14 Glorious Ways To Spend The First Weekend Of Summer In London

Tuck into this afternoon tea

Celebrate the return of the British summer season in the most elegant way possible at The Foliage Lounge inside The Biltmore Mayfair.

The luxury hotel has partnered with Bicester Village to launch a limited-edition Afternoon Tea running all summer long. The stunning centrepiece is a four-piece dessert plat, which features an Ascot-inspired Millinery Choux and a Centre Court Strawberry for Wimbledon. Alongside these artistic pastries, guests can indulge in classic finger sandwiches, warm scones, and a curated tea selection.

Where: 44 Grosvenor Sq, London W1K 2HP
Website: www.thebiltmore.com

Celebrate National Fish and Chip Day in style

Celebrate National Fish & Chip Day this weekend at Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill. To mark the occasion alongside their upcoming 110th anniversary, chef Richard Corrigan and his team are launching a special limited-edition menu running from June 4th to 7th.

This playful ode to the traditional London chippy features nostalgic classics including crispy scampi bites, golden fish and chips, mushy peas, curry sauce, and plenty of scraps. You can also expect elevated off-catch specials like fresh Gurnard and Pollock alongside their usual à la carte favourites.

Where: 11-15 Swallow St, Piccadilly, London W1B 4DG
Website: www.bentleys.com

Attend the 14th annual Soho Food Feast

Foodies, clear your schedules this weekend because London’s most delicious charity event is back.

Returning for its 14th year on June 6th and 7th, the Soho Food Feast brings together the neighbourhood’s vibrant community and finest culinary talents. You can expect to sample signature tasters from local icons like Mountain, Lina Stores, and The Devonshire.

Best of all, every single profit from the weekend goes directly to Soho Parish Primary School, the area’s last remaining school. It is the ultimate way to eat exceptionally well while supporting an incredibly worthy local cause.

Where: St Anne’s Churchyard Gardens, Wardour Street, W1D 6LB
Website: www.sohofoodfeast.com

Visit this Vivienne Westwood terrace takeover

Fashion and fine dining are colliding in the heart of London’s Theatreland this weekend as legendary seafood restaurant J. Sheekey celebrates its 130th anniversary.

The West End institution has teamed up with the iconic design house Vivienne Westwood to transform its outdoor terrace into the capital’s most stylish summer destination. The exclusive takeover features the brand’s archive ‘Evolution of Man’ print across custom ceramics and linens, paying homage to the generations of artists and rebels who have dined there since 1896. Guests can soak up the creative atmosphere while enjoying limited-edition Tanqueray No. TEN cocktails, classic Guinness and oyster pairings, and a bespoke panna cotta dessert topped with a white chocolate Westwood orb.

Where: 28-32 St Martin’s Ct, London WC2N 4AL
Website: www.jsheekey.com

Explore this new landmark Marilyn Monroe exhibition

Officially arriving at the National Portrait Gallery on June 4th, this weekend marks the opening of Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait.

In celebration of the Hollywood star’s 100th birthday, the gallery will be displaying a collection that explores the life, legacy and career of the beloved American actress, in a bid to peel back the ‘blonde bombshell’ persona to reveal the woman behind the image. It will bring together works by Andy Warhol, Pauline Boty, Marlene Dumas, and James Gill, displayed alongside a collection of Monroe’s personal belongings, including clothing, books, and scripts.

Where: St. Martin’s Pl, London WC2H 0HE
Website: www.nationalportraitgallery.com

Head to Fulham Pier for The Lazy Flea summer popup

This Saturday, The Lazy Flea will be popping up at Fulham Pier for a one-day-only free riverside event.

Shoppers can expect to uncover the same hidden gems and one-of-a-kind pieces found at any other Lazy Flea event, but this time they can browse the curated line-up of sellers while basking in the glorious Thames views.

This Saturday, The Lazy Flea will be popping up at Fulham Pier for a one-day-only free riverside event.

The event is free entry and open to all. Make sure to check out the Riverside Market and grab a bite to eat after browsing all the vintage goodies.

Where: Fulham Pier, London SW6 6HH
Website: www.fulhampier.com

Watch a high-stakes operatic performance

Opening the 2026 Season and celebrating the company’s 30th anniversary, Giacomo Puccini’s thrilling Gold Rush drama La fanciulla del West is arriving at Opera Holland Park this weekend. 

Set against a high-stakes manhunt in the 19th-century Sierra Nevada mountains, this cinematic masterpiece follows Minnie Falconer, a pistol-packing, poker-playing saloon owner and one of the first independent women to stake her claim in the wilds of California. Sung in Italian with English subtitles, the brand-new production promises a gripping evening of romance, suspense, and spectacular orchestration. 

Where: Opera Holland Park Theatre, Ilchester Pl, London W8 6LU
Website: www.operahollandpark

Visit this Soho pop-up

This weekend, cult footwear brand ALOHAS is teaming up with Elevate Wellness to offer customers free smoothies at its Soho store. Available exclusively in store, Elevate will be serving up its iconic ‘The Glow’ smoothie, as well as an exclusive ALOHAS-inspired flavour.

Stop by on Friday and Saturday between 11am and 7pm to sip smoothies while indulging in some well-needed retail therapy.

Where: ALOHAS, 45 Beak Street, Carnaby, London W1F 9SD
Website: www.alohas.com

Book your ticket to London’s ultimate foodie event

The capital’s ultimate culinary takeover is back this month as Taste of London returns to transform Regent’s Park into a massive, five-day foodie wonderland. Think an incredible lineup of the city’s hottest restaurants serving up exclusive dishes, alongside fire-fuelled cooking theatrics, artisan producers, and plenty of summer festival energy.

While this foodie takeover isn’t taking place until June 17th, this will be a sell-out event, so consider this your official reminder to secure your tickets now. To find out more about this year’s event, click here.

Where: Regent’s Park
Book here

Roam this art market

Calling all Art enthusiasts. Head to Coal Drops Yard this weekend for the vibrant King’s Cross Open Art Market.

Visitors can explore independent stalls to pick up handmade pieces, limited-edition artworks, and locally inspired gems, all set to a vibrant soundtrack of live music. If you want to get your own hands dirty, the event also features interactive, hands-on art workshops perfect for seasoned creatives and keen beginners alike. It is an accessible and community-driven way to discover new local talent and take home a unique treasure.

Where: Stable St, London N1C 4LW
Website: www.openairmarket.com

Try this alternative cocktail experience

Swap the city pavement for a thrilling trip back in time to the rugged American West this weekend at Moonshine Saloon. This immersive theatrical bar experience invites you to step through swinging doors and straight into a covert 1904 bootlegging operation.

Guests are tasked with smuggling in their own bottle of liquor, which the expert saloon barkeeps will seamlessly transform into four delicious, personalised cocktails using fresh bitters and homemade syrups. Between drinks, you can try your luck at dice games with the local characters or even sneak a peek at Clyde Cassidy’s secret distillery, making it the perfect choice for a night out like no other.

Where: 28-30 Houndsditch, London EC3A 7DB
Website: www.moonshinesaloon.com

Plan your trip to the cocktail event of the summer

London’s ultimate open-air drinks festival is returning to Bedford Square Gardens this summer, and tickets are already flying.

Reimagined as a vibrant pop-up village in Bloomsbury’s largest private Georgian garden, Cocktails in the City will bring together twenty of the capital’s finest bars. Running across two blockbuster weekends from July 2nd to 4th and August 6th to 8th, guests can look forward to exclusive £10 signature serves, live music, silent discos, and interactive cocktail-making workshops. Given that this sun-soaked celebration sells out completely every single year, you will want to secure your general admission tickets right now to avoid missing out.

Where: Bedford Square Gardens, Bloomsbury
Book here

Escape the city for a night

If you are looking to escape London this weekend, a luxurious countryside culinary retreat awaits on the edge of the picturesque Yorkshire Dales.

The two-Michelin-key Grantley Hall is partnering with acclaimed chef Shaun Rankin to offer an overnight stay paired with world-class dining. His signature Taste of Home menu beautifully champions Yorkshire produce, utilising ingredients sourced directly from the estate’s kitchen garden and local suppliers within a 30-mile radius. It is the perfect weekend getaway for food lovers looking to indulge in the absolute best of Northern hospitality.

Where: Grantley Hall, Ripon HG4 3ET
Website: www.grantleyhall.com

Visit a David Hockney installation

Swap London’s busy streets for a breath of fresh coastal air and world-class art at Margate’s Turner Contemporary this weekend.

To celebrate the gallery’s 15th anniversary, iconic British artist David Hockney has completely transformed the Sunley Gallery with a floor-to-ceiling window installation. Measuring a massive seven by ten meters, the translucent vinyl artwork depicts a vibrant Normandy sunrise originally captured by Hockney on his iPad. The massive piece overlooks the beaches and the North Sea, creating a beautiful dialogue with the shifting coastal light outside. For those staying late to catch the sunset, the window is illuminated from within the gallery until 11pm each night, making it the perfect focal point for an evening stroll along the promenade.

Where: Rendezvous, Margate CT9 1HG
Website: www.turnercontemporary.com