Battersea Park Escape to Beautiful Battersea Park
If you want to escape the noise of central London then Battersea Park offers the perfect green idyll. This inner-city park offers something for everyone with a whole range of activities available. You can simply enjoy the walks or visit and sit in one of the park’s beautiful gardens.
Why not head out on to the boating lake, hit the mini-golf course or head into the trees on the Go Ape course. The Pump House gallery contains works of contemporary visual art, while the little ones will love a wander around Battersea Park zoo.
Wandsworth Park Explore Wandsworth Park
Opened in 1903, Wandsworth Park is a relaxing green space offering tree-lined and riverside walks. The seasonal floral displays present an ever-changing landscape through the year. Leisure facilities include tennis courts and a bowling green with its own pavilion.
Enjoy a bit of competitive family fun by taking on the Putt in the Park mini-golf course challenge. Set over 12 holes the course provides fun for all the family and when you have finished your round the clubhouse features a fully licensed café, where you can refresh and recharge your batteries.
Theatre 503 Watch an Up-and-Coming Play at Theatre 503
If you’re a fan of fringe theatre and looking for some new writing, I recommend dropping into Theatre 503. Located on top of the Latchmere Pub, Theatre 503 is a laid-back, not to mention less expensive, alternative to the West End.
Grab a pint and bring a bookish friend for a cultural night of fun. Most of the playwrights who debut here end up pursuing successful careers, so you could very well be watching the work of the next Shakespeare on the stage.
River Wandle Walk the River Wandle
One of my favourite things to do on a lazy Sunday, those ones where you wake at ten and don’t even think about eating breakfast until one, is to walk from the River Wandle path into Earlsfield.
Follow the historic river, passing large stretches of park towards Earlsfield. Watch children play, dogs walk and families picnic beneath the treetops.
By the time you get to the end, you’ll have earned a pint in one of Earlsfield’s bustling pubs.
Royal Victoria Patriotic Building Visit the Royal Victoria Building
You don’t have to travel to a magical world to feel like you’re at Hogwarts. The Royal Victoria Building is a dramatic, gothic building with a spooky past.
It used to function as an asylum for Crimean orphans during the Crimean War, meaning the walls echo with suppressed histories that will never be told.
Let your imagination run wild as you take in the grandeur of the building.
Battersea Flower Station Visit the Gardens of the Battersea Flower Station
The Battersea Flower Station is potentially the most instagrammable site in Wandsworth. Even if you aren’t after a bouquet, take a stroll through the grounds.
They’re open 7 days a week and run by a small, friendly staff, who are happy to show you new stock and tell you more about the dizzying array of plants. The kitsch signs, lazy bumble bees and bright colours transport you to a new world, as if you’re Alice stumbling into Wonderland.
Wandsworth High Street Treat Yourself to a Slice of Cake on Wandsworth High Street
Just a stone throw from Wandsworth Town Station is Wandsworth High Street, where cute cafes are strewn across the street.
There’s plenty of options if you’re seeking coffee with a side of something sweet at a reasonable price.
Packed with bright young things talking about the newest startups, the high street cafes are quirky and quaint places to catch up with a friend or take a quiet moment to enjoy yourself.
Tooting Bec Lido Take a Swim at Tooting Bec Lido
If you don’t want to shell out on an expensive gym membership, but still sometimes get the urge to splash around in the pool, visit the Tooting Bec Lido.
The Lido has been open for over 100 years and was one of the first open air pools in all of Britain, so is worth a visit for its history alone during the warmer months.
Relax beneath the gazebo, grab a cold drink and take the dip you’ve been waiting for!
Royal Academy of Dance Take a Dance Lesson at the Royal Academy of Dance
Put on your dancing shoes and book a lesson. I’ve taken a few classes at the Royal Academy of Dance, from an introduction to classical ballet (let’s just say I was no natural swan princess) to street dance.
Even if my dance skills still left much to be desired, it was always fun and the instructors were always friendly!
The programme always has a range of classes and is especially affordable for Wandsworth residents — though those living outside the Borough still won’t break the bank with the good deals available.
Sewing Machine Museum Spend a Day at the Sewing Machine Museum
Open on the first Saturday afternoon of each month, the Sewing Machine Museum is worth planning a weekend schedule around.
Some of the machines have fallen into the laps of famous owners, while others are interesting for their strange shapes and unique design.
Regardless of the reason, this museum is clearly a project of love by the owner, who curates the room meticulously. What it may lack in size and grandeur is made up with passion and knowledge.
Southside Shopping Centre Shop till you drop at Southside Shopping Centre
Wandsworth was known for its hat industry in the Victorian period, and while hats may not be the borough’s crowning glory today, you can still be a dedicated follower of fashion if you visit the many shops that make up Southside Shopping Centre.
Get the high street brands you want while avoiding the Oxford Street crowds. As the day nears an end and your arms can no longer fit another bag, why not take a break and dine at one of the many upstairs restaurants?
The Bedford Laugh, Listen or Dance at The Bedford in Balham
While it may look like an ordinary pub on the outside, The Bedford is known for hosting legendary gigs from up-and-coming artists as well as nights of comedy and cabaret.
Famous contemporary singer-songwriters like Ed Sheeran have graced the stage as well as older punk favourites like The Clash.
I never quite know what I’ll get when I walk into The Bedford, but it rarely ever disappoints if you’re in the mood to jump around to something loud.
Clapham Common Have a Picnic at Clapham Common
Picnicking is a British tradition that goes back centuries, and it’s easy for city-dwellers to feel they’re missing out on the easy joy of packing a lunch, hiking the countryside and sitting amidst miles of fields as they snack.
While Clapham Common isn’t quite that rural, it is one of the largest parks in London, with many ponds and trails to explore. Pack a blanket, bring some friends and spend a sunny afternoon eating, drinking and gossiping in the Common.
Flip Out! Trampoline Park Get in Touch With Your Inner Child at Flip Out! Trampoline Park
London’s biggest indoor trampoline facility is definitely not just for kids: get in on the action yourself at Flip Out!
Trampoline Park, where you can bounce on over 70 interconnected Olympic sized trampolines. This is a great place to flip, run and jump.
Challenge your friends to see who can jump the highest, or dive from one of the diving boards into the massive foam pit. If all that exercise means you’ve worked up an appetite, there’s somewhere on-site to get a snack after jumping around.
Battersea Arts Centre Explore Your Creative Side at the Battersea Arts Centre
With its arches, high ceilings and dramatic hallways, Battersea Arts Centre is a beautiful venue that hosts theatre nights, contemporary art, a quaint café and metropolitan bar.
The centre is always bustling with young creatives, and it’s not uncommon to hear whispers of new experimental instillations or art market predictions amongst its visitors.
Check out what’s on for night of culture or simply swing by the café during the day. Be sure to bring a notebook if inspiration strikes!
Tara Theatre Enjoy a Multicultural Performance at Tara Theatre
One of the best things about London is its spirit of multiculturalism.
This spirit comes seamlessly together in Tara Theatre, where playwrights from all backgrounds and literary traditions can put on their work.
Known for its blending of Eastern and Western cultures, Tara Theatre is a friendly and inclusive venue to hear a range of voices that truly represents the London of today.
St. Mary’s Church Discover the History of St. Mary’s Church
One of London’s joys is knowing that centuries of history are woven into the very fabric of the city.
It may be easy to walk past St. Mary’s Church, which is tucked behind the trendy bars and restaurants that surround it, but it’s beautiful interior makes it worth a peek inside.
Take a leaflet to uncover some of the church’s history and learn about some of the unique characters that worshipped beneath its clocktower.
Wandsworth Pier Take a Boat Ride off Wandsworth Pier
Londoners are well versed in the art of commuting, and the tube or double decker bus are integral parts of our planning. But why not spice up your journey with something new?
I particularly enjoy getting the TFL River Bus from Wandsworth Pier into town on a Saturday dusk. Watch the sun turn the river gold as it sets over the Thames and you pull into Vauxhall.