14 Best Adventure and Nature Activities in London

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

There are trails in the surrounding area that are well worth a walk and even reach remote places that are reserved for the adventurous. If you prefer less strenuous 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 of the activities, I've put together this list of 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 iconic ones. Kew Gardens offers a natural escape through its themed trails and gardens, surrounded by more than 50,000 species of plants from around the world. If exotic ecosystems appeal to you, let the smells and colours wash over your senses in its Victorian glasshouses:

• The Princess of Wales Conservatory: one of my favourites, as it has carnivorous plants that you can see in action.
• Bonsai House: houses around 60 bonsai and includes the earliest bonsai imported to the UK, as well as specimens over 200 years old.
• Temperate House: is specially air-conditioned to house and display plants from around the world.
• Palm House: check out the world's oldest potted plant.
• 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 must take advantage of its treetop walkway, 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 Beehive 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 take a speedboat ride on the Thames. It's an exhilarating experience that takes you on a thrilling ride with intense jumps, speed to the limit and tight turns. During this 35 mile an hour ride you'll be able to immerse yourself in the city's most daring side for at least 45 minutes, so there's nothing to worry about! You'll have your mackintosh and lifejacket with you at all times.

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

If you like to challenge the adrenaline even more, you could book an extended 80-minute speedboat tour. This option doubles the fun and, with more time, you can enjoy local anecdotes and see sights such as the O2 Arena and Tower Bridge.

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

If you enjoy visiting local zoos and aquariums, embark on a different and interactive adventure at London Zoo. Here you'll find over 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. It's also easy to navigate because it is divided into themed areas, the highlights of which are:

• African Bird Safari, simulates an African ecosystem that allows all species to survive.
• Fruit Bat Forest, if you don't have a problem with bats, you can take the opportunity to see them in their habitat.
• Butterfly Paradise, enjoy a colourful spectacle with butterflies of all kinds gliding 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 the critically endangered Sumatran tigers.

If you want to feel the adrenaline tingling through 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 city's main stadiums used for concerts and sporting events. 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 by a safe walkway reinforced with handrails on both sides. When you reach the top you will be 52 metres 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 more accessible animal environments, consider visiting the Sea Life Aquarium. It's the largest aquarium in England and is home to fun family activities. Take the opportunity to meet over 500 species and dive into the depths to see piranhas, colourful fish, penguins, turtles and more.

It has 14 themed zones divided over three floors, my favourites include:

• Coral Kingdom, dive into a colourful coral reef and learn about coral conservation.
• Ocean Invaders, when an alien species arrives on the shores 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, so called 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, an impressive sight you could never 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 hire system that allows you to skip the traffic and take advantage of its natural areas.

But you can also book a bike tour of London's parks for a breath of fresh air and 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 at the heart of the UK including:

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

But if you want to enjoy a personalised treatment and not miss out on anything during this experience, I suggest you book a bike tour of London's hidden places. This way you can get off the beaten tourist track, see speakeasy pubs and ride around a little-known ancient monastery.

These experiences also give you access to the city's food 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 London's most thrilling challenges, as only the most daring tourists get to touch the golden cockerel at the top of the building which is the emblem of FC.

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

If you fancy a trip back in time you might like to visit The Castle Climbing Centre. It's ideal for all ages and offers a thrilling experience on the rocks of an old Victorian station. There are 450 climbing routes, 90 of which have safety ropes.

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

Most of the climbing walls are outdoors, but there are also 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 wildlife pond and fresh fruit crops.

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

A walking trail is the perfect way to discover London' s secret spots and take advantage of the most stunning 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'd like to spot deer, you should consider other environments such as Richmond Park. There are also easy, signposted walks in Epping Forest.

Hyde Park is London's most popular park and during your visit, you should make the most of it and take a tour. There is an abundance of greenery 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 more authentic side of the capital, as it is very popular with locals.

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

• 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: Among the best parks and gardens in London, these are perfect for relaxing and birdwatching.

To take your adrenaline levels to the next level, I suggest you take a zip line ride and enjoy the best views in 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. There are 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. There are circuits for the little ones and Segway rides through the forest.

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

You'll be in a natural environment and learn about their history, the rehabilitation process of the animals and the care they need. Fun fact: 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 any adventurer's itinerary, so I suggest a visit to Thorpe Park Resort It is one of the UK's most exciting amusement parks and is located on the outskirts of the UK in a completely natural environment. It is home to around 30 rides and some of the most impressive rollercoasters in the country.

For example, you can enjoy Saw The Ride, a rollercoaster with a 100-metre drop and a 100-degree twist. It also has water rides with unexpected curves and drops, as well as a virtual simulation where you will have to face a demon. If you want to enjoy nature and get some fresh air, you can take a boat ride on the park's lakes.

Just outside London you'll find Chessington World of Adventures Resort, a theme park and zoo where fun is guaranteed. It has impressive rides such as a bat-inspired vampire rollercoaster, where you'll zip through the trees at extreme speed.

You can also board a rustic tour bus on the Scorpion Safari, which takes you through the African savannah to interact with different species. In addition, you'll find an aquarium and themed areas inspired by books and films. Of course, you can't miss Dragon Falls and its rapid rafting down a wild river that will leave you soaking wet.