Top England Outdoor Activities

Enjoy a seamless introduction to the Lake District and discover its scenic highlights on this half-day driving tour. Over the course of your tour, see numerous lakes (including Lake Windermere—the largest in the area); visit the Neolithic Castlerigg Stone Circle; discover the photogenic Ashness Bridge; chart the Kirkstone Pass; and much more. As you go, learn all about the region and its history from your guide’s commentary.

To maximize limited time in London, combine an iconic British tradition with a sightseeing excursion on an afternoon tea cruise on the Thames River. As you sail from Tower Pier to Westminster, admire London landmarks including the Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, and the London Eye—without having to navigate or jostle among the large crowds that gather at the monuments. Plus, indulge in tea, freshly prepared cakes, and sandwiches.

Discover a unique perspective on London’s landmarks—and enjoy a relaxing way to explore—on this Thames River boat tour one-way ticket. Enjoy the flexibility to board and disembark when you want from four convenient piers. Take in the views from the upper decks or relax within the cozy indoor salons, and learn more from the accompanying multilingual commentary.

Add some thrills to your London sightseeing during a Thames River speedboat ride. Not only will you cover more riverside sights than you would on slower-moving vessels, but you’ll also enjoy the exhilaration of high velocity as you travel between the London Eye and Tower Bridge, passing icons such as Big Ben and St. Paul's Cathedral along the way.

See London from the streets, water, and sky with this great-value package that lets you explore at your own pace. Choose a 24- or 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus ticket with on-board commentary and open-top panoramic views. Enjoy an aerial view aboard the London Eye giant observation wheel and a one-way River Thames cruise between the Tower of London and Westminster Pier, available in either direction.

Immerse yourself in the wild scenery of the Lake District—and try out an outdoor activity that’s unique to the area—on this adventurous tour. Ghyll scrambling involves donning a wetsuit, helmet, and other equipment, and climbing, sliding down, and hopping from pool to pool in the Lake District’s ghylls, or mountain streams. For this small-group activity, choose from morning or afternoon departure times—and prepare to get wet.

Glide by a host of London’s must-see landmarks on a sightseeing cruise from Westminster to Greenwich on the Thames River. Step aboard your comfortable cruise boat at Westminster Pier and listen to the live commentary as you pass sights such as Shakespeare’s Globe, Tower Bridge, and the Tower of London. Drink in the views from the open or indoor deck, and at Greenwich, step ashore to visit attractions (own expense) such as the Cutty Sark or National Maritime Museum.

The O2 is one of London’s most famous music, sport, and entertainment venues, and is renowned for its unique ‘dome’ architecture. With this Up at the O2 Experience, discover the arena from a whole new angle as you enjoy a thrilling roof climb. Kitted out with safety gear and a harness, admire 360-degree views of the capital as you walk around the dome, and watch the sunset over the iconic London skyline.

See Stonehenge before the crowds arrive—and have time for additional sightseeing afterwards—on this seamless, half-day tour from London. Public transit can be confusing and expensive, but with round-trip coach transit, this tour makes getting there easy. You'll arrive at the UNESCO World Heritage Site before most of the crowds, and enjoy a hassle-free experience with included admission, shuttle bus, and audio guide. Explore the landmark at your own pace before returning to London by mid-afternoon.

Get off the tourist trail and combine sightseeing with high-octane thrills on a Thames River speedboat cruise, the ideal choice for adrenaline junkies. On a RIB (rigid inflatable boat), zoom past London landmarks such as Tower Bridge, the Shard, and HMS Belfast at full throttle, while slowing down intermittently to listen to comic commentary. Experience the river in a new way and get a brand new perspective on the city's sights.

London’s top landmarks stretch along the Thames, but navigating between them on foot can take time. This experience combines a river cruise with a ride on the London Eye, so you can see the city from the water and from above in one seamless outing. Sail past icons such as Big Ben, St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Tower of London before taking in panoramic views from the skyline.

See the Lake District in one day without missing a thing! Visit 10 of the National Park’s famous lakes and learn about their geological past and historic importance in culture, art and literature. Enjoy scenic drives through valleys and dales, spot waterfalls and explore ancient landmarks, like the stone circle at Askrigg. Take memorable photos at specially-chosen look-out points and hear tales about the local folklore of the fells and villages you pass by.

The sights and scenery of North Wales are tricky to explore from Liverpool without a rental car. Rather than string together train and bus journeys, choose this full-day tour for the benefit of comfortable minivan transport and a guide who shares background on the sights as you travel. Walk Llandudno’s pier, follow hidden roads through Snowdonia, visit Conwy Castle (own expense), and more, to discover a beautiful corner of Britain without a care in the world.

Enjoy the rare chance to see British wild deer in their natural habitat and take photographs of them on this private guided walk around a private deer park near Leek. After an introductory briefing, stroll the park to spot its communities of red and fallow deer. Learn about deer behaviours, get photography tips, absorb the peaceful fields and Peak District views, and perhaps get the opportunity to feed the deer.

With this beginners’ surfing lesson in Newquay, you can get great access to your instructor, as it’s a small-group experience that’s capped at eight people. Don’t worry about bringing heavy equipment with you, as everything you need is provided. So just show up and get ready for a fun and informative introduction to the core surfing skills you need.

Jazz up your tour of London by traveling in a private rickshaw. See London’s most iconic landmarks and neighborhoods as you discover the historic charm of Trafalgar Square and the eclectic buzz of Soho. The tour offers a fun and unique way to learn about London's history, culture, and architecture.

See more of London's architectural highlights in less time on this small-group biking tour. With a guide to lead the way, and helmets and bikes provided, getting around is made easy. Cycle from Covent Garden to the royal splendor of Buckingham Palace, from Westminster to the architectural grandeur of St. Paul's Cathedral, and beyond. Throughout your ride, listen as your guide shares insider stories about the city.

Enjoy the iconic Oxford experience of punting on the River Cherwell, without having to do all the hard work, with this private tour led by an Oxford University student. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the views of key landmarks, colleges, and literary inspirations, as you glide along the River Cherwell, with your student guide directing the punt.

Reach new heights and enjoy unobstructed views over London with the Up at The O2 Experience. Intrepid climbers are rewarded with panoramic views during this walk to the top of this entertainment venue. Equipped with a safety harness, follow your guide to the apex of the building to look down upon Canary Wharf, the Olympic Park, and Greenwich. No climbing experience is required.

See more of London as you pedal around the sights of London in style on this small-group bike tour, which reveals some of the capital's top sights along a relaxed cycling route. Hop on board your classic English bike with an optional basket and follow your guide down quiet backstreets, past famous landmarks, and along the Thames River, then get off the beaten track as you discover the street art of Banksy and even have a go at your own graffiti tag.

Have only a short stay in London? See more of the city’s landmarks in less time—and enjoy a memorable way to travel—on a Thames river cruise. Pick from numerous daily departure times, and head to the London Eye Pier to hop aboard your vessel. As you cruise along the river, glimpse monuments ranging from St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Tate Modern to Big Ben and the Tower of London. Live on-board commentary is included.

This hassle-free tour from London to the Cotswolds is perfect for your private group of up to six. Along the way, stop at towns where you can shop and explore. You have a private vehicle, so you don’t need to deal with public transport, and you can stop wherever you like. Stop for a pub lunch or high tea, too (extra expense).

Immerse yourself in the sights and scents of London’s breathtaking Kew Gardens. A UNESCO-listed venue, the Royal Botanic Gardens features a diverse array of rare plants and flowers across 326 acres (132 hectares). Discover the lawns and gardens on foot, stroll along the Treetop Walkway to view some of the gardens’ 14,000 trees, and visit magnificent structures like the Royal Kew Palace and the Palm House – one of the largest surviving Victorian glasshouses. Note that last entry is at 2:30 p.m. as the gardens close at 3:15 p.m.