The Ultimate 2025 Summer Guide to London (Especially If You Just Moved Here)

So you’ve landed in London - how exciting! Whether you’re here for a few months or planning to stay longer, summer is the season this city truly comes alive. The sun lingers, the days stretch, and the city spills outside into parks, pubs, rooftops and riversides.

Living at ARK means you’re already plugged into the city with a built-in crew and a home that makes exploration easy. But when there’s so much going on, knowing where to start can be half the challenge.

Here’s your ultimate guide to summer in London: music festivals, foodie must-visits, art, culture, sport - and everything in between.

🎵 MUSIC & FESTIVALS: London’s Summer Soundtrack

All Points East (Victoria Park)

An east London staple. Across two weekends in August, you’ll find indie legends, buzzy headliners, and a crowd that feels like a cross-section of the city's best-dressed music lovers.

Top tip: Head down early and soak up the free community programming during the week between the main festival days.

Cross the Tracks (Brockwell Park)

A soulful mix of jazz, funk, disco, and delicious food. Think: less mud, more vibe. The 2025 lineup is shaping up to be huge.

Wireless Festival (Finsbury Park)

If hip hop, R&B and afrobeats are more your thing, Wireless is the festival to bookmark. The energy is unmatched.

Notting Hill Carnival

Technically not a festival - but it should be. Two days of colour, music, and Caribbean culture in one of London’s most iconic neighbourhoods. Don’t wear white. Do wear dancing shoes.

Top Secret Comedy Club (Covent Garden)

Not technically a music festival, but absolutely worth a night out. Expect a rotating line-up of up-and-coming comics (and the occasional big name dropping in for a warm-up show).

"It’s not a secret nowadays but Top Secret Comedy Club with friends makes for a low budget, fun night out."

– Tanya, Member and Ambassador at ARK Wembley

🍔 FOODIE MOMENTS: Summer on a Plate

KERB Street Food Markets

With locations across the city (try Seven Dials or West India Quay near ARK Canary Wharf), KERB’s rotating vendors offer everything from bao buns to halloumi fries.

Broadway Market (Hackney)

Every Saturday. Come for the artisan bread, stay for the canal-side picnic with your finds. Great spot to blend a food mission with a walk through London Fields.

Sunday Roast at a Rooftop Pub

Yes, Sunday roasts are a year-round thing. For a summer twist, check out rooftop spots like The Culpeper or Netil360.

Ice Cream from Gelateria Danieli (Richmond)

A local gem. Pair it with a walk through Richmond Park and you’ve got a 10/10 summer afternoon.

"Silent Sounds Disco Boat Party - A floating dance floor with 3 channels of music, stunning river views, and the London skyline as your backdrop. I love to bring my friends who are new to London on this experience – you get to see all the city’s icons in one fun night."

– Jon, Member and Ambassador at ARK Canary Wharf

🎨 CULTURE + CREATIVITY: Art That Feels Like Summer

Open-air cinema at King’s Cross

Everyman’s Screen on the Canal serves up iconic flicks under the stars - for free. Bring a blanket, grab something from nearby Coal Drops Yard, and settle in.

Serpentine Pavilion (Kensington Gardens)

Each summer, an internationally acclaimed architect creates a temporary pavilion in the middle of the park. It's part art installation, part hangout spot. Always free.

Southbank Centre Summer Festival

From rooftop gigs to riverside poetry slams, the Southbank Centre’s summer programming never disappoints.

Street Art Walks in Shoreditch

Wander through east London and stumble on world-class murals, hidden galleries, and vintage markets. There are free walking tours if you want the full download.

Gallery-Hopping Afternoons

"Gallery-hopping Afternoons - If you’re into art, I’d say go on a gallery tour. London’s full of cool little galleries, and it’s a great way to spend an afternoon discovering something new."

– Sun, Member and Ambassador at ARK Canary Wharf

🏃 ACTIVE & OUTDOORSY: Move, Explore, Repeat

Paddleboarding on the Thames

Yes, it’s a thing - and surprisingly peaceful. Start from Paddington Basin for a more chill route, or go bold and head east with a guided group.

Swimming at Hampstead Ponds

There’s something magical about open water swimming surrounded by greenery in the middle of the city. Men's, Women's and Mixed ponds available.

Tennis at Regent’s Park

Bring your own racquet or rent one. Even if you’re not pro level, a bit of summer tennis feels peak Wimbledon energy.

Running along the Thames Path

From Tower Bridge to Putney, the riverfront offers miles of car-free paths for a run, a cycle, or a lazy wander.

🌿 CITY ESCAPES (That Are Still in London)

Richmond Park

Deer, wildflower fields, shaded paths. You’ll forget you’re technically still in London. Great for a day out with your fellow colivers - or a solo reset.

Epping Forest

Think ancient woodland with trails to explore. Ideal for a group day out or a mini digital detox.

Primrose Hill

Simple. Iconic. A picnic with skyline views - walk over from Camden Market for the full day out.

"London River Trips - Taking the Uber Boat from Battersea to Canary Wharf at sunset is a must. You drift past so many iconic landmarks - Tower Bridge, the London Eye, Westminster, the Shard - while watching the sky change colours over the Thames. It’s peaceful, beautiful, and feels like a little escape within the city. I love finishing the trip with a walk to The Ivy for a traditional British tea."

– Sepideh, Member and Ambassador at ARK Canary Wharf

🏡 LIVING THAT ARK SUMMER LIFE

Rooftop hangs at ARK

One of the best things about ARK? You don’t always need to leave home to feel part of it all. With bright social spaces, regular member events and summer parties, your building becomes part of the plan - not just where you crash.

WFH = Work From Hangout

Take the laptop outside, grab a seat in the lounge, or find your nearest shady coffee spot. Changing up your workday scene is a game-changer.

Built-in summer crew

From movie nights and basketball to impromptu BBQs and group fitness, ARK’s calendar fills up fast. But it’s the spontaneous moments that stick - roommate dinners, pub garden plans, shared playlists and lazy park afternoons.

🧳 SHORT STAYS, BIG SUMMER VIBES

Here for a month? ARK’s short stays make summer in London feel effortless. Fully furnished studios, coworking spaces, a pool at Canary Wharf and a rooftop at Wembley - it’s more than a hotel, it’s your London home.

Perfect for freelancers, remote workers, creatives, and anyone who wants to live the city not just visit it.

Final Thoughts

Summer in London isn’t about ticking off a list - it’s about living it. It’s dancing at a festival with people you just met. It’s a midweek wine and paint night. It’s working in the sun, then heading to the park. It’s rooftop sunsets and 10pm daylight. It’s remembering why you moved here in the first place.

At ARK, you’ve already got the home. The rest? It’s waiting.