Best water sports and activities in London
Dive into the aquatic wonders of London! Whether you're eager to master stand-up paddle boarding or embark on a kayaking adventure along the Thames, relish a classic boating session on the Serpentine, or seek an adrenaline-pumping wakeboarding experience at the Royal Docklands, the options are boundless. Here is our handpicked selection of the best water-based activities, promising unforgettable memories in the city.
Boating
#FLODown: London has a myriad of picturesque boating lakes scattered throughout its major parks. Among them is Hyde Park's Serpentine, proudly holding the title of London's oldest boating lake. In the north, head to Ally Pally, where you can also explore the city's largest beer garden. For an eastern escape, venture to Victoria Park, where a vast lake and three charming islands beckon exploration. And of course, there's the gem of Richmond, a delightful spot for boating enthusiasts seeking a tranquil and scenic haven for a leisurely day on the water. For a south London boating experience, head to Dulwich Park or Crystal Palace. Each of these places offers the perfect setting for a relaxing boating experience.
Sailing
#FLODown: Sailing on the River Thames or London's picturesque lakes is a must-try and fun-filled activity in the city. There are several places that provide sailing opportunities. For beginners, you can join the London Corinthian Sailing Club, which offers courses to help you get started. For those looking for friendly competitive racing and dinghy sailing classes, the Croydon Sailing Club at South Norwood Lake is an excellent choice. The Docklands Sailing and Water Sports Centre provides courses in sailing, windsurfing, power boating, and paddlesports. Additionally, at Wimbledon Park' serene lake, you can book sailing sessions or comprehensive courses. Regardless of your skill level, whether you're a beginner or an experienced sailor, London's vibrant waters have something to offer every sailing enthusiast.Sailing on the River Thames or London's picturesque lakes is a must fun filled activity to do in the city.
Paddleboarding
#FLODown: Experience London from an entirely new perspective with stand-up paddleboarding. As you gracefully glide through the city's tranquil scenes, this serene and enjoyable activity not only promises relaxation but also provides a fantastic workout, enhancing your balance and endurance along the way. London boasts numerous paddleboarding locations, among which Kew Bridge in Richmond and Paddington Basin stand out as idyllic spots to paddle away your worries. Active 360, who operates in both locations, offers both group and private sessions to master the board, along with SUP, canoe, and kayak rentals.
Kayaking
#FLODown: Experience the magic of London with thrilling kayak adventures along the Thames, gliding under iconic bridges and admiring illuminated landmarks. London Kayak Company offers sessions for all skill levels, including fun corporate events. Moo Canoes provides canoe and tandem kayak rentals in Hackney Wick and Limehouse. For a unique summer experience or date night activity, take an evening paddle from Battersea's St. Mary's Church beach to Greenwich, witnessing the stunning transition from day to twilight in this adults-only adventure lasting approximately 3 hours. Create unforgettable memories of London's landmarks.
Wakeboarding
#FLODown: Discover the adrenaline-fueled excitement of wakeboarding at WakeUp Docklands, nestled in the picturesque Royal Victoria Dock with Canary Wharf as a stunning backdrop. As London's exclusive cable wakeboard park, it invites thrill-seekers aged 10 years and above who can confidently swim 25m to embark on an unforgettable adventure. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced rider, you can carve up the water on two wakeboarding lines, perfecting jumps and flips with every thrilling run. Don't miss this golden opportunity to experience the sheer joy of wakeboarding right in the heart of London!
Swimming
#FLODown: Experience a refreshing escape from the city heat with wild swimming at Hampstead Heath's open-air swimming ponds. The three bathing ponds - Ladies', Men's, and Mixed - nestled amidst oak trees and wild meadows, offer a lifeguarded open-water swimming facility throughout the year. However, be cautious as the ponds can be cold and deep. Click here to discover the best locations to swim in London.
Slice teams up with Yard Sale Pizza for free Pizza on the 24 September at their Hackney Road Store….
The exhibition ‘MARY MARY’ will feature sculptures by nine women artists on the roof terrace above Temple tube station from October 2024 to September 2025…
Hayu FanFest will make its debut in London on 26 October, featuring exclusive panels, star-studded meet-and-greets, and a special appearance by Andy Cohen…
London's bustling art week returns next month, with Frieze London and Frieze Masters launching at The Regent's Park from 9 to 13 October 2024. During this time, several other art fairs will also be taking place across the city…
Queen’s Park is set to bid farewell to summer with a vibrant street party on Lonsdale Road, scheduled for Friday, 13th September, from 4-10pm. This exciting event will unite the local community with a lively set by Hed Kandi DJ John Jones …
London Podcast Festival 2024 · Birkenstock 250th Anniversary Exhibition · Rolf Hind: Sky in a Small Cage · Totally Thames 2024 · Unlimited Southbank Centre · London Mural Festival 2024 · Cornelius + Ichiko Aoba · The Marriage of Figaro, The Royal Opera · Rooftop Book Club · The Vinyl Factory: REVERB · Ernest Cole: House of Bondage · Roger Mayne: Youth …
A significant piece of London’s nightlife history is making its way to the new London Museum, set to open in 2026. The iconic sign from the renowned nightclub fabric, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2019, will be featured in the museum’s permanent installation…
Babur is a respected family run restaurant in an unassuming neighbourhood which opened back in 1985 and has clearly stood the test of time. The kitchen is led by two talented chefs (formerly of the renowned luxury Oberoi Hotel Group) head chef Jiwan Lal and sous chef Praveen Kumar Gupta, who both helped Babur receive London’s Best Asian Restaurant at the Asian Restaurant Awards in 2022.
One Tree Hill Nature Reserve offers a peaceful retreat from busy London. Located in Honor Oak It can be reached by the Overground train arriving at Honor Oak, a small reserve of 7 acres with interesting history, wildlife and stunning panoramic views towards the city.
Lumen Studios present NONOTAK’s ECLIPSE in London with a 1,000-square-metre immersive light and sound exhibition.
Shifters, currently on at The Duke of York’s Theatre following a sold-out first run at Bush Theatre, is the story of Dre and Des: two childhood friends who reunite at the wake of Dre’s Nana after eight long years apart.
Kinnari Saraiya is a London-based Indian artist, curator, and researcher whose work focuses on trans-altern and post-humanist ideas from the Global South. She is currently a curator at Somerset House and has held positions at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Frieze Art Fair, and Bowes Museum....
Arte Povera at Bourse de Commerce · retrospective of Jackson Pollock’s Musée National Picasso-Paris · Barbara Crane’s photography at Centre Pompidou · Pop Forever, Tom Wesselmann & …, at Fondation Louis Vuitton · Petit Palais Palais de Tokyo…
Berlin, Berlin: 20 Years of the Helmut Newton Foundation · Alexandra Pirici and Nama Tsbar at Hamburger Bahnhof · Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley: The Soul Station · Luis Roque: Estufa · Galli: See How You Get On · Akinbode Akinbiyi: Being, Seeing, Wandering · Frans Hals: Master of the Fleeting Moment · Dream On—Berlin, the 90s...
Wilhelm Sasnal: Painting as Prop at Stedelijk Museum · Matthew Wong: Vincent van Gogh: Painting as a Last Resort at Van Gogh Museum · Point of View at Rijksmuseum…
On the last Saturday of August, Tate Modern Lates will present a unique collaboration with the acclaimed rapper, singer, and actor Little Simz, who will curate an exclusive evening of music, conversations, workshops...
Classical Music Opening Weekend Southbank Centre · CelebrASIA Festival at Battersea Power Station · Rooftop Book Club · Qudus Onikeku’s Re:INCARNATION · London Design Festival 2024 · Totally Thames 2024 · Open House London · Art Exhibitions · Voyages Extraordinaires at Gothic Bar · Waterworks Festival · The Last Night of the Proms · Unlimited Southbank Centre · London Mural Festival…
National Prosecco Weekend · Fiddler on the Roof · Hospitality In The Woods · All Points East Festival · Hogarth’s House · Afternoon Tea Week 2024 · Wellness in Nature · Homelessness: Reframed · Peter Kennard: Archive of Dissent · Hockney and Piero: A Longer Look · Banksy’s in London · POoR Collective: Together We Rise…
Andi and Miquita Oliver introduced Wilderness Festival goers to a selection of European cheeses, sharing culinary tips and insights during a live podcast with special guest Matt Tebbutt….
Marc Quinn: Light into Life · Tavares Strachan: There Is Light Somewhere · Roger Mayne: Youth · C. Rose Smith: Talking Back to Power · Rheim Alkadhi: Templates for Liberation · REVERB by The Vinyl Factory · Fragile Beauty: Photographs from the Sir Elton John and David Furnish Collection · Design Discoveries: Towards a DESIGN MUSEUM JAPAN · Gavin Jantjes: To Be Free! A Retrospective 1970 – 2023 · Francis Alÿs: Ricochets · Tropical Modernism: Architecture and Independence …
We were keen to receive an invitation to tour this year’s 13th Edition of Sculpture in the City. There is something about public sculpture, which is extremely appealing, with each sculpture displayed with its own unique back drop…
Official Team GB Fan Zones · King’s Cross Fan Zone · Battersea Power Station Fan Zone · Grosvenor Square, Mayfair Fan Zone · Old Royal Naval College’s Summer Big Screen · Bishops Square, Spitalfields · Hammersmith Summer Festival · Lower Marsh, Waterloo · Summer in the Square, Marylebone · Summer Screens, Canary Wharf · Summer by the River….
José María Velasco: A View of Mexico · Noah Davis · Brasil! Brasil! The Birth of Modernism · Christina Kimeze · Citra Sasmita: Into Eternal Land · Astonishing Things: The Drawings of Victor Hugo · The Music Is Black: A British Story · Kiefer/Van Gogh · Siena: The Rise of Painting 1300‒1350 · Kerry James Marshall · A Story of South Asian Art: Mrinalini Mukherjee and Her Circle · Mickalene Thomas: All About Love · RA Summer Exhibition 2025…
Southbank Centre reveals exciting line-up for London Literature Festival 2024, co-curated by rapper Ghetts and featuring exclusive book launches and poetry events…
Cocktails in the City‧ Somerset House Summer Series‧ UEFA EURO 2024: England v Netherlands‧ BST Hyde Park‧ Wimbledon‧ Kew the Music‧ You Belong Here‧ Kaleidoscope Festival‧ Come As You Really Are‧ Herbert Smith Freehills Portrait Award 2024‧ Barbie: The Exhibition‧ Joy Labinjo: We Are Briefly Gorgeous‧ Firelei Báez: Sueño de la Madrugada (A Midnight’s Dream)‧ Old Royal Naval College’s Summer Big Screen‧ Rucola rooftop restaurant‧ The Literacy Pirates
Hello, World!