In springtime, we wrote about the city farms that provide a brief escape from the bigness and smokiness of it all.
Now it’s summer and there are urban beaches popping up across the capital complete with deckchairs, beach balls, cocktails and – this being London – bikini-clad or shirtless poseurs.
With plans to create permanent beaches near Fulham Palace and also in Victoria Park by 2012, we tracked down a few spots around town where you can kick back and make like you’re in Rio.
Sort of.
Hammersmith Beach
Catch the last days of the Urban Beach that took over Lyric Square Hammersmith for three months, serving up ice cream gazebos, deck chairs, live entertainment and a 20ft screen showing current, classic and kids’ films. (ends Aug 15)
Paddington Beach Party
Donkey rides, Punch & Judy, giant sandpit and games are the order of the day at this summertime funfest for all the family in Norfolk Square Gardens, W2. From 2-8pm (Aug 19)
Day out at Thames Beach
Head to the foreshore between Waterloo Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge for this afternoon of (hopefully) sun, sandcastles, welly-throwing and more. Hosted by Thames 21, London’s leading waterways charity, as part of the Mayor’s Thames Festival. 12-2pm (Sep 12)
Reclaim the Beach, London
A last-minute rave under the stars, on the unexpected beach front outside Royal Festival Hall at the Southbank centre. Drummers and big tunes call your inner wild child out to play while the kiddies are in dreamland. Under Festival Pier, SE1. Last party Oct 2009. Dates and times for 2010 tbc.
Photo credit: The Unexpected Beach by Kit Hartford on Flickr
