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Shutterstock - Victor Moussa
Already the nights are cooling, mornings are becoming darker and the occasional shower is teasing us with the coming autumn. But just because your holidays, festivals and sun-filled antics might be coming to a close, there is no reason why you can’t still seek out the best spots in London to spend these final Saturdays. And there is none better to ask than our London-frequenting stylists their favourite Saturday spots. As our endless calendar of long summer nights comes to a close these very last weekends matter all the more. So, whether you’re after some adventure, fancy devouring a beautiful brunch or packing your day with glamour and culture, we’ve got you covered.
Take to the water
London is full of amazing canals. In the summer months, they provide the perfect places for a stroll or to relax by with a nice beverage. But there’s nothing better than sailing down the water yourself. At GoBoat in Paddington, you can do just that – commandeering your own boat for two hours to explore the canals. Bring together a group of friends, bring a bottle of Pimms and you’ll be set for an afternoon of pure late-summer bliss.
A thrilling Saturday
If you’re after a bit more adventure, then you’ll love this next suggestion from our Marketing Manager Jimmy Goodwin– Hunted, The Experience. It’s the ultimate game of hide and seek set around EastLondon, giving you the opportunity to live out your secret agent dreams for real. As someone on the run you’ll be faced with a set of tasks you must carry out. You must impress and gain the trust of a fugitive to gain access to an extraction point. All the while you’ll be pursued by a team of hunters — it’s no challenge for the faint-hearted.
Explore the streets
London is full of incredible art galleries. But with the sun still out it seems a shame to spend a Saturday inside! One of our favourite ways to get our steps in and fill our days with culture is exploring art-filled streets of Shoreditch on a free walking tour. We’d recommend Free Tours By Foot, particularly with Gregory – a former street artist himself. Gregory will take you to the most exciting spots, talking you through the artists, their techniques and little insights into the graffiti and street-art culture itself.
Sip a spot of tea
Our lovely team member Sally Shiells knows how to spend London Saturdays in style. She recommends heading to the pretty in pastel Sketch in Mayfair for a spot of afternoon tea, deliciously dainty cakes and a selection of rare teas. With a good dose of afternoon fuel, you’ll be ready for some retail therapy. There’s no better place to explore than Liberty. Just round the corner, this place is host to all things indulgent, beautiful and interesting - a shop to truly get lost in.
Show off your cooking skills
This one is for the foodies. Weekends are a time to indulge in decadent dishes – something we usually leave to the professionals. But at Waitrose Cookery School in King’s Cross the tables have turned and it’s your turn to try your hand at the cooking. Their top chefs run comprehensive classes, teaching you anything from how to fillet a fish, to how to bake the perfect sponge or cook a 3-course Thai meal. Whatever cuisine takes your fancy, you can bet they’ve got a class to cover it. We’d recommend taking your other half or a best mate for guaranteed giggles.
A royal invitation
Oliver Thompson from our London salon loves spending his Saturday enjoying and admiring the finer things in life. He suggests heading to Kensington Palace and Grounds to take in its natural beauty – and perhaps bringing a picnic along to enjoy. After taking a stroll in the late-summer sun, progress into the palace itself. It’s a wonderful place to explore any time of year. What’s more, as an added treat the palace is currently showing an incredible Princess Diana exhibition.
Bootcamp and brunch
First up is one for the early risers. British Military Fitness run their army-style workout every Saturday morning in parks around London. Led by real-life squaddies, they always know how to put you through your paces! It’s a great place to make new friends and for new recruits, the first session is free – so no excuses. With the mostly bearable late-summer temperatures, it’s a great way to get a work out in this time of the year. One of our favourite combos is going a morning class at Clapham’s BMF, followed by brunch at Mommi – a Peruvian café and bar with a menu full of healthy choices and some killer cocktails if you’re that way inclined. With a bit of pain, of course, there has to be some gain!
Climb to your heart’s content
Combining a full-body workout with the nostalgia of our younger days, one of our favourite ways to get fit is to hit the climbing wall. Our favourite place to climb is The Climbing Hangar in Parsons Green. With two rooms of courses for all abilities, it’s an awesome place to challenge yourself whilst vibing to their upbeat tunes. Once you’ve taken the climb, head across the road to Duke on the Green to refuel – we’d recommend their top-notch roasts on a Sunday. After all, life is all about balance.
We hope our suggestions help you to see-off this summer with a bang. More of a Friday night kind-of-person? Take a look at our stylists’ guide to the perfect Friday night in London. And if you’re eager for even more London guides, then look no further than our dedicated blog.