Top Picks

Summer Holidays in London

The summer holidays have a habit of arriving with great speed and absolutely no respect for your diary. We round up the stronger nearby picks so you can find the good stuff before everyone else has the same bright idea.

10 picks around London, from 7 local venues. The map pin is doing actual work here.

18 July–31 August 2026 Near London

Not every listing gets a golden ticket

We check a frankly silly number of local websites, then keep the summer-holiday plans that are nearby, properly described, and worth the outing. No vague 'fun for all the family' listings with the detail level of a shrug.

Happening 18 July 2026 to 31 August 2026.
Picked for London, not somewhere halfway across the county.
Only Local Gems and Curated venues make the cut, because standards are still a thing.
Listings with proper descriptions get bumped up the list. Three words and a shrug will not do.

Our 10 picks near London

community1

AUGUST

at Purple Dragon

AUGUST 3 rd AUG – 30 th AUG Epic Explorers We’re ending the summer holidays with a joyful celebration of creativity, curiosity and hands-on experimentation. From bubbles and potions to glowing artwork and joyful inventions, every discovery invites delight – sometimes messy, often magical, always unexpected. Whether we’re cooking up colour, building chain-reaction machines or discovering that some of the best ideas happen by accident, this is discovery the Purple Dragon way – messy, magical and full of surprise. SAVE THE DATE

1.7 milesMon 3 Aug
Local gemSee the details→
Community
St Paul's Stay and Play (Toddler Group)2

St Paul's Stay and Play (Toddler Group)

at St Paul's Church Lorrimore Square (Newington)

St Paul’s Church Lorrimore Square will open for three hour sessions to entertain young children with a variety of activities to help them learn and grow in a positive environment. Welcome to Stay and Play: A Magical World for Little Explorers! At Baby Bliss Play Area, we bring a world of joy, laughter, and precious moments for your little ones and the entire family. Whether you’re looking for a safe space for your baby to explore, a fun-filled adventure for your toddler, or a relaxing spot for parents to unwind, we’ve got it all! Babies’ Paradise Our specially designed baby zone offers: Soft Play Areas**: Cushioned floors and gentle toys perfect for crawling, rolling, and first steps. Sensory Play**: Engaging textures, bright colors, and gentle sounds to stimulate your baby’s developing senses. Quiet Corners**: Cozy nooks for nap times or quiet bonding moments. Milk and fruit time, encourages children to explore new fruits Comfort for Parents We know parents need a break too: Relaxation Zones: Comfortable seating areas where you can keep an eye on your little ones while enjoying a well-deserved coffee. Healthy Snacks and Beverages: A selection of nutritious treats and drinks to keep everyone fuelled for fun. Free Wi-Fi: Stay connected while your kids play. Music and tidying up time Join Us Today! Come and see St Paul’s Stay and Play. We’re open every Monday at 9:00am to 12:00pm.

1.9 milesMon 20 Jul09:00
Local gemSee the details→
Children & Family

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How I Grew A Moustache (Work In Progress)3Free! (worth double-checking)

How I Grew A Moustache (Work In Progress)

at Toynbee Studios

In a pursuit of better understanding her father, Riwa finds a letter he sent to his own late dad. With this discovery, she unlocks a quest that travels through timelines and across conversations with family members, piecing together a puzzle. Pulling in puppetry, silhouettes, and verbatim audio, How I Grew a Moustache explores how grief and silence travel across generations, and what it means to inherit stories that are left untold. At its heart, the work asks how diasporic families carry love, loss and memory across time.

2.5 milesSat 25 Jul20:00
Local gemSee the details→
Community
cinema4

The Fabulous Baron Munchausen

at Close-Up Cinema

The Fabulous Baron Munchausen Karel Zeman , 1961, 85 min Curated and introduced by Cassie Robinson for Mina Radović 's 10th Anniversary Film Series. A highly-stylized romantic adventure inspired by the historic tales of Baron Munchausen: live action paired with various forms of animation allow this Czechoslovak classic – spanning the moon to the deep sea – to come to life in this meticulous restoration. "Zeman's movies openly mix live action with every analogue tool for exploring the fantastic, including hand-drawn and cutout animation, puppetry, mattes, double exposures, miniatures, and optical illusions, such as forced perspective” notes film critic Michael Sragow . A visual feast à la Verne and Méliès The Fabulous Baron Munchausen invites discovery of the wonderful world of Karel Zeman . Special thanks to Second Run

2.7 milesFri 24 Jul19:00
Local gemSee the details→
Cinema
community5

Youth Club

at Docklands Sailing and Watersports Centre

The Centre runs two youth sessions a week, Youth Club sessions are on Sunday mornings all year round, and Monday evenings from April to October. Youth club is aimed at everyone from beginners to competent sailors. Sessions provide plenty of room for development, with a range of activities available. Please note: Youth Club does not take place either side of, or during school holidays, when our Yout Multi Activity Weeks are taking place. Members £ Free Non-Members £5 Times Sunday 10:00am – 12:30pm Monday 4:30pm – 6:30pm

4.5 milesSun 19 JulÂŁ5
Local gemSee the details→
Community
children-family6

Youth Club

at Docklands Sailing and Watersports Centre

The Centre runs two youth sessions a week, Youth Club sessions are on Sunday mornings all year round, and Monday evenings from April to October. Youth club is aimed at everyone from beginners to competent sailors. Sessions provide plenty of room for development, with a range of activities available. Please note: Youth Club does not take place either side of, or during school holidays, when our Yout Multi Activity Weeks are taking place. Members £ Free Non-Members £5 Times Sunday 10:00am – 12:30pm Monday 4:30pm – 6:30pm

4.5 milesSun 19 Jul11:00ÂŁ5
Local gemSee the details→
Children & Family
community7

Monday Youth Club

at Docklands Sailing and Watersports Centre

The Centre runs two youth sessions a week, Youth Club sessions are on Sunday mornings all year round, and Monday evenings from April to October. Youth club is aimed at everyone from beginners to competent sailors. Sessions provide plenty of room for development, with a range of activities available. Please note: Youth Club does not take place either side of, or during school holidays, when our Youth Multi Activity Weeks are taking place.Members £ Free Non-Members £5 Times: Sunday 10:00am – 12:30pm Monday 4:30pm – 6:30pm

4.5 milesMon 20 JulÂŁ5
Local gemSee the details→
Community
community8

Monday Youth Club

at Docklands Sailing and Watersports Centre

The Centre runs two youth sessions a week, Youth Club sessions are on Sunday mornings all year round, and Monday evenings from April to October. Youth club is aimed at everyone from beginners to competent sailors. Sessions provide plenty of room for development, with a range of activities available. Please note: Youth Club does not take place either side of, or during school holidays, when our Youth Multi Activity Weeks are taking place.Members £ Free Non-Members £5 Times: Sunday 10:00am – 12:30pm Monday 4:30pm – 6:30pm

4.5 milesMon 20 Jul11:00ÂŁ5
Local gemSee the details→
Community
6 Weeks of Holiday Workshops running 20th July9

6 Weeks of Holiday Workshops running 20th July

at New London Performing Arts Centre

Workshops at NLPAC Our hugely popular holiday courses run every half term, Easter and through the Summer Holidays. Children and young people from all over London attend our courses, from Musical Theatre to Play Writing! Be quick as they sell out fast! Half Term Workshops Summer Holiday Workshops Half Term Workshops Summer Holiday Workshops 6 Weeks of Holiday Workshops running 20th July – 28th August How to Book by Day To book individual workshop days, select “Pick dates to drop in” when registering online. View Example

5.6 milesFri 28 Aug
Local gemSee the details→
Community
Summer Kids Workshops 5th10

Summer Kids Workshops 5th

at Stitches & Seams

10am - 12pm 5th, 6th & 7th August In these three 2 hour sessions, 10 - 14 year olds learn how to use a sewing machine and make stuff in a friendly and supportive environment. All equipment and materials provided. Suitable for complete beginners and returners. During the first session, learn how to sew in a straight line and turn corners. Then make two items to take home that day. The second and third sessions allow kids to choose from a selection of projects they can work on over the next two weeks (if necessary.) Options include; t shirt tote bag zipped pouch laptop bag cushion cover headscarf bucket hat Returners can work on their own projects and be supported to achieve their goals. Limited to maximum of 4 participants.

5.8 milesFri 7 AugÂŁ75.00
Local gemSee the details→
Children & Family

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Keep the good ideas rolling

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