14 Best Adventure and Nature Activities in London

The British capital offers scenic routes and memorable adventures for your vacation. Among the best things to see and do in London if you are looking for nature and adventure are kayaking, outdoor theme parks and wild experiences that allow you to interact with animals. You can also take advantage of its variety of green areas, ideal for enjoying contact with nature in Hyde Park or at the local zoo.

In the surroundings there are trails where it is worthwhile to walk and even reach remote places that are reserved for the adventurous. If you prefer less intense family activities, you can take a bike ride or enjoy a trip back in time at the Natural History Museum. To make sure you don't miss out on any activity I have created this list with the most entertaining options.

London is the city with the most parks and gardens in the world, and you can't leave without visiting the most emblematic ones. Kew Gardens offers a natural escape through its trails and themed gardens, surrounded by more than 50,000 species of plants from around the world. If you are drawn to exotic ecosystems you have to let the smells and colors flood your senses in its Victorian glasshouses, which are:

• The Princess of Wales Conservatory: one of my favorites, as it has carnivorous plants that you can see in action.
• Bonsai House: houses around 60 bonsai and includes the first ones imported to the UK, as well as specimens over 200 years old.
• Temperate House: has a special climate control system to shelter and exhibit plants from all over the world.
• Palm House: take a look at the oldest potted plant in the world.
• Alpine House: preserves alpine plants such as small ferns, lavender, primroses, thyme and tulips, recreating the conditions they need to survive.

If you like nature walks you have to take advantage of its walkway through the treetops, where adrenaline will not be lacking. In addition, from April to September you can visit the interior of Kew Palace. This place also has The Hive where you can learn about bees, a Great Asian Pagoda, a children's garden with games and attractions, as well as two art galleries.

This is undoubtedly one of the best gardens and parks in London for its fusion of natural, cultural and learning plans, but the list is endless.

You can't visit London and miss the opportunity to book a speedboat ride on the Thames. It is a thrilling experience that takes you to enjoy intense jumps, speed to the limit and tight turns. During this 56 km per hour ride you will be able to immerse yourself in the most daring side of the city for at least 45 minutes. You have nothing to worry about! At all times you will have your raincoat and life jacket.

It is highly recommended, especially if you plan to visit London in August when the weather is more pleasant for this type of plans. Consider also buying tickets for the Tower of London, although you can see it from another angle aboard this boat.

If you like to challenge the adrenaline even more you could book an extended 80-minute speedboat tour. It's an option that doubles the fun and, with more time, you can enjoy local anecdotes and see places like the O2 Arena and Tower Bridge.

But if you're just looking to relax and appreciate the river you can book a cruise on the Thames, a quieter option to travel back in time to see the facade of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and a reconstruction of a theater from 1559. The best city cruises even allow you to enjoy local cuisine or make free stops.

If you enjoy visiting local zoos and aquariums, you must embark on a different and interactive adventure at the London Zoo. Here you will find more than 17,000 animals of at least 756 species including tigers, gorillas, giraffes and Komodo dragons.

As the oldest scientific zoo in the world, this is an undeniably eye-catching attraction. In addition, it is easy to tour it because it is divided into thematic zones, where the highlights are:

• African Bird Safari, simulates an African ecosystem that allows all species to survive.
• Fruit Bats Forest, if you have no problem with bats, you can take the opportunity to see them in their habitat.
• Butterfly Paradise, enjoy a colorful spectacle with butterflies of all kinds that glide among the flowers and fruits.
• Land of the Lions, see the lions up close in a glass-free environment. You can learn about their lifestyle and conservation.
• Tiger Territory: home to Sumatran tigers, a critically endangered species.

If you want to feel the adrenaline tingling all over your body, you have to take advantage of one of the best tickets in London: Up at the O2. It allows you to climb on top of one of the main stadiums of the city used for concerts and sports matches. With your harness you can start climbing at your own pace up to the dome, always with safety equipment and a professional guide who will help you and explain the history of this building.

You will be supported on a safe walkway reinforced with handrails on both sides. When you reach the top you will be 52 meters above the ground, but the 360º views will compensate for the effort.

If you don't want to miss anywhere in the British capital and want to take advantage of the most accessible animal environments, consider visiting Sea Life Aquarium. It is the largest aquarium in England and hosts fun family activities. Take the opportunity to meet more than 500 species and dive into the depths to see piranhas, fish of all colors, penguins and turtles, among others.

It has 14 themed areas divided into three floors, among my favorites are:

• Coral Kingdom, dive into a colorful coral reef and learn about its conservation.
• Ocean Invaders, when an external species reaches the coasts of any country, there is a risk that the health of the ocean will change and many species will be threatened. In this area you can learn about jellyfish, which are so named because of their increasing proliferation in ecosystems where they were not common before.
• Crystal Tunnel: walk along this walkway while sharks and manta rays walk around you, something impressive that you could not afford in the ocean.

London by bike is more fun because you can access its popular charms and less typical areas. The city has its own public bike rental system that allows you to skip the traffic and take advantage of its natural areas.

But you can also book a bike tour through London's parks to breathe fresh air and get a close-up view of the Serpentine Lake, where you can see the Peter Pan statue and the Princess Diana Memorial. You'll also enjoy the natural wonders in the heart of the UK including:

• Kensington Gardens.
• Hyde Park.
• Green Park.
• St. James Park.

But if you want to enjoy a personalized treatment and not miss anything during this experience, I suggest you to book a bike tour through the hidden places of London. This way you can get away from the traditional tourist routes, meet speakeasy pubs and go around a little-known ancient monastery.

These experiences also give you access to the city's cuisine and history. And you can even ride through the hills of Hampstead Heath Park and see wildlife near ponds and rural cottages.

Another option to test your vertigo is to visit Tottenham Hotspur's stadium, where a climbing experience on a glass walkway awaits. By purchasing tickets for The Dare Skywalk you can enjoy one of the most exciting challenges in London, as only the most daring tourists get to touch the golden cockerel at the top of the building that is the emblem of FC.

At the top you will be rewarded with 360-degree views of the city and feel the shock of euphoria as you stand 50 meters high. It's an adventurous way to try new things in a safe environment, where an expert will help you climb and provide you with all the necessary equipment.

If you would like to travel back in time you can visit The Castle Climbing Centre. It is ideal for all ages and offers a thrilling experience on the rocks of an old Victorian station. It has 450 climbing routes, of which 90 are with safety ropes.

Fear of climbing is completely normal, but here you will be motivated to overcome it. You can use ropes and safety equipment and, if you prefer to do it without a harness, there are mats below that can cushion the blow. Plus, you're allowed to restart and complete the climbing route at your own pace.

Most of the climbing walls are outdoors, but you also have indoor options in case you have to brave London on a rainy day. Another thing you'll enjoy is the amount of nature that surrounds it, including a garden with bee colonies, a pond with wild animals and fresh fruit crops.

It also has lockers to store your belongings and showers to freshen up at the end of the activity.

A hiking trail is perfect for discovering London' s secret spots and taking advantage of the most breathtaking natural viewpoints.

The most beautiful is probably the Thames Path which allows you to explore the river from end to end taking in Tower Bridge, St. Paul's Cathedral and Tate Modern. However, the ideal route will depend on your interests. So, if you would like to spot deer, you should consider other environments such as Richmond Park. There are also easy, marked trails in Epping Forest.

Hyde Park is London's most popular park, and during your visit, you need to take advantage and take a tour. Green areas abound here and it is one of the best outdoor activities the city has to offer. In this green lung you can escape the tourist crowds and get to know the most authentic side of the capital, as it is very popular with locals.

In the park you can enjoy carriage rides, horseback riding and outdoor picnics. Its origins date back to the 16th century and its attractions include:

• The Serpentine, a lake where you can go boating or enjoy the best of London in summer.
• Princess Diana Memorial: a fountain and garden in memory of Princess Diana that was inaugurated in 2004.
• Italian Gardens: they stand out among the best parks and gardens in London because they are perfect for relaxing and bird watching.

To take the adrenaline levels to another level, I suggest you slide on a zip line and take advantage of the best views of London. Go Ape is one of the options you can add to your itinerary. This place has three locations in the city that offer physical and mental challenges. It has high ropes courses, suspension bridges and zip lines.

Take advantage and jump through the treetops in a controlled way and enjoy a day full of fun. It has circuits for the little ones and offers Segway rides through the forest.

One of the most impressive animal attractions in London is Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. It's a place with a rescue initiative famous for its tourist activities that encourage animal care. And you don't need to plan an adoption to live this experience, where you will have free time to play and interact with the dogs and cats.

You will be in a natural environment and learn about their history, the rehabilitation process of the animals and the care they need. A fun fact is that TV shows and documentaries such as For the Love of the Dogs, BBC's Animal Rescue Live and Pet Rescue have been filmed here.

An amusement park is a must on an adventurer's itinerary, so I suggest you visit Thorpe Park Resort It is one of the most exciting in the UK and is located on the outskirts in a completely natural environment. It houses around 30 attractions and hides some of the most impressive roller coasters in the country.

For example, you can enjoy Saw The Ride, a roller coaster with a 100-meter drop and a 100-degree turn. It also has water attractions with curves and unexpected descents, as well as a virtual simulation where you will have to face a demon. If you want to enjoy nature and breathe fresh air, you can take a boat ride on the park's lakes.

Just outside London you will find Chessington World of Adventures Resort, a theme park and zoo where fun is guaranteed. It has impressive attractions such as a vampire roller coaster inspired by the flight of bats, where you will go at extreme speed through the trees.

You can also board a rustic tourist bus on the Scorpion Safari, which takes you through the African savannah to interact with different species. Additionally, you'll find an aquarium and themed areas inspired by books and movies. Of course, it's impossible to miss Dragon Falls and its rapid rafting down a wild river that will leave you soaking wet.