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Things to Do in London in Summer 2017 - Attractions, Activities & More

A visit to London in the summer is a treat. In addition to all of the amazing stuff they’ve got year round, there are a number of fun seasonal events and attractions that are summer specific. If you’re looking for things to do in London in Summer 2017, check out our list of some of the best activities and attractions, including...

SEA LIFE London Aquarium After Dark
Tour the City with Big Bus London
Zoo Nights at the London Zoo
Cool off on a London Eye River Cruise
Local festivals like the Notting Hill Carnival
And more!

Save on Summertime Activities

Regular admission to a number of these attractions are available on the London Explorer Pass. Choose as you go from popular attractions and save up to 55% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. Check out all London tourist passes, attractions and prices. Please note, some of these special Summer events may be separately ticketed and not available on the London Explorer Pass.

SEA LIFE After Dark

SEA LIFE London Aquarium June 30, 2017

Image of Boy, Male, Person, Teen, Animal, Sea Life, Octopus, Fans of marine life will relish this opportunity to celebrate with the cetaceans at this special SEA LIFE London Aquarium event. This adults-only celebration offers the opportunity to stroll through the aquarium, glass in hand, as you meet all your favorites and encounter new creatures after hours. If you'd prefer to see these sea critters with the whole family, pop by during the day. Getting In: Regular SEA LIFE London Aquarium tickets are available as an option with the London Explorer Pass. This event is separately ticketed and is not included with the pass.

A Ride on the Coca-Cola London Eye

Image of Water, Waterfront, Nature, Outdoors, Scenery, City, Cityscape, Urban, Amusement Park, Ferris Wheel, Fun, Boat, Vehicle, If you’re looking for a delightful touring experience that’s way out of the ordinary, then head to the Coca-Cola London Eye for a one-of-a-kind perspective on London. It’s the perfect way to see this amazing city from above, and it’s also a useful respite from all the walking and traipsing around you will surely be doing. Getting In: Coca-Cola London Eye tickets are available as an option with the London Explorer Pass.

Zoo Nights

ZSL London Zoo Fridays, June 2 - July 14, 2017

Image of Another delightful opportunity to enjoy a night out without the kids is at the summer Zoo Nights at the ZSL London Zoo. Stroll around the Zoo after dark and enjoy everything from tasty food and drink to themed keeper talks and lawn games. It's the perfect way to enjoy one of the city's most popular attractions! You can also visit during the day, of course, especially if you want a better view of some of their majestic creatures, and access to all the areas of the zoo. Getting In: London Zoo tickets are available as an option with the London Explorer Pass. This event is separately ticketed as is not included with the pass.

Tour the City with Big Bus London

Image of Person, Bus, Vehicle, First-time visitors to London should really check out a comprehensive Hop-on Hop-off London tour at some point. London is simply so big with so much to see and do that it’s nearly impossible to get a good overview on your own. This is really one of our favorite things to do in London in the summer time. So while you’re looking to explore this amazing cosmopolitan city, try a hop-on hop-off bus to provide you with excellent narration and convenient personalization. Getting In: Big Bus London tickets are available as an option with the London Explorer Pass.

Cool off on a River Cruise

London Eye River Cruise

Image of Water, Waterfront, Boat, Vehicle, City, Let’s face it – while London is usually quite temperate in the summer, lately it’s been dealing with some serious heat waves. If you happen to run into some hot weather on your trip, a great way to cool down and sightsee is on the London Eye River Cruise. You’ll get to view many of London’s famous landmarks (full of great photo ops!) from a unique perspective, and enjoy the pleasures of a leisurely, 40-minute river cruise. What’s not to love? Getting In: London Eye River Cruise tickets are available as an option with the London Explorer Pass.

Indulge Your Love of Pop Culture

Themed Walking Tours

Image of City, Neighborhood, Road, Street, Urban, Metropolis, Photography, Condo, Housing, Car, Vehicle, Adult, Male, Man, Person, Advertisement, Poster, Glasses, Female, Woman, People, Downtown, Bus, Face, Head, Portrait, T-Shirt, Truck, Whovians and James Bond fans alike won’t want to miss the chance to tour the city that inspired their pop culture heroes. Check out the iconic sites by enjoying one of these fantastic London walking tours that help to tell the story of characters like Sherlock and Watson, 007 himself, and, of course, the inimitable Doctor. This is a great thing to do in London in the summer, too, because you’ll get to enjoy more pleasant weather for walking about. Getting In: Doctor Who Walking Tour tickets, James Bond Walking Tour tickets, and Sherlock Holmes Walking Tour tickets are all available as options with the London Explorer Pass.

Taste of London

Regent's Park June 14 - 18, 2017

Image of Bbq, Cooking, Food, Grilling, Adult, Male, Man, Person,

Image credit TimeOut London

If you're looking to explore London's culinary side, then a visit to the massive Taste of London festival should be on your list. Sample fare from more than 40 restaurants, both established favorites and up-and-comers. You'll also be treated to cooking demonstrations, wine and beer tastings, and even cooking classes. Vendors will offer related wares for sale, so you can take home the latest and greatest cooking utensils to try out your new skills. Want to sample some more traditional British fare? Stop by a pub like the Rising Sun for some good options. Getting In: Rising Sun Pub meal tickets are available as an option with the London Explorer Pass. Taste of London is separately ticketed and is not included with the London Explorer Pass.

Summer Music Series

Somerset House July 6 – 16, 2017

If you love music festivals but don’t feel like wandering out into the English countryside, then a visit to the Somerset House’s Summer Series is a must for you. This beloved city concert series has hosted some of the greatest names in music, from Amy Winehouse to Adele, and this year’s eclectic lineup is bound to please. To purchase tickets and for more information about performing artists, please visit the official event website. Getting In: Somerset House Summer Music Series is separately ticketed and is not included with the London Explorer Pass.

Notting Hill Carnival

Notting Hill August 27-28, 2017

The Notting Hill Carnival is an iconic neighborhood celebration that honors the Caribbean heritage of many London residents. It’s a two-day festival featuring live music performances (spanning the gamut from reggae to salsa), delightful floats, steel drum bands, and massive amounts of delicious authentic cuisine. You don’t want to miss out on Europe’s biggest street festival, so be sure to head to Notting Hill during this August bank holiday! Getting In: The Notting Hill Carnival is free to attend.

Let's Recap

So there you have it. From relaxing cruises to energizing festivals, these are our picks for some of the top things to do in London in the summer. Please note, the summer events taking place at some of these attractions may be separately ticketed and not available with the London Explorer Pass Plan to visit some of these top attractions during your trip. Whether you are traveling with your family or a couple of friends, we're sure you will have a great time.

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