When the sun's out, London is a stunner. And what's amazing about the capital is that there's always something to do, whether you're after a bask in the sun at a chic rooftop bar, a summer sip along the Thames, or a more wholesome activity - this city has you covered.
Most importantly, there's no need to break the bank every time you leave the house. We've put together a list of the best summer activities to enjoy on a budget, whether that's a cheap spritz in Central, a free cinema under the stars, or a comedy club on a boat. Here's the best things to do in London this summer for under £20.
Affordable Things To Do In London This Summer
1. Free Cinema Screenings In London
- Price: free
- Address: multiple locations
- Best for: entertainment under the stars
There's something so dreamy about watching a film in the summer's evening breeze. Bringing your own blanket or camping chair, munching on a snack from a local vendor, and letting everything else melt away for 90 minutes. This year, there's been quite a few pop-up screens airing everything from live sports to 90s classics, inviting you to settle in and enjoy the show without breaking the bank.
- Covent Garden's free screen airs live sports and summer movie nights. They've also partnered with Champagne Lanson so you can sip on bubbly while enjoying the action
- Lower Marsh Lates, located in one of London's oldest markets, is airing 90s classics all summer long
- Everyman Screen On The Canal plays movies and live sports with beautiful views of Regent's Canal
- Summer Screens at Canary Wharf will be showing films, theatre, live sports, while also hosting Mario Kart championships
The free screen at Covent Garden is one of London's many outdoor cinemas.
2. Sip On A £8 Spritz At London Bridge Rooftop
- Price: £8
- Address: Colechurch House, Bridge Walk, London Bridge, SE1 2SX
- Best for: postcard views of the city
Did you know there's an unassuming rooftop near London Bridge station that boasts some of the best views of the city? London Bridge Rooftop is all about skyline sips, banging beats, and unbeatable vibes. Expect fairy lights, mint-green pergolas, and heaters to keep things toasty year-round. The menu’s got your back with juicy burgers, loaded fries, and cocktails that hit just right.
But the real hero is Après Sundays. From 12pm to 4pm, Aperol and Campari spritzes are just £8 a pop, so it's perfect for soaking up the views of The Shard with a side of disco, house, and garage.
This rooftop boasts some of the best views in the capital.
3. Watch The Sunrise At Sky Garden
- Price: £12.65 per person
- Address:1 Sky Garden Walk, City of London, EC3M 8AF
- Best for: mornings with a view
Early risers listen up, this one's for you. Sky Garden, the iconic indoor green space at the top of the Walkie Talkie building, allows you to watch the sunrise from 35 floors up. A ticket includes access to the building, a pastry, and a hot drink to give you that morning energy.
This is before the doors are open to the public, so you'll get to experience the gardens in all their tranquillity. It's the perfect opportunity to experience the sights of the city while it's still sleeping.
Watch the sunrise with a hot drink and a pastry in hand.
4. Enjoy A Main Course For Less Than £20 At The White Cross
- Price: £16-£20 for a main
course
- Address: The White Cross, Off Water Lane, Richmond, TW9 1TH
- Best for: riverside pints and great food
Nothing will stop Londoners from enjoying a cold pint in the sunshine, not even a little flooding. The White Cross is a fabulous riverside pub that gets you so close to the Thames, you're actually in it. Seriously. Known as 'the pub that floods,' you might find yourself ankle deep in the Thames as the tide rises around the building.
But that's not the only reason to visit. This boozer has an excellent menu with plenty of main courses under £20, including the fish and chips. So go ahead and put on your wellies, and enjoy an afternoon at one of London's best riverside gems.
The White Cross in Richmond, aka 'the pub that floods.'
5. Take On The Bermondsey Beer Mile
- Price: ranges from pub to pub
- Address: Bermondsey Beer Mile - London Bridge to South Bermondsey
- Best for: summer bar crawls
One of the best cheap things to do this summer in London is a pub crawl, that's a well-known fact. There are plenty of historic, chic, and quirky pubs to explore across the capital, but some of the best are right near Tower Bridge. The Bermondsey Beer Mile is up there with the best, featuring places like the Marquis of Wellington, The Arch House, and Gosnells.
You don't have to fork out loads of cash either, places like Fabal offer 10% off drinks for group bookings, or Cloudwater's taproom has pints for less than £5 during their happy hour. Expect to pay anywhere between £3 and £5 for a half pint too, in case you fancy having some smaller sips.
Pub crawls are a London staple and The Bermondsey Beer Mile is a must.
6. Head To The Beach At Le Pont De La Tour
- Price: half-price spritz
cocktails
- Address: 36D Shad Thames, Southwark, SE1 2YE
- Best for: beachy vibes and Tower Bridge views
London isn't exactly celebrated for its proximity to beautiful beaches, but when push comes to shove, you can always count on the city to pull out all the stops. If you don't believe us, just check out Le Pont De La Tour - a unique beach pop-up complete with umbrellas, soft sand, and a killer happy hour.
Between 5pm and 7pm daily, you can get your hands on half-price St-Germain Spritzes and Hugo Spritzes served on the terrace overlooking Tower Bridge.
A riverside retreat has opened at a chic bar near Tower Bridge.
7. Have A Laugh At London's Floating Comedy Club
- Price: tickets starting at
£5.50
- Address: Tattershall Castle, Victoria Embankment, WC2R 2PH
- Best for: a unique night out
If you're looking for a silly night out, The Boat Show Comedy Club has you covered. Enjoy spectacular city views while a line-up of comedians take the stage to keep you belly laughing all night long. The drinks are flowing and the jokes are plentiful, bringing you a special evening that feels like the city's best-kept secret.
Best of all, tickets start at £5.50, so you can have a stellar night on the town for less than the average cost of a pint.
The Boat Comedy Show is one of London's most unique venues.
8. Eat Delicious Seafood With A View At Seabird
- Price: £3 oysters and £7 palomas
- Address: The Hoxton, Southwark, 40 Blackfriars Road, Waterloo, SE1 8PB
- Best for: seafood with a view
Situated on the 14th floor of The Hoxton in Southwark is Seabird, a gorgeous rooftop restaurant and bar that serves the best views in the city. They're known for their extravagant seafood platters, beautiful cocktails, and NYC-inspired decor.
Better yet, you don't need to break the bank to come here. They are serving £7 palomas and £3 oysters every Tuesday to Saturday between 3pm and 6pm. If you're more of a vino enthusiast, then a glass of wine starts from just £6 too.
This rooftop in Waterloo boasts some of the best views in the city.
9. Snag A £5 Cocktail From The Simmons Spritz Stop
- Price: £5
- Address: 2 Bateman St, Soho, W1D
4AE
- Best for: cheap drinks in Central
London
Londoners can't resist an Aperol Spritz, let alone a cheap one. Tucked away in Central London is the Simmons Spritz Stop, which is offering some of the cheapest cocktails in the city. This pop-up is dolling out £5 spritzes all summer long, including both Hugo and Sarti Spritz, if you're in the mood for a little something different.
Every day from 3pm to 8pm, you can get yourself one of these classic pours. Plus, they have DJs playing Thursday to Sunday.
The Spritz Stop Serves £5 Aperol all summer long.
10. Get A Free Drink At The Lord Napier Star
- Price: Free-£6 cocktails
- Address: 25 White Post Lane, Hackney Wick, E9
5ER
- Best for: Rooftop parties and buzzy vibes
They say the early bird gets the worm, but in our case, the early bird gets a free cocktail. That's right, leave it to London to incentivise people to party on a rooftop on a Wednesday (as if we needed an excuse). Every Wednesday this summer, The Lord Napier Star in Hackney is giving away free drinks to the first 100 guests.
Missed the offer? No worries, once the 100-drink threshold has been hit, cocktails are pouring for just £6. Every week is a different cocktail, with a rotating menu that's pouring everything from frozen margaritas to hot honey palomas.
The Lord Napier Star might have the best drinks deal of the summer.
11. Enjoy Fries And Martinis At Setlist
- Price: Drinks from £12 and food from
£8
- Address: Somerset House, Strand, Covent Garden,
WC2R 1LA
- Best for: Cosmopolitan vibes alongside great cocktails and snacks
Just because something is cheap doesn't mean it can't be chic. And what's more chic than fries and martinis at one of London's best riverside bars? Setlist has cocktails ranging around £12.50 and bar snacks for under £10, so you can live out your Sex and the City fantasy all while soaking in the buzzy vibes on the terrace.
Whether it's a post-work drink or a night on the town with your friends, you really can't go wrong at this Central London venue that has a little something for everyone.
Setlist has a buzzing terrace near Covent Garden.
Looking for more to do in the city? Check out our list of quirky activities in London.
