SUMMER 2025 guide
Somehow, we’ve already made it to the last bits of summer. Luckily, the sun peeks through, the evenings are light, and there is still time to picnic in the park.
After a very busy June and July, working on projects both here in London and abroad, we’ve also carved out some time to slow down, soak up the sunshine, fill up on those incredible summer strawberries and be inspired by the warm season.
We’re happy to be back with our seasonal guides. Curating these has become something of a ritual—a chance to pause, take stock, and share what’s been catching our attention in and around London. Plus we love to share what’s been inspiring us lately! We've pulled together a thoughtful selection of nature escapes, art-filled afternoons, and delicious places to cool off with a drink or ice cream (or both!)
Enjoy.
As always, we’re kicking off our guide with a gallery, museum, or exhibition, and this time, it’s the Garden Museum. It’s the perfect spot if you’re looking to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature and art for the last remaining weeks of summer.
Don’t miss their latest exhibition, Cecil Beaton’s Garden Party. Beaton, the iconic fashion photographer, explores how flowers and gardens inspired his work. It’s a fascinating look at how nature influenced his artistic practice.
We’d been eyeing this ice cream and wine bar in De Beauvoir for months, before it went viral on social media. Our first attempt was in the dead of winter, just before closing time. We turned up to find a long queue — apparently, people crave ice cream even when it’s -10°C outside. After realising we wouldn’t make it in time for last orders, we gave up and walked away.
A few months later, we tried again on a sunny Friday afternoon, and fell into a dream. It was calm, laid-back, and a few people were enjoying their ice cream in sleek stainless steel bowls (we’re also guilty of using these in our floral arrangements.) We sat at the counter, soaking in the beautiful ceiling, and got to try their constantly changing flavours. The white chocolate matcha poppy seed was a standout — an absolute dream.
If you’ve been to Folderol in Paris, this place has a similar feel. Sometimes, we can’t help but wish we’d opened our own ice cream and wine bar.
I think many that live in London can relate—it’s easy to stay tucked within your own borough. Living East certainly has its perks, but making the trek to West London can feel like quite the journey. West is full of treasures: leafy parks, historic gardens, cosy wine bars, and pastry shops that make the detour feel like a treat. At times, it almost feels like you’ve taken a day trip out of London, only to discover you’re still very much within the city.
One of those destinations worth crossing town for is Chiswick House and Garden. It feels quintessentially British—sweeping lawns, a tucked-away kitchen garden, and a poetic little river winding through it all. Leading up to the house are wise, Roman-looking trees, with statues that, for a moment, transport you to Italy. We brought a picnic and sat amongst families, couples and friends enjoying a quiet Saturday afternoon, and it was a happy surprise to find the park so calm and empty. In many ways, Chiswick feels like Hampstead Heath’s sibling.
Later in summer, you won’t find the rose garden bursting with colour or the wisteria trailing across the conservatory, but you will find soft grasses swaying in the wind, and a kitchen garden filled with aubergines, raspberries, tomatoes, towering sunflowers and even amaranthus—the first time we’ve seen it in a garden. We were even handed a little biodegradable teabag to fill with herbs for tea. Moments like this make you appreciate what London has to offer.
Henry Moore’s Sculpture Garden is only a short 45-minute drive from East London — the perfect excuse to dust off that Zipcar account. Picture yourself wandering through 70 acres of beautiful Hertfordshire countryside, surrounded by the monumental sculptures Moore left behind.
You can explore the gardens, tour his six studio spaces, learn more about his creative influences, and step inside Hoglands — the family home he shared with his wife Irina. It’s the kind of place you leave feeling creatively recharged and refreshed by nature. A perfect summer activity.
We first heard about Taith from our lovely friends Louis and XiaoYe at Simmos Coffee, and now it’s become a bi-weekly treat for us. This peaceful little cafe in Lewes, just a short drive from Brighton, is part coffee shop, part bookshop, and all-around retreat from city life.
Their coffee is something special, and we always grab a bag of beans on our way out. As a retired graphic designer, I’m in love with their playful coffee bean illustrations — a few even found a home on our walls.
Taith often has vinyl records spinning, with staff greeting everyone with a smile. Our favourite spot is by the big open window, looking out in the calm countryside view. And don’t miss their seasonal lunch, available Thursday through Sunday — always a delicious bonus.
6 Maynards Fruit Farm
There’s something so nostalgic about summer fruit picking; we used to pick strawberries every season back in Ontario when we were growing up. Our trip to Maynards Fruit Farm began after discovering that Soft & Swirly’s soft serves in East London are made with their homegrown fruit.
Tucked away in East Sussex, it’s the perfect pitstop if you’re heading to Brighton or Lewes. We picked the sweetest strawberries under the sun, and left with a basket of blackcurrants and a bottle of homemade apple juice. The strawberries may be long gone now, but keep an eye on their Instagram—plums, damsons, and crisp summer apples are in season.
