Activities & Days Out / 16 August, 2021 / My Baba
If you’re looking for things to do in London with the kids, why not check out what’s going on in London’s Royal Parks this summer?
From live music, an outdoor cinema (and theatre!) to family discovery days and glorious carriage rides with the rare shire horses, there are tons of splendid events and activities in London’s eight Royal Parks to brighten up your summer this year.
Throughout summer, Greenwich and The Regent’s Park will be playing host to a variety of sensational local concert bands, jazz Big Bands and small groups. These free concerts are the perfect entertainment for your summer picnics and outings.
When: Starting 26 June, to 19 September
Where: The Bandstand and The Broad Walk in The Regent’s Park / The Bandstand, Greenwich Park
Free
Out of school and full of boundless energy!
There is no better way to get the kids outside and engaged in nature than on one of our popular drop-in Discovery Days.
Choose from a variety of nature-inspired activities including pond dipping, bug hunting, painting, sweep netting and more. As part of the Let’s Do London Campaign, each week will have a different theme from Meadow Madness and Life Underground to Wild Water and the beloved Peter Pan.
When: Starting 3 August, every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Where: The LookOut Discovery Centre, Hyde Park
Click here to register your interest or drop in anytime between 11am-3pm.
Free
Anyone can come and learn to fly in one of the two-hour classes provided, the youngest students are 8, and oldest (so far) 78!
You will start with a warm-up, moving on to simple tricks and as your confidence grows, attempt the star trick on the Flying Trapeze.
There is a variety of drop-in sessions, classes and courses to choose from.
When: Starting 21 June to 13 September
Where: The Regent’s Park and Kensington Gardens
Click here for more information and to book tickets
Hundreds of businesses, charities, and councils from all over the UK have come together this summer to enable all children, in all our communities, to have space and time for play this summer.
In partnership with London Play, we invite you to join our team of playworkers for events and activities jam-packed with fun and creativity.
Come along and embrace ‘The Summer of Play’ as we let our imaginations and curiosities lead the way.
When: Starting 26 June to 19 September
Where: Gloucester Gate playground in The Regent’s Park / Greenwich Park playground
Free
Our Recommendations For The Best New Pushchairs
10 Reasons We Love The Stokke Xplory X
As the sun sets in Brompton Cemetery, watch dinosaurs run loose in Jurassic Park or sing along to everyone’s favourite Bohemian Rhapsody in Kensington Palace. Revel in the heart-throbbing moments of The Shining in The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre or for a romantic date, impress with a screening of Romeo and Juliet, at Victoria Tower Gardens.
When: Starting 3 August to 30 September
Where: The Regent’s Park, Brompton Cemetery, Kensington Gardens, Victoria Tower Gardens.
Click here for more information and to book tickets
There is something for everyone from an underground river running beneath Hyde Park, a secret Victorian pet cemetery, exclusive access to Duck Island in St James’s Park to a hidden hollow tree in Kensington Gardens known to be the annual nesting site of tawny owls.
Join your expert guide and experience the Royal Parks from a whole new perspective.
When: All year round
Where: Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, St James’s Park and Green Park
Click here for more information and to book tickets
Discover the magnificent minibeasts that call London’s Royal Parks home. Join Mission: Invertebrate for a day of bug trails, creative crafting and invertebrate missions galore.
Until October, Mission: Invertebrate will be on the road, visiting Royal Parks from Greenwich Park in the east to Bushy Park in the west, giving you the opportunity to get close to nature and learn more about the wonderful world of invertebrates.
When: Starting 3 August to 26 August, 11am-3pm.
Where: Various Parks
Click here for more information
Free
Throughout the summer there will also be free events for adults including a marvellous moths walk in Greenwich Park, wildflower meadows walk in Green Park, and a trees for invertebrates walk with Greg Packman in Kensington Gardens.
See our ‘What’s on’ calendar for further details.
Soak up the sunny weather, have a laugh and enjoy some picnic snacks with ‘La Confusione of Arlecchino & His Mates’.
A commedia dell’arte (Italian comedy) show which tells a story of mayhem in between masters, their teenage sons and daughters and their servants who try to help them, but most of the time end up hindering and causing more confusion.
When: Various Dates
Where: Field behind the Greenwich Park Playground.
Click here for more information and to book tickets
Free
What better way to spend a lazy summer afternoon than a refreshing dip at the Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park, followed by a spot of lunch at the nearby Lido Café Bar.
Excitingly the Lido Cafe now boasts a new roof terrace called ‘The Rooftop’ that overlooks the Serpentine Lake with beautiful scenic views, perfect for a few drinks with friends on a summer’s evening.
Find out opening times and prices for the Serpentine Lido here and more about the Lido Café and Bar here.
Every weekend in August, The Royal Parks Shires will be put to a stunning Charabanc, evoking memories of times gone by. Rides last approx. 30 minutes, and start and finish on Chestnut Avenue, between the Pheasantry and the main car park.
It’s for a good cause, too. Proceeds from the rides will enable the Shire horses to undertake conservation work in winter, making Bushy Park even greener. Did you know Shire horses are rarer than pandas?
Click for more information and to book tickets
35 Of The Best Family Friendly Pubs In Surrey For Summer
Essentials Things To Pack For Your Family Day Out
For competitions and offers from our favourite brands, click here.