London Outdoor Activities

London is home to so many fun things to do on a sunny afternoon. Check out these 31 London outdoor activities you won’t want to miss.

Picnicking in Blackheath Park

Every trip featuring London to featuring outdoor activities should include a stop at Blackheath Park. You’ll find serene, tree-lined lawns and sparkling views of the city, There’s also picnic tables and groves, where diners can sit among the swaying tulips and lively duck ponds. You’ll come to realize that a peaceful picnic is easily one of London’s best outdoor activities.

Sailing the Thames with London Boat Parties

The London Boat Party, an organization that has turned the Thames into an all-night dance floor, is a solid choice for London outdoor activities. Embark on this journey and groove your way into the early hours as you sail past some of London's most iconic landmarks.

Sample London’s Culinary Delights at Vinegar Yard

The renowned Vinegar Yard is a home to artists, mixologists, and culinary masters—along with many of London’s most enjoyable outdoor activities. Enjoy a delicious, eclectic assortment of cuisine, from Neo-Neapolitan pizza to Indian-inspired nachos. Once you're stuffed, cross the market and browse its posh boutiques and fabulous art galleries.

Sipping High Tea at London’s Rooftop Parlors

When in London, head to places like Oxo Tower Wharf and enjoy one of London’s most iconic activities, high tea. Here, you can sip on fragrant teas and sweet treats alongside overseeing views of the River Thames. For a rooftop table with sights of historic city landmarks, indulge in Radio Rooftop Bar's boozy, innovative take on afternoon tea.

Viewing London from Primrose Hill

One of the most unexpected London outdoor activities is seeing the city from up above, like atop Primrose Hill. Here, a 63-meter summit offers one of London's highest natural points. Nature is unbounded at Richmond Park, which sports a bird's-eye view of the city — and hundreds of wild, roaming deer.

Hanging with Wildlife at Mudchute Park and Farm

Stop by Mudchute Park and Farm for an outdoor London activity like none other. You can picnic here while horses trot by and ducks float across the pond. Or take the saddle at Deen City Farm, also home to friendly alpacas and a northern white-faced owl.

Exploring Biodiversity in London’s Kew Gardens

Kew Gardens is London’s urban jungle and visiting here is a not-to-be-missed London outdoor activity. It packs a planet's worth of biodiversity into a massive greenhouse. Step inside the verdant wonderland for a close-up peek at rare blooms, regal trees, and hardy rock gardens. It provides a fresh perspective of the rich world of flora that often goes unnoticed.

Experiencing London's Vibrant Food Markets

For a culinary-inspired London outdoor activity, visit Southbank Centre Food Market Craving chocolate-drizzled crêpes in a cone and stuffed Polish subs? You’ll find that—and other delectable treats—here. Irresistible aromas caress the senses at London's open-air food markets. Or, head to the Maltby Street Market for steak-topped chips and locally brewed ales. 

Discovering Street Art with London’s Strawberry Tours

Strawberry Tours is an outside-the-box outdoor activity in London, offering excursions tailored to specific artists to check out the city’s impressive street art. In fact, London’s most creative people have adorned the city with inspired paint strokes, turning its concrete halls into an urban gallery. Powerful pieces pop up on unassuming corners, often with little fanfare. To take in this artistic landscape, sign up for a street art tour hosted by locals who've combed the city's nooks and crannies for must-see works.

Biking Through Landmarks via the London Bicycle Tour Company

Try the London Bicycle Tour Company for sunset rides or Fat Tire Tours for high-rolling excursions that end with a boozy beer tasting. Special London city biking tours provide a look at surrounding landmarks in a concentrated spurt—a great outdoor activity in London and fun way to see the city.

Seeing London From Above with Wire & Sky Adventures

High-flying adventures with Wire & Sky are a must if you’re looking for a London outdoor activity that lets you see the city from high above. Here, the tallest skyscraper becomes a playground as you climb and leap across the London skyline, all while getting a spectacular glimpse of the city.

Suspend yourself 80 meters above the ground, scale a ship's rigging, and zoom through the air. In other words, you'll get a brief taste of being part of a dazzling Cirque du Soleil spectacle.

Team-based Outdoor Challenges in London

Turn a classic London outdoor activity into a spirited quest with some help from CluedUpp Games outdoor adventures. Themed experiences create immersive pursuits as players work together to collect clues, crack cases, and unscramble puzzles while adopting the roles of wizards, royalty, and detectives for an exploration that will have you wholly engrossed.

Walking Through Victoria Park

Victoria Park is an impeccable spot for an outdoor London activity. It’s had centuries to perfect its grounds, which are filled with delightful activity stations and fertile plant life. After all, it’s the oldest park in London. The People's Park has it all: playgrounds, bowling greens, splash pools, football pitches, and biking trails. The crisp wooded air and comfortable lawns make a simple outdoor lounge as sweet as anything.

Exploring Hidden Gardens in London with a Tea Tour

Exploring hidden gardens is an unexpected but unforgettable London outdoor activity, so book a space on the Secret Gardens Tea Tour. Local experts eager to expose you to the city's secrets will share everything they know. In the vein of outdoor activities, London has its share of garden-shaped secrets. With so many hidden spaces to unearth, professional guidance is a must-have.

Climbing London’s O2 Arena for Panoramic Views

The Up at the O2 experience guides visitors to the top of the white crest for an exhilarating climb with a 360-degree payoff and a London outdoor activity you won’t forget. Make the trek at sundown or twilight for an ambient ascension finished off with a panoramic vista of London landmarks all aglow with the glittering lights of a city on the cusp of evening.

Experiencing London’s Dare Skywalk at Tottenham Stadium

The Dare Skywalk is a 42-meter-high balcony with breathtaking views of the surrounding city—a London outdoor activity with reach. Thrill-seekers can take the experience one step further by descending right off the edge—safely controlled yet still terrifying in the best way possible.

Relaxing in London on Canary Wharf

For a quiet and calm London outdoor activity, check out Skuna's Hot Tub Boat experience. It draws inspiration from Scandinavia's beloved Nordic bath tradition—only for London visitors. Floating down Canary Wharf in a private, toasty pool offers a spectacularly unique view of the passing skyscrapers. For a quirky yet delicious twist, book the BBQ Hot Tub and munch on the delightful grilled snacks as you drift.

Outdoor Escape Adventures in London

Bringing the mystery of an escape room to the great outdoors is AIM Escape's Outdoor City Experience — it’s one of the most fun London outdoor activities on this list. On this adventure, you'll unleash your inner 007 in an attempt to protect the world from a malicious technology company. The quest takes you across London, racing against the clock to save the city from impending doom.

Enjoying Drinks in London at Skylight Tobacco Dock Rooftop

Handcrafted cocktails, a panoramic view of the London skyline—an evening at Skylight Tobacco Dock is a London outdoor activity that you need to consider. This imaginative rooftop terrace serves up inventive beverages studded with flavors such as spicy chili and sweet passionfruit, all enjoyed against London's shining city lights.

A fun assortment of heaters, huts, and igloos make the Tobacco Dock an open-air adventure that's open all year long.

Solving Mysteries in London with Sherlock's Live Detective Game

A uniquely London outdoor activity is the Sherlock: The Official Live Game. Serial watchers of the show can test their own sleuthing skills with this experience. Few television shows have reached national treasure status, but BBC's Sherlock comes mighty close, thanks to its legions of dedicated fans.

Detective teams must rely on each other to escape an ominous room filled with intrigue and unseen clues. The Mind Palace serves up creative cocktails and snacks to those clever enough to solve this.

Treasure Hunting Across London with Game of Stones

Adventure awaits all those who dare to embark on the Game of Stones, a citywide treasure-hunting London outdoor activity that takes you through the city’s historical avenues. Accept the quest, and follow the clues for an otherworldly journey through regency houses, cobbled streets, alleyways, and graveyards to pave a path to the crown.

Discovering London’s Hampstead Heath's Activities

A beloved spot among Londoners, Hampstead Heath is the place on this list for a variety of London outdoor activities. Tennis courts and football fields make lush spots for unwinding with healthy competition, while onsite coffeehouses mean you're never far from a pick-me-up.

Miles of walking trails offer a wooded escape from the bustle of the city, and stunning hillside views give you a faraway glimpse at the bustle of civilization.

Taking in London Scenery in the Historic St. James's Park

St. James's Park is shaped by the history it has witnessed, from state jubilees to royal weddings. If you’re looking to take part in London outdoor activities, these grounds are electric with their momentous location, just a stone's throw away from Buckingham Palace. Amble through the flower-crusted walking paths for a peaceful afternoon, pointing out the park's resident flock of pelicans.

Exploring London’s Historical Kensington Gardens

All public passersby are welcome at Kensington Gardens, a royal 18th-century park in London where tree-lined avenues and blooming flower beds are prime for London outdoor activities of all types. Walk through the fountain-studded grounds and uncover a world of hidden landmarks, such as the tasteful travertine stone arch and monument to Peter Pan.

Experiencing Historical Charm in London’s Greenwich Park

Centuries of artists and writers in London have found their creative spark at Greenwich Park. Plenty of visitors since then have enjoyed this greenspace for all their London outdoor activities. This space is beloved for its vast expanse of grassy hills, offering stunning views of the capital skyline. Lounging beneath the shade trees and strolling through the rose-dusted flower gardens are tranquil feasts for the senses. An onsite observatory extends this outdoor adventure that's truly out of this world.

Fishing in London's Quiet Water Bodies

London boasts numerous fishing holes for your angling pleasure, each with a unique assortment of flora and fauna inhabitants. After all, nothing quite compares to a morning spent by a quiet lake, with nearby wildlife regaling you with songs and whistles as you cast your line into the cool depths.

Try the Grand Union Canal for a scenic carp hotspot, or contact the Barnes & Mortlake Angling & Preservation Society for advice on bream, perch, and tench locations.

Sampling London’s Borough Market's Culinary Offerings

The scent of hot drinks and freshly baked pastries wafts through the open-air halls of London’s Borough Market, where vendors have served up delectable goods since the 12th century. Bring your appetite to taste local ingredients at their best, from crunchy sourdough boules and cheese toasties to creamy goat's milk ice cream and tangy smoked trout.

Experiencing London’s Rural Life at City Farms

A London outdoor activity like none other: Try your hand at horticulture with help from the folks at Vauxhall City Farm, or sample the fresh produce and artisan goods at the Hackney City Farm. Too much time in the city can have you hankering for the rolling green hills and plains of the countryside. In London, a host of city farms bring the harvest to you for an easy afternoon spent in a bountiful garden.

Exploring Marshlands Within London

If you’re looking for a London outdoor activity that brings you closer to nature, spots like the Hackney Marshes feature lush green spaces as far as the eye can see. There’s also modern conveniences to indulge in. Stop here for a coffee or a game of football, or head to the Walthamstow Wetlands for a glimpse at the kingfishers, trout, and toads that call the space home.

Ice Skating in London's Winter Wonderland

Slow winter nights call for a London outdoor activity that stimulates the body and the visual sense, and that's what you'll get with ice skating. Chilly evening air and blinking lights provide the backdrop to this timeless activity as you stay toasty in your coat and hat, zooming across the rink.

Unquestionably, this is one outdoor excursion best followed by a steaming mug of rich hot chocolate.

Enjoying Outdoor Dining in London

A must on your list London outdoor activities is outdoor dining. It’s a fun way to turn any restaurant outing into a culinary experience you'll remember for more than the food. A crispy, spicy, savory meal somehow holds greater power when it's enjoyed alfresco—beneath a sunny sky with the accompaniment of a light breeze.

Try Rochelle Canteen for seasonally tailored menus or Forza Wine for decadent dishes such as crunchy cauliflower fritti and ooey-gooey burrata.

Go Outside and Discover Outdoor Activities in London Today!

With a spectacular world of outdoor activities in London, there's just no sense staying inside on days when the sun warms the city. When night falls and you're looking for a new venture to spark your curiosity, turn to one of our performances and experience the story of a lifetime.

Acrobats soar through the sky with every show, while stunning scores tug at your emotions and heartwarming characters pull you into a hidden world just fantastical enough to compete with an itinerary of outdoor expeditions.  

To end your day full of natural wonders and excitement, check out our shows in London.