Yahoo News Tropic like it’s hot: How to max out the capital’s heatwave
It’s hotter than the Bahamas out there and London is in full summer swing.
From skyline swimming spots to yoga on a beach (in Fulham!) here’s how to make the most of every last drop of sunshine
Alfresco eating
Getting outdoors is the order of this weekend, as the mercury bubbles to 36C. With much of the West End pedestrianised, finding a spot in the sun is easier than ever. Head to Henrietta Street where The Oystermen (oystermen.co.uk) leave the outdoor tables for walk-ins: a dozen Maldon Rocks with a bottle of Muscadet should do it. Totter into Soho and the place is a socially-distanced party; on your way to boulevardiers at the Old Compton Brasserie (oldcomptonbrasserie.co.uk), stop for escargot dripping in garlic at the always buzzing Cafe Boheme (cafeboheme.co.uk). In the calmer Golden Square sits Folie, where the terrace is a slice of Saint-Tropez (folie.london) — the martinis are pleasingly lethal. There’s similar glamour at the newly-opened Garden at the Berkeley, which brings memories of the Med to Belgravia with barbecued octopus and steaks doused in smoked shallot butter (the-berkeley.co.uk).
Also new is Thames-side Tavolino (tavolino.co.uk), where the terrace hums: over icy Negronis and plates of fresh pasta, take in the view of Tower Bridge, the Shard and City Hall. Down the river, while Nine Elms is hardly a holiday hotspot, everyone has fun under the bright yellow canopy at Robin Gill’s lively Darby’s (darbys-london.com).
Those who fancy themselves a dab hand with the grill should try DIY-tapas spot Parrillan, in King’s Cross (parrillan.co.uk). The outside stays unreserved, but if you struggle to get in, nearby Hicce is lovely as well (hicce.co.uk). Over in Stratford, Patrick Powell’s new Allegra terrace welcomes walk-ins on its dramatic outdoor space (allegra-restaurant.com), while the gorgeous rooftop at Seabird offers views out over Southwark and the city (seabirdlondon.com).
David Ellis
Rooftop bars
After the year so far, the only way is up — take the weekend drinks to new heights at the capital’s skyline-skimming spots. Celebrate post-lockdown freedom at Bar Elba (bar-elba.co.uk), where the slogan “Liberté, Egalité, Rosé” is emblazoned on to its Instagrammably pink Waterloo walls. Down south, Peckham has a real penchant for panoramic views: the Bussey Rooftop Bar (busseyrooftopbar.com) is back with more seating for social distancing, as is minimalist favourite Frank’s Cafe (boldtendencies.com).
At The Queen of Hoxton (queenofhoxton.com) the serious chic of the surrounding City is met with a little bit of Shoreditch silliness on the rooftop, where sunset views come with champagne slushies. The game is on at Roof East (roofeast.com), where the top level of a Stratford car park has become a grown-up playground, complete with Sluggers batting cages, Sliders curling and Birdies crazy golf.
Over in Hackney, rooftop spots don’t get cooler than Netil 360 (netil360.com), with drinks from east London distillers and breweries. For foodies, culinary fun can be found at Pergola Paddington (pergolapaddington.com), where cocktails are served with snacks from street food favourites Thunderbird and Babek Brothers.
Ailis Brennan
Picnic providers
Had it up to here with home cooking? Forget the prep and up your hamper game. The Posh Picnic Boys are aptly named, having pivoted from their usual gig — feeding the top hats at Ascot and Henley — to offer an upmarket take on park fare; think smoked salmon, Thai beef salad and plenty of cheese delivered to your rug (from £55 per hamper, theposhpicnicboys.co.uk). Caterers Anson & Curtis have a similar pedigree, with their picnic menu offering five items for £25; order now for Sunday and be sure to choose the turmeric tahini with beetroot. Speak to Caroline to arrange a delivery spot, as some parks can be accommodated (ansonandcurtis.com). The king of this sort of thing is Chelsea deli Colette. They opened pre-lockdown with the Ritz of ready meals, and now do three different hampers, which will be ready two hours after ordering (from £55, colette.co.uk).
Less luxe but no less good is 144 On the Hill; if you’re out early, they’ve a brunch bundle — bagels and smoothies — but do a decent choice of quiches and tarts for lunch (from £26, 144onthehill.co.uk). Dalston bakery the Dusty Knuckle is a local favourite for sarnies and salads, and deliver within 1.5 miles of its Abbot Street home (from £5.50, thedustyknuckle.com). For £25, Gail’s Bakery picnic box (gailsbread.co.uk) will keep two well-fed and includes strawberries for pud, though you need to bring your own cream — or, better, champagne. Should have been in Spain this weekend? Don’t be bitter — do Brindisa. The deli’s chorizo roll box feeds four for £25, though the alfresco feast including smoked anchovies and Brujula sardines for six looks gorgeous, at £50 (brindisa.com). All deliver and can be ordered on the day.
DE
Canned cocktails
Knocking back tinnies in the park hasn’t always been hailed as the classiest pursuit — until now. Delivery-friendly canned cocktails got a big boost in lockdown: after Fleabag exposed Britain’s “gin in a tin” passion, M&S reported a 24 per cent rise in sales of its own-brand G&T. Sipsmith is offering sophisticated sippers an upgrade on the supermarket stuff with its Ready to Drink Gin & Tonic (RRP £2.75, sipsmith.com).
Alternatively, do it the American way, and get involved in the hard seltzer trend hitting UK shores. Chase produces a gin-based sparkling water drink (£7.50 for three, chasedistillery.co.uk), flavoured with sprightly pink grapefruit and pomelo.
Cocktail nerds will be into Empirical — an experimental spirits company from an ex-Noma chef — which uses beet molasses and Belgian yeast for the alcohol in its Can 02 cocktail (£27 for four, empirical.co), flavoured with sour cherry, blackcurrant buds, walnut wood and pine cones.
Island vibes come courtesy of Porter’s Gin, which channels the Caribbean with Hippy Fizz, a canned concoction of gin, pineapple shrub, malted passionfruit, patchouli leaf and hop soda (RRP £4, portersgin.co.uk). For more tropical goodness, Peckham producers Punchy sell a so-named cocktail which mixes with peach, ginger and chai with a slug of Duppy Share rum (£18 for six, punchydrinks.com).
AB
The water’s fine
To really handle the heat, get in the swim of things. The World Health Organisation says chlorine kills Covid-19, which doesn’t spread through water anyway — no face mask necessary for splashing about. To cool off without compromising the tan, head outdoors: lidos at Parliament Hill, Charlton, London Fields and Brockwell are all now open, likewise the Park Road Pools in Crouch End and Holborn’s Oasis Sports Centre, where the pool sits on a city roof. It’s not just a case of chucking the cozzie in a bag and wading to the water, though; all require booking and numbers are extremely limited. Expect to pay between £6 and £10 for sessions, which are being limited to an hour.
Wild swimming is really where it’s at. Set yourself up before stripping off: start by signing up to NOWCA (nowca.org) for a safety wristband, £12 for the year. The band, which tracks your swims, is required at both the London Docks Open Water site (loveopenwater.co.uk, £8 per session) and Denham Lake (denhamwaterski.com, £6) over in Uxbridge. Like with the lidos, booking is required —download the ACTiO app — and while getting out in the open water is all about that sense of freedom, expect a few more rules than usual.
It’s the same at Hampstead Heath, where all three ponds are open; tickets (£4 or £2.40 for concessions) can be booked up to a week in advance — regulars looking to dive back in should beware that season tickets are suspended, and everyone is limited to three swims a week. Hardy types keen enough to want more should try Hackney’s West Reservoir (better.org.uk, £10.50); they have adopted a one-way system on the 100m and 400m loops, with a wetsuit or tow float required.
DE
Sweat it out
Succumbed to the idea that your holiday abroad is off the cards this year? Bring the holiday vibes at Pop up at the Beach at Fulham’s Neverland with a 75-minute open-air, sand-between-your-toes flow on Saturday at 10.30am. Classes are £20 and include a post-workout vegan treat to refuel (popupyogaclub.com/beachyoga).
Over at Eccleston Yards in Belgravia, Hotpod Yoga (hotpodyoga.com) is offering £15 yoga sessions in the yards on Saturdays at 9am. With temperatures set to reach a sizzling 33C, it’ll feel like you’re back in the purple dome.
At Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross, Frame is hosting al fresco breakfast barre, box-fit, Eighties aerobics, dance cardio, ass & bbs and strength classes over the course of the weekend for just £10 (moveyourframe.com). Alternatively, catch one of The Fore’s ferocious 45-minute full-body HIIT sessions at 10am on Saturday. Classes are capped at 10 people and cost £20 for a drop-in (the-fore.co.uk).
Rosie Fitzmaurice
