London hit list: Summer edition

As a series of heatwaves unfurled across the capital, residents ventured out of their warm homes in search of exciting and cooling summer experiences. With the season coinciding with my mother’s first-ever visit to London, I too put on the thinking cap to arrange a series of enticing activities.

Tai Chi: Kew Gardens

With my parents’ background as landscape designers, garden shop owners, and Bonsai growers, a visit to Kew Gardens was a given – but I hoped to experience it in a unique way. Perusing the list of garden activities, the weekly Tai Chi sessions stood out. On a mild summer morning, instructor Michael Burke led us through an engaging hour-long session. Martial arts-inspired Tai Chi movements were paired with the inspiring natural surrounds of Kew – and helpful anecdotes from Michael on the increasingly publicised healing properties of the practice.

Sessions at the Royal Botanical Gardens run from April to September, with tickets from £33 per session (entrance to Kew Gardens is included). After a few moments of appreciative silence to catch our breath, it was off to explore the gardens. The treetop walk is reminiscent of the ‘Boomslang’ in Cape Town’s Kirstenbosch Gardens, and two glasshouses bring together global gardens in an immersive space. 

Dining: Brumus Restuarant and Bar

For our dining experience, it was a tall order: somewhere quintessentially British, in central London, with classy English epicurean fare. Luckily, Haymarket Hotel’s Brumus Bar & Restaurant hit the bullseye, several times over. Brumus is kitted out by British designer Kit Kemp, with her trademark playful panache – bright colours, bold textures, and quirky art pieces throughout. 

We enjoyed live jazz before plates of British-inspired dishes arrived, paired with delectable wines. The favourites were the Roast rump of Cornish lamb, and Haymarket’s steak and London Pride pie. Plus, off Trafalgar Square, it’s a stone’s throw from West End theatre (the pre- and post-theatre 2 courses for £29 and 3 courses for £34 are winners). In a tourist-saturated part of London, Brumus offers a breath of fresh air, full of creativity and home-cooked food to fuel the London experience.

Wine: Blackbook Winery

Since it was my mother who first ignited my love for wine, our London journey would begin with a visit to one of the city’s four urban wineries. Blackbook Winery is a short walk from Battersea Power Station, where it has operated for almost a decade, with the wine bar open for the last three years. Employing classic winemaking methods with unique innovations, visiting Blackbook is a London treat. 

And what of the wines? A range of unique options that fuel curiosity and spark surprise. Only weeks ago, at the 2026 Wine GB Awards, Blackbook was awarded trophies for ‘Best Still Wine: Chardonnay’ and ‘Best Still Wine’ overall. The Pinot Noir is an equally sumptuous find-also winning Best Pinot Noir and Best Red Wine overall in 2025. Visit the unassuming wine bar every Friday, 4-9 pm, and Saturday, 5:30 pm-9:30 pm during the summer, to sample and buy London’s very own wine. Follow them online, and you may even get a chance at some hands-on (and feet-on) experience come harvest time.

Afternoon tea: Shangri-La The Shard

Taking afternoon tea to a new level – 35 levels, in fact – Shangri-La The Shard, London offers the Capital’s highest afternoon tea. Settling into our seats along the double-volume floor-to-ceiling glass walls, we were treated to views of London pouring out in every direction. For the next ninety minutes, waves of decadence arrived at the table. Starting with savoury: finger sandwiches and tasty bites, with freshly baked scones. Next up, the sweet with a trio of exquisite seasonal pastries – inspired by the floral notes of St-Germain. The elderflower liqueur is the partner brand for this season’s Afternoon Tea, with St-Germain cocktails also on offer. 

Served alongside the enticing eats were coffees, and then an option of almost every tea you could imagine – with the freedom to choose as many as you want. Our St-Germain cocktail paired equally well with the sweet selection. Prices start at £78 per person, £88 with a mocktail, St-Germain cocktail or flute of Veuve Clicquot Rosé Champagne, with generous replenishments of the afternoon tea selection available throughout the experience. Then, of course, the thrill of the famous ‘loos with a view’ – best experienced rather than described.

Cruise: Tower of London River Tour

Possibly the coolest way to explore the city is cruising the Thames aboard the luxurious Silver Raven. The Tower of London River Tour does a circuit of seven London bridges, with live tour commentary. The tour content is written by co-creator of BBC’s Ghosts, Martha Howe-Douglas, and includes a range of information. Our ticket included a glass of Ridgeview Brut – modern English sparkling to complement centuries of English heritage.

The boat itself is an equally impressive part of the tour: made in Cornwall, the Silver Raven is the UK’s first electric tour boat, operating fully on electricity. It’s also the most luxurious way to explore the river, with Silver Raven’s pewter bar, Scottish eco-leather seats and the custom-designed Axminster carpet featuring a House of Hackney print. The tours run every hour from 9:45 or 10:45, season-dependent, last 40 minutes, and cost from £18.50pp.