Craving a rush of excitement on your trip to London?
Laura Sedlak rounds up the capital’s most exhilarating adventures and immersive experiences.
London may be renowned for its Royal Parks, museums, art galleries and afternoon teas – but what about those who like their sightseeing with a side of adrenaline? From sky-high adventures and immersive chaos to white-water action, the capital has plenty to offer visitors who prefer thrills over relaxation.
Take a walk on the wild side with these more extreme London activities.
Walk the glass floor at Tower Bridge
Ever wanted to know how Harry Potter felt flying over Tower Bridge? While the magical world isn’t an option, you can get a bird’s eye view of the red buses, cars and boats below.
42 metres above the Thames, a glass floor traverses Tower Bridge and a mirrored ceiling allows you to take the best selfie in London. If you have a thrill-seeking pet, you can even bring them along! Around 4,500 dogs, cats and other animals have already strutted their stuff over London’s iconic bridge.
Up at The O2
Climbing one of London’s most famous buildings isn’t for the faint-hearted – protective gear and a safety harness are essential (windy days are an added thrill). The O2 arena, formerly known as the Millennium Dome, sits on the Greenwich Peninsula on the edge of the Thames.
After attaching yourself to a safety rail, you can hike up to a platform for views of up to 15 miles in all directions. In the summer, reward yourself with a cocktail at the top while live DJs play tunes – just remember that safety rail on the way down.
Indoor skydiving at iFLY London at The O2
If the climb up the dome of The O2 didn’t spike your adrenaline levels enough, how about experiencing the feeling of free- falling without a parachute? The wind tunnel at iFLY produces a steady stream of air at 120 mph to keep you afloat, giving you the same sensation as jumping out of a plane. It’s suitable for complete beginners and more experienced jumpers alike.
The Dare Skywalk and F1 Drive at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
You don’t have to be a football fan to get a thrill from The Dare Skywalk at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. A 90-minute tour along a glass walkway takes you 46 metres above the ground for views across the London skyline. The Edge – a controlled abseil descent from the top of the stadium to the south podium – ensures more excitement on the way down.
If you have more of a need for speed, F1 Drive, situated under the stadium, lets you race bespoke F1-inspired karts on half a kilometre of track. Tight and technical chicanes, 17 turns and a long start-finish straight make for exciting races.
www.tottenhamhotspurstadium.com
Lift 109 at Battersea Power Station
Battersea Power Station’s regeneration has transformed the beautiful old building into houses, shops, restaurants and apartments surrounded by acres of new public space.
Get an aerial view of it all in the new glass elevator – if you dare. Lift 109 takes you – you guessed it – 109 metres up the northwest chimney to see panoramic views across the city. It’s open until 8pm so you could watch London transition from day to night.
Cutty Sark Rig Climb
Experience history with a rush of adrenaline at the Cutty Sark in Greenwich. Climb the rigging of the world’s last remaining tea clipper, just like 19th-century sailors would have done as they crossed the seas to bring tea to Britain. Don a safety harness, climb the ship’s ‘ratlines’ (rope ladders) then ascend to the top for glorious views over the Thames.
The London Helicopter
An exhilarating way to see the sights, The London Helicopter lets you experience the capital from above, with panoramic views of its most iconic landmarks. Departing from Redhill Aerodrome in Surrey, tours typically last between 30 and 50 minutes. Sip on Champagne as you fly past the London Eye, The Shard and Tower Bridge.
Lee Valley White Water Centre
Water sports lovers should make a beeline for the Lee Valley White Water Centre, a world-class venue built for the London 2012 Olympics. After just a short trip from central London, you can be navigating white-water rapids in a raft, hydrospeed or hot dog kayak.
For something calmer, there is a lake for paddleboarding and canoe lessons – or go wild on the Water Wipeout inflatable obstacle course.
Slide down Helix at ArcelorMittal Orbit
Art meets adrenaline at Zip World London’s Helix at ArcelorMittal Orbit. Originally created by Anish Kapoor for the 2012 Olympic Games, this sculpture now boasts the world’s longest and tallest tunnel slide, Helix.
Spanning 178 metres in length, you’ll experience the incredible design of the Orbit’s twists and turns as you loop around 12 times, catching glimpses of London from new heights.
Mission: Breakout
As the world’s first underground passenger railway, it’s no surprise that the Tube has amassed some disused stations in its 162-year history. While some are popular with filmmakers, one former station – South Kentish Town – has been transformed into three escape rooms.
In Mission: Breakout, you can choose from a World War II codebreaking room, a paranormal activity room or a futuristic science-fiction room, with 60 minutes to escape!
Dans le Noir?
A unique restaurant made to challenge the way we perceive food. Dining in complete darkness, guided and served by blind and visually impaired hosts,the remaining senses become heightened. The menu is kept secret so you won’t have any expectations and can experience food from a new perspective.
Faulty Towers: The Dining Experience
While some people get their adrenaline from extreme sports, others might prefer the thrill of Basil Fawlty shouting across their dinner table. Step into the chaotic world of Torquay’s most inept hoteliers in this mainly improvised, immersive comedy show. Enjoy a three-course meal while being served by lookalikes of Basil, Sybil and Manuel and watch the madness unfold.
At first glance, visiting London doesn’t scream heart-pounding action, but there are ways to get a rush even while sightseeing. Why just look at the landmarks when you can climb them, slide down them or race underneath them for a thrilling twist on traditional tourism?
