The Best Outdoor Activities in London

Let's start with something so cheap it's free. Walking - the human's favourite mode of physical transport. Walking is excellent for both the body and mind, getting those endorphins pumping and breathing in some fresh air. And where better to get your step on than at a park? Trees, grass, tiny woodland critters. Parks really do have it all. 

And in London, you're simply spoiled for choice. Hyde Park, Victoria Park, Ally Pally, Finsbury Park, and Regent's Park are all heavy hitters in the London park department. Want something smaller? Try Barnard Park and Islington Green in North, Shoreditch Park or London Fields in East, Ladbroke Square Garden or Holland Park in West, or Clapham Common in South. 

Wherever you are, there are big and small green places all around. So get up, go out and find them! Simple yet effective, park walks and hangouts are some of the best outdoor activities in London!

If the weather's right, the sun's out, and the clouds are on holiday, why not grab a cool, refreshing drink at one of London's many rooftop bars? You've got low-key affairs like The Castle and Vagabond, which offer no-frills terrace drinks and tasty bites. For higher-energy trips, head to Bussey in Peckham, which offers great drinks, pumping music, and great party vibes.

Or, if you want insane views with your drinks, head to The Shard, where you can sip on cocktails while spying on the city below. If it’s your first time in the city, The Shard is absolutely worth a visit, regardless - you won’t find better views anywhere else.

Relive the glory days of drive-in cinema by watching the classics under the stars. You've got plenty to choose from, too. Perhaps the biggest one around is Rooftop Cinema Club. With venues in Stratford and Peckham - at the good old Bussey Building - they're the best in the business. Showing a mix of old classics, modern greats, and musicals, you're sure to find the perfect flick to watch under the stars. You could probably sing along too, if you're so way inclined. 

Alternatively, check out Film4 Summer Screen at Somerset House for an eclectic mix of cult classics, new releases, and lesser-known indie hits. Or, for quirkier outdoor views, there’s Everyman on the Canal at King’s Cross. Screen on one side of the canal, audience perched on the steps across from it. If that doesn’t scream London, nothing else will. 

Of course, if you’re trying to beat one of London’s suffocating heatwaves, duck into a Curzon Cinema for air-conditioned greats. 

Does the thought of sitting down outside yet moving around sound like fun? Why not hop aboard an open-air bus tour of the city? You'll get the chance to see the city's sights with the wind running through your hair, or what's left of it. You'll pass iconic London sights like the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, and Buckingham Palace. And thanks to a handy, informed guide, you'll learn all about them too.

The best thing about these buses is that you get to pick and choose what to see up close. Like the look of, say, St Paul’s Cathedral? Just hop off, go exploring, and snap some memorable pics. Then, simply wait for the next bus to come along and carry on. It’s the easiest way to see the sights you want in a day. And, with open-top buses running through the warmer months, it’s one of the best “outdoor” activities in London! Yes, it still counts.  

So, you're looking to outdoor activities in London, are you? Well, how about this doozy? London is under threat, from hackers or something. Do you have the wits and smarts to save the city? If you answered 'yeah, sure,' why not check out Urban Missions? 

This outdoor escape room/scavenger hunt takes place entirely outdoors. You work for The Agency, a shadowy organisation that stays in the shadows. Your task? Use WhatsApp to receive clues and codes, then use your brains to solve them. This adventure will take you all through the city, just like a real phone detective. Groups of two or more must work together to solve every clue, unlock every code, and save London from an unknown threat. Are you up to the task? There's only one way to find out.

Or, if you’d prefer something a little less Mission Impossible and a little more Sherlock Holmes, check out Murder at Trafalgar Square. Another scavenger hunt, this one will take you past plenty of iconic London landmarks like the aforementioned Trafalgar Square, Nelson’s Column, and the National Gallery, as you chase the culprit. 

And, finally, why not add some fauna to your outdoor adventure? Walk, talk, and other things with the animals at London Zoo! There are a whopping 20,000 animals for you to mingle with from all over the planet. All you cat lovers are in for a treat. You can visit Land of the Lions, a space dedicated to the majestic and sadly endangered Asiatic Lions. There are only 400 left on the planet, which is incredibly sad. 

Alternatively, if you like your cats with a few more stripes, go see Tiger Territory, which is dedicated to Sumerian Tigers. Learn about their day-to-day habits, and the issues we have with conserving their natural habitat. Or, if you sleep all day and the night is your time to shine, go check out Night Life, an entire exhibit dedicated to the exotic critters that own the night. On top of all that, you've got gorillas, penguins, butterflies, and even kid-friendly offerings like The Very Hungry Caterpillar.