Festival Fever
SXSW London 2025
The legendary South by Southwest Festival makes its London debut with six days of pure creative energy! Discover emerging music acts, cutting-edge tech showcases, and inspiring talks across East London’s coolest venues. This is your chance to witness the future of music and innovation.
Date: 2–7 June 2025
Location: Various venues in Shoreditch
Price: From £65
Distance from St Giles London: Approximately 2.5 miles, 20 minutes by tube
Website: SXSW London
Lido Festival
Jamie xx and Charli XCX headline these spectacular open-air concerts in beautiful Victoria Park! Immersive light shows and stunning art installations transform the park into a magical wonderland. Street food vendors and chill-out areas complete this perfect festival experience.
Date: 6 & 14 June 2025
Location: Victoria Park, London E3 5TB
Distance from St Giles London: Approximately 4.5 miles, 35 minutes by tube
Website: Lido Festival
Notting Hill Carnival
Europe’s biggest street festival explodes with Caribbean culture, featuring vibrant parades and pulsing steel bands! Millions gather for two days of non-stop music, dancing, and incredible jerk chicken. The energy is absolutely infectious and the atmosphere pure magic.
Dates: 24–25 August 2025
Location: Notting Hill, West London
Distance from St Giles London: 27 minutes by tube
Website: Notting Hill Carnival
Cultural Treasures
©National Portrait Gallery
Jenny Saville: The Anatomy of Painting
Experience Jenny Saville’s breathtaking monumental paintings that challenge how we see the human body! Her bold, emotionally charged artwork explores identity and gender through incredibly powerful brushstrokes. These massive canvases will leave you completely mesmerized.
Dates: 20 June – 7 September 2025
Location: National Gallery, Trafalgar Square
Prices: £21 / £23.50 with donation (Free for Members)
Distance from St Giles London: Approximately 0.7 miles, 14-minute walk
Website: National Gallery
London Gallery Weekend
Over 100 contemporary galleries throw open their doors completely free for one incredible weekend! Enjoy exclusive exhibitions, artist-led tours, live performances, and family-friendly events. It’s like getting VIP access to London’s entire art scene.
Dates: 6–8 June 2025
Location: Various venues across London
Website: London Gallery Weekend
Zoo Nights
London Zoo transforms after dark with adults-only evenings featuring cocktails, street food, and exclusive animal encounters! Watch fascinating nocturnal behaviours you’d never see during regular hours. The atmosphere is magical as the animals come alive in the moonlight.
Dates: Fridays, 6 June – 25 July 2025
Location: London Zoo, NW1 4RY
Price: £21.50
Distance from St Giles London: Approximately 3 miles, 36 minutes by tube
Website: Zoo Nights
Outdoor Adventures
London Open Gardens
Step behind locked gates into London’s most exclusive private gardens for one special weekend! Discover hidden Georgian courtyards, wisteria-filled walkways, and secret green spaces normally off-limits to the public. It’s a rare glimpse into London’s hidden beauty.
Dates: 7-8 June 2025
Location: Various London locations
Website: London Gardens Trust
Mayfield Lavender Farm
Escape to thousands of purple lavender rows creating the perfect photo opportunity as well as the most delightful smell! This peaceful retreat offers free entry and the chance to wander through fragrant fields. Don’t miss their gorgeous handmade lavender products in the farm shop.
Dates: 14 June – 17 August 2025
Location: Banstead, SM7 3JA
Price: Free entry
Distance from St Giles London: Approximately 15 miles, 1 hour by train and bus
Website: Mayfield Lavender
Buckingham Palace State Rooms
Get rare access inside the King’s official residence including the magnificent throne room and grand ballroom! Tour the spectacular grand staircase and admire priceless artwork from the Royal Collection. It’s your chance to see where royal history is made.
Dates: 10 July – 28 September 2025
Location: Buckingham Palace Road, SW1A 1AA
Distance from St Giles London: 1.5 miles, 20 minutes by tube and bus
Website: Buckingham Palace – Royal Collection Trust
Culinary Delights
Barbarella
This extravagant Italian restaurant brings 1970s disco glamour to Canary Wharf with velvet booths and sparkling disco balls! Feast on theatrical dishes like metre-long pasta and extra-thin pizzas. The pistachio espresso martinis are absolutely legendary.
Opening: June 2025
Location: Canary Wharf, E14 5HX
Distance from St Giles London: Approximately 6 miles, 21 minutes by tube and DLR
Website: Barbarella
©SUSHISAMBA
SUSHISAMBA
Enjoy incredible Japanese-Brazilian-Peruvian fusion cuisine high above Covent Garden’s buzzing piazza! Their signature Sasa Rolls and Robata-grilled salmon come with spectacular city views. Perfect for a memorable pre- or post-theatre dining experience.
Location: Covent Garden, WC2E 8RF
Price: Set menu from £36
Distance from St Giles London: Approximately 0.7, 15-minute walk
Website: Sushi Samba
Island, King’s Cross
Two star chefs are reimagining the classic American steakhouse with bold British coastal flavours! This exciting new restaurant gives surf-and-turf a completely innovative makeover. Expect creative dishes that’ll surprise and delight your taste buds.
Opening: June 2025
Location: King’s Cross, N1C 4DY
Distance from St Giles London: Approximately 1 mile, 31 minutes by tube or bus
Website: Island, King’s Cross
Unique Experiences
Mamma Mia! The Party
ABBA’s greatest hits come alive in this immersive taverna experience at The O2! Enjoy a delicious four-course Mediterranean feast while live performers get the entire audience singing and dancing. The energy is infectious and the fun absolutely non-stop.
Location: The O2, Peninsula Square, SE10 0DX
Price: From £140-£210
Distance from St Giles London: Approximately 7 miles, 42 minutes by tube
Website: Mamma Mia! The Party
Middle Dock Open Water Swimming
Take a refreshing dip in Canary Wharf’s stunning dock with London’s iconic skyline as your backdrop! Qualified lifeguards ensure your safety in this unique urban swimming experience. It’s the perfect way to cool off while enjoying breathtaking city views.
Start Date: From 5 June 2025
Location: Canary Wharf, E14 4PH
Price: Free
Distance from St Giles London: Approximately 6 miles, 25 minutes by tube
Website: Middle Dock Open Water
There you have it, summer adventurers! From festivals making their London debut to secret gardens and carnival celebrations, this summer is absolutely spectacular. With St. Giles London as your perfectly positioned base, you’re moments away from all these incredible experiences. Book your stay with our exclusive summer offer and let’s make this season unforgettable!
