So you’ve seen London: walked its cobblestone streets, been on the London Eye, crossed the Millennium bridge more than once. You feel like you’ve seen it all, but the thing about London is, it’s a city full of surprises, bursting with life. You’ll be amazed by the endless possibilities, the never-ending things to do to add to your list. Here are just a few:
1. Picnic on Primrose Hill
“I have conversed with the spiritual sun. I met him on Primrose Hill”, wrote esteemed poet William Blake. While Hyde Park may be a hit amongst the tourists few know of Primrose Hill, a secluded park off Prince Albert Road. A wide, sloping hill that stands at 63-metres-above-sea-level, Primrose Hill offers one of the six protected viewpoints in London. Extensive measures are taken in order to ensure this view remains unobstructed. Trees in the area are deliberately kept low so as not to impede on the spectacular skyline.
Hike up the winding path for a bird’s eye view of the spires of St Pauls and a magnificent London’s iconic skyline. There you’ll find children, dogs and joggers alike enjoying Primrose Hill. Its rolling greenery means it’s the perfect spot for a picnic when the weather is fair. Pack some cheese, some wine and bread, and you’re all set to spend a lazy afternoon soaking up the sun.
2. Rent a Barge at Regent’s Canal
A quiet and unassuming waterway lines popular attractions like Camden Market and the Zoo, making for a picturesque sight. Having once been key in linking Grand Junction Canal and the River Thames, today Regent’s Canal has been repurposed for the enjoyment of tourists and locals alike, who adore this intimate setting of calm right in the bustling heart of London. The canal begins from London’s very own Little Venice, and is known as the main feature of that neighbourhood.
Most people like to jog along Regent’s Canal. Take things up a notch by renting a barge, instead of merely peering enviously into the windows of anchored houseboats. Houseboats are fairly popular in England, with many choosing to spend their days traversing through the country’s many waterways. If you’re onboard with the idea of being “at sea” for the day, rent a barge and you’ll soon find yourself cruising along the canal at full speed.
3. Take a Neon Naked life drawing Class
You may consider yourself something of an artist, but surely you’ve never had an art class like this. Naked life Drawing started as an ancient art form to understand the intricacies of human anatomy and has been practised throughout the centuries by artists in order to perfect their craft, and it’s a regular prerequisite at art schools worth their salt. Neon Naked gives the old art school syllabus a refreshing update, by decking everything out in - you guessed it, neon.
Neon Naked offers these art classes every week for creatives who are looking for a challenge.
More than just a gimmick, the eye-catching neon colours are meant to inspire and get creative juices flowing. The team at Neon Naked committed to this avant-garde project in hopes of getting artists to produce more unusual imagery and experiment with light, colour and texture. For those who travel light, art supplies are provided and students are encouraged to make full use of the neon pastels also available in order to bring their art to life. Beginners are also very welcome.
4. Dive into London’s Ball Pit Bar
There’s no age limit on fun, and it seems like the owners of Ballie Ballerson, London’s only Ball Pit Bar are inclined to agree. Diving headfirst into a colourful ball pit is no doubt a fond childhood memory for most, but Ballie Ballerson gives us all the upgrade we need by adding alcohol in the mix. With the vision of creating a “grown up’s playground”, Ballie Ballerson has two enormous pools filled with a million balls in millennial pink and luminescent white, making it also the perfect place to Instagram your night out.
The bar also has dozens of pulsating ball lights falling off the ceiling, presenting itself as a kind of eccentric fever dream. Ballie Ballerson also offers reasonable packages for bottomless drinks, so it definitely won’t break the bank. Disco beats and RnB music is played constantly, encouraging guests to just get up and dance, to be as free-spirited as they were as a kid. The popular bar has two locations, one in Shoreditch and another in Soho.
5. Swing from a Trapeze at the Gorilla Circus
Ever dreamed of running away to the circus? Well, dreams don’t have to stay dreams. London’s very own Gorilla Circus offers affordable flying trapeze lessons open to the general public. Gorilla Circus specialises in producing public shows, in particular large scale exhibitions that require tackling high altitudes and aerial stunts. Gorilla Circus has also worked extensively with notable television and broadcasting companies like the BBC and brands like Puma.
Over a two hour course, take to the skies and see how you would fare as a circus acrobat. Gather your courage and attempt a neat trick on the flying trapeze. Safety is of course the circus’ priority, with a trained instructor always on hand to assist. There’s no need to worry about age, the class has welcomed students as young as 8 and as old as 78 in the past.
The Circus also offers other classes that are more advanced, meaning you can always go back and take on more darting feats.
