Some of the best summer days in London are the ones you don’t plan. No itinerary, no rush, and no reason to be anywhere. If you’re after things to do in Canary Wharf this summer, or simply a relaxing London base to do very little from, here’s how to make an art out of doing nothing.

Why Slow Summers Suit Canary Wharf

Here you’ll find one of the calmest corners of the city: water on almost every side, roof gardens above the crowds, and green spaces built for lingering. There’s a real community here as well, right on your doorstep, so slow days can stay local and you don’t have to cross the city to find them.

Start With an Easy Wake-up

The art of doing nothing begins with not setting an alarm. When you’re ready, wander out and enjoy your morning (or afternoon).

• Coffee by the water before the city wakes up, when the docks are still, and the light is soft
• Discover over 100 pieces of art placed around the Wharf, making it the UK’s largest free outdoor collection. Take a wander and enjoy them at your own pace. 
• A dip at Sea Lanes, the new natural swimming spot in Canary Wharf set within Eden Dock, the Wharf’s waterside oasis created with the Eden Project.
• A gentle loop of the dockside, no destination in mind, just a stretch of legs and a bit of fresh air. 

Find a Quiet Green Corner

Some of the best places to do nothing in Canary Wharf are tucked just above and between the towers.

• Crossrail Place Roof Garden, a leafy, free-to-enter garden perched above the station, planted with species from around the world and dotted with quiet corners to sit and read
• A few minutes away on West India Quay, the London Museum Docklands tells 400 years of docks history inside an old sugar warehouse. Entry is free, and no booking’s required. 
• Jubilee Park, a green stretch in the heart of the estate, ideal for a blanket, a book or a slow afternoon in the shade

Master the Unhurried Afternoon

Afternoons are where doing nothing really comes into its own. There’s no wrong way to spend one, but here are a few favourites this August:

• Enjoy a long lunch at the newly opened Sea Lanes bar and cafe. Serving  Mediterranean-inspired plates, with a terrace overlooking the water. 
• Head over to Montgomery Square where you’ll find a free minigolf course designed by artists Craig Redman and Karl Maier. Enjoy the colourful nine-hole course, open from noon to 6pm daily.
• A book by the water, the kind of afternoon that disappears without you noticing. And if you’ve come empty-handed, the free Short Story Stations dotted around the Wharf have got you covered. 
• A quiet afternoon in, back at your studio, TV on, feet up

Sometimes the best afternoons are the simplest ones. 

Let the Evening Unfold

Summer evenings in London stretch on and on, and the trick is not to rush them. Let one thing turn gently into the next, with no rigid schedules in place. 

• Catch the sunset over the water, when Canary Wharf’s glass towers catch the last of the light
• Linger over a slow dinner that runs later than you
• Take an after-dark stroll along the quiet docksides once the day has emptied out
• Head back to Edit for a nightcap in the lounge, or simply an early night

No plans required. 

Slow Summer, Sorted

The art of doing nothing isn’t really about doing nothing at all. It’s about space, ease and the freedom to let a summer day go wherever it likes. 

Canary Wharf makes a slow summer easy, and Edit gives you a comfortable, flexible base to enjoy it from. 

Everything you need to do nothing is already here.

• Your studio, your space and your vibe, set up exactly how you like it
• Your kitchenette for lazy breakfasts and late coffees, no queues, no rush
• Our spaces for when doing nothing feels better in good company, from the lounge to guest socials
• A neighbourhood on your doorstep, so the slowest days need never involve crossing the city

However long you’re here, settle in and do as much or as little as you please.