Summer is one of the best times to spend a day in London. The city’s calendar is full, the parks are at their best, and many of the season’s most established events return between May and August.
For those planning a few days in the capital, or simply looking for a reason to make more of the summer months, there are some events that are always worth considering.
The Chelsea Flower Show
Chelsea Flower Show remains one of the most recognisable fixtures of the London season. It draws visitors for the gardens, the floral displays and the setting at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, but it also offers the kind of day out that feels properly considered from start to finish. There is real substance to the event itself, but it also suits a slower pace: lunch nearby, time in Chelsea afterwards, and a chance to enjoy one of London’s most polished neighbourhoods when it is looking its best. For anyone who enjoys London at its most elegant, it is an easy choice.
Taste of London
Image courtesy: @tasteoflondon
Taste of London is one of the stronger summer events for those who would rather plan a day around food. Set in Regent’s Park, it brings together a wide range of restaurants, chefs and drinks producers in one place, but the appeal is broader than that. It is a very good excuse to spend an afternoon outdoors in central London, moving between tastings, seeing what the city’s restaurant scene is doing well, and making the most of the season without needing a formal booking.
Wimbledon
Wimbledon belongs on any list of London summer events because it remains one of the clearest examples of tradition done properly. Whether or not tennis is the main attraction, the event itself is enough reason to go. The atmosphere, the grounds and the sense of occasion all make it feel distinct from other major sporting events. It is formal without being stiff, and recognisable without losing its appeal.
Royal Academy Summer Exhibition
Photo courtesy: www.royalacademy.org.uk/summer-exhibition
For a more cultural day, the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition is always worth considering. It offers a different pace from the larger outdoor events, and it suits those looking for a quieter afternoon in central London. A visit to the exhibition can easily be combined with lunch in Mayfair, shopping in Piccadilly or a walk through St James’s. It is one of the easier summer plans to put together, and one of the most reliable.
Somerset House Summer Series
Image courtesy: www.metropolismusic.com/somerset-house-summer-series
Somerset House Summer Series is worth keeping in mind for evening plans. The setting alone makes it one of the better places to spend a summer night in London. Open-air concerts in the courtyard have a sense of occasion that many venues lack, and the location makes it easy to turn into a full evening in the city. For those looking for something that feels special, but still relaxed, it is one of the strongest options of the season.
Kew Gardens
For those who prefer gardens and green space, Kew is always a good choice in summer. It does not have the fixed social calendar of Chelsea or Wimbledon, but that is not the point. It is one of the best places in London to spend a quieter day, particularly if the aim is simply to be out of the centre for a few hours without leaving the city altogether.
What London does well in summer is variety. Some days suit a major event. Others suit a gallery, a garden, or a concert in the evening. The best approach is usually the simplest one: choose a few things that are genuinely worth doing and do them properly. Chelsea Flower Show, Taste of London and Wimbledon are the obvious names because they continue to justify the attention they receive. Around them, the city offers plenty of other ways to spend the season well.
For Hatton Jewels, these are the kinds of summer occasions that suit thoughtful dressing and well-chosen jewellery: elegant, appropriate and understated.
