Although, with the amount of rain we’ve had this year, any chance of sunshine seems like an impossibility, Summer is fast approaching. From sipping cocktails on rooftop bars with panoramic views to strolling through the capital’s amazing parks and incredible immersive events and activities, London offers endless experiences to keep you busy this summer. Whether you're craving adrenaline, amazing food, or seeking out hidden gems off the beaten path, this is your guide to the best of London's summer scene!
Pop-up cinemas have become increasingly popular, with more and more people opting for an immersive cinema experience, rather than a bog-standard trip to the flicks! Luckily, London is brimming with pop-up cinema experiences, each with their own theme and USP.
London’s Taste Film experience is a truly immersive cinema experience, where you are served the food and drink that appears on screen. This moment-to-mouth experience has gone viral on social media, with many people singing its praise as an innovative way to enjoy dinner and a film! With films such as Matilda and The Hunger Games being shown, this really is an experience to get involved in.
The Rooftop Film Club offers the chance to watch a film in the great outdoors. This experience does exactly what it says on the tin, allowing you to watch a film on a rooftop with panoramic views of London. From cult classics to recent box-office hits, there is something for everyone at this experience. The tickets start from just £22 and include a drink. What better way to spend the summer evenings than under the stars watching one of your favourite films?
Rivoli Pop-Up Cinema is one of London’s quirkiest pop-up cinema venues. The Rivoli Ballroom hosts this fantastic experience, and the decor is reminiscent of a vaudevillian theatre, with stunning chandeliers and walls adorned in red velvet. This cinema experience offers a food stall offering delicious sweet and savoury snacks and a bar. So, immerse yourself in film and enjoy a trip to Rivoli Pop-Up Cinema.
Summer and festivals go hand in hand, and London is no stranger to a fiesta. The capital is filled with fantastic festivals to give you all the summer feels. From live comedy to famous faces in Hyde Park, London has so much to offer this summer. Here are a few of our top festival picks.
Mighty Hoopla Festival is a vibrant celebration of all things pop! With famous faces, emerging artists, and a whole lot of colour, this festival promises to be an unforgettable experience.
Greenwich Comedy Festival is a 5-day celebration of stand-up comedy, the Greenwich Comedy Festival is soon to announce its line-up. Taking place on the 11th-15th of September 2024, this isn’t an event to be missed. Not only will there be 5 days of hilarity, but there will also be craft beers and street food. What more could you want?
BST Hyde Park runs from the 29th of June until the 14th of July and is arguably London’s largest celebration of music. This event has incredible headliners such as Stevie Nicks, Shania Twain, Morgan Wallen, and Kings of Leon. The full lineup is still to be announced and tickets are on sale now. So, plan a trip to BST Hyde Park for the perfect way to see in the summer.
Gone are the days of a sticky pub floor and bland decor, the new trend is all about themed bars, and luckily for you London is full of them. People are now looking for an experience alongside their drinks, and the capital is home to some of the most whimsical bars in the world. From circus themes, to victorian detectives, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to immersive bars in London! So, here are a few of our favourites.
Mr Fogg’s Tavern is a Victorian-themed bar nestled in the heart of the west end. This quirky bar is an art-lover’s dream with its quirky decor, and ceilings and walls adorned with curious memorabilia. The bar serves delicious and adventurous cocktails as well as gorgeous food, and accepts both bookings and walk-ins! Why not check it out?
Moonshine Saloon is the ultimate immersive drinking experience. Step back in time to the wild west and become a part of an illicit moonshine smuggling outfit! This bar experience requires you to bring your own liquor and “smuggle” it in, dress up like a Western bandit and become part of the storyline. It really is an experience like no other, and adds an exciting twist to a night out!
Ballie Ballerson is a fantastic bar for those who want to channel their inner child for an evening. This venue has two large ball pits, C02 cannons, and even a private karaoke room! Describing themselves as the ultimate night out, Ballie Ballerson boasts adult ball pits with over a million balls, cocktails served by world-champion bartenders and delicious pizza. A trip to this bar is a no-brainer!
Visiting an art gallery is always a great cultural experience, but why not elevate your experience by visiting one of London’s incredible immersive exhibitions? From art that pushes boundaries to Lego exhibitions and Disney memorabilia, there is so much to see this summer in London, so here are a few of our favourites.
Illusionaries Canary Wharf is an experience like no other, it is London’s first-ever story-based immersive art exhibition. Step into Illusionaries and be captivated by an immersive audio-visual experience that defies expectations. Explore vivid imagery and emotive soundscapes and lose yourself in an ethereal world where time stops and space unfolds. This exhibition feels like a fever dream, and to put it simply, it’s fantastic.
Disney100: The Exhibition is the ultimate experience for Disney fans. This exhibition features 250 rare artefacts, artworks, costumes, props, and memorabilia to be enjoyed. Alongside this, you can also expect to find ten themed galleries showcasing favourites like Snow White and newer films like Encanto, plus interactive Mickey and Minnie Mouse artworks from renowned British artist Dominic Harris.
The Art Of The Brick London: A LEGO Art Exhibit Located in The Boiler House on the iconic Brick Lane, The Art Of The Brick is a must-visit LEGO exhibition. Marvel at over 100 works of art created from one million bricks, including a colossal six-meter T-Rex, a stunning recreation of Michelangelo’s David, a captivating twist on Van Gogh’s Starry Night, and much more. Don’t miss the immersive LED light and sound show. Plus, unleash your creativity in the ‘build your own’ area and craft your own LEGO masterpiece after being inspired by the exhibition.
The Rivoli Pop-Up Cinema offers an experience unlike any other!
Grab some delicious street food from Camden Market.
Visit a themed bar like Mr Fogg's Tavern, Covent Garden.
London has one of the best foodie scenes in the world, and in Summer the capital is filled with street food markets and open-air restaurants for you to enjoy a delicious meal in the sun. From loaded fries to gelato, the capital has everything you need to satisfy your culinary desires. Here are a few of our favourite places to chow down this summer.
Camden Market seems the obvious choice, but it’s so iconic for a reason. This market has been a staple in London since 1974 and has since gone from strength to strength. The market is world-renowned for its incredible street food and is home to viral sensations such as Funky Chips and Wok Boy. A trip to Camden Market won’t be one to regret!
Taste of London Food Festival is now a London summer tradition, hosted in Regent’s Park and offering a next level food-fuelled garden party, slap bang in the centre of London. Joined by 55,000 hungry Londoners over five days, ready to devour the best food and drink in the country, this food festival is one for the calendar!
London Wing Fest is the world-renowned chicken wing festival! Each year, this event brings together chicken wing enthusiasts from far and wide to indulge in the finest wings the UK has to offer. With thousands of eager ticket holders and a panel of udges, the festival is a showcase of culinary skills as vendors compete to claim the title of the best wings. From traditional recipes to innovative twists, attendees are treated to an array of flavours and styles, ensuring there’s something to satisfy every palate.
London is famous for its theatres and spellbinding shows, so what better way to enjoy your downtime this summer than to go and see a musical or a play? With new shows coming to the West End this year and classic performances still going strong, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you prefer a good old-fashioned whodunnit? Or a high-energy musical, a trip to the theatre is a must this Summer. Here are our top picks for shows to see this summer.
Mean Girls is making its West End debut this summer on the 5th of June. This musical was a smash hit on Broadway and is now making its way across the pond. Follow the journey of Cady Heron as she tries to adjust to high school and dealing with the “plastics”. This is a performance you won’t want to miss, get in loser, we’re going shopping (for theatre tickets)!
The Mousetrap is Agatha Christie’s iconic murder mystery and remains the world’s longest-running play. With its gripping storyline, guests at a quaint B&B find themselves entangled in a chilling crime, challenging viewers to unravel the mystery among seven suspects. Renowned for its impeccable acting, captivating staging, and subtle humor, this production promises an unforgettable theatrical experience. For anyone visiting London this summer, this acclaimed play is an absolute must-see!
Hello, Dolly! is coming to The London Palladium for a limited summer season, starring BAFTA award-winning actress Imelda Staunton. The story follows meddlesome socialite turned matchmaker Dolly Levi. Dolly travels to Yonkers, New York to find a match for the unmarried ‘half-a-millionaire’ Horace Vandergelder, but everything changes when she decides that the next match she needs to make is for herself. Involve yourself in the story and book a ticket for this limited-time-only performance!
West End Live is a weekend of performances from top West End musicals, live and free in Trafalgar Square. Experience the magic of London’s renowned West End musicals and discover new shows at West End Live, taking place on June 22-23, 2024. Witness captivating performances from some of theatre’s brightest stars as they showcase the leading musicals of London alongside exciting new productions.
If we do ever get any sunshine, there are a few great places in London this sumer to cool off! Nothing says summer like the sun beating down on you whilst you’re cooling off in an open air swimming pool. Here are a few places you can beat the heat this summer.
The Serpentine when the heat becomes too much, head to the Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park for a refreshing dip. The Serpentine Lido offers a way to cool down in the heart of the city. Whether you fancy a leisurely swim or simply soaking up the sun on the grassy banks, the Serpentine Lido is the perfect spot to cool off and unwind during the summer months.
London Royal Docks in London, renowned for their breathtaking open water scenery, offer an opportunity for open water swimming enthusiasts. With stringent on-site safety measures, including individual safety tagging for swimmers, swimmers can enjoy a secure and refreshing experience. The water undergoes fortnightly testing to ensure its quality, enhancing the safety and enjoyment of the swim.
Hillingdon Lido Once known as Uxbridge Lido, this historic Grade II-listed outdoor swimming pool has undergone a magnificent restoration to recapture its 1930s charm. With a length of 50 meters, the pool features stunning cascades (fountains) at both ends and a brand-new, heated shallow splash pool designed especially for children. As part of a newly developed leisure center, the outdoor pool is now complemented by an indoor pool of equal size, providing visitors with even more options for enjoyment.
Whether the sun decides to grace us with its presence or not, London’s summer scene is full of fantastic activities, whatever the weather. From immersive cinema experiences and vibrant festivals to whimsical-themed bars and captivating exhibitions, the capital offers something for everyone to enjoy. So whether you’re a local looking for new adventures or a visitor eager to explore, embrace the spirit of summer in London and make memories that will last a lifetime. Not only is London fantastic for leisure, but it’s also great for business, at Virtual Headquarters we offer a range of virtual office addresses in London. So, why not book a meeting room at our locations and then head out and enjoy some fun in the capital after?
