Summer in london five things to do when youve done main tourist attractions 20260429 p5zyxl.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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Five things to do in London when you've done the main tourist attractions

Karishma Sarkari
Karishma Sarkari

Summer in London is an absolute vibe.

As an Aussie expat, I've seen the city transform over the summer months (June to August) as the sun shines and temperatures hit the mid-20s.

But, if you've been to London before and ticked off all the main tourist attractions, you may be scratching your head in terms of what else there is to do, other than spill onto the streets outside a pub like the rest of the British city.

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London transforms in the summer. Getty

But there are a number of fun activities for solo travellers and families alike, with things that will work on the rare days temperatures climb into the 30s and in the more likely event things get a little drizzly.

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Immersive experiences in London

Fun for the whole family, the Mundo Pixar Immersive Experience is located in London's Wembley Park area, in a purpose built facility, about 20 minutes outside of Central London.

Karishma Sarkari at Mundo Pixar Immersive Experience London

The Mundo Pixar Immersive Experience is located in London's Wembley Park Supplied/Karishma Sarkari

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There are 14 interactive rooms featuring sets from some of Pixar's biggest movies, including Finding Nemo, Monster's Inc and Toy Story.

It's a self guided experience which means you can stay for as little, or as long, as you want to, examining the finer details of the incredible Coco recreation or just take your photo ops with the grandpa from Up and keep going.

If you prefer music over movies, there's an immersive David Bowie experience at The Lightroom in King's Cross.

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Mundo Pixar Experience London

There are 14 interactive rooms featuring set from some of Pixar's biggest movies, including Finding Nemo, Monster's Inc and Toy Story at the Mundo Pixar Immersive Experience. Supplied/Luke Dyson

David Bowie: You're Not Alone is a different kind of exhibition, with the 11-metre walls and massive floors used to project a range of materials.

These include personal notes, sketches and never-before-seen material from his New York vault, making it a unique experience.

Exhibitions in London

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And because Bowie's such a popular guy, there is more on the musician at the new V&A East Storehouse.

The East London edition of the popular Victoria & Albert Museum in South Kensington is now the permanent home for the Starman's archive.

The single room display features guest-curated displays and also included spaces where you can book in some one-to-one time with items from the archive.

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King Charles and Queen Camilla checked out the Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style exhibition after it opened as well. Getty

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If you head to the main V&A Museum, you can see the Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art exhibition, which is centred on the legacy of legendary Italian designer Elsa Schiaparelli.

However, if there's one fashion exhibition you see this summer, it's worth making it Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style at The King's Gallery, located on the side of Buckingham Palace.

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It's the largest-ever exhibition of her fashion and features previously unseen treasures from the late monarch's wardrobe.

Her Majesty's wedding dress and coronation gown are both among the items on display, along with some of her famous tiaras and a selection of personal items.

It's in celebration of the 100th year of Queen Elizabeth's birth, so it unsurprisingly charts her fashion history from a young princess to a world-loved leader.

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Her Majesty's wedding dress (pictured) and coronation gown are both among the items on display, along with some of her famous tiaras Getty

Themed dining in London

If all that has left you a little hungry then you could pick from a number of themed dining options across London

The idea of "dinner and a show" experiences have been remerging as a popular alternative for those those who don't want to sit through a whole West End musical or play.

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The Fawlty Towers Dining Experience London

Delivering the laughs along with dinner is the Faulty Towers The Dining Experience, where you're served by Basil Fawlty himself. Supplied/Rosie Powell

One such nostalgia event delivering the laughs along with dinner is the Faulty Towers The Dining Experience, where you're served by Basil Fawlty himself.

Set in an unassuming hotel dining room in Bloomsbury, it easily transports you back to the set of the popular British sitcom and it's just like you're in one of the episodes.

Trusty sidekick Manuel is also on-hand along with Sybil Fawlty, as they serve up some sketches along with your three-course meal, created by chef Jonathan Bradley.

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The Fawlty Towers Dining Experience London

Trusty sidekick Manuel is also on-hand along with Sybil Fawlty at the Faulty Towers The Dining Experience. Supplied/Rosie Powell

The show's produced by Australian Olivier-nominated theatre producer Jared Harford, with about 100 people packing in the dining room each night.

If you want more of a party vibe than comedy, there's the Mamma Mia! The Party at the O2 and there are also endless themed bottomless brunches on offer across London over weekends.

Outdoor concerts in London

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If you fancy being part of a Guinness World Record attempt this summer, then grab a bald cap and head to one of the BST Hyde Park concerts in London's Hyde Park - specifically the Pitbull concert on July 10.

Organisers are hosting an official title attempt for the largest gathering of people wearing bald caps, which has become a signature look whenever "Mr Worldwide", as the rapper's also known, performs across the globe.

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The outdoor concert series runs over three weekends in the summer and usually has 65,000 people at each gig, so this is going to be one unique experience of the summer.

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Lewis Capaldi, Duran Duran and Maroon 5 are among the other BST Hyde Park headliners this year.

If those artists don't float your boat, never fear - outdoor concert series are plentiful both in London and also right around the UK.

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Just a handful of other notable ones to check out include the Hampton Court Palace Festival , Kew The Music, Somerset House Summer Series and Regent's Park Music Festival, which all offer different live music options across the summer.

Regent's Park also operates a colosseum-style open-air theatre if plays and musicals are more your scene.

London's Lidos

We all know there's no London equivalent to Bondi Beach, so on the hot days across the summer (and yes, there can be a few), where does everyone go to feel refreshed?

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The answer is a lido - the fancier answer to our beloved public pools - and a popular pastime of the British in the summer.

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Sea Lanes at Canary Wharf

Sea Lanes at Canary Wharf is opening soon. Sea Lanes

And this June, there'll be a new freshwater lido opening in Canary Wharf, with Sea Lanes effectively operating a floating Olympic-sized pool.

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It will feature a six-lane natural water swimming pool floating on the dock in an effort to "bridge the gap between traditional pools and open water".

There'll also be a splash pool alongside it for those not wanting to do laps, as well as a clubhouse and dining options to take in the atmosphere once you've had a dip.

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