People enjoy the dun in St James's Park London

London in June

By Ian Packham

June in London is known by its nine million residents for its blend of sunny skies, annual events and warm evenings outdoors. If you’re looking to get a sense of the British capital at its most animated, June is the month to visit.

Not only do summer temperatures creep into every aspect of a visit to London during the month, but the city gets all dressed up in its finery for events of international significance – from the Wimbledon tennis championships to Trooping the Colour.

Come with us, as we explore the very best of London in June.

Soak up the June sun

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With the bright summer sun warming the streets of London from east to west and south to north, June is perhaps the perfect time to explore some of the city’s hidden green spaces. And that’s exactly what it’s possible to do during London’s Open Garden Squares Weekend at the start of the month.

This very special weekend sees usually private spaces opening their gates to the public. Those taking part change from year to year, but have previously included City of London rooftops, a historic garden beside Shakespeare’s Globe accessed via London’s narrowest street and even the rarely-seen lawns of the Prime Minister’s office at 10 Downing Street.

Situated among the ancient trees of a Royal Park, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre does nights at the theater like nowhere else in the capital. Its alfresco nature ensures every performance is unique, whilst the company’s artistes are top talents who regularly end up touring shows first-opened just a few hundred meters from the lion habitat of ZSL London Zoo.

Pomp and pageantry

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The massed ranks of the British army put on one of their best performances of the year at Trooping the Colour. Marking the official birthday of the reigning monarch, this June event has taken place since 1908, after King Edward VII got tired of celebrating his natural birthday in the November chill.

Dressed in their famous red frock coats and bearskin hats, over 1000 soldiers troop the color – their regimental flag – to the tune of around 400 musicians. It all takes place under the watchful eye of the monarch on Horse Guards Parade.

But The Mall provides the best vantage point for the public to watch, since it has the added benefit of lining the route taken by various members of the royal family to and from Buckingham Palace by horse-drawn carriages.

If sport is more your métier, head to London towards the end of June for the Wimbledon Championships. Probably the world’s most prestigious sporting trophy, tickets for the show courts are fiercely fought over. However, it’s still possible to take in the atmosphere and look out for the greatest players of the generation with a ground pass.

The start of festival season

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Meanwhile, the London Festival of Architecture spans the entire length of June. The world’s biggest festival of its kind aims to reveal the stories behind some of the city’s best-known structures.

Syon Park’s classic car show aims to fulfil a similar role for all things petrol-powered, whilst June is also the start of Pride month. Many of London’s nightspots in Soho and the West End put on special events to get the LGBT+ community in the spirit of the rainbow flag.

The spectacle of the Royal Ascot five-day horse race meeting should be the only excuse you need to step aboard a Hop-on Hop-off open-topped bus in nearby Windsor. As well as admiring Europe’s longest-occupied castle, you can take in sights including Eton College and Holy Trinity Church.

Observe the longest day of the year

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Summer nights in London develop an atmosphere all of their own, and this is only ever heightened in the case on June 22, the date of the summer solstice. Various one-off events take place on the longest day of the year, from sunrise yoga sessions to solstice parties at the capital’s top bars and clubs. It’s best to check local press closer to the time for details.

It’s in June that London’s rooftop bars also come into their own, with many providing drinkers with spectacular panoramas across the skyline by both day and by night. Admire the historic landmarks which line the banks of the Thames with a city cruise river pass. Between them, the likes of the Tower of London, Houses of Parliament and London Bridge boast over a thousand years of heritage no visitor should miss.

The Sunday nearest the solstice is usually the date set for Father’s Day. Those keen to celebrate everything their dad has done for them with a restaurant meal should book early. Restaurant tables get filled quickly with families looking to enjoy dedicated menus put in place just for the day.

Experience London’s wildlife havens

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For a totally different way to see the capital, head west to the pools and ponds which form the London Wetland Centre. Created out of unwanted Victorian reservoirs in the year 2000, this magical space is now visited by some 180 different species of bird, as well as otters and innumerable species of insect.

June in London is a good time to plan a visit to attractions with outdoor elements such as Chiswick House and Kitchen Garden too. Finished in 1729, the house is a celebrated example of neo-Palladian architecture. The surrounding grounds are one of the earliest examples of the English landscape style to be still in existence.

Alternatively, head back to banks of the Thames and challenge yourself to find your way through the maze at Hampton Court Palace. Its yew tree hedging has been foxing residents and guests since it was first planted in the 1690s.

Ways to save on attraction admission

The sky is pretty much the limit when it comes to things to do in London in June. The generally fine weather means few of London’s attractions are off limits, although this can soon have a detrimental effect on your wallet.

You can save on London attraction admission with Go City. How does it work? Simply purchase a package and start to save! Go to the visitor attractions you had always wanted to explore without losing the flexibility that’s an important part of any vacation!

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London's Soho lit up neon blue at night
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Top things to do in Soho London

Some may still remember Soho’s seedy past, but tucked in between Mayfair and Covent Garden this part of west London has once again found its stride as a fashionable and upmarket place to be. Whilst it may not have the historic attractions of other neighborhoods, no one can say there aren’t things to do in Soho London! It’s an area that’s actually something of a rare find – a part of London where locals and visitors rub shoulder to shoulder without distinction. Packed full of bars and nightspots, it also has shopping on Regent’s Street and the theaters of the West End to help maintain its stance as the capital’s entertainment hub. But amongst the rainbow flags and shopfronts of everyone-is-welcome Soho, you’ll also discover an array of galleries and restaurants. What are the best things to do? Keep reading to find out all you’ll ever need to know with this guide to London’s Soho. Must-visit shops The western bounds of Soho are delineated by Regent’s Street and its northern bounds by Oxford Street – two of London’s most famous and most important shopping thoroughfares. Running for almost two kilometers, Oxford Street is dominated by flagship stores for the country’s big names and department stores including Selfridges’ five floors of delights. Regent’s Street has a slightly more genteel air thanks to its mix of high-end fashion boutiques and Hamleys – the world’s oldest and biggest dedicated toy shop, with a range that spans 50,000 items. For contrast, drift into Carnaby Street, which was the center of fashion during the swinging sixties and continues to go its own way with its selection of independently-owned stores. Between the two, on Great Marlborough Street, is the mock Tudor edifice of Liberty London. A department store with a difference, Liberty highlights bold handcrafted designs from smaller workshops and artists. Known for its floral prints, it has previously championed everyone from arts and crafts designer William Morris to the creator of the punk look Vivienne Westwood. Soho theaters and shows Following Regent’s Street round to its natural end at the Statue of Eros on Piccadilly Circus will bring you to Shaftesbury Avenue. Otherwise known as the West End, it’s where many of London’s major theatres are located, including the London Palladium, Gielgud and Lyric. Seen as the pinnacle of performances alongside New York’s Broadway, its theaters are a favorite with movie stars. Dame Helen Mirren, Sir Ian McKellen and Benedict ‘Sherlock’ Cumberbatch have all played to packed out audiences in recent years. Shows range from productions of Chekov and reinventions of Shakespeare to the musicals of Andrew Lloyd Webber, the composer behind The Phantom of the Opera and Cats. If sitting down in one place for two hours leaves you cold, you don’t need to look further than the Crystal Maze Live Experience, recreating the television game show with its four zones and four different challenge types teams must take on. Soho’s top nightspots It’s nightspots like G-A-Y and Ronnie Scott’s that take much of the attention, but Soho London nightlife also includes traditional British pubs and semi-secret cocktail bars, ensuring there really is something for everyone – including teetotalers thanks to some choice late night coffee bars. G-A-Y is just one of a clutch of LGBTQ+ venues dotted around Old Compton Street, creating a hub for queer individuals and their allies, alongside the original branch of Patisserie Valerie – a demonstration of just how diverse Soho can be. When it comes to live music, one of the best places to head is Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, which has played host to some of the legends of jazz and blues including Ella Fitzgerald, Jimi Hendrix and Jamie Cullum. Spice of Life and Ain’t Nothing But Blues have similar vibes. Galleries in Soho Although just a stone’s throw from the National Gallery on Trafalgar Square and Royal Academy of Arts on Piccadilly, you don’t even have to leave the area for artistic things to do in Soho London. The first private art space created for nothing but life through a lens, The Photographers’ Gallery has a pedigree which dates back to 1971. During that time it has brought new international artists to British audiences whilst also supporting homegrown photography talent, bringing the very best imagery of the moment to the streets of Soho. The main space of Frith Street Gallery on Golden Square has developed such a reputation for its exhibitions of painting, sculpture and installation art that the artists it represents are entering the permanent collections of museums globally. But if it’s moving images that capture your attention, the Curzon Soho Cinema provides an escapist’s delight, with some of the largest screens in London to watch the latest Oscar contenders. Places to eat in Soho Dine at each of our favorite places to eat in Soho and you’re either going to need a longer vacation or a larger stomach. Or possibly both. Trustworthy places to spend your hard-won cash include the flavors of Bombay of Dishoom’s Carnaby outlet and modern British cuisine of Bill’s Soho. Yotam Ottolenghi’s NOPI is one of a host of restaurants where it’s easy to impress and be impressed, with a menu comprising Middle Eastern and Asian-inspired dishes. Korean, Italian and pan-European meals all vie for attention just a few steps away. However, it’s Quo Vardis that takes the crown for staying power in a part of the capital where restaurants can seem as if they come and go with the seasons. First opening its doors in 1926, before that it was the home of Karl Marx, who now resides in Highgate Cemetery. The best things to do in Soho London Filled with entertaining ways to spend a morning, afternoon or evening, there are lots of worthwhile things to do in Soho London. Helpfully located not all that far from other attractions including the Household Cavalry Museum and Westminster Pier – for Thames sightseeing cruises – there’s really very little reason not to pay the area a visit as part of your travels with Go City!
Ian Packham
London's parks show their fall colors in all their glory
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Reasons to visit London in October

It may have waved goodbye to the summer, but there are still plenty of things to do in London in October, with something for everyone. Foodies will be happy to learn of the British capital’s October food and drinks events, whilst art lovers have a major fair to look forward to. Culture buffs can turn their attention to the forgotten history of London’s black population, and horror fans find themselves in the city of Jack the Ripper just in time for the spooky goings on of Halloween! Weather in London in October The key consideration for visiting London in October is its weather. Famously – or infamously – fickle, there are plenty of people who’ve experienced glorious weather in London in October. And there’s a similar number who’ve faced a wash out. But no one heads to London expecting uninterrupted sunny skies. On average, you can expect at least some rain and cloudy skies for half the month, with rainfall totaling 5.4 cm. Daytime temperatures start October at around 18°C and end the month falling slightly to 14°C. It’s rare for storms to affect life in London in October and snowfall is as rare as a British house without an umbrella. With the weather covered, let’s take a look at the top events and things to do in London in October. Make the most of the fall color Parks are for summer, right? Wrong! Cast aside London’s select crop of green spaces just because the seasons have ticked over and you’ll be missing out on sights that have enraptured everyone from botanists to kings and queens. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – turns to gold in October. Its cover of 14,000 trees alongside sculpture, glass houses and ten story Chinese-style pagoda ensure there’s always something new to see. Accessible from Regent’s Canal Walk, Victoria Park in east London was opened in 1845 as the capital’s first public park after Queen Victoria donated part of the Crown Estate. Its features, which range from a small lake to fragments of old London Bridge turned into seating alcoves, help bring its history to life. Discover the next Picasso Explore Regent’s Park for a week during October and the fall color will have to compete with the temporary marquees and outdoor sculpture of the Frieze Art Fair. One of the biggest fairs focused solely on living artists, all the art is for sale, though you’ll have to be quick with your credit card as most works don’t hang around for long, making their way to galleries and private collections internationally. Previous artists to appear at Frieze have even made it into Tate Modern. Situated within a converted power station on the River Thames beside Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and opposite St Paul’s Cathedral, Tate Modern is the UK’s most visited museum. Free to enter, the five story high Turbine Hall provides a space for specially commissioned works, whilst the gallery walls are hung with everyone from Picasso and Matisse to Turner and Warhol. Get into the Halloween spirit Jack-o’-lanterns may be hard to come across, but that doesn’t mean London in October isn’t up for some otherworldly antics. More than two thousand years of history means there’s been plenty of time for ghosts to make their presence felt on the capital, with guided ghost walks through London’s historic lanes a good way to take in the tales – if not to sleep well afterwards. The London Bridge Experience also takes visitors into the darker corners of London’s history, from detailing Guy Fawkes’ passage along the Thames to the Tower of London where he was tortured until he could no longer sign his name, to the atrocities of Jack the Ripper in Whitechapel. Entrance includes the London Tombs scare attraction, built over a burial site for plague victims. Head west to Hampton Court Palace, the favorite residence of King Henry VIII, and you run the risk of bumping into two of his wives said to stalk its corridors. If the former queen seems complete, it will be Jane Seymour, who died giving birth to Edward VI. Any headless torso is likely to be Henry VIII’s fifth wife, Catherine Howard, who was beheaded for adultery in 1542. Celebrate London’s diversity Travel to London in October from North America and you have a second chance to participate in Black History Month. A host of special events usually span October, from museum exhibitions to talks and tours all aimed at marking the role of black history in forming modern multicultural London. Usually taking place in mid-October, Diwali is a festival of light. Celebrations begin in the early afternoon in Trafalgar Square with a series of dance troupes taking to the stage. As the afternoon progresses they give way to yoga demonstrations and the opportunity to taste authentic south Asian food. Other events take place at Hoxton’s Museum of the Home and the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. Fireworks feature heavily, with north London’s Wembley the best place to head. Satisfy your hunger October is also the time of the London Restaurant Festival’s Fall Edition. Participating restaurants fling open their doors to diners with an array of specialty menus. Other events include beer, wine and gin tastings in some of London’s most exciting destinations, from St Katherine Dock to Notting Hill. Londoners don’t need much encouragement for a stiff drink either, with Oktoberfest the latest cultural import to take the capital by storm. Locations include east London’s Canada Water and south London’s Croydon. Expect tents decked out like traditional Bavarian beer halls, alongside a near endless supply of lager, bratwurst and lederhosen. But if it’s a Cosmopolitan or Manhattan that’s more your kind of drink, October’s London Cocktail Week will save the day. More than 250 bars get involved, serving up signature blends in addition to hosting a number of one-off events. Exploring London in October At first, October may not look like a good time to visit London. However, we all know how looks can be deceiving. Take the plunge and vacation in London in October and a wealth of attractions will await you. Travel with Go City and you’ll get reduced admission to many of London’s biggest attractions at the same time!
Ian Packham
London
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Relaxing Things to do in London

Looking for a break from the hustle and bustle? Here are our top suggestions...
Dom Bewley

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