The Best Summer Music Festivals In London

By Dom Bewley
Published: July 17, 2024

And the god of summer said, let there be music. And wristbands. Lo, the humble music festival was born. To this day, millions of people have flocked to huge speaker stacks, food trucks and oxygen tents. Yes, festival season is well and truly upon us. But fear not, Londoners. You don't need to drive two hundred miles and sleep in a tent to get your fix of heavenly grooves. London has some of the best around, no matter your musical desires. Have a little scroll down to check out some that are right on your doorstep. Here are some of the best summer music festivals in London.

British Summer Time 5th July – 14th July, Hyde Park

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If you’re looking for some of pop music’s heaviest hitters all in one place, British Summer Time in Hyde Park needs to be on your radar. Over the years they’ve played host to superstars like Phil Collins and Massive Attack, and this year it’s no different. Over ten days of (hopefully) glorious sun, you’ll be treated to performances from Stevie Wonder, Barbara Streisand, Celine Dion, Florence and the Machine, Black Eyed Peas, Lionel Ritchie...the list goes on and on. Attendees will also have their pick of fancy food and refreshing drinks from a huge range of bars and pop-up restaurants.

South West 4 24th August – 25 August, Clapham Common

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SW4 is one of the biggest dance festivals right on your doorstep, so if need to throw some shapes over the bank holiday weekend, head on down to Clapham Common. Expect two days’ worth of club bangers from electronic stalwarts like Basement Jaxx, Armand van Helden, Andy C, and Pendulum, as well as the urban stylings of Tinie Tempah and Craig David.

Lovebox 12th July – 13th July, Gunnerbury Park

If you’re a London resident, you’ve probably already heard of Lovebox. It’s one of the capital’s most renowned music festivals. Even though it’s now moved to Acton, you can still expect the same mix of eclectic music, alongside sponsored tents pumping out relentless beats, and more food and drink than you could reasonably be expected to consume in a lifetime. This year, Beyonce’s sister Solange and Chance the Rapper headline, alongside hip-hop behemoths Cypress Hill, Kaytranada, and London’s own Loyle Carner.

Wireless 5th July – 7th July, Finsbury Park

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Once again, Finsbury Park plays host to the UK’s biggest urban music festival. The usually quiet park will be taken over by trans-Atlantic stars like Cardi B, A$AP Rocky, and Future, and plenty more acts from both sides of the pond. Just make sure you don’t bring a drone to the festival doors, apparently they’re not too keen on them. And as usual, you’ll find plenty of places to eat and drink dotted about the arena.

Citadel 14th July, Gunnerbury Park

If you prefer your music a little more chilled out, then head west to Gunnerbury Park for Citadel. It’s on a Sunday, so expect a more laid-back experience with acts like Friendly Fires and Bastille headlining the bill. And if you want to give your ears a rest, there’s lots more to see and do. Take in a comedy show, attend a workshop, or sit down for a lovely bite to eat. It's the perfect way to end the weekend, and definitely one of the best summer music festivals in London.

Meltdown 3rd August – 11th August, Southbank Centre

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Fancy something a little funkier? How does a festival curated by the great Nile Rodgers sound? That’s exactly what you’ll get at this year’s Meltdown festival. This year, the CHIC disco pioneer is pulling the strings of one of London’s more highbrow celebrations, held at the Southbank Centre. Not only will you be treated to a disco-funk masterclass courtesy of Rodger’s and CHIC, but you’ll also experience sets from Johnny Marr of the legendary Smiths, Thundercat, and LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy. All of that is just a stone’s throw from Waterloo, so even out-of-towners will get there in a pinch. And if you fancy making the most of your day, why not try a hop-on, hop-off bus tour?

51st State 3rd August, Trent Park

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House every weekend? Make it house for the first weekend of August at 51st State, Cockfosters' tribute to all things house music. This year, expect better food, drink, and sound systems to accompany the electronic delights of Kings of House, Soul Clap, Kerri Chandler, and many many more. And there you, just some of the best summer music festivals in London. Let us know if we missed any you’re looking forward to in the comments below!

Dom Bewley
London Travel Expert

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Best Walking Tours in London
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Best Walking Tours in London

Fancy seeing the sights while getting your steps in? London is a city steeped in history, from medieval castles to modern movie sets. So why not take a walking tour and see the very best that London has to offer? Below, we've found the best walking tours in London, so you don't have to! Take a look. Including: London Sights Tour Palaces and Parliament Tour Brit Movie Tours Brit Music Tour and more! London Sights Tour If you're new in town, or simply want to speedrun all of the most iconic landmarks in London, this London Sights Tour might be perfect for you. Hitting over 30 of the most recognizable place, buildings, and bridges in the city, it's easily one of the best walking tours for those new to London. Guiding you through Westminster and then around London Bridge, we'd need all day to talk about every stop on this tour. However, highlights include Buckingham Palace, where the King of England spends much of his time doing whatever kings do; Big Ben, arguably the most famous clock on Earth; and Downing Street, where Britain's frequently inept prime ministers tend to drop the ball. For historical buffs, you'll also see Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, and many, many more. With this London Sights Tour, you can tick off your England itinerary in an afternoon. Palaces and Parliament Tour Have you ever wanted to take a closer look at the places where royalty live? You're not alone. Curious sorts can join this Palaces and Parliaments tour and see four of London's most famous palaces. You'll also get a few of London's biggest landmarks thrown in for good measure, you lucky devil. The four palaces are Buckingham Palace, Westminster Palace, Whitehall Palace, and St James Palace. While they're all in varying levels of use these days, they're still well-kept. So be sure to bring your camera or whip out your phone to take as many snaps as possible. Plus, if you're lucky, you'll even catch the famous Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, where the funny guards in funny hats do funny things, no matter rain or shine. Other stops worth a pic or two include Trafalgar Square - watch out for the pigeons - Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey. Brit Movie Tours Cinephiles, rejoice! Britain is the home to some of cinema's biggest films, franchises, and recognisable filming locations. And on these Brit Movie Tours, you can pick your poison and see the famous places from your favourite Brit flicks. While there are too many to mention here, highlights include the Harry Potter Tour, where you'll see the real-life locations transformed into the Ministry of Magic, the Leaky Cauldron, and Platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross Station. Spies-at-heart can take the James Bond Tour, where you'll visit Mi6, London's longest-running restaurant, and tonnes of other locations from James Bond films throughout the years, all the way up to Daniel Craig's final film, No Time To Die. Don't worry, detectives-to-be, we see you. Thanks to the Sherlock Holmes Tour, you'll walk in the footsteps of England's most famous detective as you explore locations from the books, shows, and movies through the years. These are just a handful of the tours available through Brit Movie Tours, so if you're a fan of the silver screen, you're likely to find the best walking tours in London through them! Brit Music Tour Some of the biggest bands in history began in the UK, so why not take a Brit Music Tour and see where your favourite artists cut their teeth? Beatlemania took the world by storm in the 60s, so fans will be pleased that they can pick from not one but two Beatles walking tours! The first is a tour of Soho and Mayfair, where you'll explore the venues that helped catapult them into the stratosphere. The other is a tour of Marylebone and Abbey Road, where you can snap the famous zebra crossing from the eponymous album cover. Fans of more leftfield pop will appreciate the David Bowie London Tour, where you'll explore the parts of Brixton where he grew up, as well as the Soho joints where he hung out and performed. If you're ready to be rocked, join the Queen London Walking Tour and see the place where the band first formed, as well as other venues that were key to their success. And for a dash of anti-establishmentarianism, the Sex Pistols Walking Tour will let you retrace the steps of not just the band but the punk movement as a whole. Plus, the places they played and destroyed. God Save the Queen and all that. Brit Icon Tour Of course, there's plenty more to London than palaces and pubs. In fact, some of the most iconic writers, hauntings, and even murderers have called the city home. So, if you want to take a trip back in time to explore the lives, loves, and ghoulishness of these characters on one of many Brit Icon Tours! Crime aficionados will love the Agatha Christie Tour, where you'll explore the real-life locations that inspired the "Queen of Crime's" best-selling books. Taking you through the likes of Chinatown, Mayfair, and Bloomsbury, you'll have plenty of time to snap pics as you go. Dickensians can take the Charles Dickens Tour and explore Borough Market, the Southbank, and other locations from his most famous works. And, for those that revel in the ghoulish, this Jack the Ripper Tour should hit the spot. You'll head to Whitechapel and explore the scene of every murder associated with the elusive killer. Changing of the Guard Walking Tour And finally, if you don't fancy shoulder-barging your way through the inevitable crowds at Buckingham Palace, why not take this walking tour focusing on the famous Changing of the Guard? Your guide will grab the perfect spot for snaps, so you can take as many unimpeded pictures as you want. And they'll even clue you in on the history of the ceremony, as well as other interesting facts surrounding it. Then, take a relaxed stroll around Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and the Houses of Parliament to end things in a fine fashion! And those were our picks of the best walking tours in London! Need some less active activities to fill out your London itinerary? With the London Pass, you can see all of the city's best bits for one low price!
Dom Bewley
Who's Buried in St Paul's Cathedral
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Who's Buried in St Paul's Cathedral

St Paul's Cathedral is one of the most iconic landmarks in London. It's also one of the most visited, with countless people wandering its halls throughout the year. But St. Paul's also doubles as a crypt, where some of the bravest and brightest minds are laid to rest. But who's buried in St Paul's Cathedral? Find out below! Including: Aethelred the Unready Sir Christopher Wren Horatio Nelson Joseph Turner and more! Aethelred the Unready We'll start at the beginning because chronological order rules. So, hop in your time machine as we take a journey back to 1016 and attend the funeral of the late King Aethelred the Unready. As you can guess by his title, he wasn't the most beloved king. So, was it preparedness? Was he too young to take the throne? Well, no. See, Aethelred's title is actually a mistranslation. The original name more closely translates to "ill-advised". Historical documents from his reign detail questionable decisions that bordered on comedic. When Vikings came knocking at his door with blooded axes, Aethelred the Unready chose to try and pay them off rather than meet them with steel. But, when all your opponent really wants is a payday, giving them what they want is hardly a deterrent. In fact, they just want more - like a modern email scam. As such, many more Viking clans came a-knocking, quickly drying up the country's coffers. Regardless of his choices - and unwise advisors - Aethelred the Unready lies buried at St. Paul's Cathedral. And, while he might not top any lists of the who's who of those buried in St. Paul's Cathedral, he tops ours. Again, because of chronology. Image courtesy of Natata/Shutterstock Sir Christopher Wren You may have never heard of ol' Aethelred, but you've almost certainly heard of Sir Christopher Wren. An architectural tour de force, Wren is responsible for many of London's most iconic landmarks. The Royal Observatory in Greenwich, Kensington Palace, and yes, even St. Paul's Cathedral are just some of the many structures he designed in the wake of the Great Fire of London, which destroyed much of old London on a hot summer's day in 1666. So yes, the big man even designed the very building where he was laid to rest. But did you know that nearly wasn't the case? In fact, after his death, there were no plans to entomb him in St Paul's. However, thanks to a public outcry, plans changed. And, rather amusingly, Wren even joked that, when designing the building, he had the perfect place to put his tomb. And, when you go to see his final resting place, you'll find it in the exact same place he first pointed out. Now that's a story! Horatio Nelson Next, we take to the seas and toast this legend of an admiral without comparison. Horatio Nelson was a hero of the Napoleonic Wars, ensuring decisive victories against the French. Having fought in constant wars from his younger years through to his Admiralcy, Nelson's luck ran out during the famous Battle of Trafalgar, when a musket round pierced his shoulder, lung, and spine. While it may be a struggle to survive such wounds in the modern day, back in the 19th Century, it was a death sentence. But a man of such renown could not be buried at sea. There was only ever one place Nelson would be buried; St. Paul's Cathedral. But the journey from Trafalgar to London is long, and there weren't exactly freezers back then. So what did his crew do? They buried his body in a casket full of brandy, which just so happened to be Nelson's tipple of choice. The brandy helped preserve the admiral's body as it was safely transported to St Paul's. A boozy return for a deserving fellow. Joseph Turner Yep, St. Paul's Cathedral doesn't just welcome war heroes, kings, and giants of the architectural world. It welcomes painters too. Ladies and gentlemen, Joseph Turner. Turner was known for his breathtaking paintings capturing the essence of nature's beauty. Famous for this oceanic artwork, you'll likely recognise many of his paintings like The Shipwreck, Fisherman at Sea, and The Fighting Temeraire. Turner's work is almost immediately identifiable - no one paints quite like that. But legends suggest this isn't due solely to his skill. Supposedly, he made his own paints using unique elements such as herbs and spices, giving his paintings their unique look. Duke of Wellington Just when you thought we'd turned a corner, boom, another war hero appears! And yes, it's yet another military leader whose biggest triumphs occurred during the Napoleonic Wars. However, the difference between Horatio Nelson and the Duke of Wellington, aka Arthur Wellesley, is that while Nelson's victories took place on sea, the Duke of Wellington's victories happened on land. But, while his military prowess has been celebrated for centuries, the ol' Duke has a sense of humour too. At dinner one night, long before his death in 1852, Wellesley said that he didn't care where he was buried as long as they buried him in his boots. Maybe you had to be there? Either way, his wish came true, and he now rests beneath St. Paul's Cathedral, buried in his boots. Alexander Fleming And finally, last but certainly not least on our list is perhaps the most deserving. He may not be a king, an artist, or a "war hero" - though he did serve in a war - but his work has arguably saved more lives than anyone else. Not just on this list, but on the planet. You may not know his name, but you know his work. Ever taken an antibiotic? Well, you might not have if it wasn't for Alexander Fleming. The brilliant Scottish microbiologist was the first to discover that bacteria avoided certain fungi. Following testing, he realised why; said certain fungi kill them. This discovery snowballed into penicillin, the first antibiotic. And, to put it mildly, penicillin changed the world. No longer were infections a roll of the dice. Now, people would survive. If anyone deserves their resting place beneath the hallowed halls of St. Paul's Cathedral, it's Alexander Fleming. So, if you were wondering who's buried in St Paul's Cathedral, wonder no more. Of course, this is just a handful of the many luminaries who now call it "home", so go visit and see them all for yourself! Westminster Abbey is another popular burial place for famous faces of history so you could have your fill of historic graves in Westminster Abbey or St Pauls' Cathedral but with the London Pass, you can visit both and even skip the queue at St Paul's, as well as all of London's biggest attractions, for one low price!
Dom Bewley
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