The best things to do in London this August bank holiday, from the Independent’s travel experts

The last bank holiday until the coveted Christmas period is this weekend – reason enough to make the most of every minute.

Yes, bank holidays have become known for snaking traffic jams all the way to England’s south coast, but for city dwellers staying put, or those planning a city break in the capital, there’s plenty to love about a long weekend in London.

Although the August bank holiday should be a BBQ-eating, suncream-required, pints at the pub affair – and the forecast is looking fairly promising – there’s a host of activities to discover beyond the back garden.

From 23 to 25 August, there are three office-free days of fun in the capital, from festivals to lidos and museums.

As Notting Hill Carnival makes its annual dance and Whitechapel commuter crowds thin, here are our top picks of things to do in London this August bank holiday.

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Stroll in solitude

Bank holiday Monday is the ideal time for an early morning walk across the capital. With none of the usual hyperactivity, you can wander from Whitechapel through the City of London as far as the Aldwych. Take a sharp left over Waterloo Bridge for the best view in the capital, then find your way to Leake Street Tunnel – which runs beneath Waterloo station and is the hub for London’s graffiti artists. You emerge into Lower Marsh, lined with cafes eager to serve you breakfast. – Simon Calder, travel correspondent

Read more: After 20 years, I thought I knew London – then I walked the Capital Ring

open image in gallery

Make the most of museums

I am planning to spend my bank holiday weekend on a museum crawl around London. Most museums will be open on the bank holiday, although may be busier than usual. Yet for those who don’t have spare time during the week, the next best thing is to join the crowds and see some of the UK’s most spectacular artworks and artefacts. To avoid the masses at the British Museum and the Tate Modern, I am planning to head to some smaller museums, including the Museum of the Home and the Fashion and Textile Museum over the weekend, then to the Postal Museum on the Monday. – Amelia Neath, travel writer

Read more: 20 best museums in London for 2025

Take a dip

For me, the August bank…