5 activities to make a London city break more exciting

I am a London girl through and through, and of course London is one of the most iconic and popular tourist destinations in the world. Activities such as zorbing and paintball in London — along with its abundance of sights and attractions —  make it the perfect location for an exciting city break…even if I do say so myself!

In a generation where city breaks have become just as popular as beach holidays, choosing the right destination to suit your needs is vital. In the UK, we’re lucky enough to have an abundance of brilliant cities to explore, but the most famous and popular of which is the capital. In fact, London remains as one of the most visited cities in the world, just falling short of Bangkok for the top spot.

Everyone has a different opinion when it comes to the perfect city break. Some like to use their time to embrace the historic sights and architecture, others embark on a bout of retail therapy, and then there are those that seek out activities to satisfy their need for adrenaline. If you happen to be the latter, London and its surrounding areas can be the perfect playground for an adrenaline junkie.

See the City From a Saddle

If you have ever been to London, you will have noticed that the locals and tourists have a certain fondness of bicycles. It’s a trend that has been embraced by many other large European cities and destinations all over the world. For Londoners, it provides an ideal way to commute while getting some exercise. For tourists, it gives you a more active and engaging way to explore a new city.

Whether you’re away with your family, friends, or are taking a break from the kids with your partner, hiring a bike is a fantastic way to make sure your trip is a memorable and exciting experience. Plus, there are usually bike tours if you want to focus on seeing the sights while you cycle.

Escape Rooms

Escape rooms are still a relatively new phenomenon, although if you think back to the likes of The Crystal Maze, the concept has been around for a while. If you’re unaware of what it entails, an escape room does exactly what it says on the tin — yourself and some friends will try to escape a room by solving a series of puzzles.

Thanks to the wide range of themed escape rooms, it means that you can enjoy this activity with a group of other adults or with your family, and have just as much fun doing either. You’ll find that the experience will test your skills and knowledge, create memorable moments and allow you to bond with your escape roomies.    

Paintball Near London

When planning a city break to London you may not want to spend all of your time amongst the hustle and bustle of the busy streets. You’ll find that the capital’s surrounding rural areas provide the perfect setting for many exciting outdoor activities, one of which being the unique combat-based sport of paintball. This gives you the perfect environment for competitive warfare, rather than paintball in London, which would have to be in a more contained or indoor space.

Fortunately, you’ll only have a short journey by car or train to a facility where you’ll experience the best paintballing London, Kent and Surrey has to offer. It’s a suitable activity for anyone over the age of eight (thanks to low-powered paintball equipment for children) and you’ll even get a free pizza to refuel from all the running around (or running away). If you’re in London with your family or a group of friends, paintball adds a new and exciting variable into the mix and will undoubtedly make it a trip to remember.

Zorbing

Much like the excitement of paintball near London, you won’t have to travel far for a day of zorbing. Zorbing is something that, from the name, one would assume is a futuristic-style activity. In reality, it represents simplicity at its finest. Participants climb inside a giant inflatable orb (or zorb) and then roll down a large grass bank or course — safely harnessed in, of course.

Zorbing has become increasingly popular not only because it’s a massive adrenaline rush, but also because it requires no previous experience or skills to take part. The safety of the harnesses and inflation of the orbs make sure you and your loved ones are secure as you tumble down the course. There’s also the option to have multiple people in one orb, so you can share the experience.

Visit a Museum or Art Gallery

When you think of activities and excitement, you’ll most likely imagine something that is fast-paced and energetic. But why not take some time out to explore one of London’s many museums and art galleries during your downtime? Education is a vital part of being a parent, and a museum gives you the perfect environment to show your children how learning and fun can be one and the same. An art gallery may not be their cup of tea, especially for younger children, but there’s no harm in introducing them to a bit of capital culture. Plus, having a roof over your head won’t be the worst idea if you encounter some of the UK’s infamously awful weather!

The brilliant thing about visiting a museum is that both you and your children are bound to stumble upon something of intrigue. For kids, this often comes in the form of dinosaurs or interactive displays, whereas for us grown-ups, the potential for discovery is magnificent. If you are particularly interested in the history or art of a particular century, or just fancy a general nose about, London’s museums and galleries have something for everyone.

So are you planning on visiting London soon? Would you like to try and include any of the above during your visit? Do leave a comment and share! Talya xoxo

*This is a collaborative post

 

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