How to Spend a Perfect Sunday in London (as told by a local)
Last Updated on 13th October 2023 by Sophie Nadeau
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Flowers, coffee, and wanders around the prettiest neighbourhoods the city has to offer; if there’s one day that’s made for exploring, it’s Sunday. And so if you’re looking for some great weekend recommendations for the UK’s capital city, then here’s how to spend Sunday in London (as told by a local!)
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What is open in London on a Sunday?
Of course, like in many other places in Europe, Sundays are seen as a day of rest. Saturdays and Sundays are the weekend (and time off) for most 9-5 workers in the UK and while many things remain open on a Saturday, this is definitely not the case for Sundays.
Typically, some museums and smaller shops are closed. Meanwhile, the stores and boutiques which do remain open operate at limited opening hours (including the supermarket) and so can be open for as little as six hours.
Conversely, there are several markets around the city which are only open on Sundays and so this would be the best (and obviously only) time to choose to go and visit them! Markets to check out include Brick Lane Market, Columbia Road Flower Market, and Greenwich Market.
Things to do during a Sunday in London
Of course, when it comes to the rich variety of things on offer in London, the world is your oyster. From attending a theatre performance to discovering hidden gems to getting lost in a little park that few people know about, there’s no shortage of attractions for every budget in the big smoke.
With this being said, my suggested itinerary for spending a Sunday in London will set out some of the must-see spots, including the order in which you should see them (so as to economise your time in the city) and see the most amount of things possible with the time that you have available.
Visit Columbia Flower Market
If you’re looking to start your day the right way, then you simply need to hop on the tube and head to Columbia Road Flower Market. After all, this weekly event is where the locals come to hang out and you’ll find a pretty good deal on all floral-related goods if you head here!
Held every Sunday (and, most notably, now only on Sunday) since the 19th-century, be sure to head to the market earlier in the day if you want to experience the event without the crowds that inevitably head there later on.
The market is held in the morning, and if you head to the market around lunchtime (when things are beginning to wrap up), then you’ll soon discover that many vendors are touting their wares for significantly reduced prices.
If you want to experience a covered London market at the same time, then it’s worth noting that the Old Spitalfields market is not too far away. For more inspiration in the area, check out our suggestions for how to spend one day in East London.
Enjoy a coffee and cake in Notting Hill
When it comes to Sunday in London, there’s perhaps no better place to enjoy the weekend vibe than in the pretty district of Notting Hill. All pastel coloured houses and mews streets (for those not in the know, these cobbled lanes once housed horses when the city ran by carriage and are now home to some of the most exclusive real estate in the city).
Some of my favourite coffee shops in the Notting Hill area include Biscuiteers and Farm Girl Café. The latter is particularly good if you want to enjoy Sunday brunch. If you’re looking for a full meal (complete with a pint or two!) then you should check out the Churchill Arms.
This inn serves Thai noodles, while the interior is decked out in Churchill memorabilia. Head outside, and you can expect to find plenty of pretty floral decoration, all year ’round!
All in all, this is easily one of the most Instagrammable spots in the city. While en route, I highly recommend checking out some of the many spots in the area that have been used as movie locations, including for the hit film, Love Actually.
Indulge in food at Borough Market
Located directly to the south of the Thames, the illustrious Borough Market is an undercover market which dates back to at least the 12th-century, making it one of the oldest food markets in the city (it also happens to be one of the largest).
There’s no shortage of delicious foodie spots to check out serving up everything from fresh vegan snacks to local cheeses, and mouthwatering pasta dishes. If you’re stuck for inspiration, then here are some of the stands to check out at the market:
- Bao Borough (Taiwanese cuisine)
- Horn OK Please (Indian vegetarian street food)
- La Tua Pasta (tasty homemade pasta)
- Mei Mei (street food dishes inspired by Singapore)
Head to a History or Design Museum
Many of the major museums in the British capital can be found in South Kensington, an ever-so-chic district of the city close to Hyde Park. And one of the best times to simply meander around and soak up some culture is easily on a Sunday when everything is open. Furthermore, if you’re looking to enjoy London on a budget, then it’s well worth noting that almost every major museum is absolutely free of charge!
For those seeking some ancient history (and wish for the chance to spy a dinosaur or two), the Natural History Museum likely needs no introduction. If you prefer to enjoy art and design, ranging between everything from the Classical Era to Victorian times, then you must explore the V&A.
And for those with the kids in tow, the Science Museum is forever a crowd/ family favourite. The permanent exhibitions of all the above museums are free to visit. Nearby, Hyde Park is one of the Royal Parks the city has to offer and is perfect for picnics during the summer time.
Visit the Portobello Road Market
And if the flowers on Sunday morning weren’t enough, then there’s an equally interesting London market to check out in the form of Portobello Road Market. As one of the largest antique markets of its kind in the world, then there’s never any shortage of trinkets and collectables at nearly every price point.
Each weekend, around a thousand stalls can be found dotted along Portobello Road, as well as in the shops which line the two sides of the street.
During the weekend, you’ll also find that Portobello Road Market is home to a large selection of food stalls. The closest metro station to the market is Ladbroke Grove on the Circle and Hammersmith & City line.
Enjoy a brunch
If you want to experience London on a Sunday as the locals do, then consider going out for brunch. You should note that most of the more popular spots tend to book up at least a couple of weeks in advance and so you’ll want to reserve a spot ahead of time if you’re able to (most places now require a credit card to be put on the reservation).
There are a myriad of cafés to choose from, offering everything from traditional English fry ups to more international cuisine. Here’s a pick of some of the best brunch spots in London:
- Fallow (modern European cuisine)
- Dishoom (Bombay inspired restaurant)
- Mount St Restaurant (a very fine dining affair that you’ll want to save for a special occasion)
- Double Standard (there’s an outdoor terrace in good weather)
- Saltie Girl (seafood restaurant)
Afternoon tea
If you’re looking for a quintessential British experience, then consider enjoying an afternoon tea while in the city (just be sure to book at least a few weeks ahead of time as space on these kinds of tours tends to sell out fast during the high season, i.e. summer months). Here are some afternoon tea experiences you can book ahead of time:
- Afternoon Tea Cruise on the River Thames: This hour and a half tea cruise will let you enjoy gorgeous views from the River Thames while eating sandwiches, as well as scones with cream and jam.
- Afternoon Tea Bus with a Glass of Prosecco: If going on a bus is more your speed, then this afternoon bus tour will whisk you around the city while you enjoy sweet and savoury British treats as well as a glass of prossecco.
- Afternoon Tea at the British Museum: If you know anything about London museums then no doubt you’ll have heard of the British Museum, one of the largest free museums to visit in the city. Well, if you are looking for an interesting experience, then afternoon tea is held under the glass roof.
- Paddington Bear Afternoon Tea Bus with Audio Guide: This tour is a marriage of two quintessentially British things- Paddington Bear and an afternoon tea.
Finish the day in the City of London
After a perfect Sunday of exploring the best markets, culture, and food that London has to offer, hop on the tube once more and head towards the River Thames. The City of London is the oldest part of the city and is typically a bustling financial hub during the week, meaning that it’s pretty quiet during the weekends.
Once in the City of London, the very heart of Roman ‘Londinium,’ I highly recommend strolling along the water and enjoying the vistas of the many iconic landmarks that are so synonymous with the British Capital.
Take yourself on a free and self-guided London walking tour or, if it’s summer, then treat yourself to a night out in the theatre at Shakespeare’s Globe. While in the area, there are plenty of places to enjoy happy hour and a stroll along to the Sky Garden to catch the last of the evening light never goes amiss either.
Otherwise, the Garden at 120 is easily one of the hottest places in town to grab a drink with friends and enjoy the view of the city. Absolutely free to visit and meander around, from the top you can easily spy the wheel of the London Eye and the domes of Saint Paul’s Cathedral.
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