Five things to do in London this summer, from abandoned Tube station tours to the Proms

Soak up city views from a rooftop bar, follow in James Bond’s footsteps on an underground tour, watch one of Britain’s most famous classical music concerts – there’s plenty to do in London over the next three months

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Explore London this summer with a host of unique activities around the city. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 6:00pm, 18 Jun 2018Updated: 6:21pm, 19 Jun 2018

All eyes have been on London recently, from the lead up to last month’s royal wedding to this month’s Trooping the Colour parade celebrating Queen Elizabeth’s 92nd birthday. Despite its centuries-old traditions, this cosmopolitan city of eight million people is always on the cusp of change.

Arrive here in July, August or September and you’re in for some unique events – just don’t forget to start the day in the traditional English way with a hearty fry-up.

Tour old Tube stations like Charing Cross. Photo: Shutterstock

1. Follow James Bond and head underneath Trafalgar Square

London’s Tube is the oldest underground railway system in the world. First opening in 1863, the Tube has 270 active stations, but over the years, parts of the iconic network have been abandoned. Transport for London has recently begun guided tours to sealed-off stations and platforms. They are so popular that most tours are hard to get tickets for, but one that is relatively easy to book is a trip to explore the platforms of Charing Cross station.

In this 75-minute tour (£40/US$53) that operates from Wednesday to Sunday (August 11 to September 16), visitors get to walk under Trafalgar Square to see the old Jubilee line platforms used as filming locations in the James Bond film Skyfall, as well as in children’s film Paddington Bear.