ToursGaGa

Brave London's wild side with a secret adventure

Whether you kayak under Tower Bridge or join in at an underground concert, Secret Adventures (tel: +44 203 287 7986; http://secretadventures.org) shows visitors a side of London they haven't seen before and, in the case of the secret skinny dip, perhaps don't want to see again. Activities vary but are always wild. Book early.

Climb over a London landmark

Daredevils with a head for heights can scale the dizzying summit of the O2 dome (tel: +44 208 463 2000; www.theo2.co.uk), one of the city's iconic landmarks. Attached by a harness, adventurers who brave the 190m-high (623ft) rooftop walkway are rewarded with panoramic views, which are particularly stunning at dusk.

Pull on your plus fours for a unique round of golf

It may not be a sprawling green course, but Alexandra Palace’s pitch and putt (tel: +44 20 8365 2121; www.alexandrapalace.com) affords fantastic views over London. Elsewhere, Urban Golf (tel: +44 207 248 8600; www.urbangolf.co.uk) is technological in its approach play with state-of-the-art simulators instead of tees; and crazy golf fans should try Plonk Golf’s four courses (http://plonkgolf.co.uk).

Race down the Olympic white water rapids

Around 30 minutes' north of London, hurtle along fast-flowing waters at the exhilarating Lee Valley White Water Centre (tel: +44 3000 030 616; www.gowhitewater.co.uk). Built for the 2012 London Olympics, visitors can learn basic rafting techniques before tackling the rapids and stomach churning drops along the choppy 300m-long (984ft) route.

Swim inside an art installation

For an exhilarating spring and summertime plunge, head to one of London's outdoor pools. The water-filled clay pits on Hampstead Heath and the heated London Fields Lido (tel: +44 20 7254 9038; www.better.org.uk/leisure/london-fields-lido) are both favoured alfresco swimming spots by trendy Londoners, whilst King's Cross Pond Club (tel: +44 203 818 6500; www.kingscrosspond.club) is a natural art installation you can swim in.