Not quick enough to get yourself a space on a plane heading to Ibiza this summer? Don’t panic – there’s plenty happening in the capital to keep social butterflies busy this month. And, with the sunshine promising a tentative return, there’s never been a better time to get out and enjoy the best that London has to offer. From events and exhibitions to gyms and festivals, here are the best things to do in London in July 2024.

The social season events: Goodwood Festival of Speed and Qatar Goodwood Festival

Okay, it’s not techncially in London – but Goodwood is undobtedly part of the London social season. And there’s a serious amount of fun to be had at Goodwood this summer, from its thrilling Festival of Speed to its iconic horse racing, both of which are undisputed highlights in the social calendar. The former, held from 11-14 July, is hosted at the historic eponymous estate in West Sussex and will see appearances from Formula 1 stars, such as Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant, as well as Formula 1 teams including Red Bull Racing, Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren, Alpine and Williams. Elsewhere, explore several paddocks dedicated to the latest supercars, air displays from the Red Arrows, the Cartier Style et Luxe concours d’elegance, and Future Lab, where you can get up close and personal with the latest cutting-edge developments in automotive tech. And if that wasn’t enough, the iconic festival has enlisted Ollie Dabbous, chef-patron of the Michelin-starred Hide restaurant, to create an exquisite all-day menu that will keep you satiated from dawn ’til dusk.

Also kicking off this month is the Qatar Goodwood Festival – otherwise known as Glorious Goodwood – which is one of the most iconic meets in the racing calendar. From 30 July, the five-day festival showcases the finest stock in the flat racing season, while spectators can also get stuck in with the Goodwood Talent in Fashion Award and enjoy the annual cricket match between Lord March’s Racing XI and the Lord’s Taverners at Goodwood House, all before the world-famous Duel On The Downs at the Sussex Stakes Day on 31 July.

Visit goodwood.com

The restaurants: Bar Kroketa at St Christopher’s Place and Harry’s Victoria

Bar Kroketa has launched its second site in the West End, bringing northern Spanish tapas to the fore with a menu centred around croquetas. Interiors, curated by Quadrant Design, feature muted wood tones and an old-world feel throughout the restaurant with an open kitchen and outdoor terrace, while seasonally-changing menus feature hero dishes such as the crab toastie and the king prawn kroketa. However, don’t miss the new selection of vibrant small plates: think white peach gazpacho, cuttlefish cooked in its own ink served with potatoes, and an indulgent spring onion and chive kroketa. That’s date night sorted. 

London’s foodie tour of Europe doesn’t stop there. Channelling the glamorous Italian heydays of the 1950s, Harry’s will bring a slice of the dolce vita to Victoria on 2 July, adding to its collection of venues in Knightsbridge and Marylebone. Located on the corner of Grosvenor Gardens, expect a menu of refined yet unfussy Italian classics for breakfast, lunch and dinner served in a whopping 184-seater venue spread across an indoor space – furnished with luxe textures and bright colours – and two al fresco terraces. Executive chef Simon Gregory and head chef Diacoro Capodiferro have created the food offering from scratch, featuring lobster ravioli, Frutti Di Mare, light crispy pizzas and the signature Harry’s Toadstool with white chocolate, fresh raspberries and pistachio biscotti. Bellissimo! 

Bar Kroketa St Christopher’s Place is open at 23 Barrett Street, W1U 1BF, visit kroketa.co.uk; Harry’s Victoria opens on 2 July 2024 at 52 Grosvenor Gardens, SW1W 0AU, visit harrysdolcevita.com

The wellbeing festival: Connect at The Yards

The perfect event for those passionate about wellness and fitness, Connect at the Yards will take over Covent Garden on 7 July with a carefully-curated programme of classes, talks, and a wellness marketplace. The festival has partnered with the likes of Lululemon, Heartcore, Digme Fitness, Jab and Pineapple Dance Studios to host a variety of fitness classes, from Pilates to boxing, open to all ticket holders from dawn until dusk. After sweating it out, don’t miss workshops and exhibitions by the likes of PopUp Painting and Art Friend, live music from Brixton Radio and Balance, and discover new products from La Pochette, Eleat, Black Culture Market and more. The experience doesn’t stop there, as festival goers can satiate their appetite at select restaurants within The Yards, such as rooftop restaurant Ruccola at The Conduit, Oriole, Lahpet and many more. Oh, and there’s an unmissable wellbeing goodie bag too. Now that’s what we call a Sunday well spent. 

Connect at The Yards is on 7 July 2024 St Martin’s Courtyard, Slingsby Place, WC2H 9EF. Tickets from £50, visit eventbrite.co.uk

The salon: Duck and Dry x Backstage

After 10 years on Chelsea’s King’s Road, Duck and Dry is reinventing its flagship in partnership with Backstage – Ukraine’s biggest salon chain and hair colour experts – with a new colour bar to meet all styling needs. Inside the salon, the space boasts a new sleek look with upgraded interiors and terrazzo tiles, alongside its signature blow dries, nails and eyebrow services. Its main offering now, however, is its innovative colour analysis service, where in-house stylists can match your hair, skin and eye tones to determine the best colour for your locks. Roots and greys, begone. 

Duck and Dry is open at 335-337 King's Road, SW3 5ES, visit duckanddry.com

The rooftop: The Berkeley Rooftop Bar

The Berkeley, nestled between bustling Knightsbridge and leafy Belgravia, will open its rooftop – usually reserved for staying guests – to all from 11 July. Offering the ultimate alfresco destination for Londoners and out-of-towners to soak up sweeping sunset views over Hyde Park, while sitting by the glistening swimming pool, the rooftop experience is complete with a new Mexican-inspired menu of Patrón Tequila cocktails and tacos. 

Cocktail connoisseurs can enjoy a series of tequila-based serves throughout the summer, from the Tequila Colada – a take on the classic cocktail replacing rum with Patrón Reposado paired with mango lassi – and the Ultimate Knutarita, blending Patrón Silver tequila with shiso umeshu, Cointreau, lime, and a touch of spice for an aromatic twist on a margarita. A trio of tacos forms the menu, with highlights including smoked salt marsh lamb shoulder with pickled jalapeno and saffron aioli in a blue corn taco, and crispy Dover sole with charred sweetcorn, mojo emulsion in an avocado taco. On Taco Tuesdays, there will be a fourth off-menu option unveiled, which is available for one night only and changes each week. Enjoy with friends on a striped sunlounger in the sun and trust us when we say you’ll never want to leave… 

The Berkeley Rooftop Bar will open on 11 July 2024 at Wilton Place SW1X 7RL, visit the-berkeley.co.uk

The foodie event: Summer in the Square

London’s foodie fanatics are in for a treat this month as Marylebone’s Summer in the Square gears up to host an array of the area’s best foodie outlets in the form of street-food stalls and the return of its popular Wellness Den. From 9-14 July, don’t miss Nobu classics from the Marylebone hotel served via Portman Square’s guest kitchen, as well as a whole host of free sustainable activities and workshops, from lunchtime yoga and Pilates sessions from Fitness First to BXR boxing from BXR London. Those with little ones in tow can also enjoy kids yoga hosted by Tanvi Kulkarni and circus skills workshops from Juan Herrera – and look out for the extensive roster of events throughout other weekends in July too. Summer holidays, sorted. 

Summer in the Square runs from 9-14 July 2024 at 40 Portman Square, W1H 6LJ, visit makeitmarylebone.co.uk

The pop-up: Cocktails in the City

Returning to Bedford Square Gardens for its summer series, Cocktails in the City is London’s much-loved alfresco cocktail festival bringing together the cream of London’s bartending crop, who will be serving signature serves (infused with a dash of spirited competition) from 11-13 July. Go for the cocktails and stay for the games as the festival celebrates the summer of sports in style, as 20 of the capital’s best bars are warming up for the ultimate showdown: Battle of the Bars. 

Expect to see some of London’s newest bars including The Royal Cocktail Exchange, Gaia Mayfair, Nancy Spains,and Rhum Tavern while familiar favourites The Coral Room, Café Pacifico and Hutong all return for another year. For the first time, Upstairs at Rules – the bar at London’s oldest restaurant – will serve its signature aperitifs in partnership with Showerings Triple Vintage Cider, and Thin White Duke are collaborating with a collective of independent spirits to deliver a Japanese-inspired menu. Also new for 2024, The Dover Yard B Corp Bar will be celebrating sustainable B Corp-certified spirits, such as Nc'Nean – the first UK whiskey distillery to receive net zero verification – and Avallen, showcasing its climate-positive calvados whilst saving the bees. Don’t miss cocktail-making classes, ice-carving sessions and garden party games such as table tennis, croquet, archery and cornhole. Summer in London has well and truly arrived…

Tickets from £22, visit cocktailsinthecity.com

The gym: Third Space Battersea

Luxury gym Third Space has expanded further into south London as it unveils its 11th club at Battersea Power Station. Spread across 28,000 sq ft and retaining features from the original building, the space has been designed by Studio RHE to balance reclaimed brickwork and natural light with state-of-the-art equipment, training and recuperation zones. Inside, a 20m swimming pool sits at the heart of the club, with an adjacent wet spa recovery area, complete with hydropool, sunken Finnish sauna and marble steam room. Go upstairs to discover a 36-person hot yoga studio, and open gym floor featuring a 15m sled track, Eleiko lifting area and woodway treadmills, as well as a roster of more than 100 classes on the timetable per week. Rumour has it the brand is opening up the road in Clapham Junction later this summer, and a Richmond outpost in 2025. 

Prospect Way, SW11 8BH, visit thirdspace.london

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