The long weekend is coming up, and London is getting a heatwave—temperatures are said to reach up to 31 degrees!

For some of us, this means group picnics, patio drinks, and rooftop gardens. When the heat is on, it always seems to me like people in London multiply!

But for those of us who are looking for a bit of peace alone this weekend, it can be hard not to feel like between the heat and the influx of people, it’s tempting to stay indoors. But why waste a lovely weekend? If you’re looking to do something peaceful, alone this weekend, here’s what I like to do in the city:

Sketch London’s skyline. I’m not saying I’m good at this! I’m saying it’s fun. I bring a small blank notepad with a hard back (you can find cheap ones at Poundland and TK Maxx), a pencil, eraser, and sharpener. I go to a place where I’ve got a view: favourites include Primrose Hill, Greenwich Park (climbing to the top, you get lovely views of both!), and the roof terrace at One New Change (overlooks St. Paul’s Cathedral). City views are also plentiful if you walk by the Thames; plenty of buildings to sketch, or landmarks like the Tower Bridge or Big Ben.

If you’re looking for somewhere outside of direct sunlight or with air conditioning, there are plenty of lookouts indoors: Horizon 22, the bar at Sky Garden, or the café at the Tate Modern. I’d recommend avoiding rooftop bars, as pleasant weather has a way of attracting crowds!

Reconnect with nature. London can sometimes feel like a concrete jungle, but there are a lot of accessible points to immerse yourself in nature! The London ponds are fun, but can get a little crowded. Instead I’d suggest picking a big park like Richmond Park, or a garden like Kew Gardens or Battersea Park. I’ve also heard great things about the London Wetland Centre. Both quick train rides away from central London!

Treasure hunt for home décor. Sometimes what I really need is a mission: a reason to go out, a task to complete, and a way to know when I’m over being outside and want to come home. Right now, I’ve been looking around my space and thinking about what would look good (slash, what’s missing). Rather than shop online for my next favourite vase, I like to go charity shopping and see what I can thrift. Charity shops are often small, and usually not crowded, so there’s less chance for a lot of noise. Poring over a collection of antiques and artwork, deciding what’s to your taste and imagining pieces in your home, feels both enriching and introspective.

Try a new art form. I do this at home a lot—I have a bad habit of buying a lot of art supplies and then forgetting to use them. But there’s a new art café called Imperfect Art that I am so keen to try! You book in for a session, get a cup of tea on arrival, and get going with creating watercolour art. You can add on friendship bracelets, acrylic paint sets, and a collage/vision board. I am so excited to give them a try soon!

Journal or read in a park. If you’re looking for an insular activity that takes you outside, why not take your indoor activities outside? Grab your favourite book or notebook, and head to your local park to enjoy the nice weather while doing something you already know you enjoy!

Visit a library. What’s quieter than a library? London has some of the most beautiful places to study, read, or write. Favourites of mine include the Battersea Library, that has a pin-drop quiet workspace room; the Victoria Library, with stunning double-floor architecture; and the Islington Library, with its arched dome ceiling study space. Enjoy the quiet atmosphere a library brings and indulge in writing, sketching, or reading.

If you’re introverted, but don’t like being cooped up indoors, I’d love to know how you enjoy your time out of the house. Let me know in the comments!