10 ways to make the most of summer in London
Embrace August! From beauty hacks and seasonal foods we can’t get enough of to in-the-know spots to entertain the kids and places to go for downtime…
1
Make the most of family time
Cycle along the river and head over to the vast playground in Bushy Park or take a picnic into Richmond Park – the Isabella Plantation is a perfect spot where you can pitch up by a pond. The Royal Parks is also hosting Summer Nature Roadshows with free drop-in activities for families. We love history brought to life in an engaging way – head to West Horsley Place for a 1930s Family Tour where children become trainee servants, making lemonade in the historic kitchen and polishing silverware. We also love Painshill for its incredible follies dotted around the landscape. Book a theatre show – Rose Theatre will be hosting Spot’s Birthday Party and The Dinosaur That Pooped. Polka Theatre has Lenny Henry’s The Boy With Wings and the I Want My Hat Back Trilogy.
2
Retreat for a while
Whether it’s curling up on your sun-lounger with a book or booking a spa day, carving out some time for yourself is key this month. Create a summer playlist and pick up some books based on your holiday destination. Lounge by the outdoor pool at Pennyhill Park then take your pick from spa experiences such as an ice igloo or herbal sauna. A massage meanwhile can make you feel on top of the world.
3
Seasonal eating
It’s easy to eat well when the sun is shining and we have so much incredible produce on our doorsteps. Book a slot at Garsons Farm where you can pick-your-own – check the website for what’s ripe for picking but your bounty could include strawberries, raspberries, redcurrants and cucumbers. Or pick up some goodies at a local farmers’ market. Some of our favourites include Wimbledon Village on a Sunday for organic veggies and Kingston market, which is open every day and always has a great range of fruit and veg. For fresh fish for the barbecue, Moxon’s in Clapham should be on your radar. English wines make great aperitifs – try an Albury Silent Pool Rosé.
4
Fun for the kids
If you’re juggling work and childcare, there are plenty of fun day camps for the kids. Albany Outdoors has activities on the river including kayaking and open canoeing. The Little Gym in Wimbledon Quarter has holiday camps for three to 12-year-olds with themes such as Ninja Warrior and Race to Outer Space.
5
Embrace the ‘quiet month’
If you have some time off in August, schedule in some of those all-important checks that seem to fall by the wayside when life is frenetic. Book a full mole check to spot any changes early. Or go for a smile makeover with some whitening and straightening. Make the most of light evenings and go for a sunset wander along the river or into the park. Work-wise, it seems the world’s OOO is on, so you could use the time to start a new habit – just one small thing each day – that will help your career goals.
6
Day trips and weekends away
If you’ve already used up your holiday allowance, a beach day is as good as a rest. West Wittering is a perennial favourite, given it is reachable in a couple of hours and with its wide expanse of sandy shoreline, it’s a popular spot for a sunny day – book your car park spot in advance. Or venture to Whitstable for a wander along the pebbled beach and lunch at one of the top seafood restaurants.
7
Exercise for the weather
Make the most of cool early mornings for cycling and jogging. Then take to the water to exercise when temperatures are up. Hampton Pool and Tooting Beco Lido get our vote for a refreshing swim, or go paddleboarding on the Thames. And some Reformer Pilates is a great exercise for the summer months – you can start to see results within a few weeks, so ideal if you need some beach-ready confidence if you’re heading for a late break, or want to kickstart a new routine for autumn.
8
Hack your beauty
When the mercury is rising, then you need to give your beauty bag a boost. We love Chantecaille’s pure rose water to spritz on the face – instantly cooling and hydrating. Smells fabulous too. Give your hair some TLC this month, whether you are about to head off on hols or just got back. Mulberry & Thyme’s shine boosting colour refresh conditioning treatment restores faded colour and conditions dry summer ends. Headmasters has launched a Nioxin Scalp Dermabrasion Treatment and scalp analysis to lay the groundwork for healthy hair. A pedicure at Arturo in Kingston will get your feet in tip-top shape.
9
Dine and drink al fresco
Enjoy the summer weather and book dinner outdoors. For incredible pizzas in a large garden, Peppe in Kingston is one to have on your radar. Shambles in Teddington has a gorgeous walled garden. Grab cocktails and tacos on the terrace at Richmond Hill Hotel. Or head to a prime waterside spot – bag a table at Brasserie Constance at the new Fulham Pier development. Kingston Riverside has a wide range of eateries, from Cote to Bill’s. Coppa Club on Putney’s riverside has great views. Richmond has a wealth of gorgeous restaurants including Scott’s, Bingham Riverhouse and Gaucho. Or book a prime spot on the terrace at Cannizaro House Hotel du Vin in Wimbledon.
10
Head to a festival
If you’ve still not made it to a summer festival, there’s still plenty in store for August. Check at Live at Loseley with the programme including 70s disco hits and songs from the musicals. Battersea Park in Concert’s line-up features the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra for Symphonic Disco, A Night at the Movies, and Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. Folk in the Park returns to Sutton with music from Richard Thompson and Eddi Reader. South Facing in Crystal Palace offers the likes of Basement Jaxx and Morcheeba. And Hampton Court Palace Food Festival is a bank holiday weekend fave, with artisan producers and live music.
