London

Relaxing Things to do in London

Looking to kick back in the city? These are the most relaxing things to do in London!
By Dom Bewley

Looking for a break from the hustle and bustle? Here are our top suggestions...

Life can be tough; we all know that. The work/life balance can often be weighted in the former's favour. Sometimes all it takes is to sit in front of the TV, put on something brainless, and zone out into the oblivion of bliss. Other times, you're itching to leave the house and breathe in some fresh air. Do yourself a favour and choose the latter. London might be known for its bustling streets and gridlocked roads, and busy London attractions, but there are lots of relaxing things to do in the city. Don't believe us? Well, we have just the list for you. Save your apologies, sit back, and read on. These are some of the most relaxing things to do in London.

Including:

  • Kew Gardens
  • Thames River Cruise
  • Rooftop bars
  • Parks
  • The beach
  • and more!

Touch grass at Kew Gardens

It can often be hard to relax in the city, with miles of concrete and brick in every direction. If you're missing the flora of rural England, and the most garden your tiny London flat contains is a collection of withering plants that you promised to take care of, then you might need to return to nature. Thankfully, there aren't many things in London as relaxing as the Royal Botanical Gardens in Kew. More than 60,000 very much alive and healthy plants are on display for your neglectful eyes. That's the largest collection on the planet. There's also a near-20 metre high Treetop Walkway you can climb to get a better view of all the lovely green things. You can also take a picnic there, if you so fancy. And you never know, it might give you the inspiration to go home and nourish your sad plants.

Get cruising

You may have experienced the capital using your meagre human feet, or from inside a metal chariot. We all have, and it doesn't make you special. Instead, sit back, relax, and cruise the city's shoreline aboard a sea-faring vessel and see - or sea - London from a whole new perspective with a Thames River Cruise! Ride atop Poseidon's mane for up to 3 hours, and take sweet 'gram photos of iconic London mainstays like the London Eye, Big Ben, and Tower Bridge. Feel truly special, and see your follower count rise like the highest wave. If, at least, that floats your boat. Sorry.

Check out a rooftop bar

If London's patchy weather permits, there aren't many more relaxing places than up on the rooftops, sipping cocktails in the sun. Thankfully, if you don't have any outdoor space, and let's face it, many of us don't, London has a tonne of rooftop bars to tickle your fancy. There's Brixton Beach in, well, Brixton. Unsurprisingly, it's modelled after a beach, replete with sand, sun, and ice-cold drinks. There's The Shard, if you fancy sipping a beverage while looking down on all of London like a god. Or, if you want a little nostalgia with your beverage, Bussey Building in Peckham has a delightful rooftop bar with cocktails, food, and a '90s themed bottomless brunch to let you relive the glory days of the Spice Girls and middle partings. Ah, South London. Never change.

Read and relax in a park

Ah, parks. The perfect green getaway for city folk who need to stretch out and relax. In London, you're spoiled for choice, with a huge amount of green spaces just waiting for you! You've got heavy hitters like Regents Park and Hyde Park, though they may not be the best for relaxing as they're often the busiest. That's not to say you can't find a quiet corner to stretch out and lounge, read a book, or listen to music while you meditate on life. Even London Fields, known for its party-vibe come summer, has some excellent relaxing areas if you look around. Head into the treeline, find yourself the perfect spot, and take a pew. Or, hunt out a local park. There are dozens dotted around the city, so you're sure to find some relaxing space!

 

Go to the beach

Sometimes the best medicine is a little sun and sand. The beach is the relaxing remedy many seek when the winter clouds disperse. 'But London doesn't have any beaches', we hear you cry out in defeat. Well, that's not entirely accurate. Ruislip Lido beach, which sits at the back of Ruislip Woods Nature Reserve, resides in Zone 6 of our fair city. About an hour out of central, this somewhat hidden gem has it all. Sandy beach? Check. Ice cream? Check. A miniature train that you can ride in? You best believe it. So doubt us no more. Surely a trip to the beach has to be one of the most relaxing things to do in London?

Go check out a museum

Museums are often tourist traps, especially in London. So, while you may not think of them as relaxing at first, if you pick your moment, it can be just that. Avoid weekends, as that's when they're at their busiest. Instead, take a day off, head over when the doors open, and go get some culture in you! Check out dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum. Have your mind opened at the Science Museum. If those don't tickle your fancy, there are lots of others worth checking out too. Cleanse your body and soul with sweet culture. Go at the right moment, and a museum can be one of the most relaxing things to do in London!

Go for a walk

Yes, it might sound simple. Maybe too simple. But throwing open the flat doors and taking a stroll can do wonders for your mood. Prepare your favourite tunes, stick in some headphones, and set off! You can walk anywhere really, through a park or take a contrasting walk along the Thames. Or, if you fancy seeing some of the city's most iconic buildings, put some historical stops on your route. London is a beautiful city teeming with sights worth capturing. Sometimes, all we need is a change of scenery to help us feel relaxed and positive! So go on, try it for yourself. You won't regret it.

And that's our list of the most relaxing things to do in London! However, these are just some of the many amazing London attractions you'll find on our London pass, so why not take the plunge and see all of London's best bits for one low price?

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

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Outdoor Activities in London
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Outdoor Activities London

You know how it is. Sometimes, it's fun being inside. The feeling of relief when someone else cancels plans you really weren't up for attending. Meanwhile, you get to stay inside guilt-free, splaying out on the sofa absorbing terrible TV like an unsociable husk. It's magical. Other times, you've got that pep in you, that desire to get out there and show the world who you really are. You're an outdoors person. You like going outdoors and doing things outside of those doors. And, if you're living in London or are visiting the English capital, you might be wondering what outdoor thing to do. Well, wonder no longer, for we have curated this list of the very best outdoor activities in London. So read on, get inspired, and find something new to do today! Featuring: Parks Rooftop drinks See a film Urban escapes Animal hangouts and more! Go to a park 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 Regents 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, parks walks and hangouts are some of the best outdoor activities in London! Check out a rooftop bar 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 Brixton Beach or Bussey Building, which both offer great drinks, pumping music, and great party vibes. Or, if you want to be active while on a rooftop sipping cocktails, try Skylight in Tobacco Dock or Peckham. You can play a few rounds of croquet or boules with your friends as the sun shines down on you. Who ever knew that throwing or smacking balls with a mallet could be so much fun? Go there, and you will know. See a film beneath the stars Yes, you read that right. Films, but outside. That's techinically an outdoor activity in London, right? If you simply can't be without the talking pictures, you can make them an outdoor activity too! Relive the glory days of drive-in cinema. You've got plenty to choose from too. Perhaps the biggest one around is Rooftop Film 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, Oscar winners, modern films, 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's 'Summer Screen Festival' at Somerset House for an eclectic mix of cult classics, new releases, and lesser-known indie hits. Or, if you're feeling courageous, why not take to the sea with 'Movies on the River'? Adorably, they play an assortment of river-based films like Wind River, The River Wild, and Mystic River. River-ting. A little wordplay never hurt anyone. See the sights on an open-air bus 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. It's like school, but fun. And outside. An escape room, but outdoors 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 slash 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. Try it for yourself and see what you're made of. Go to the zoo 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. Here endeth the list of all the best outdoor activities you can experience in London. So go forth, and be active. And outside.
Dom Bewley
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Where to stay in London

London is increasingly becoming a 24-7 city. With the advent of the Night Tube and museums that don’t close on Mondays like in much of Europe, there’s always somewhere new to explore. At the same time, it’s a big place – with over 30 boroughs (neighborhoods). Each can then be subdivided into smaller districts, many packed with hotels and Airbnbs, making it even harder to decide where to stay in London. If you’re wondering which neighborhoods in London are popular to stay in, stay tuned for the only guide you’ll ever need! Best areas to stay in London If money’s no object, staying centrally can save a lot of travelling time, meaning greater opportunities to see and do all the things London is famous for – from its museums and historic palaces to its restaurants and nightlife. You probably haven’t come to London to listen to ‘mind the gap’ announcements on rotation on the Tube. The area around Covent Garden and the West End is the obvious pick, although there are a growing number of choices in Westminster, the South Bank and London Bridge too. That said, London’s mix of underground, trains, buses, black cabs, rental cycles, Ubers, Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and trams means you’re never going to be short of ways to get from attraction to attraction. A stay in east London’s Shoreditch and Hoxton neighborhoods will have you mixing with the capital’s trendsetters in no time. Look further afield if value is your main concern. Outer areas, particularly south of the River Thames such as Crystal Palace, are still only 20 minutes or so from the center of the city by train but are much kinder on the wallet. Top areas to stay for tourists in London For visitors keen to place themselves right at the heart of quintessential London scenes – red double decker buses, policemen with unnecessarily tall helmets and Union flags gently fluttering in the breeze – you can do a lot worse than Westminster. Stays here tend to be set back from the river by a block or two, and you’ll find more homestay-style apartments than hotels. But the trade off is your proximity to one of London’s four UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the Houses of Parliament – as well as Westminster Abbey, the National Gallery on Trafalgar Square and the riverside, with views across to the London Eye. Another smattering of attractions and even better transport links makes London Bridge and Bankside other options. Hotels span the spectrum, from the Premier Inn London Southwark to the Shangri-La a few stories below The View from The Shard. Nearby attractions range from the gourmet stalls of Borough Market to HMS Belfast and the Tower of London. Places to stay in London for a long weekend For a two or three day stay in London, Covent Garden and the West End have all you’re going to want and need. As well as being home to the big theaters of Drury Lane and Shaftesbury Avenue, there are also enough restaurants and bars to keep you entertained for every weekend of the year. On top of that, staying in Covent Garden puts you within a radius of a couple of kilometers of the British Museum, shopping on Oxford Street and the nightlife of Soho. There can also be some great deals in the hotels of Canary Wharf on the weekend, since most who stay here are on business, leaving hotels scrambling for guests on Friday and Saturday nights. The area is connected to central London by the swish Jubilee Line extension to the Underground network as well as the DLR. Cool places to stay in London If you’re not quite ready for the opera, east London has an edgier feel and some of the coolest spots in the city. The painfully trendy-not-trendy residents of the apartments around Old Street do their best to look unimpressed and nonchalant about the street art and themed bars which define Shoreditch and Hoxton. But they secretly know how great a place it is to live – and that’s much of the pleasure of staying in Shoreditch. You get to rub shoulders with real Londoners with real lives. Despite its local vibe, it’s a very welcoming neighborhood. Indeed, it’s one of the best neighborhoods for those who feel they don’t conform. Plus, there’s been plenty of money spent making the area’s hotels as attractive to stay in as those in Covent Garden and Westminster. The best place to stay in London for nightlife is probably Soho however. This is where you’ll find many of the big name clubs, including G-A-Y and Borderline, whilst Chinatown is just down the road for an authentic taste of the east. Places to stay in London with kids If Kensington is good enough for the latest generation of royals, you can bet your bottom dollar it’s good enough for your family too. Comprising quiet, traffic-free streets, Kensington has a suburban feel whilst being within a few Tube stops of Buckingham Palace and Covent Garden. And let’s face it, children are going to love the expanse of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens together with three of the best museums in the country – the Natural History, Science and Victoria and Albert museums. Named after the Great Exhibition of 1851, which moved from Hyde Park to a permanent home on Sydenham Hill, Crystal Palace has become orientated towards families with children. There’s a slew of cafés where you won’t be afraid of your kids becoming too noisy, a large park home to the earliest modern representations of dinosaurs in the world. It has some of London’s cheapest accommodation too. Discover London with Go City You now know where to stay in London. The next thing to consider is what to see and do in a city with more attractions than some countries. Travel with Go City and there’s incredible savings to be had on admission to many of London’s biggest attractions, leaving you cash to spend on, well, whatever you like!
Ian Packham

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