How to Have a Sustainable Summer in South London: Our Favourite 5 tips

Sunshine's finally here, and South London is buzzing!

But while we're all about enjoying those long summer days, let's not forget about keeping our corner of the city vibrant and sustainable.

Here are our five favourite tips for a summer that's light for the environment (and your wallet!), and heavy on good vibes:

1. Two Wheels, Zero Emissions: Embrace Cycling in South London

South London's streets are alive with sunshine, and what better way to soak it all in than by exploring on two wheels?

Forget the crowded buses and stuffy tubes!

Cycling is a fantastic way to get around South London.

Breathe in the fresh air, feel the sun on your face, and enjoy the sights as you whizz past.

Plus, cycling is a great way to stay healthy and active – perfect for those summer ice cream indulgences!

Don't have a bike?

No worries! Bike rental are readily available for rent all over the city, making exploring different neighbourhoods a breeze.

Even better if you have your own bike, so you can park where and when you want, without paying extras.

Cycling routes are spread all around London.

We have tried from Battersea to Richmond, most of it across the river themes, and was very magical. so green and beautiful!

A must do for any London summer!

2. Pack a Sustainable Picnic

South London boasts some amazing parks and green spaces – think Southwark Park, Peckham Rye Park, or even your local hidden gem.

But please skip the wasteful disposable plates and cutlery.

If we love our outdoors and spending time in them, we really should make sure we leave them green and clean.

It's so sad to walk in the park and see so much trash.

So pack your bag with containers, plates, and cutlery from home.

The normal cutlery and plates we use at home are more than enough, easy to clean after and zero cost.

Why should we buy new stuff (even the reusable one), when we already have reusable, free things at home?

This, combined with some fresh food made at home (Spanish frittata, sandwiches, pies, cakes - the list of easily transportable picnic food is endless), some fruit and drinks in can or glass bottle, makes the perfect, sustainable picnic.

And believe us when we say the we do love (love!) picnics.

3. From Farm to Fork: Feast on Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables

Speaking of delicious food, why not embrace the bounty that summer gives us in term of fruits and vegetables?

Luckily, June and July are bursting with seasonal goodness, easily accessible in the many groceries and markets in South London.

Think juicy strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries for a sweet treat.

They can even been picked, package free (and price free!) from the huge and very widespread berry bushes present in most green areas of London.

We picked so many blackberry in Brockwell park last year and made jam for the whole winter!

Savoury options include vibrant courgettes, aubergines and peppers

Very popular among our Mediterranean team members (Marco's aubergine parmigiana is a common talk at lunchtime these days!), they are versatile vegetable that go well on a BBQ, as a sauce for pasta, deep fried, baked...every excuse is good to eat them plenty!

And don't forget the peas, green beans and broad beans, for a good source of summer proteins.

By opting for local produce at farmers' markets or greengrocers, you're supporting local growers, reducing food miles, and getting the freshest flavours possible.

There will be plenty of time to eat those pumpkin and broccoli later on!

4. Stay Hydrated for Free: Refill on the Go

Staying hydrated is crucial in the summer but there's no need to rely on single-use plastic bottles.

London has a growing network of free public water fountains!

This website provided by london.gov show a map of london with the location of some refill stations.

Even better, the handy "Refill" app [downloadable here] tell you where to find your nearest fountain, so you can refill your reusable water bottle throughout the day.

And, most bar and café will be happy to offer you a refill of your own water bottle or even just a glass of tap water.

We really have no excuses for buy those expensive (it's just water!!!) plastic water bottles.

5. Escape to the Seaside Sustainably:

Waterloo? London Bridge? Clapham Junction? Denmark Hill? You name it!

South London boasts fantastic connections to the beautiful English coastline, especially in the south coast of England.

Popular options include the vibrant city of Brighton , the historic town of Hastings or Folkestone, or the charming seaside resort of Broadstairs, Ramsgate or Margate.

Most our team is from countries with a real attachment to seaside summers, so we take all possible occasion to go and smell the sea salt and have the breeze in our hair.

And guess what? We don't even have cars!

And we don't need them.

Did you know there are often great deals on train travel from London to popular seaside destinations?

Websites like Trainline or National Rail can help you find budget-friendly and eco-friendly train journeys.

And with a railcard, things can get really cheap (check here).

If you are students, under 30, a family, a senior, disable, or even simply have a best friend to travel your summer out with (we have the travel together card, for example), railcards can offers real deals and make your summers cheap, sunny and sustainable.

Small adjustment, big changes

With a little creativity and planning, you can have a fantastic summer that's kind to the environment, your wallet, and your South London community.

So, dust off your bike, grab your reusable water bottle, and get ready to explore all that South London has to offer in a sustainable way.

Remember, even small changes can make a big difference.

Here's to a happy, healthy, and eco-friendly South London summer for everyone!