101 things to do outdoors in London

1. Watch Changing the Guard: Stroll down The Mall towards Buckingham Palace in time to see the iconic ceremony.
2. Walk across the Abbey Road zebra crossing: Follow in the footsteps of The Beatles at the spot captured on their album cover.
3. Find free entertainment at Covent Garden: Marvel at the street artists and performers in the Piazza and market building.
4. Visit Piccadilly Circus: Snap a picture of Eros and the digital billboards.
5. Wander Chinatown: Look for the Chinese-style gates, decorations and pagodas around this food and shopping hotspot.
6. Cross London’s iconic bridges: From the magnificent Tower Bridge to the modern Millennium Bridge.
7. Get a head for heights at The View from The Shard: Spot London landmarks from the outdoor viewing gallery on level 72.
8. Wander the self-guided City Visitor Trail: Pass some of the City of London's architectural gems, such as St Paul's Cathedral.
9. See the sights on an open-top bus tour: See many London icons in one go, or hop on and off to discover more on foot.
10. Explore famous Trafalgar Square: Look up at Lord Nelson and the bronze lions and keep an eye out for events being hosted in the area.

1. Hire a deck chair in leafy Green Park: Or explore the smallest of London's eight Royal Parks.
2. Take time for reflection in Hyde Park: Visit memorials including the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain and Britain's first memorial garden for victims of the Holocaust.
3. Prepare your senses for Queen Mary's Garden in Regent’s Park: See more than 12,000 roses of 85 varieties.
4. Go bonkers for conkers at Chestnut Avenue in Bushy Park: The park is also home to roaming herds of red and fallow deer.
5. Visit the Peter Pan statue in Kensington Gardens: Peter Pan author J.M. Barrie lived close to the gardens.
6. Spot the pelicans in St James’s Park: Don't miss feeding time between 2.30pm and 3pm every day.
7. Snap away at blooms in Richmond Park's Isabella Plantation: Look out for the hot pink azaleas (which bloom in late April and May), reflected in ponds and streams.
8. Climb the hill in Greenwich Park: Experience sweeping views of London and visit Royal Museums Greenwich's attractions.

1. Learn about the capital’s history on a walking tour: Whether uncovering the City of London's compelling past or delving into Sherlock Holmes’ London.
2. Discover historic timepieces at the Royal Observatory: Make sure to straddle the Meridian Line in the courtyard.
3. Spot the London Wall: Be transported to London's Roman past with these ancient ruins.
4. Get a glimpse of London’s political history: Visit Speaker's Corner, Downing Street and Parliament Square – where you'll find the Houses of Parliament.

1. Walk along Regent's Canal: From pretty Little Venice to bustling Camden, passing Regent's Park, London Zoo and Camden Lock on the way.
2. Meander along Richmond's charming riverside: Venture past Petersham Meadows to Ham House – making sure to stop off at Petersham Nurseries for garden essentials and delicious cakes.
3. Stroll along the South Bank: See some of London's most famous sights, including the London Eye, iconic Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.
4. Cycle beside the Thames: Hire a Santander Cycle; or go on a guided tour with The London Bicycle Tour Company.
5. Take a river tour along the Thames: See the city from the water and ramble along the river on a dinner cruise or paddle under your own steam on a kayak tour.

1. Marvel at the Golden Hinde: See a full-scale reconstruction of Sir Francis Drake's world-famous sailing galleon, in Bankside.
2. Relax at tranquil St Katharine Docks: Watch modern yachts coming and going as you enjoy a drink or meal in one of the many eateries.
3. Walk the decks of HMS Belfast: The Second World War battleship is moored on the Thames.
4. Take the helm of Cutty Sark in Greenwich: Learn more about the world's last remaining tea clipper.

1. Search for wildlife: Get your binoculars out to search for rare birds at WWT Wetland Centre in Barnes, or creatures among the wet grassland of Lee Valley Regional Park.
2. Meet the residents at London's city farms: Check out the latest arrivals and time your visit for feeding time.
3. Enjoy daily shows at London Zoo: Learn more about the penguins, lemurs and more cute critters.

1. Climb to the top of Parliament Hill in Hampstead Heath: Enjoy panoramic views of the city and treat yourself to a picnic.
2. Look for the elusive Wombles on Wimbledon Common: And don't miss the chance to visit one of London's few remaining windmills at the Wimbledon Windmill Museum.

1. Take a dip in London's public lidos in the summer months: Whether art deco Brockwell Lido or colourful Tooting Bec Lido.
2. Limber up for a leisurely boat ride: Hire a pedalo at Hyde Park's Serpentine Lake, enjoy the boating lake in Regent's Park or go boating south of the river in Battersea Park.
3. Paddle your way along the city's waterways: Canoe with London Kayak Company, captain your own GoBoat, or cruise down in one of Skuna Boats' floating hot tubs.

1. Navigate the treetop walkway at Kew Gardens: See magnificent views of the gardens from the viewpoint.
2. Find a tranquil haven at Chelsea Physic Garden: The calming spot is home to hundreds of medicinal plants.
3. Spend time at the Peace Pagoda in Battersea Park: Indulge in quiet contemplation at the Japanese-style landmark.
4. Explore the gardens at stately homes and palaces: Try out the maze at Hampton Court Palace or be amazed by Capability Brown's gardens at Syon House.
5. Perfect your golfing skills at Alexandra Palace: Have a go at pitch-and-putt within its spectacular parkland and gardens.

1. Grab a selfie at Mayfield Lavender Farm: Don't miss the red phone box among alluring fields of purple blooms.
2. Sniff out more fragrant flowers at Vauxhall Park: A great spot for lavender lovers.

1. Shop for gardening essentials at London's garden centres: Explore Petersham Nurseries in Richmond, The Nunhead Gardener near Peckham, W6 Garden Centre in Hammersmith and Neal's Nurseries Garden Centre in Wandsworth.

1. Visit the Victorian Watts Memorial in Postman's Park: Acts of heroism are marked at the City of London park.
2. Sit down with a book in quiet City of London gardens: Find a spot among the ruins of St Dunstan in the East or beside the London Wall at the Barber Surgeons Garden.
3. Discover Westminster Abbey's sedate green spaces: Don't miss College Garden, which has been in cultivation for more than 900 years.
4. Get a taste of Japan at Kyoto Garden in Holland Park: Look out for herons and koi carp in the beautiful garden full of maples.
5. Explore more of London on a self-guided walk: Go on a riverside wander along Regent's Canal, take in the views at Richmond Park and more.
6. Walk The Line sculpture trail: Look out for artworks from Antony Gormley, Anish Kapoor and Abigail Fallis on this route from Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to The O2.

1. Snuggle up to a summer film at one of London's outdoor cinemas: Don't miss spectacular venues citywide with Luna Cinema.
2. See some of your favourite movie stars with Scenes in the Square: This sculpture trail in Leicester Square includes Paddington Bear, Mary Poppins and Harry Potter among others.
3. Experience an outdoor theatre show: Visit magical Regent's Park Open Air Theatre or see one of the Bard's classic works in the authentic open-air playhouse, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.
4. Go on a self-guided street art tour: Uncover the next Banksy with colourful works or spot public art sculptures across the capital.

1. Join Chinese New Year celebrations: Look out for lion dances and enjoy Chinese food and drink.
2. Head to Trafalgar Square for fun-filled annual celebrations: Learn more about the history, culture and food of festivals such as St Patrick's Day, Diwali and Eid.
3. Feel the music at world-famous Notting Hill Carnival: Get into the Caribbean rhythm with music, food, afterparties and parades.
4. Get the party started at Pride in London: Dress up, watch the colourful parade and visit Trafalgar Square for live entertainment. 
5. Get green-fingered at London's flower shows: World-famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show and RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival showcase plenty of blooms and feature gardens.
6. Celebrate the King's official birthday at Trooping the Colour: Enter the ballot to secure tickets to this iconic event.
7. Time your visit for the Open Garden Squares weekend: Explore rarely seen green spaces and lesser-known squares and gardens not usually open to the public.
8. Eat your way around Regent's Park at the Taste of London festival: Top chefs and restaurants from across the capital serve up special treats each summer.

1. Watch the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships: Tuck into strawberries and cream while watching the action at the legendary venue, or in front of one of the big screens dotted around London.
2. Cheer on the teams at The Boat Races: Grab a place on the banks of the Thames to watch Cambridge and Oxford battle it out.
3. See American football at the NFL London Games: Cheer on London regulars the Jacksonville Jaguars and other famous NFL teams. 
4. Experience electrifying cricket competition The Hundred: Matches take place at the Kia Oval and Lord's Cricket Ground.
5. Take tours of London's top stadiums: Gain behind-the-scenes access to see changing rooms, go pitchside and more.

1. Eat outside in London's best alfresco restaurants: Grab a table at the River Cafe, riverside Le Pont de la Tour and more.
2. Enjoy a pint in secluded pub beer gardens: Top spots include wisteria-cloaked The Albion and the historic Spaniards Inn.
3. Relax long into the night at a lively rooftop bar: Some also host nightly events, film screenings and fun activities.
4. Visit one of London's best breweries: Many have cool alfresco spots, including terraces by canals and cosy beer gardens.
5. Discover the city's best cuisine with a local expert on a London food tour: Try classic British dishes on a Borough Market Food Tour, or savour delicious Asian food on a Brick Lane Indian Food Tour. 
6. Be spoilt for choice at Elephant & Castle's Mercato Metropolitano: Choose from a vast range of international street food stalls and find a spot to eat in its outdoor areas.
7. Explore open-air Southbank Centre Food Market: Pick up tasty treats each weekend from the market behind Royal Festival Hall.

1. Hitch a wild ride at one of London's theme parks: Options include epic Chessington World of Adventures and Thorpe Park.
2. Swing from treetops at adventure park, Go Ape: Locations include Battersea in south London, and Alexandra Palace and Cockfosters in north London.
3. Spot Harry Potter film locations at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter: Head outside to discover the Covered Bridge from Hogwarts, the Knight Bus and Harry’s House.
4. Let your kids loose in London's adventure playgrounds: Captain a pirate's ship at Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground in Hyde Park, or splash in the fountains at Timber Lodge and Tumbling Bay in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

1. Climb the famous white dome with Up at The O2: Try out its sunset climbs for an extra special treat.
2. Brace yourself for an adrenaline rush with a speedboat tour: Options include Thames Rockets and Thames RIB Experience.
3. Pick from many activities at Lee Valley Regional Park: Go white-water rafting, BMX biking, horse riding and more.
4. Take to the skies in the IFS Cloud Cable Car: Glide over the Thames and soak up aerial views of London’s skyline between Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks.
5. Get panoramic views of the city on the Dare Skywalk: Test your head for heights with a climb to the viewing deck and glass walkway at the top of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

1. Hop on and hop off Uber Boat by Thames Clippers: The handy river bus service serves 24 piers from east to west London.
2. See the sights from a different perspective on a sightseeing cruise: Indulge in an afternoon tea with City Cruises, or feast during a floating London Dinner Cruise on the River Thames.
3. Experience a relaxing canal trip: Cruise along the Regent's Canal with Jason’s Trip or Jenny Wren.

1. Grab a bite to eat at one of London's many food markets: You'll find street food vendors throughout the capital, from famous Borough Market to lesser-known Maltby Street Market.
2. Shop for clothes and more at London's best markets: Popular hangouts include Portobello Road Market and Greenwich Market.
3. Pick up antiques, jewellery art and more at Covent Garden Market: Traders vary depending on the day at its three markets.
4. Treat your loved ones to beautiful blooms from London flower markets: Columbia Road Flower Market and Chiswick Flower Market are among the largest.
5. Hunt down some bargains at luxury outlet Bicester Village: Shop till you drop at this designer outlet just outside London offering 160 stores and a personal shopping experience.

1. Stay in London's campsites: Experience the great outdoors under canvas or in glamping spots.

1. Get your skates on at London's ice rinks: You'll find many popping up at iconic spots in the winter months.
2. Hunt for stocking fillers at London's top Christmas markets: They're also great places for warming food and festive drinks.
3. Be wowed by twinkling Christmas lights and Christmas trees: Keep an eye out for displays on the capital's streets from November until January.
4. Explore a glittering wonderland with Christmas at Kew: The Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew are turned into a winter wonderland with a spectacular light trail. 
5. Hop aboard a Christmas lights bus tour: Enjoy the extra special glittering lights from the comfort of a guided open-top bus tour.
6. Get into the festive spirit at Winter Wonderland: Watch the park be transformed into a wintery fairground, play games, enjoy rides and indulge in yummy treats.

For more outdoor activities in London, check out the best alfresco restaurants across the city and top spots for swimming, boating and lidos. Download the Visit London app for more inspiration while out and about in London.