Grab your bucket and spade and make a beeline for the UK’s biggest urban beach
Make the most of London old and new this week, with visits to historic houses, hot gigs by the coolest artists and unusual waterside events, all of it accessible by Santander Cycle.
Pack your bucket and spade, we’re going to the seaside – well, the next best thing, given that London isn’t exactly known for its coastline. Beach East at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is the UK’s largest urban beach, with one thousand tonnes of sand spread over 2,200 square metres. Dock your bike at Cadogan Close for a day of sunbathing (don’t forget the sun cream!), beach volleyball and funfair rides. It’s open every day until the end of the month.
Stick around in the evening for drinks at one of Beach East’s two bars (soft drinks only if you’re getting back on the bike, of course)or make it an East London double with a visit to the Floating Cinema, moored this weekend at Riverside Green in Bow (21-23 August). A mobile arts venue navigating the waterways of London and the UK, it’s hosting three nights of extra-terrestrial events, including open air film screenings and hands on workshops. You can dock your Santander Cycle at Bromley High Street.
There’s more culture on offer at Meltdown, the Southbank Centre’s annual festival of new music and culture, which runs until 30 August. It’s curated by a different guest artist every year, and this time around Talking Heads co-founder, and all-round musical legend, David Byrne is in charge. Dock your bike at Jubilee Gardens for a hugely eclectic selection of artists from all over the world, plus performances and film screenings.
"Or go the heritage route with a visit to Clarence House, the official London residence of the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry. Normally closed to the public, it’s open for guided tours this month. Dock your Santander Cycle at nearby Waterloo Place, walk down the grand staircase onto The Mall, where you’ll find the entrance to this elegant 1820s mansion a short way down to your right. Built to the designs of John Nash, the architect behind Buckingham Palace, the house’s decor today reflects the tastes of the late Queen Mother. Less grand than other royal residences, it’s full of charming family photographs, offering a fascinating peek back into history.”
