August Bank Holiday in London: Wine, Terraces & Long Weekend Plans at Humble Grape
Quick summary: Looking for something to do over the August bank holiday in London? Spend the long weekend at Humble Grape with sustainable wine, great food and relaxed terraces in Battersea, Canary Wharf and Islington. Whether you are planning Saturday lunch, Sunday drinks or an easy Bank Holiday Monday catch-up, pick your neighbourhood and let the long weekend unfold.
There is a particular kind of freedom that comes with the August bank holiday weekend in London. Three days stretch out ahead, the out-of-office is on, and for once the diary can stay gloriously empty.
At Humble Grape, we reckon that is exactly how the last long weekend of summer should feel: unhurried, spontaneous and spent somewhere that welcomes wine lovers, wine likers and wine-not-so-sure-ers alike.
No grand itinerary required. Pick your neighbourhood, settle in and let the afternoon do its thing.
Things to Do in London This August Bank Holiday Weekend
The best bank holidays tend to be the ones you do not overthink.
Instead of spending hours planning an escape from London, stay close to home, find a glass of something interesting and let someone else take care of the food.
That is the idea behind our London wine bars: relaxed neighbourhood spaces where you can stop for one glass, stay for dinner or discover a bottle you have never tried before.
For the bank holiday long weekend, head to Battersea, Canary Wharf or Islington, all of which will be open across Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday.
Whether you are after a long Saturday lunch, a relaxed Sunday glass or somewhere to settle in on Monday, these three Humble Grape locations make an easy base for the long weekend.
Start Your Long Weekend With Saturday Lunch
If Saturday is when your bank holiday weekend properly begins, Battersea, Islington and Canary Wharf have plenty happening.
From 12pm to 4pm, our Burger & Bordeaux Saturday Lunch Offer pairs a burger with a glass of Bordeaux for £20.
Fancy lingering a little longer? Wine O'Clock runs from 12pm to 4.30pm on Saturdays at Battersea, Islington and Canary Wharf, with selected organic wines available for £6 a glass.
Bringing the family? Kids Eat Free is also available every Saturday from 12pm to 4.30pm at the same three locations. One child under 12 can enjoy the Little Grape menu free for every dining adult, subject to the offer's terms and conditions.
At Canary Wharf, Burger & Bordeaux is also available on Fridays from 12pm to 4pm, so the long weekend can start a little earlier if you fancy it.
It is a fairly straightforward formula for a bank holiday weekend: good food, good wine and nowhere you particularly need to be afterwards.
Spend a Late-Summer Afternoon on a Humble Grape Terrace
If London gives us one more properly sunny late-August afternoon, there are few better ways to spend it than outside with a glass of wine and nowhere else to be.
For the bank holiday long weekend, Battersea, Canary Wharf and Islington each offer a relaxed setting for stretching lunch into the afternoon, sharing a bottle with friends or settling in with a few plates as the sun starts to dip.
At Humble Grape Battersea, you are just moments from Clapham Common, making it an easy stop after a long weekend wander around the park. Find a table, choose something chilled and let Saturday afternoon turn into evening at its own pace.
Over at Humble Grape Canary Wharf, the waterfront terrace sits beside Middle Dock on Mackenzie Walk. It is a particularly good spot for a late-summer glass by the water, whether you are starting the weekend early or gathering everyone together for a lazy lunch.
If you are spending the weekend in North London, Humble Grape Islington gives you a relaxed neighbourhood option just off Upper Street, ideal for wine, food and a slower afternoon away from the bustle nearby.
Wherever you choose, the formula is simple: find a spot outside, pick a bottle, order something good and give yourself permission not to rush anywhere afterwards.
You can explore more of our outdoor seating and terraces in London or find your nearest bar on our London wine bars page.
Outdoor tables can be popular when the sun appears, so booking ahead is a good idea if you have a particular time in mind.
The People Behind the Bottles
The wine is, naturally, a rather important part of the story.
Our collection brings together wines from small, independent producers who care deeply about what happens in the vineyard. Many work organically, biodynamically or with low-intervention methods, and sustainability sits at the heart of how we choose the bottles that make it onto our shelves.
We import around 95% of our wines directly from producers, which means fewer layers between the vineyard and your glass and, more importantly, much closer relationships with the people making the wine.
Many bottles are also exclusive to Humble Grape in the UK.
Ask the team anything. Tell us what you normally drink, give us a price range or simply say, "surprise me."
Our teams know the wines and the people behind them, so recommendations often come with more than tasting notes. They come with a proper story too.
That relaxed, no-snobbery approach is a big part of what Humble Grape is about. You can read more about where it all began on our Our Story page.
One Last Taste of California
California has been having a moment at Humble Grape this August.
From coastal Pinot Noir shaped by Pacific breezes to bottles from smaller producers doing things their own way, we have spent the month exploring why California deserves far more attention than the big, bold stereotypes might suggest.
If Californian wine has been on your radar this summer, the August bank holiday weekend gives you another excuse to explore.
Ask the team what is currently pouring, discover more in our California wine guide, or browse our organic wine collection online.
Prefer something red? Our red wine collection is another good place to start.
And if you want to know what is coming next at Humble Grape, join our newsletter for new wines, tastings, dinners and other excuses to gather around a bottle.
Make Humble Grape Part of Your August Bank Holiday in London
A bank holiday weekend in London does not always need a packed itinerary.
Sometimes the best plan is finding somewhere good and staying there.
Choose Battersea, Canary Wharf or Islington, find a terrace or a cosy table inside, order something delicious and pick a bottle you might not have tried before.
Then let the rest of the long weekend work itself out.
August Bank Holiday FAQs
What can I do in London over the August bank holiday?
London offers plenty to do over the August bank holiday weekend, from parks and markets to restaurants and wine bars. If you are looking for a relaxed option, Humble Grape Battersea, Canary Wharf and Islington will be open across the long weekend, with sustainable wine, food and outdoor seating available.
Which Humble Grape wine bars are open on Bank Holiday Monday?
On Monday 31 August, Humble Grape Battersea, Canary Wharf and Islington will be open as normal.
For this bank holiday guide, we recommend those three locations as they are open throughout the wider long weekend.
You can explore all Humble Grape venues on our London locations page.
Where can I find a London wine bar with a terrace this bank holiday weekend?
For a relaxed late-summer drink outside, head to Humble Grape Battersea, Canary Wharf or Islington. Canary Wharf offers a waterfront setting beside Middle Dock, while Battersea and Islington are easy neighbourhood options for a long lunch, a few glasses and an unhurried afternoon.
Do I need to book a table for the bank holiday weekend?
Booking ahead is recommended for larger groups, busy lunch or dinner periods and outdoor tables on sunny days. Walk-ins are also welcome, subject to availability.
Are Humble Grape wines organic?
Our focus is on sustainable wine from small, independent producers. Many of our wines come from producers working organically, biodynamically or with low-intervention methods, although not every bottle carries formal organic certification.
You can learn more about our approach on our Our Story page or browse the organic wine collection online.
Can I buy wine to take home?
Yes. Our London wine bars also operate as wine shops, so bottles can be purchased to take home, subject to availability. You can also browse the Humble Grape online wine shop for home delivery.
