London’s main attractions tend to be its vast array of buildings, landmarks and endless shopping streets, but there’s also a fair amount for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy. The capital benefits from a range of activities — from paintball to exploring London’s parks — to keep you busy.
London’s historical buildings, modern architecture and busy streets have made it one of the most popular and iconic cities in the world. This may lead you to believe that the UK’s capital isn’t the best location for those looking for things to do in the great outdoors, but in reality, there is an abundance of outdoor activities in the inner city, as well as the neighbouring areas of London.
If you’re particularly fond of the outdoors, or simply want to enjoy the UK’s sunshine while it lasts, make sure to enjoy these five ideal activities if you’re visiting or living in London.
1. Take a Bike Tour Around the City
One of the most enjoyable ways to enjoy being outside and explore what your nearby area has to offer is a bike ride. While London may not provide the rural scenery and nature aesthetic of the countryside, it’s safe to say it offers diversity, sights and attractions by the bucketload. So what better way to explore everything it has to offer than from a saddle?
London is one of many major European cities that have embraced cycling as a form of transport for day-to-day and tourism purposes. Whether you’re enjoying a solo trip to the capital or have ventured for a short trip with family or friends, a bike tour around the city is a fantastic way to see the sights and get some exercise in the process.
2. Explore London’s Parks
At first glance, London may look as if it offers little in the way of greenery, nature, and wildlife. But upon closer inspection and exploration, the reality is very different. You’ll stumble upon its many beautiful parks and be delighted with what you find. Hyde Park, for example, is an outdoor activity dream with boating, tennis, swimming and children’s playgrounds, as well as an abundance of dazzling buildings and monuments.
The Regent’s Park is home to London Zoo, an open air theatre, a boating lake, and a beautiful rose garden, as well as the largest outdoor sports area in London. If you’re particularly fond on wildlife, you may want to check out Richmond Park’s 600+ free roaming deer and the pelicans in St James’s Park.
Of course, these parks are just a few of the many spread across London. This guide of each of the parks will give you a better idea of which will be most suitable for your interests and needs.
3. Paintball Near London
Now for something a little more unique and far from your average outdoor activity: a day of paintball in London. While there may not be much opportunity for outdoor paintball in the boroughs of the inner city, the surrounding rural areas make paintball near London a very achievable and attractive prospect. Not only do you get to engage in a day of immersive combat while exploring a range of large battlefields, but you also get to embrace the great outdoors in a way that no other activity allows you to.
Taking a break from the busy shopping streets of the inner city — and spending a day playing the best paintball London has to offer — is an excellent way to mix things up and give those on your trip an adrenaline-fuelled alternative. If you’re concerned about venturing away from the centre of London, not to worry: the best paintball near London is only a 20-minute train journey away, or just under an hour-long drive if you have a car.
4. A Boat Trip Along the Thames
Paris has the Seine, Amsterdam has the Amstel, and the Thames flows through London with some of the most iconic attractions in the world on its riverbanks. Sure, you could walk along that very riverbank and enjoy the sights, but why not make the most of such a great waterway by taking a boat trip?
Depending on how fast and thrilling you want your venture down the Thames to be, you’ll find that there are so many options to choose from. You could stick with a more classic sightseeing tour or exploration of the nearby canals, or there’s a more extreme speedboat option for those who want to glide up and down the Thames at a more rapid pace.
London is a popular destination for people all over the world and from the UK. While many may opt to see the inside of as many famous buildings and embrace the shopping heaven the capital offers, London’s outdoor areas and activities are definitely not to be missed. The activities mentioned above are just a few of the many outdoor activities offered by the UK’s capital, and all of which will undoubtedly make your trip one to remember.
Can you recommend any other London activities for outdoor enthusiasts in London?
Let me know in the comments below!
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I want so badly to visit London someday. I will add these activities to my London bucket list for when I go. My goal is within the next 2 years.
Carrie Chance recently posted…Style and Principle – Quote of the Day
I want to do them all. Visiting Egland is my dream along with France. Those are my bucket list moments to add.
Rebecca Bryant recently posted…See La Nouba Before it Takes its Final Bow December 2017 #Disneypring #LaNouba
London sounds fabulous. We haven’t had a chance to visit yet, but hopefully soon! I’m definitely planning to take the kids to Richmond Park’s to see the free roaming deer St James’s Park to check out the pelicans.
Micki Kosman recently posted…Box Tops Bonus App – The Easy Way to Earn Money for Your School
It’s would be a dream to visit London is at. the top of my bucket list!! When I was much younger it wanted to move there but I doubt that will happen now. lol
Jasmine recently posted…Easy To Make Cheesy Yuca Fries
Those all sound great! I’d love the boat trip because it sounds like a really relaxing thing to do!
Alicia recently posted…8 Diaper Bags That Don’t Look Like Diaper Bags
Visiting London is on my bucket list. I loved reading this for ideas and hope to try them out very soon!
I did a London boat cruise at the weekend and it was lots of fun to see the city from another angle x
Rhian Westbury recently posted…The Beauty Of Compton Acres Gardens
I’ve been wanting to go paintballing for years, but never managed to…
Gareth Torrance recently posted…Get Your Retro Game Fix With These Awesome Emulators
I have always thought London to have weather that can dampen anyone’s spirits. After reading this, I might just have to rethink my holiday plans.
I personally wouldn’t like to go for a bike ride around London! I find it busy walking around and wouldn’t like to travel on the roads on a bike either. But that’s just me. I have however gone on a boat trip along the Thames which was really nice. I also like the London parks 🙂
London’s Parks have so much to offer – love the paint balling idea too!
Talya recently posted…Five truths about motherhood people don’t like to share
I went on a boat this Saturday and it was SO much fun! Definitely something I would love to do again. Love the idea of hiring a bike too, a cycle in the park would be so lovely – why have I never thought of that?
Lx
Luisa-Christie recently posted…Let’s talk about my day job | Working in an Office*
I still need to book a trip to London. I’ve been saying for two years I will go next year and still haven’t made it x
Stephanie Cummings recently posted…LIFESTYLE | Wax Melt Addiction – My 3 Most Used / Bought Products
I would love a boat ride. That sounds like good fun.
These all sound great. I’d love to do a boat trip along the Thames. I’ve never done one x
Kerry norris recently posted…Vegan Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cookies – Guest post by Ready, Freddie Go
The bike rides are a great way to doing an activity with teenage children who feel to big for many of the london attractions. We did this recently and laughed all day long!
London is such a great city to visit! We are due to go there for a couple of days next month and we are really looking forward to exploring!
I would love to visit and explore London. There is an English Heritage walk I’d like to go on but it isn’t suitbable for the kids 🙁
Musings of a tired mummy…zzz… recently posted…IoW2017: The Needles
I’d love to boat trip down the thames or bike riding. It looks like so much fun. I’ve heard you can get night time cruises on the thames. They look so magical. x
I’d love to do any of these. London is on my bucket list, so your list is so perfect. My kids would love the paint balling for sure and I’ll take the boat rides!
Andrea recently posted…August POPSUGAR Must Have Box Discount & Giveaway
These all sound like great activities. I would love to play paintball with the family near London.
I went to London in the late 70s as a young teen. I loved it then and have wanted to go back ever since!
London is on my bucket lists of cities to visit one day. All of this sounds lovely, I cannot wait to experience it for myself.
Ashley recently posted…Thor Ragnarok Superpower of STEM Challenge!
Oh I love to explore London’s parks. Especially as they are so peaceful and serene! I would love to try a boat trip too x
Ana De- Jesus recently posted…12 Unbelievable Experiences That You Must Try In Iceland
There are loads of stunning parks in London. Having lived in London all my life I have seen a fair few. You can find some great play areas for the kiddies too!!!!
MELANIE EDJOURIAN recently posted…How to Create a Neutral Look at Home Without Redecorating
London in the sunshine is perfect for outdoor adventures. Boris biking is still on my to do list!
Thanks for sharing!
Leigh at Fashion Du Jour LDN x
Fab activities! I’m in London tomorrow actually but I wont be doing any of these unfortunately! I do like the sound of bike riding around the city!
five little doves recently posted…Blow-paint monsters with 5 minute fun
Great list. London is one of my favourite cities and I always enjoy reading posts about it. My last post was actually about London too 🙂
Elena recently posted…The Best Day Trips from London