Places to Visit in London This Summer

Staycation is the buzzword for Summer 2021. While the masses flock to the coast, and international tourism is affected, visiting London this summer provides a completely new experience.

Less queues and crowds makes for a calmer, but just as vibrant city to explore. Offering a more intimate cultural adventure. Rediscover all of the sights that you’ve been missing and try out our recommendations for things to do:

1. Buckingham Palace and Garden Tour
   • 9 July – 19 September
   • The garden is open to the public to explore freely for the first time. You can also book a guided tour of Buckingham Palace to visit the lavishly furnished State Rooms and see some of the Royal Collection’s greatest treasures.
   • You can also easily visit Covent Garden from here, via Pall Mall and Trafalgar Square.
2. Taste of London Festival, Regent’s Park
   • 7-11 & 14-18 July
   • The ultimate celebration of food and drink. Showcasing London’s hottest restaurants, latest newcomers and lots of fizz. It’s extended across 10 days this year and has a limited capacity per session to help keep things Covid-secure.
3. Van Gogh Alive, Kensington Gardens
   • Until 26 September
   • A blockbuster multi-sensory experience that has visited 65 cities around the world, completely immerses you in the life and work of Vincent Van Gogh. Experience over 3,000 images, including iconic works like Starry Night, Sunflowers and lesser-known paintings inspired by his love of Japanese woodprints, in a kaleidoscope of colour, accompanied by an evocative classical score and aromas of Provence.
4. The Tea House and Summer Festival at Covent Garden.
   • A Fever-Tree spritz bar, Wimbledon screenings, daily live music, and a revolving selection of some of the capital’s finest street food brands. Of course, you cannot visit Covent Garden without stepping into our Neal Street shop, open daily 11am-7pm, for all your tea desires.
5. Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park
   • Until 25 September
   • Featuring productions of Romeo & Juliet, Carousel, Anansi the Spider and Dragon’s and Mythical Beasts, all outdoors in the park. ‘The wonderfully unpredictable nature of outdoor theatre makes each visit here extraordinary and thrilling’.
6. New musicals and returning classics will be back on stage, including Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella, time-travelling Back to the Future: The Musical and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.
7. Summer Reunion at the Southbank Centre 
   • Until 30 August
   • Celebrates music, dance, literature and art with events across Southbank Centre‘s venues, from indoor concerts to outdoor events, featuring world-class artists.
   • From South Bank you can walk cross Waterloo Bridge, over the River Thames to Covent Garden, in around 20 minutes.
8. Underbelly Festival
   • Until 26 September
   • Is back to entertain you with comedy, circus and family performances in its Spiegeltent, at its new home in Cavendish Square.
9. The Royal Opera House
   • The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera have programmed a summer season of world premieres, repertory favourites, and the world’s first opera in hyper-reality.
   • The Royal Opera House is in the heart of Covent Garden and so it is only a three minute walk to The Tea House.
10. Colourful floral displays and impressive garden designs will be on display at the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show (21-26 Sep) and RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival (6-11 Jul).