How To Be a Thrill Seeker in London

Always wondered what it would feel like to navigate your way through the treetops like a chimp? Go Ape allows you to do just that. Out of its three London sites, the one on the top of the hill at Alexandra Palace is the most spectacular and offers an impressive aerial assault course (not for the faint hearted). Book in for three hours of Tarzan action where you’ll brave 12-metre-high platforms, high-speed zip wires, free falls, swings, ladders, rope bridges and a 14-metre plummet.

Think trampolining is just for kids? Think again! London’s biggest trampoline and adventure park is an action-packed treat for all ages. With more than 50 trampolines, your legs will get a serious workout as you literally bounce off the walls. There are also 12 climbing walls, a laser maze, a ninja obstacle course, a 9-metre vertical-drop slide and London’s first 100-metre indoor caving and potholing experience, all of which are guaranteed to get your heart racing.

Unleash your inner James Bond with a high-octane speedboat ride down the River Thames past London’s iconic riverside attractions including Big Ben, Tower Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral. Thames Rockets’s RIB speedboats race along the river at speeds of up to 30 knots (35 miles per hour), twisting and turning through the Docklands and back. You can find them at either the London Eye or St Katharine Docks. Don’t forget to wear your waterproofs!

First it was a hit 1990s TV show. Then it was a nostalgic cult classic. Now The Crystal Maze has been turned into an immersive live experience, meaning this time you can play! Book in with up to seven friends (or teammates) and your intrepid team will be guided by your theatrical Maze Master through the Aztec, Industrial, Futuristic and Medieval zones where you’ll each have to tackle tasks and games to try and win crystals. Each crystal gets you more time in Crystal Dome for the grande finale, where you need to collect tokens to win prizes. It’s silly, bonkers fun. Be sure to book in advance though, as tickets sell out quickly.

If you’ve got a good head for heights and want to see a totally unique view of London, why not brave the climb to the top of the O2 Arena? Much more adrenaline-filled than going to see a gig inside, the ‘Up at the O2’ experience takes you on a blood-pumping 90-minute hike over the massive domed roof of the venue. Book an evening spot for a special twilight climb and you’ll get to see the lights of London magically twinkling below.

As part of the 2012 Olympics, artist Anish Kapoor created a spectacular twisty public sculpture with a viewing platform at the top. But what’s better than just walking down after seeing the view? Going down a really fast slide, of course. In 2016, a 178-metre-long slide by Carsten Höller with 12 twists and turns was added, and it has since become one of the most thrilling attractions in town. You’ll be plunged into darkness and moved through a rapid corkscrew before being spat out at the bottom.

After all your adrenaline-pumping adventures, chill out and recharge at the InterContinental London – The O2, just steps away from the O2 Arena. Make the most of the hotel’s riverside location on the buzzing Greenwich Peninsula by enjoying a cocktail at its Eighteen Sky Bar for spectacular Canary Wharf views. For a mid-range option, DoubleTree by Hilton London Islington has a modern feel with contemporary art on display. Nestled in the heart of bustling Islington, it’s just minutes from extensive shopping opportunities, sports arenas, tempting local restaurants and lively nightlife. If you’re on a budget, the Holiday Inn Express London Stratford is a good place from which to explore East London, including the site of the London Olympics 2012.