12 Best Outdoor Activities in London

The capital of England is exquisite and stands out for its outdoor plans that take you to know urban areas and natural landscapes. During your visit you cannot miss a cruise on the majestic river Thames to enjoy the local music, culture and gastronomy. Of course, you also have to take a carriage ride and attend an outdoor movie.

But among the things to see and do in London outdoors are a tour of the history of The Beatles and the hideouts of the terrifying Jack the Ripper. And being one of the European cities with more green areas, you can't miss the royal gardens located in places like the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey.

You can't miss the opportunity to wander around London to discover its hidden gems and major monuments. On foot it is easier to find parks, street art and other features of local culture that are overlooked when using transportation. In addition, you can avoid traffic and take advantage of the fact that many of the tourist attractions are relatively close to each other.

The city has 33 districts and you can use the nine zones of the subway as a reference:

• Zone 1: near Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the British Museum.
• Zone 2: near Camden Market and Notting Hill.
• Zone 3 to 6: includes more residential areas with few tourist attractions.
• Zone 4 to 9: takes you to places on the outskirts of London.

In general, you have to go through Soho and see the imposing Big Ben. London is a huge city with so many things to discover that, to enjoy a complete itinerary, I suggest you book a private and personalized tour of the city that usually includes tickets to the London Eye

London is home to some of the most beautiful parks in the world and different routes to cycle around the city. This way it is easier to cover long distances and discover hidden corners such as lakes, gardens and sculptures. In addition, there are bike lanes and more than 400 bike rental stations in different local spots.

London's park and garden tours are considered a fun activity where you can zigzag through the alleys and shortcuts to see places like the Royal Gardens, where you will see the Princess Diana monument and the Peter Pan Statue. I also encourage you to discover the city's largest lung and park, known as Hyde Park.

But if you like wide, smooth, low-intensity grounds, you might want to head to Regent's Park, famous for its gardens and nature spaces in the heart of London. Alternatively, I suggest you stop by Greenwich Park and take advantage of the fact that it connects to the Thames to book a bike ride along the waterfront.

Cruising on the Thames offers a different perspective of London and its monuments. On board you will see the London Eye, the façade of Big Ben and the Cutty Sark, a ship that was used to import tea from Asia during the Victorian Era. You will just have to relax in your seat and keep your eyes on the scenery to not miss any detail.

I encourage you to visit the article on the best Thames cruises to see the different options and choose the one that best suits you. You can take a simple cruise with commentary on board and discover the history behind each monument or book a cruise with dinner and live music, among many other options.

In addition, there are also cruises with free stops that allow you to get to know London at your own pace. And if you are visiting the city with the intention of celebrating a special occasion, don't hesitate to book a Jacuzzi boat ride It's a private experience that allows you to combine a hot tub with breathtaking views of England's capital.

London's neighborhoods will never cease to amaze you with their secret places full of magic. And, during your visit you have to get out to know its most authentic side and not limit yourself to the most popular tourist attractions. For example, you can venture to see the remains of its medieval walls or visit the Secret Garden of St Dunstan's, which is little known and is among the ruins of an old church of the Second World War.

The center of London has charming and secret hideaways that revolve around the history of the city. It's worth becoming a researcher and going out in search of, for example, the world's smallest police station. Don't be surprised if you get hidden courtyards, passageways, mysterious backstreets and speakeasies.

And if you'd like to get to corners of the city you can't even imagine, you can book a tour of secret London. You won't have to worry about the logistics of the itinerary and you will be able to enjoy it in the company of a tour guide.

The Beatles tours in London are a highlight that is usually done outdoors, although there are bus options so you won't get tired. This experience invites fans of the band to explore places significant in the artists' lives and careers. You'll walk and take a picture on the iconic Abbey Road zebra walk, famous for the iconic "Abbey Road" album cover released in 1969.

You'll stroll through Soho and discover the places where the band used to meet, as well as the main venue. You can follow in the footsteps of John Lennon and Paul McCartney to discover the best pubs in London that were frequented by the singers. Also famous in Beatlemania is Penny Lane, inspired by one of their songs. And although it is in Liverpool, during the tour you may hear its history.

If you want to discover London by night you have to take advantage of the night tours around the city. One of the highlights is the one that takes you through Jack the Ripper's most terrifying crimes. You will walk through the cold alleys frequented by this serial killer and even have access to real images of the crime scenes with a high-tech projector.

It is a suspenseful adventure that takes you through an unsolved mystery, as the killer has never been identified. At the time, several sketches were made and there were numerous suspects, including Prince Albert Victor, Queen Victoria's grandson.

However, it could never be verified and there are several theories that you can discover during a guided tour. For example, there is the idea that there were multiple assassins, or that it was actually a woman. It is also said that it was a way to divert attention from the growing social unrest due to the labor movements that were emerging in London.

The more daring will surely want to take advantage of adventure and nature activities in London. A great option is to plan a visit to the city' s soccer stadiums and live an out-of-the-ordinary experience, where you won't just be a spectator. Instead, you will climb to the top of the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, reaching up to 46.8 meters above the pitch.

The tour takes place on a suspended glass walkway, accompanied by professionals and wearing a special suit and shoes. You can add an extra dose of challenge by selecting The Edge option, which consists of a free-fall descent from a height of 42 meters.

If you want to appreciate London in the open air without walking long distances, then you have to consider its sightseeing buses. There are different options and the most popular is the Big Bus, which allows you to enjoy 4 different routes and plenty of free stops, with day and night schedules. There are also bus tours that combine this panoramic tour with a cruise on the Thames.

Nothing compares to booking a bus tour with tea, although this type of tour takes place in a covered bus. However, it is still a good option to enjoy the scenic views while indulging in an English teatime style snack.

Generally, on the Big Bus you have the option of choosing between a 1, 2 or 3 day pass, depending on how much time you have available.

The British Crown is a symbol of the city and its history attracts millions of tourists every year. In addition, most of the sites belonging to the British royals are outdoors, so you have to take advantage of them. Travel back in time and learn about their rituals, traditions, valuable pieces, anecdotes of the coronation and burial of the main monarchs.

For example, you can't miss the main castles and palaces of London, specifically I recommend you:

• Book a visit to Buckingham Palace: this type of experience allows you to see the residence where the regent monarch lives and witness the open-air ceremony of the changing of the guard. Consider that the changing of the guard only takes place daily in summer and every two days in winter. You can also visit its garden which is open to the public between August and September.
• Buy tickets for the Tower of London: this historic building has been a prison, palace and the home of the crown jewels. Its outdoor areas and gardens are impressive and less crowded than other natural spaces in the city.
• Buy tickets for Westminster Abbey: it is the place where royal coronations have been held and where many British monarchs are buried.
• Buy tickets to Windsor Castle: immerse yourself in the oldest inhabited castle in the world and explore its stunning gardens.

To take advantage of several locations of the monarchy at the same time, nothing better than booking a private tour through the history of royalty. In this type of experience, a guide will tell you about the Royal Palace and Westminster Abbey. You will also see the changing of the guard and visit Trafalgar Square, where the statue of King George IV is located.

Open-air cinemas are an exciting and typical summertime activity in London. They are held in spectacular locations such as gardens, parks, rooftops with panoramic views of the city and even facing the River Thames.

Films of all kinds are shown and there are family shows, with times in the afternoons and evenings. Backyard Cinema is one of the most popular options due to its immersive experiences, cinemas on artificial sand and screenings in enchanted forests. In addition, outdoor film festivals are organized every year, and that's not all! During spring or summer it is possible to enjoy a floating cinema on the river.

If you plan to visit London with children, you can't miss the outdoor entertainment offer at Legoland Park. It has more than 55 attractions and special shows that will take you through creative constructions made with Lego pieces.

During the visit you can see miniature replicas of iconic monuments such as Big Ben and the London Eye. The work behind these exhibits is impressive, as some have millions of very small pieces. In addition, there is a circuit of cars for the little ones that are inspired by different themed worlds of the company.

Another highlight is Pirates Landing, where you can enjoy a pirate adventure with thrilling water rides that can be ideal for August in London, when the heat reaches its peak. Additionally, visiting one of London' s best theme parks allows you to experience incredible roller coasters and an ancient Egyptian exhibit.

If you want to deepen your connection with London and discover its most interesting stories, then you have to take a carriage ride. This experience will take you through the highlights of the city and is a reminder of how people moved around in other eras. They are ideal for couple's rides because of their romantic and private atmosphere, where you will feel like a member of the royal family.

These tours are usually offered in places like Hyde Park or St. James's Park, for those who are excited to see Buckingham Palace up close. The rides are short and easy to get in parks, gardens and in the more touristy areas of the city. Some make stops at major attractions, but you should discuss this with the driver before setting off.

Additionally, if you want to take advantage of the London air, you can choose an open carriage. However, there are roofed options that resemble the old carriages of the elite, more appropriate for spending the winter in London.

• Wear clothes according to the weather: London is a city noted for its intense winters and mild summers, as well as rainfall at different points of the year. Bring comfortable sneakers and a few layers in case it rains.
• Look for alternatives: create a varied itinerary with alternative plans. As London has such a changeable weather, it is not a bad idea to have options of activities for rainy days in London.
• Know the subway: although you want to move around the streets and parks to make the most of the outdoor plans, it is important to have a practical guide to the London Underground to make the most of the time.