Impact
6 West London Sustainable Events, Activities This Summer
Looking for some of the best West London venues and eco-conscious activities to enjoy this summer?
Ahh, summer, when the temperatures rise and the sun actually shines, the streets and people of London come alive. Or as John Mayer likes to say, “A little bit of summer’s what the whole year is all about”. And no matter how long you’ve lived in London and crowned yourself a local expert, there’s an abundance of new things popping up throughout the summer months. For those looking to visit London for a little summer getaway, there couldn’t be a better time.
So, take a moment to stop and take in the smell of freshly cut grass and enjoy the rose. It’s a time to grab your favourite book, loved one, and a basket of croissants and freshly squeezed OJ or lemonade, and soak up the sunshine and greenery that the beautiful parks of London have to offer! When picnic blankets, jugs of Pimms, portable BBQs, and all things al-fresco scatter across the city. When the streets are roaring with life, crowds of people gather in the line-up of eclectic markets, rooftops, and best outdoor venues.
The summer months are a hive of activity in the capital. From open green spaces for languid strolls to temporary pop-ups that offer a taste of something different.
And what’s more? You know we don’t shy away from sustainable and earth-friendly events, so we’ve also included six of the best things to do this summer that are kind to the planet. Read on for Nestor’s round-up of some of the best West London venues and eco-conscious activities to enjoy as the weather gets warmer.
1 – Walk through the Summer of Love in Chelsea and Kensington
Rediscover your love for West London with a walking tour through these family-friendly attractions, while reducing your carbon emissions simultaneously! Plan your route using this walking map jam-packed with fun-filled activities around West London from June to September.
From exploring green parks and fascinating museums or stopping for coffee to support a local business, you’re spoiled for choice. You can even seek out the endless list of famous residents who have made Kensington and Chelsea home over the years.
Visit here to discover more about the Summer of Love attractions this summer: rbkc.gov.uk/explore-kensington-and-chelsea/summer-love
2 – Shop for thrifts at the Portobello and Golborne Market
The Portobello Road & Golborne Road Market in Notting Hill is easily one of the most well-known attractions in West London. It’s particularly loved for its antique stalls and vibrant flea market – a must for supporting sustainable living. With so many unique offerings, flea markets have plenty of sustainable ways to save money, recycle and reuse an array of items that range from clothing to household collections.
So, if you’re looking for second-hand books or vintage clothes, you’ll be able to find just about anything you need and give each of them a second lease of life.
3 – Learn about the impact of marketing at the Museum of Brands
No matter your age, the Museum of Brands is an exciting and educational activity to enjoy in West London over the summer months. Visiting the temporary display “When Brands Take A Stand” comes highly recommended as it showcases a wealth of posters, TV commercials and packaging from throughout the eras, depicting their ability to influence public perception.
Learn about how brands and businesses are using their marketing platform to stand against political and societal issues, such as environmentalism.
4 – Explore the Design Museum in Kensington
Known as the world’s leading museum, The Design Museum in Kensington is devoted to contemporary design in every form, a museum that’ll appease all ages.
Until the 4th of September, you can visit London-based designer Bethany Williams’ exhibition: Alternative Systems – a top-rated sustainable pop-up around West London this summer.
Witness the genius discuss key social and environmental issues through unique and colourful clothing made of recycled waste. From garments fused together from book waste (something we’re super keen on) to innovative collaborations with community projects, Bethany’s ideas showcase both her vision and an attempt of building a practice that looks to avoid traditional contradictions of fashion.
Not only does her work help to tackle social and environmental issues, but it allows youngsters to learn about the hardships of climate change and its impact on the environment from an early age.
Children aged 11-14 can partake in the sustainable shoebox-city workshop to learn about the plethora of sustainable materials available today and how to make a 3D model using recycled and waste materials.
Looking for design inspiration and gifts? You’ve come to the perfect place. This place will have you mesmerised at all corners of the museum.
5 – Stroll through the Chelsea Physic Garden
The glorious green space of the Chelsea Physic Garden is one of London’s oldest botanical gardens and a peaceful way to stroll through West London this summer. Established in 1963 along the banks of the Thames, this fascinating green playground has been awarded a gold accreditation in Green Tourism for its environmentally-friendly practices. These include rainwater collection, eradicating single-use plastic in their retail operations and removing peat from their compost.
With a campaign dubbed “a microclimate emergency”, the garden provides a safe space for The Worshipful Society of Apothecaries to grow essential plants for medicinal purposes. The Chelsea Physic Garden is a great place for visitors to learn about the climate crisis on a small scale by understanding the impact it has.
Staff members hope to educate and encourage visitors to make minor changes to their daily lives that will have a positive impact on the environment. You can learn all about how you can create your own compost, use reusable coffee cups, and reuse rainwater in your garden.
6 – Learn about the history of trees at Kensington Gardens
Uncover the myths and legends behind the spectacular trees and landscapes within Kensington Gardens with engaging storytelling by arboriculturist, Greg Packman. Held on the 11th of June 2022, visitors can learn all about and discover how our ancestors once believed rowan trees could protect against witchcraft, why oak trees were symbols of the gods, and why trees symbolised renewal and purification in this extraordinary garden tour.
Whether you’re an activist, forest fairy or a fan of history, this is one you won’t want to miss. And as a company focused on sustainability, Nestor aims to go several steps further than simply improving our supply chain and using green energy. Did you know that last year, in our effort to give back to the planet in an even more meaningful way, we partnered with More Trees? Every time a guest books a stay at one of our hand-picked West London properties, we plant a tree in their name.
We partnered with More Trees because we appreciate what they stand for: the revitalisation of our wildlife. Their initiative is about extending and restoring our natural habitats and providing space for forestry to flourish.
The best way to help us achieve our dream and target of planting 1,000 trees in 2022 is to book your stay directly on our website. You’ll not only get the best rates and finest stays in West London, but you’ll also offset your carbon footprint and populate the planet with some much-needed greenwood for centuries ahead.
Looking for a place to stay in West London?
We believe in supporting and celebrating sustainability every day through careful and conscious living. If you’re looking for a sustainable short-term, boutique property or rental in West London, look no further.
Since our founding and with the help of all of our ethical suppliers, we’ve offered our guests the blissful eco-escapes they’re seeking, with the peace of mind of knowing they’re doing their part to save the planet.
Nestor offers stylish West London short-term rentals with a wealth of summer adventures to look forward to on your doorstep. Located in the heart of London, our curated collection of West London accommodation in Kensington, Earl’s Court and London Victoria each offer the ideal base from which to explore this dynamic city.
Looking for more ideas and recommendations for what to do in London? Read our tailored guides offering activities in the area.
If you’d like to chat with us about our properties or about any of our sustainability practices, don’t hesitate to contact us!