Activities in London
If beer and chips are adding excess to your waistline, London offers a number of ways to work it off. Take out a rowboat for a dreamy drift after a picnic or promenade with a pipe in Hyde Park. Or hire a nag and go for a canter.
If you take a boat trip on the Thames you'll
find some guides and/or drivers importuning
for a tip in return for their commentary.
Whether you pay is up to you. You can tip taxi drivers up to 10% but most people
round up to the nearest pound.
Participate
If you feel like a paddle on the water, hire a pedalo for an hour or two and go boating on the Serpentine in Hyde Park.
You can hire a bike practically anywhere in the city, although if you're planning to ride in traffic you might be taking your life in your hands. It may be wiser to stick to the parks.
North of the centre, Highgate Ponds on Hampstead Heath offer open-air swimming all year round. Otherwise, take a dip in Ironmonger Row Baths or the Art Deco Porchester Spa.
Aristocrats of the 19th century used to promenade on horseback along the paths of Hyde Park. If you want to follow in their hoofprints, steeds can be hired by the hour.
Many hotels in London lack gym facilities. If you're missing your work-out try the popular Oasis Sports Centre in Covent Garden, which has everything a healthy heart desires.
Join packs of roller-blade enthusiasts in Hyde Park - every Friday evening there's a communal skate starting out at Wellington Arch.
It's good for the constitution, and London's parks - especially Hyde Park and Regents Park - are delightful settings for a stroll.
Tours in London
Lapping Up London
Only got three days and want to soak up some London vibe in a hurry? Visit the British Museum, undergo some retail therapy, go to a football match and sleep. Next morning, head 'sarf' of the river, and start by booking yourself a ticket for the London
Eye. Round off with dinner at Petrus or Les Trois Garçons. On day 3, visit the
Globe Theatre and picture the throngs listening to Shakespeare's words for the first time. Get
a big dollop of old London atmosphere at Borough market before heading to the hulking
Tower of London for a history lesson. A riverside pub would a be nice finish.
We and our content providers have tried to make the information on this website as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information (like visas, health and safety, customs, and transportation) with the relevant authorities before you travel.
Copyright © 2008 Lonely Planet Publications
