As lockdown eases, summer is beginning to look very promising again. Although there’s no Wimbledon, music festivals have been cancelled and the UEFA European Championship is no longer taking place this year, there’s still many other wonderful things to keep us entertained this summer. From movie nights and comedy gigs at a drive-in cinema to cruising down Regent’s Canal on your own private boat, discover some of our favourite things to do in London this summer!

Cruise down Regent’s Canal on your own private boat

If there’s one thing that you have to experience this summer with your friends, it’s cruising down North London’s charming Regent’s Canal on your own private boat. Until now, to cruise down the canal you had to either join one of those touristy, public canal boats, having to hire an entire barge that costs a small fortune just for the day or you were lucky enough to have a friend with one. London's new boat service, GoBoat, located in Paddington, now allows you to hire your own personal cruiser for adventures along London’s gorgeous canals.

If you’re a first time captain, there’s no need to worry — training will be taught upon arrival before you set off for a relaxing jaunt for a couple of hours. From exploring the charming areas of Little Venice to the quirky boats around Camden Town, these boats can hold up to eight people. Enjoy a tantalising picnic on the boat, indulge in a relaxing drink or two and cruise down the beautiful canals of London. Dogs and children are also welcome.

For more information and tickets, please click here.

Enjoy a night of films, music and comedy at The Drive In

Social distancing and group bubbles, welcome to the new normal. Whilst cinemas and theatres still remain closed, what better way to enjoy a comedy gig or movie all from the comfort and safety of your own car? Whilst many drive-in cinemas are now popping up around London, North London’s Enfield borough has now introduced their multi-screen entertainment experience, The Drive-In Club. A place where ticket holders will be able to sit inside (or beside if you prefer) their cars, and enjoy the chosen event broadcast on a specific FM radio frequency directly to their car radio. Not to mention you will be able to order any food or drinks online to be delivered (safely) directly to your car!

Safe, entertaining and very old school. What better way to spend an evening than watching some classics in a drive-in cinema?

What’s on? From screening classics such as Saturday Night Fever and Pretty Woman to the outstanding Joker and La La Land, there are also many films for the kids too such as; Frozen 2, Beauty and the Beast, Peter Rabbit, and much more!

For tickets and more information, please click here.

Discover the Black Lives Matter mural in Greenwich

As we all know, the last few months has been a shock to us all, June in particular was very eye-opening. Protests erupted across the world fuelled by and to oppose the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, USA, at the end of May 2020. It was time to listen to those who have suffered institutionalised racism and injustice due to the colour of their skin, a time of education on the history of these issues and exploring what we can all do to help.

From blacked-out Instagram squares to peaceful protests around the world, South East London’s borough of Greenwich has followed the same mural as the one leading up to the White House in Washington DC, with the bold, yellow painted words of Black Lives Matter. This powerful reminder of the fight to end racism and inequality is located in General Gordon Square.

For more events and talks on the Black Lives Matter movement, please click here.

Andy Warhol at the Tate Modern

Have you ever felt when you’re stood in front of a piece of art, you feel like you’re in the presence of a celebrity? You know, that iconic, cultural and magical feeling when you’re finally stood in front of one of the most famous paintings in the world; Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Mona Lisa’ or ‘The Last Supper’, to ‘The Starry Night’ and ‘Girl With A Pearl Earring’ – it makes you feel uneasy, it’s almost unreal!

Think stacks of Campbell’s soup cans and Coca Colas, dozens of Marilyn Monroes and a whole lot of bright colours… you guessed it. This summer, Tate Modern is hosting its first Andy Warhol exhibition in nearly 20 years. This iconic American artist focused on consumerism, celebrity and counter-culture, all whilst changing modern art in the process.

Explore some of the immensely iconic pop art from the 1970s that has never seen London before, indulge in the radical colours of self-portraits and Elvis, and discover works from his Ladies and Gentlemen series – portraits of black and Latinx drag queens and trans women, which are being shown for the first time in 30 years!

For more information and tickets, please click here.

Please note: There is a one-way route around the gallery (enter via the Turbine Hall), there are social distancing measures put in place, increased cleaning in toilets and high-use areas, hand sanitizers are placed throughout, a reduced capacity and the cloak room is closed. Please wear a face mask.

Support National Recovery by eating out at your favourite restaurants

Some of us never normally need an excuse to dine out, however there’s no better time to dine out than this August 2020. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, many restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels and more have had to close, taking a huge financial hit. Whilst some places got creative and were operating with a take away service, using popular apps such as UberEats and Deliveroo, others didn’t have that luxury. Therefore, the UK government has now introduced a ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme to help businesses who may be struggling to get visitors to come dine in their restaurants. You can now claim 50% off your meal from Monday through Wednesdays throughout the entire month of August (up to £10 per person), to help encourage people to return back to pubs, restaurants and bars again! Here is a list of just some of the restaurants taking part.

Whether that’s visiting your favourite local or uncovering some of the top Michelin-starred restaurants that are taking part in the scheme, be sure to dine out this August to help both the restaurant and of course, your tastebuds!

For more information on the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, please click here.

Please note: Book ahead, as some restaurants may not accept walk-ins. Make sure you show up if you don’t need to cancel, as there may be a reduced capacity. Adhere to social distancing rules. Remember your contactless card!

Discover London’s most Instagrammable locations

This one’s for the gram…

If there’s one thing about London that you may not already know, it’s how even its tiny hidden spots can be the most beautiful. Even if you’re a Londoner born and bred, you’ll still find yourself discovering new and unknown places you never heard of or had seen before. Forget the tourist attractions such as Big Ben, Tower Bridge and London Eye, let’s dig inside the city a little deeper this summer and discover some of London’s most Instagrammable, picture-worthy locations.

Nestled right by Tower Bridge and Monument, discover the old ruined church of St Dunstan’s in the East that has now turned into a beautifully hidden city park. Having previously been bombed in the 1940s, this tranquil and beautifully historic church was originally named after a 10th century monk with a colourful past. If you’re looking to not only indulge in a charming secluded area located right in the heart of the city, but to spice up your Instagram feed, look no further than here.

Located in the popular area of Covent Garden, the colourful corner of Neal’s Yard awaits your arrival. This hidden courtyard is filled with old houses with colourful windows, independent restaurants, bars and cafes and quaint boutique shops. If your Instagram is needing a pop of colour, a trip to Neal’s Yard isn’t one to miss!

From The Churchill Arms (the prettiest pub in London that’s facade is completely covered in flowers) in Kensington, to the charmingly colourful canal boats in Little Venice, there're so many hidden gems in London to discover to help spice up your Instagram feed!

Dig your toes in the sand with a cocktail at a beach hut in Fulham

Oh I do like to be beside, oh I do like to be beside the sea! (With a cocktail in hand, of course.)

There’s no doubt about it, we all love to be beside the sea. But in recent months, it’s been especially difficult to visit the beach if you don’t already live by it, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Thankfully, South West London’s high-end area of Fulham has now brought the beach to London — discover the trendy and chic Neverland Beach Bar.

From all those missed bottomless brunches with friends, to trips by the sea, dig your toes into the sand and enjoy a tantalising Brunch on the Beach. Sip on some delicious prosecco, beer or rosé that’s completely bottomless, indulge in some tasty tacos, nachos as delicious vegan/vegetarian options and feel like you’re at the beach in this chilled, trendy atmosphere. Did we forget to mention that you can hire your own beach hut, beach bubble and so much more?! If there’s one place to spend your summer in London if you can’t go on holiday, it’s here. For tickets or more information, please click here.

Please note: There will be temperature checks at arrival. You must fill in a track and trace form. Neverland are working in a one-way system, so please follow the marked lanes and directions advised. There is a maximum of 6 people per reservation. Table service will be available. For more information on their COVID-19 guidance, please visit here.

Enjoy a picnic surrounded by giant ice lollies at Granary Square

Summer has officially arrived and the iconic grass steps are back! Located in Kings Cross, discover the Granary Square steps – a cool suntrap hangout perched on Regent’s Canal, beloved by both nearby office workers and sunseekers alike. In the summer months, the steps are usually covered in fake grass and colourful touches including bean bags or flowers. This summer, these iconic steps are now covered in a series of ice lolly sculptures appearing to melt into the grass, as part of The Great Outdoors art installation.

As we are now allowed to go outside to sunbathe, enjoy a picnic with friends (at a distance) and sip on a couple of beverages in the sun, why not spend an afternoon at this trendy hangout in North London’s Kings Cross? Enjoy a delicious homemade picnic or some tasty delicacies from the nearby Coal Drops Yard or Canopy Market, indulge in that high-spirit summer vibes and top up your tan whilst you watch the charming canal boats pass by. Sun, views and giant ice lollies – what a perfect summer hangout. Not to mention the lollies have been purposely placed to help keep social distancing between groups!

Open Air Theatre at Regent's Park

As we’ve spent a long hard few months without any live entertainment to enjoy, theatres have now been permitted to reopen again from the 1st of August! Although some people are still pretty weary about being in public spaces indoors, why not spend an evening at Regent’s Park charming Open Air Theatre? Making use of their gorgeous outdoor location, ‘MoreOutDoor’ comedy nights, hosted by celebrities such as Russell Brand, Jimmy Carr and Rob Beckett will be on throughout August, as well as the incredible show of Jesus Christ Superstar in concert!

For tickets or more information, please click here.

Please note: social distancing measures have been put in place throughout the open air theatre, to ensure guests an enjoyable and safe experience.

Shop til you drop in Camden’s new Market

A place that became a cultural revolution back in the 60s, visit the trendy and vibrant Camden town this summer. With one of the most famous markets in the world, the history of rock and pop culture, and not to mention home to the beloved Amy Winehouse, the eclectic presence and soul of Camden is hard to pass by.

After the original market, located on Camden high street, closed with over three decades of trading last year, a new and improved market reopened just ten days before the coronavirus lockdown happened. This eco-friendly market is made out of 88 pastel-coloured recycled shipping containers, and is filled with a mixture of eco-friendly independent brands, tasty street foods and a bright pink roof terrace bar. Buck Street Market is the UK’s first dedicated market with a huge focus on conscious consumption and sustainability, and not to mention, fits the trend in Camden perfectly!

Browse through the hundreds of eco-friendly products including cosmetics, jewellery, gifts, clothes and more, be spoilt for choice with over 26 tasty food stalls to choose from then enjoy a cocktail or two on their #pinktomakeyouthink roof terrace!

Explore the sleepy lavender scent at London’s Lavender Fields

What better time to walk through London’s beautiful lavender fields than now? With lavender season typically running from May till September, the sleepy scent and soothing atmosphere of these gorgeous fields are just the beginning...

The explosions of colour of this purple haze is dotted around London. From the 1931 lavender nursery in Kennington Park, to the spectacular botanical treasure of Kew Gardens, a walk through the lavender fields are not only for those wanting to lay their eyes on this year’s epic bloom, but for those who want to truly indulge in that sleepy, sweet and gentle scent of lavender. It would be rude not to take advantage of these spectacular views this summer!

If you’re looking to truly indulge in this otherworldly experience, be sure to visit the Mayfield Lavender Farm, located near Croydon Station. Take a 20-minute tractor tour through the fields, enjoy a lunch with a seaview of purple lavender from the farm’s cafe, or have a picnic underneath one of their large gazebos if the weather isn’t too great (it is London after all!). Not to mention, you can also book yourself into a lavender cream tea afternoon, with the option of their delicious homegrown lavender cider!