5 London Activities to Get You Outside this Spring

The UK isn’t exactly renowned for its soaring temperatures and ideal weather conditions, so with winter finally coming to a close, embracing the outdoors whenever possible is a must. There are some great outdoor activities in and around London, so try them out before the weather decides to take a turn for the worse.

Despite the abundance of architecture and shops to explore, London’s selection of outdoor activities is an equally rewarding way to spend the day. Bike rides through the city, adrenaline-fuelled paintball and street art tours are just a few of the ways you can make the most of the diverse locations in and around the capital.

There’s so many to choose from, but here are five of the very best activities that offer a very different, exciting way to embrace the great outdoors this spring.

1. Boat Tours

If you’ve ever travelled to a city that has a nearby river or any other type of waterway, you will have noticed or experienced a boat tour. Amsterdam’s canal boats spring to mind, as well as Venice’s gondolas and, of course, the abundance of activity along London’s River Thames.

One of the most endearing traits that London has is the sheer amount of variety it offers locals and anyone paying a visit — and the same can be said for the broad range of boat trips available to the public.

Those who prefer a slow, steady trip to make the most of every passing moment and all of London’s fantastic sites will have plenty of options to choose from. Meanwhile, others who feel that they want something faster and filled with excitement will be happy to hear that there are a few different tours that provide exhilarating experiences aboard a speedboat.

2. Explore London’s Parks

London is undoubtedly one of the most iconic cities in the world. Sightseeing tours are full of historic and architectural gems, but it’s the city’s parks that provide a sense of natural beauty that’s difficult to rival.

The cold of winter has almost gone and the leaves of the trees have begun to make an appearance, as well as the brilliant colours and variation of springtime flowers. Even with a bit of a chill in the air, London’s parks maintain an inviting nature as each season provides a diverse and majestic backdrop for a leisurely stroll.

It’s well worth exploring a few of London’s as they all offer something different, a perfect example being the peace and tranquillity of Regent’s Park, compared with the scenic views, monuments and wildlife in St James’s Park.

3. Paintballing

Now for an activity that’s a little more unique — and one that offers an experience that’s difficult to compete with in regards to fast-paced, adrenaline-rushing action. Paintballing is a sport that can be enjoyed by people of a wide range of ages (8 years+), meaning that children’s paintball parties, paintballing birthday parties for big kids, and various other occasions can be celebrated on the paint-splattered battlefield.

Spring is the perfect time to fully immerse yourself in the various combat scenarios and huge maps, and you won’t have to venture too far from the centre of London to experience paintballing in the capital. With a selection of upgradeable weapons, as well as a variety of paintball equipment, paintball enthusiasts can adopt unique playing styles and make each experience memorable. Newcomers, meanwhile, can try out different setups and equipment to find out which style of play suits them. Once you find your fit, you’ll be itching to come back for more!

Whether you’re visiting the capital for a weekend away, a special occasion, or are a local looking for an exciting activity to enjoy with friends, it’s worth checking out what paintballing deals London has to offer.

4. Cycling Tours and Exploring

Living in a big city like London means the lack of parking spaces and horrendous traffic can make owning a car a bit of a hindrance — and on the most part, pretty pointless. It’s for this reason that many people get around by bicycle, rather than putting the pedal to the metal.

Getting around the city is a lot simpler and quicker on a bike, which is why cycling tours have become popular amongst tourists and locals. You would usually associate bicycles with cities such as Amsterdam and Copenhagen, but with so many sights to see, it’s safe to say a jaunt around London won’t be a dull affair.

A quick search online or a glance at TripAdvisor will give you a fair few bike tours to choose from — all of which offer their own individual route to take through the capital, enjoying all of the sights and attractions it has to offer.

5. Hiking Trails

London is well known for its tall buildings and busy streets — not the ideal environment for an avid hiker, you might think. But, much like paintballing, you don’t have to travel far from the inner city to enjoy the great outdoors.

Surrounding woods, nature parks, gardens and lakes are always just a few miles away — and what better time to benefit from the scenery than on the cusp of springtime? Woodland areas have begun to shake off the bitterness of winter with leaves and flowers appearing, providing hikers and gentle strollers with a remarkable contrast to the urban environment of the city.

People will often say “there’s something for everyone” when describing a city, but London and its surrounding areas really do put that theory into practice. The five activities on this list are only a few of the broad range of things to do in and around the city, giving you the option to see and do as much as possible.

Whether you just want to take in the sights, explore the history of London, or even find out what paintball packages you and your friends can obtain, it really does have something for everyone. You just have to know where to look!

Have you been to London? If so, what activities did you enjoy? If you haven’t been, what activities would you do? What do you think of my list? What other activities or places do you recommend?

*Disclosure: Collaborative post

Thanks for stopping by,

Love you all ❤️

Franca  💋