12 Best Outdoor Activities in London

England's capital city is exquisite and is noted for its outdoor plans that take you to urban areas and natural landscapes. During your visit, you can't miss a cruise on the majestic River Thames to enjoy the local music, culture and cuisine. Of course, you must also take a carriage ride and attend an open-air cinema screening.

But London's outdoor things to see and do include a tour of the history of The Beatles and the hideouts of the terrifying Jack the Ripper. And as one of Europe's greenest cities, don't miss the royal gardens at places like the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey.

Don't miss the opportunity to wander around London to discover its hidden gems and major landmarks. On foot it is easier to find parks, street art and other features of local culture that are overlooked by transport. Plus, you can avoid the traffic and take advantage of the fact that many of the tourist attractions are relatively close together.

The city has 33 boroughs and you can use the nine zones of the Underground as a reference point:

• Zone 1: near Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the British Museum.
• Zone 2: close to 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 much to discover that for a complete itinerary, I suggest booking a private, personalised tour of the city, which usually includes tickets to the London Eye.

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

London's park and garden tours are considered a fun activity where you can weave through alleyways and shortcuts to see sights such as the Royal Gardens, where you will see the Princess Diana Memorial 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 your grounds wide and smooth and low intensity, you might want to head to Regent's Park, famous for its gardens and nature spaces in the heart of London. Alternatively, I suggest popping into Greenwich Park and taking advantage of its connection to the Thames to book a bike ride along the promenade.

Cruising on the Thames offers a different perspective of London and its sights. On board you'll see the London Eye, the façade of Big Ben and the Cutty Sark, a ship used to import tea from Asia during the Victorian era. You'll just have to relax in your seat and keep your eyes on the scenery to make sure you don't miss anything.

I encourage you to check out the article on the best Thames cruises to see the different options and choose the one that suits you best. You can take a simple cruise with commentary on board and discover the history behind each monument or book a dinner cruise with 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're visiting the city to celebrate a special occasion, don't hesitate to book a hot tub cruise. It's a private experience that allows you to combine a hot tub with breathtaking views of England's capital.

London's neighbourhoods will never cease to amaze you with their secret places full of magic. During your visit, you need to get out and see the real side of London 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 little-known Secret Garden of St Dunstan's, which is among the ruins of a former World War II church.

Central London has enchanting hideaways and secrets that revolve around the city's history. It's worth becoming an investigator and going in search of, for example, the world's smallest police station. Don't be surprised if you find hidden courtyards, passageways, mysterious alleyways and speakeasies.

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

Beatles tours in London are a highlight and are usually held outdoors, although there are bus options to keep you going. This experience invites fans of the band to explore the significant places in the artists' lives and careers. Walk and take a photo on the iconic Abbey Road zebra walk, made famous by 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 band's headquarters. Follow in the footsteps of John Lennon and Paul McCartney to discover the best pubs in London frequented by the singers. Also famous in Beatlemania is Penny Lane, inspired by one of their songs. And although it's in Liverpool, you may hear its history during the tour.

If you want to discover London by night, you must take advantage of the city's night tours. One of the highlights is the one that takes you through Jack the Ripper's most terrifying crimes. You'll 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's 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 was never 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 over the labour movements that were springing up in London.

The more adventurous will certainly want to take advantage of the adventure and nature activities in London. One great option is to plan a visit to the city' s football stadiums for an out-of-the-ordinary experience where you won't just be a spectator. Instead, you'll climb to the top of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, reaching up to 46.8 metres 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 involves a free-fall descent from 42 metres above the ground.

If you want to appreciate London in the open air without walking long distances, then you need to consider London's 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 daytime and night-time opening hours. There are also bus tours that combine this scenic tour with a cruise on the Thames.

Nothing compares to booking a tea bus tour, although this type of tour takes place in an indoor bus. However, it's still a great way to enjoy the scenic views while indulging in an English tea-time 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. Plus, most of the sites belonging to the British royals are outdoors, so you have to make the most of them. Travel back in time and learn about their rituals, traditions, valuables, 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. Bear in mind that the changing of the guard only takes place daily in summer and every two days in winter. You can also visit the 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: this is the site of royal coronations and the burial place of many British monarchs.
• Buy tickets for Windsor Castle: immerse yourself in the world's oldest inhabited castle and explore its stunning gardens.

To take in several of the monarchy's locations at the same time, book a private royal history tour. On this type of experience, a guide will tell you about the Royal Palace and Westminster Abbey. You'll also get to see the Changing of the Guard and visit Trafalgar Square, home to the statue of King George IV.

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

Films of all kinds are shown and there are family-friendly shows, with times in the afternoons and evenings. Backyard Cinema is one of the most popular choices for its immersive experiences, cinemas on artificial sand and screenings in enchanted woodland. There are also annual outdoor film festivals, but that's not all! During spring or summer you can enjoy a floating cinema on the river.

If you plan to visit London with children, don't miss the outdoor entertainment on offer at Legoland Park. It has over 55 rides and special shows that will take you through creative constructions made from Lego pieces.

During your visit you can see miniature replicas of iconic landmarks such as Big Ben and the London Eye. The work behind these exhibits is impressive, as some of them 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 is at its peak. Additionally, visiting one of London' s best theme parks allows you to experience incredible roller coasters and an ancient Egyptian exhibition.

If you want to deepen your connection with London and discover its most interesting stories, then you must take a carriage ride. This experience will take you around the highlights of the city and is a reminder of how people moved around in other eras. They are ideal for couples' 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 looking forward to seeing Buckingham Palace up close. The tours are short and easily available in parks, gardens and 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 indoor options that resemble the old carriages of the elite, which are more suitable for winter in London.

• Dress for the weather: London is a city known for its harsh winters and mild summers, as well as rainfall at different times of the year. Bring comfortable trainers and a few layers in case it rains.
• Look for alternatives: create a varied itinerary with alternative plans. With London's changeable weather, it doesn't hurt to have options for rainy day activities in London.
• Get to know the tube: even if you want to get around the streets and parks to make the most of your outdoor plans, it's important to have a handy guide to the London Underground to make the most of your time.