17 Things You Must Do When The Weather's Nice In London

Never take it for granted.

1. Take a trip on the London Water Bus.

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Take a leisurely cruise between Camden Lock and Maida Vale for £8.50 one way or £12.50 return. If you want a whole day out, for £25, you can ride into the centre of the London Zoo and hang out with the animals under the sun.

More about the London Water Bus.

2. Explore the curious Horniman Museum.

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This charming Forest Hill museum has got it all: an amazing view, an interesting collection, lovely outdoor gardens, and even an aquarium. It's an ideal place to get away to for the day to learn something and enjoy a picnic on the scenic hilltop.

More about the Horniman Museum.

3. Take in the view from the Emirates Air Line.

Flickr: ed_webster / Creative Commons

There's no better way to see the clear skies than to rise up into them. The lovely and scenic Emirates Air Line will take you into the heart of Greenwich, a perfect place to spend a sunny day, and the view is a hell of a lot better than that from the tube.

More about the Emirates Air Line.

4. Fall in love with a new book at the Southbank Book Market.

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One of the best ways to spend a good weather day in London is to walk along the Southbank. It never gets old; you get a great view of the water, plenty of places to stop for yummy street eats (here's looking at you, Borough Market and Southbank Centre Food Market), lots of car-free space to walk, easy access to the Tate Modern, and the best part: this insanely affordable and atmospheric book market under the Waterloo Bridge.

More about the Southbank Book Market.

5. Or visit one of London's many other splendid markets.

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If the sun's out, don't miss the chance to do some prime outdoor shopping. Markets are a killer resource for original and affordable clothes, gifts, books, decor, and other bits and bobs you never realised you couldn't live without. Also, THE FOOD.

More on the best clothes markets in London here.

Even more markets in London here.

6. Kyoto Garden

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This tranquil garden tucked into Holland Park is a sunny-day requirement. Full of stunning landscaping and quiet green alcoves, it's the perfect place to pop to for a picnic, a sunny reading day, or a thoughtful walk.

More about the Kyoto Garden.

7. Have a picnic with a view on Primrose Hill.

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For the best free panorama in central London, head to Primrose hill at the top of Regent's Park. Take a picnic, and/or pop into the lovely family-run Primrose Hill Books for a good read while you lounge.

More about Primrose Hill.

8. Hang out by the riverside at St Katherine Docks.

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Really take advantage of the warm day with a visit down to St Katherine Docks. This charming spot, just a skip from Tower Bridge, is a perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon. With plenty of pier space for leisurely wanders, restaurants, and shopping, you'll feel like you've been transported to a holiday village.

More about St Katherine's Dock.

9. Bond with the flamingos at the Roof Gardens.

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This stunning secret paradise looks out over charming west London. Soak up the sun with some incredible landscaping, a good drink, and some pink-feathered friends for a real summer escape in the city.

More about the Kensington Roof Gardens.

10. Take in an open-air show at Regents Park or the Globe.

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Why coop yourself up in a theatre when you can enjoy a show AND fresh air. In the spring and summer months, both Shakespeare's Globe and the Open Air Theatre in Regents Park run seasons of top quality shows in the fresh air. If you're on a budget, you can stand under the sun at the Globe for just £5.

More about the Globe.

More about Open Air Theatre.

11. Spend the day in Hyde Park.

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It's not hard kill a whole day in central London's massive park. You can boat on the Serpentine, grab a bite on the water at the Lido Café, cycle past the rose garden, admire the art at the Serpentine Gallery, lay out under the sun, befriend the squirrels, and much more.

More about Hyde Park here.

12. Find your own quiet corner at St-Dunstan-in-the-East.

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Grab your book and curl up on a bench in the beautiful and atmospheric ruins of St Dunstan's. Dating back to 1100, the serene escape is the perfect place to catch some rays away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

More about St-Dunstan-in-the-East.

13. Stop and smell the roses at Kew Gardens.

Flickr: lighterness

Home to thousands of stunning plant and flower varieties, Kew is one of the best natural retreats in London. Although it's gorgeous year round, it can't be missed in full bloom under the sun.

More about Kew here.

14. Take a trip to a London city farm.

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Bring a little bit of the country into your busy city routine with a trip to one of London's city farms. Working farms are dotted throughout the city and most are open for visits regularly. Meet some new furry friends or grab some fresh and natural produce, dairy, and meat for a nice change.

Find a list of London city farms here.

15. See what Boxpark has to offer.

Flickr: jasonparis

Window shopping and snacking your way through Shoreditch's trendy Boxpark is an excellent way to grab some sun in style. Whether you're popping to the micro popup shops and grabbing breaths of fresh air between each little browse or sitting out at the ever-changing collection of tasty street food–style installations, you'll have an excellent time and find a new favourite brand in the process.

More about Boxpark.

16. Take a spin on the Thames Clipper.

Flickr: greenwichwhs

Get out on the water with a one-of-a-kind view of London from the Thames Clipper. For £14.70, you can grab a ticket that allows you to hop on and off between 15 piers along the Thames, so you can soak up the sun on the water and on land, and check out some of London's most iconic spots in the process.

More about the Thames Clipper.

17. Watch the sun set over a rooftop film.

Instagram: @rooftopfilmclub

End a warm sunny day by catching an open-air film thanks to the Rooftop Cinema Club. This year's Oscar films and blockbusters plus plenty of classics show regularly on rooftops throughout London starting in May, so catch up on your must-see list with some fresh air and amazing views.

More about the Rooftop Cinema Club.

CORRECTION

Apr. 15, 2016, at 11:52 AM

The Horniman Museum is in Forest Hill. A previous version of this article said it was in Greenwich.