When it was overcast or rainy we all moaned and longed for summer and now that it is here, this is no time for complaining. So slap on the sun cream and try one of these to soak up some rays…

Down at the bottom of the garden

A sunny day, a pint of something ice cold and a good pub garden – is there anything more ideal? Find yourself a seat in a good beer garden if you can. Our top tips include The Grove in Surbiton.

Or take a look up top

Drinking outside at ground level is one thing, but we can all agree it is pretty darn special at a rooftop bar, garden or terrace too. Check out The Alexandra in Wimbledon, Lost Format Society in Croydon, The Castle in Tooting or even O’Neill’s in Sutton.

Splash around

Finally we have the weather to make a lido worthwhile. Get your swimmers on and submerge yourself at an open air pool, such as Hampton Open Air Pool, Richmond Pools in the park, Tooting Bec Lido or Brockwell Lido. Or for the more adventurous, there’s the new aqua obstacle course at Thorpe Park.

Getting active

Are you one of those people that bursts into life when the sun comes out, rather than feeling content laying around? Take a stroll along the Thames Walk from Hampton Court Palace to Hammersmith Bridge, crossing over at Kingston Bridge and following the river on the southern side to Ham, stopping off at Ham House. Or go wild at Chessington World of Adventures and the zoo.

Anyone for cricket?

Of course, you may not want to run around but it can be enjoyable to take a seat, grab a drink and watch someone else tire themselves out for your entertainment. England take on South Africa in a test match at The Oval from July 27 or Surrey host Somerset in the T20 Blast, also at The Oval on July 9.

Something cold

Let’s face it, the only adequate way to cool down is ice cream. Try Afters in Sutton, Tooting Bec and Croydon. Or Kaspas in Croydon, Wandsworth and Tooting.

Café culture

Ever been to Italy? Well it’s hot (mostly) so do as the Romans and take a seat outside in the middle of Kingston or down by the riverside with a Frappucino or something nice to eat and watch the world go by, or hang out by the fountains or browse the market stalls.

Park life

Like you needed this one suggested to you. Summer’s days were made for lazing in a park. Luckily south London is blessed with beautiful parkland, whether you’re hanging with the deer at Richmond Park, chucking a Frisbee at Epsom Downs, chilling on one of the commons or playing mini-golf and paddling in the pool at Wandsworth Park.

And that’s before you get to the gardens. Kew anyone?