day just strolling lazily from one street food vendor to another, trying out exotic new dishes and tasty treats at one of London's many food markets. They're great for both quick lunch bites or lengthy summer hangs with friends, and you can usually find one just by following the enticing smells wafting from the stalls. We've also rounded up the best food markets in the city in our guide, in case your nose is unreliable.

London might be a sprawling concrete jungle, but there's plenty of greenery to find around the city, and we're not just talking about the many parks. Head to the woodland areas highlighted in our guide to get in touch with primal nature, lose yourself among the trees, and have a relaxing and satisfying day out.