Where: Folly House Beach
This public beach in Canary Wharf overlooks the 02 Arena, but despite this location it manages to remain an uncrowded alternative to other "beaches", like the Southbank's in the summertime.
While it does stretch the definition of the word, it's a peaceful spot with great views of the city, and comes with heaps of somewhat morbid history - it is named after the 18th century Folly House Tavern, a pit stop for local ship builders and people sailing along the Thames, built by Thomas Davers, the son of a rear admiral who decided to set up home on this otherwise isolated stretch of the capital.
It is believed that the cost of building this home reduced him to poverty, and he eventually killed himself by jumping into the Thames.
