LONDON’S LONG EPHEMERAL DAYS

WORDS KATE ELS

CHARACTERISED BY ITS LATE-NIGHT SUNSETS, seas of people spilling from pubs into the streets and the sounds of festivals and street markets, a London summer can feel otherworldly – even for its own residents. The three-month break from its infamous grey, drizzly weather means a citywide good mood is firmly in place, making it arguably more festive that the Festive Season itself.

With the sun up before 5am each day and the last rays of sunshine still glinting at 10pm, it’s worth packing as much as possible into a single day. It’s not unusual for Londoners to flit from morning street markets to lazy pub lunches in beer gardens hidden across the city, then onwards to rooftop cocktails overlooking the Thames River before ending off with a late-night meal at one of the thousands of choices of top restaurants.

But with so many options, it can feel a bit paralysing to plan your days in London during the summer – especially when visiting from another continent. This guide is an entryway into the capital city during the warmer months, to share stories of the places your friends and family haven’t been… yet.

Battersea Power Station

After many years of sitting empty, London’s Battersea Power Station has been revamped and given a new lease of life as a shopping and leisure destination. Its mixed-use renewal blends together exciting eateries, late-night bars and a wide range of designer brands, events and exhibitions. In particular, the Chimney Lift Experience will zip you to the top of one of the old smoke stacks of the power station, giving you an all-round view of London from an impressive 109 metres up. batterseapowerstation.co.uk

NOT-SOSTANDARD AT THE STANDARD

Typically conjuring up an image of one of its American counterparts, the first The Standard hotel outside of the United States is a quirky nugget that stands out strong amongst its neighbouring Victorian-era buildings. Right on the doorstep of King’s Cross, it’s central enough to serve as a great base for any London stay, but also has numerous food and drink options to make it a haven from the busy streets when you need it.

Decimo, one of the premier restaurants at the hotel, is overseen by Michelin-starred chef, Peter Sanchez-Iglesias, who claims half Mexican and half Bristolian heritage. Naturally, the eatery focuses on modern upgrades to Mexican cuisine and couples it all with incredible views over the city. Look out for the guest chef rotation if you’re in the mood for something a little more special. standardhotels.com

Vip Box At The Royal Albert Hall

For something you won’t stop talking about, consider booking a VIP box at the Royal Albert Hall. Whether you’re into classic performances or something a bit more of the times, the eclectic line-up covers everything from Cinderella told as ballet to Van Morrison making a onenight-only appearance. Whichever one you opt for, the best seats in the house will be an entire experience in themselves. royalalberthall.com

Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum

A must-visit for tennis aficionados, the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum is an incredible interactive experience offering a fascinating glimpse deep into the history of tennis. Explore the Championships’ past, admire priceless artefacts and take a behind-the-scenes tour of Wimbeldon’s Centre Court. bookings.wimbledon.com

This year’s Wimbledon Championship runs from 3 to 16 July. Nab tickets if you can, but if you miss out, don’t discredit the experience of heading to Wimbledon and surrounds on match days. Most pubs will be showing the action, and there are always a number of outdoor screens and pop-ups catering to punters. It’s a great way to enjoy London outdoors during the tournament. Visit wimbledon.com for more info.

The Royal Academy Of Arts

Self-described as “a place where art is made, exhibited and debated”, the RA as it’s known colloquially, often features major exhibitions from world-renowned artists. This summer, the RA is running its much-anticipated Summer Exhibition (that has been in existence since 1769) until 20 August. Expect over 1 600 works including sculptures, installations and paintings. The best part: most of these works are available for purchase. royalacademy.org.uk

AFTERNOON TEA AT CLARIDGE’S

Any online search will reveal hundreds of listings for high tea, but there is one certainly worth experiencing, and that’s at Claridge’s. It’s a quintessential tradition and demands impeccable service and elegant ambiance. It has everything you’d expect, from those delicate finger sandwiches and freshly baked scones to exquisite pastries accompanied by a selection of fine teas or a glass of champagne. claridges.co.uk yourluxury.africa

GO UNDERGROUND AT CAHOOTS!

Resuscitating an abandoned tube station, Cahoots! is a late-night bar that transports its guests back to post-war 1940s Britain. Split into three distinct spaces – The Underground, the Ticket Hall and Signal Station – visitors can experience different cocktail menus based on where they choose to settle. In true speakeasy style, expect your drink delivered in sneaky mugs and tea cups.

If you want to combine the age-old tradition of a British pub quiz with your visit, book the Black Market Knees Up that happens each Saturday. You’ll be given ration to purchase your drinks, be able to choose from carefully disguised cocktails and participate in theatrical pub quiz. cahoots-london.com

A Parisian Escape

“No matter your sin, you’re welcome here…” belts out Harold Zidler in the stage adaptation of Baz Luhrman’s renowned Moulin Rouge. His voice echoes off of a life-sized elephant that juts into the crowd, and the twinkling of a thousand small lights makes you forget about the streets of London outside. The Picadilly Theatre’s longstanding performance of Moulin Rouge is for good reason: it’s an epic display of flash, feathers and humour and incorporates modern pop songs for a singalong feel. thepicadillytheatre.com

But why end the night with the show alone? Across the road lies Brasserie Zédel, a restaurant so opulent that you will feel as if you’ve stepped into a film yourself. Triple volume ceilings, authentic art deco and a menu that is entirely in French are all hidden behind the unassuming doors above ground that present themselves as something modest. bradderiezedel.com

Colourful Carnival Energy

The annual Notting Hill Carnival honours the diversity of London itself – think troupes of bands, performers and food stalls. Taking place on a bank holiday weekend (27 and 28 August), the Notting Hill Carnival winds its way through the neighbourhood showing off music and masqueraders. Anybody can join in the fun and march along. Visit nhcarnival.org for more information

VISIT LONDON’S BEST NEIGHBOURHOOD

Voted as the best neighbourhood to live in by Sunday Times readers in 2023, the north London enclave of Crouch End feels as if you’ve stepped out of the often manic quagmire of the big city into somewhere serenely remote.

Without an official tube stop, Crouch End has become a haven for independent boutiques and thriving local restaurants that have been around for decades. It’s considered to be one of the best areas for those in the creative industries to reside, and as such, you can expect to find quirky galleries and studios dotted along the high street. Keep an eye out for its iconic clocktower too, reliably clanging out each hour of the day.

FOR DESIGNER GEAR AT A STEAL:

Secondhand boutique, Change of Heart, is stuffed year round with incredible designer finds, mostly sold on consignment by the stylists that reside in the area. Expertly curated, you can expect to find anything from Prada to Burberry on the rails, but the real delight is the Scandinavian deisgner clothing. changeofheartlondon.com

JEALOUS MUCH? Small, independent gallery Jealous is well known for showcasing the art of Dave Buonaguidi, aka Real Hackney Dave, along with other contemporary London artists. Hackney Dave’s work in particular features typography overlaid on maps of London’s neighbourhoods, and is a unique keepsake for any visitor. jealousgallery.com

British Seafood Celebration

AT LYON’S: Lyon’s Seafood Restaurant & Wine Bar is a constantly evolving set of dishes based around locally sourced seafood. There is a story linked to the derivation of every ingredient and the menu is inspired by both Asian and European cuisine. The dressed oysters are a spoil! lyons-restaurant.com

What better way to pay homage to English summertime than dancing until sunset to a global act in Hyde Park? BST Hyde Park is a series of concerts that take place between June and July, and each year sees acts bigger than the last. In 2023, highlights on the bill include Pink!, Blackpink, Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel. If you want to upgrade your experience, look into the VIP ticket options that include elevated seating and catering. Visit bst-hydepark.com for more information

A mix of contemporary and classic composition, the calming flicker of candlelight and cathedral acoustics all come together in a summer-long series of Candlelight. Listen to your favourite pop artists like Taylor Swift or Coldplay, or opt for something more classical such as Vivaldi’s Four Seasons played by a full orchestra in the Southwark Cathedral, Central Hall Westminster or the Freemason’s Hall. Visit feverup.com for more information

One of the exhibition highlights at the NPG is a collection of photographic portraits captured by Paul McCartney between 1963 and 1964, as The Beatles exploded into a global sensation. It promises to be an intimate graphic story from the inside of Beatlemania and the seemingly short hop from being a British band to being the world’s pop darlings. Visit npg.org.uk for more information. Admissions start from £22.00 and the gallery is open until 9pm on the weekend.

The New National Portrait Gallery

After an almost three-year closure for major building works, the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) is reopening its doors this summer, promising revamped galleries as well as the opening of sections previously not accessible to the public. It has reconfigured its collection displays in new, contemporary ways too, making it a complete contrast to its former self.

The Jazz Cafe

With its intimate setting and impressive line-up of international artists, the renowned Jazz Cafe in Camden provides an upscale experience for music enthusiasts. Of particular interest are the wide range of African artists playing there this summer, including South African house trio, Mi Casa. There are events every night of the week, and a spot overlooking the stage so you can enjoy dinner and the show is a must. Make sure to book in advance, tickets sell out fast. jazzcafelondon.com