Top London Outdoor Activities

Many of London’s top attractions lie along the Thames River. This boat tour cruises by most of them and includes a London Eye ride to see them from above. Get to know the city’s beating heart and great contrasts as you pass historic sites such as Big Ben, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Tower of London as well as contemporary landmarks like the Tate Modern and Millennium Bridge. Then, ride the Lastminute.com London Eye for sweeping views of the city.

Immerse yourself in the wonderful world of marine life right in the middle of London. Head to Sea Life London Aquarium. Explore the 50 colorful displays, home to over 400 species of sea creatures including sharks, eels, clownfish, octopus, and penguins. Catch an exciting live feeding, and see the new Rainforest Adventure exhibit which showcases one of the Amazon's most impressive carnivorous fish, the piranha.

Discover the beauty and history of Royal London by bike on a morning or afternoon city tour. Enjoy a guided ride through Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, and St. James's Park. Cruise by the stately monuments such as the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, and view royal sites like Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, and the Princess Diana Memorial. Along the way, learn about London’s rich history and contemporary culture.  

Glide by some of London’s must-see landmarks on a sightseeing cruise from Westminster to Greenwich on the Thames River. Step aboard your comfortable cruise boat at Westminster Pier and listen to the entertaining live commentary as you pass sights such as Shakespeare’s Globe, Tower Bridge, and the Tower of London. Drink in the views from the open or indoor deck, and at Greenwich, step ashore to visit attractions (own expense) such as the Cutty Sark or National Maritime Museum. Upgrade to include a return cruise back to Westminster.

Experience the untamed beauty and literary heritage of England’s Lake District on this guided day trip from London, with round-trip rail tickets included. On arrival, explore this epic region by minivan, visiting Lake Windermere, Hawkshead, and Tarn Hows. In summer, enjoy an added visit to Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s former farmhouse; a scenic lake cruise, and tea at the famous Lindeth Howe hotel. Upgrade to first class rail tickets for extra comfort.

Discover the history and diversity of London by bike on a sightseeing tour. Led by a guide, pedal past the city's top sites, including Covent Garden, Buckingham Palace, Westminster, St. Paul's Cathedral, and Trafalgar Square. Along the way, learn about the city’s colorful history — the glorious, the infamous, and everything in between.  

While in London, combine an iconic British tradition with a unique sightseeing excursion on an afternoon tea cruise. Spend a luxurious time enjoying a unique dining experience with family and friends on the Thames River. As you cruise from Tower Pier to Westminster, indulge in tea, freshly prepared cakes, and sandwiches, and view London’s great landmarks including the Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral, and the London Eye.

Ideal for those with an appetite for adrenaline, this 1-hour fast boat experience on the Thames River is sure to get your heart racing. See London’s sights the alternative way as you enjoy a leisurely cruise past Tower Bridge, the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye — giving you plenty of time to capture photographs and relax. Then, once you reach the fast zone, you’ll accelerate to a high velocity and listen to exhilarating music.

Experience a wealth of England’s rural and historical treasures, and the fictional ‘Downton Abbey’ village, on this full-day trip from London with an expert guide. Marvel at splendid Blenheim Palace, the UNESCO-protected country house where Sir Winston Churchill was born, and discover the enchanting scenery of the Cotswolds, with visits to an idyllic village: either Bibury or Bourton-on-the-Water. Lastly, explore the pretty village of Bampton to see some of the locations where the much-loved TV series, ‘Downton Abbey’, was filmed, and enjoy time for lunch here before returning to London.

Witness the enchantment of London at night on an evening cruise along the historic Thames River. Aboard the glass-encased boat, enjoy the city’s main attractions at dusk, including the Shard, Big Ben, and the HMS Belfast. Savor sparkling wine and canapés as you cruise the river and delight in the magic of London’s urban shoreline as night falls.

Enjoy a memorable evening of food, wine, and entertainment on this showboat dinner cruise on the Thames River in London. Feast on a 4-course dinner aboard your sightseeing boat as you sail past London attractions such as the Tower of London, the London Eye, and Tower Bridge, all illuminated at night. While you eat and admire the sights, enjoy live entertainment from a cabaret singer, and, if you wish, take to the dance floor.

Instead of buying expensive guidebooks and spending hours online, get to know London by exploring it with your own guide on this private tour of the city. There’s no need to wear down the soles of your shoes walking around, either – on this tour, get around the city on your own electric bike. See a range of city landmarks and significant buildings and stop for photos at places like Buckingham Palace, London Bridge, and Shakespeare’s Globe.

See Stonehenge before the crowds arrive—and even have time for additional sightseeing afterwards—on this seamless, half-day tour from London. Don’t worry about finding your own way on public transportation: depart early in the morning from London Victoria, and arrive at the UNESCO World Heritage Site before most of the crowds. Admission and shuttle bus tickets are included, as are audio headsets. Explore the world-famous landmark at your own pace before returning to London by mid-afternoon.

Save big on combined admission prices to top London attractions with this London Explorer Pass. You choose whether to get a pass that grants you access to three, four, five, or seven attractions. Choose where to redeem your Explorer credits from a list of London’s most popular spots visited by tourists and locals alike such as the London Eye, Madame Tussauds, London Dungeon, and SEA LIFE London Aquarium. Please note: Enjoy the extra flexibility in case your travel plans need to change: All passes are valid for one year from purchase date and only become activated with your first attraction visit. After activation your pass will be valid for 30 days and/or the remaining number of attraction choices purchased.

Have only a short stay in London? See more of the city’s landmarks in less time—and enjoy a memorable way to travel—on a Thames river cruise. Pick from numerous daily departure times, and head to the London Eye Pier near the famous Lastminute.com London Eye, where you’ll hop aboard your vessel. As you cruise along the river, glimpse monuments ranging from St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Tate Modern to Big Ben and the Tower of London. Live commentary is included (as are audio guides in eight additional languages).

Enjoy a peaceful bike ride without any traffic to worry about as you travel beside a river, away from main roads. This tour is perfect for travelers interested in seeing historic and off the beaten track sights, such as old cottages, a waterwheel, a 17th-century pub, and beautiful parks. Listen to fascinating historical insights from a guide who has lived in the area over 20 years, and get an insider’s guide to secret spots that locals love.

Discover London’s top sights for one low price with the London Pass®. Choose from a 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, or 10-day sightseeing credits package, and enjoy access to your London Pass straight from your mobile. Simply show it at the gate or ticket office to gain entrance to more than 80 attractions including Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey, and the "View from the Shard." You also benefit from skip-the-line access at some of the city's top attractions like the London Zoo. Your pass also includes a hop-on hop-off bus tour, a Thames River cruise, a free guidebook packed with useful information, and valuable shopping and dining discounts. Please note: Enjoy the extra flexibility in case your travel plans need to change: All passes (purchased by December 31) are valid for two year from purchase date and only become activated with your first attraction visit. After activation your pass will be valid for 30 days and/or the remaining number of attraction choices purchased.

See an alternative side of London while honing your photography skills on this 2-hour evening photography tour. Master basic techniques or improve existing camera skills alongside an expert guide and capture flawless shots of London’s illuminated landmarks. Choose between a creative workshop in Westminster, home to the iconic Big Ben, London Eye, and the Houses of Parliament, or opt to photograph London’s famous skyline from Southbank on the Thames River.

Feel like a VIP in London on this photo shoot. A professional photographer will accompany you to some of London's most photogenic attractions and guide you on how to pose like a model. Whether you want to post your photos on social media or keep them as private family portraits, this photo tour is a great way to get memorable, attractive mementos of your time in London.

Immerse yourself in the sights and scents of London’s breathtaking Kew Gardens. A UNESCO-listed venue, the Royal Botanic Gardens offers a plethora of rare plants and flowers across 326 acres (121 hectares). Discover the lawns and gardens on foot, stroll along the Treetop Walkway to view some of the gardens’ 14,000 trees, and visit magnificent structures like the Royal Kew Palace and the Palm House – one of the largest surviving Victorian glasshouses.

Watch the Thames River light up at night on a dinner cruise with live jazz. Kick-off your night with a glass of sparkling wine as you glide into the current, and spot the iconic Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, the London Eye, and Tower of London. Enjoy jazz classics along with swing and Latin tunes, then relax over a 3-course dinner in a heated cabin. Savor dishes like cheese and charcuterie, chicken escalope, and rich berry cheesecake, with plenty of time to take in the sights between courses.

Try your luck fishing for carp without leaving the city on this half-day fishing excursion in London. Head to the East London suburb of Havering, where you can learn the basics of fishing or hone your skills under the advice of an expert fisherman. Finally, cast your line and cross your fingers in hope of catching a carp – the UK’s biggest fish!

Enjoy an alternative and thrilling way to explore London when you book tickets to a high-speed boat tour along the River Thames. Meet at Blackfriars Pier and hop aboard one of the largest Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIB) on the river. After a safety briefing, grab your lifejacket and get ready to zoom past landmarks like Shakespeare’s Globe, the Shard, the Tower of London, and more. The boat reaches speeds of up to 35 mph (56 kph), so you’re guaranteed a rousing journey.

Experience London beneath the atmospheric cloak of evening on a sunset bicycle tour with a knowledgeable guide. Discover all of the English capital’s iconic landmarks as you cycle at a leisurely pace past Big Ben, the London Eye, and the Houses of Parliament. Marvel at the illuminated majesty of Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. Gain fascinating insight into the city’s intriguing historical heritage and receive personalized attention from your guide on this small-group tour.