London is full of fantastic things to do. And if you fancy doing something that gets the adrenaline flowing then you’re certainly in the right place. From white-knuckle rides to eye-watering high vantage points, there really is something for everyone to enjoy.
1. Experience the rush of an international rugby match
Twickenham is known as the ‘Home of England Rugby’, and even if you’ve never considered going to watch this rough and tumble sport before, it makes for a superb day out. The best teams from around the world play here on a regular basis, and with its 82,000 spectator capacity, the atmosphere is always electric! All types of matches are played here, from the highest level men’s and women’s teams to the up and coming under 20s and under 18s.
Tickets for games can be purchased via England Rugby Travel, or you can become a member of the England Rugby Supporters Club to get special access to tickets for the highest priority matches.
The ground is easily accessible by public transport. And on match days special bus services run from the surrounding areas such as Richmond to bring the thousands of fans to and from the stadium. Be sure to get to the ground in plenty of time to enjoy all the pre-match fun.
2. Hit the theme parks
London is well served for those who enjoy white-knuckle rides, with easy access to Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures. Both are located just outside the London Orbital Motorway (the M25). There’s plenty of parking at both locations, or you can choose public transport if you prefer. Staines is the nearest rail station to Thorpe Park and Chessington South for Chessington World of Adventures.
Thorpe Park boasts some amazing roller coasters, including The Swarm, where you travel at nearly 100 km/h and experience G-Forces of up to 4.5. Not only that, but you do it all facing backwards! Chessington is a little less white knuckle, and has great rides and attractions that will suit the whole family, including the Vampire and Rameses Revenge.
3. See the sights at Europe’s highest viewing platform
The Shard has fast become an iconic sight on London’s landscape. Instantly recognizable, this pointed building towers above everything else around it. And you can travel right to the very top to the very aptly named, View from the Shard.
Here there are floor to ceiling windows that provide you with a 360-degree view of the sprawling city below. See landmarks such as The Tower of London and the River Thames as you’ve never experienced them before.
And for a super special experience, visit at the end of the afternoon when you can experience the sunset and the array of the city lights as they begin to twinkle below in the oncoming darkness…
4. Explore London’s haunted history
London’s past is full of shadows, ghosts and other paranormal goings on. And you can experience these in a tour like no other – on one of London’s Ghost Walks, in the company of a Victorian Undertaker!
Renowned paranormal author, Richard Jones, leads weekly walks (every Friday at 19:00 and Saturday at 19:30) around the narrow alleyways and hidden courtyards of the City of London. With his 30 years of experience in the field of ghosts of Britain and Ireland, Richard will thrill with his tales of ghost sightings and unexplained phenomena.
Even for those who are completely disbelieving about anything paranormal, this is a tour that will certainly make you question what you think you know to be true.
5. Hit the white water rapids
If you thought London’s only waterways were staid and slow running, think again. Because you honestly can experience Olympic standard white water rafting close to the city.
Lee Valley White Water Centre was the location for the London 2012 Olympics. And from £35 per person, all the family can take part in the fun. You can choose from classic white water rafting or hydrospeed and hot dogs (2 man kayaks).
And if the thrill of the rapids isn’t quite your thing, then why not take the family canoeing on the lake, or even undertake a PADI Scuba Diving course.
6. Ride the Emirates cable car
Originally built to carry commuters from one side of the River Thames to the other, the Emirates Air Line has become one of the least used attractions in the whole of the city.
And what that means is no queues, and the chance to see London in a unique manner as you whisk over the river. For only £4.50 per adult (£2.30 for kids), you can board the cable car at the Royal Docks and enjoy the ride over to picturesque Greenwich for a great day out.
Home to the Cutty Sark and the Royal Observatory, Greenwich is a place that many tourists fail to visit if they’re time in London is short. But in our humble opinion, it’s one of the very best places to enjoy, with its buzzing vibe yet somehow an almost village atmosphere. And arriving there in such a unique manner only serves to make the day out even more memorable.
7. Board an amphibious vehicle
London is home to the now infamous Duck Tours, the World War II amphibious vehicles that whisk you around the streets of the city and then onto the water of the River Thames. These vehicles were genuinely used in the Normandy D-Day landings, and have now been converted to be used as a unique sightseeing vessel for both tourists and Londoners alike.
Each tour is led by an experienced London guide who’ll show you all the sights and give you some inside information on the city. You begin on the roads, passing such landmarks as The Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace, before heading to the murky waters of the river to see the city from a completely different perspective.
The tours run every day and cost from £24 per person (£16 for a child). And for something slightly different, why not book on the James Bond Duck Tour, the Code Breaker Challenge or the Pirate Adventure – great fun whatever age you are.
