Get the most out of London this summer without losing your cool in the heat. Our best-of list includes some of our favourite wild-swimming spots, the perfect London park, a secret rooftop terrace-bar, and why The Penthouse at The Gate is the ultimate place to escape the summer heat in style. 

Park Off 

From the lesser known to the world-famous, London has more than 3000 parks to choose from. One of our go-to sunny day favourites is East London’s Victoria Park - just 25 minutes from The Gate. Not only is historic Victoria Park one of the city’s most visited green spaces, it’s also home to some of London’s biggest summer events and the perfect park for a picnic. 

Make the most of a sunny afternoon in the park and hire a rowboat or pedalo and join the swans and ducks on the lake. The lake’s three islands, impressive fountain and Erno Bartha sculptures make it a park-highlight. Next to the boating lake The Pavilion Café is great for a light bite, or take a walk along Grove Road and dine in style at one of the excellent eateries in Victoria Park Village. Explore the parks more than 200 acres and discover a Chinese Pagoda and ornate drinking fountain from the 1800’s, a picture-perfect Old English Garden, and even a skatepark. To get to Victoria Park from The Gate, ride the District Line from Aldgate East to Mile End Station, and enjoy a short stroll north alongside Regents Canal. 

Twice as Ice 

Perfect for when the air-con isn’t keeping you cool enough, QUEENS ice rink (17 Queensway, just next door to the Queensway underground station) is perhaps the quickest way to cool off in summer. Getting your skates on might seem like an exclusively wintery excursion, but QUEENS ice rink disagrees and is open all year for your skating pleasure. If sliding across the ice isn’t your thing, then Soft Serve Society at Boxpark Shoreditch is an appetising icy alternative. They’ve refined the soft-serve ice cream experience, whilst simultaneously making it more playful than ever. Two of their most loved flavours are the brownie, Oreo, and rice krispie coated chocolate affogato, and the sweet fantasy of candyfloss-covered Cloud 9. 

Wet & Mild

Hidden away in Hampstead Heath’s more than 300 hectares of hillsides, woodlands and gardens, are some of London’s best wild-swimming spots. There are three natural ‘ponds’ you can take a dip in as well as the 60-metre art-deco Parliament Hill Lido with its special stainless-steel lining. To get to the Mixed Pond at Hampstead Heath take the overground to Hampstead Heath station, and for Parliament Lido, get off at Gospel Oak. 

An even closer, and no less refreshing option for guests at The Gate is London Fields Lido in Hackney. Heated to a comfortable 25oC all year long, this open-air pool is perfect for anyone who isn’t quite ready for the chill of Hampstead Heath’s ponds. Recently refurbished, open whatever the weather, and welcoming for all levels of swimmer, London Fields Lido is one of East London’s best summer day excursions. 

Top of The Rooftops 

We might be biased, but if you’re looking for a great London rooftop bar, you will love the 5th floor      terrace  at The Gate. We’ve kept things simple, with a focus on relaxed rooftop summer living, comfortable chairs and sofas, and even swinging pods for maximum zen vibes. What makes us so sure you’ll love it as much as we do? Here are our top three reasons. 

1) It’s exclusively for guests and their visitors so it never gets too crowded. 

2) Table service doesn’t cost extra, so you can enjoy the full menu without waiting for attention at the bar. 

3) It’s located just a few minutes’ walk from Aldgate East underground station close to both The City and the trendiest neighbourhoods in East London. 

Apartment Chill

Part luxury hotel, part art exhibition, part private apartment, The Gate is one-of-a-kind. For the ultimate summer-stay with views to match, book The Penthouse at The Gate. Stay for a week or more, and you will of course enjoy all the luxuries and conveniences of a private kitchen, king size bed, super-fast Wi-Fi, and some of the best London hotel views, all from your apartment.