Explore London’s hidden water world

London is blessed with many beautiful boating lakes, and most of the major parks have one – sometimes two – with rowboats and pedalos available to hire. The Serpentine (London’s oldest boating lake) in Hyde Park operates a fleet of rowing boats as well as the UK’s first SolarShuttle, while Greenwich Park is the perfect place for day-trippers seeking a particularly nautical day out. For the ultimate tranquil escape, Victoria Park in the east boasts a huge lake and three islands to explore.

Looking for a new view of the city? For serene London scenes we recommend you give stand-up paddleboarding (aka SUP’ing) a go. Setting off from Merchant’s Square in Paddington and skirting along the Grand Union Canal, your 10ft floating vantage point lets you admire the willow-rimmed neighbourhood of Little Venice, Regent Park’s neoclassical mansions and the chattering apes of London Zoo. Guided group tours or one-to-one sessions are bookable with Active 360 and start from Paddington Basin, Kew Bridge or Brentford Lock.

London may be without a sandy beach and crystal-blue sea to cool off in, but Hampstead Heath’s open-air swimming ponds are the perfect substitute to escape the city heat. Once dammed-off clay pits, the Heath’s three bathing ponds –Ladies’, Men’s and Mixed – have been a popular hangout for bathers since the Victorian era. Surrounded by oak trees and wild meadows, it’s the UK’s only lifeguarded open-water swimming facility that’s open to the public all year round (come rain or shine!).

Experience the city as never before with a spot of night-time sightseeing from the seat of a two-man kayak. As the sun starts to set, get ready for an epic three-hour voyage along the Thames, weaving under iconic bridges as you go. Admire London’s riverside landmarks bathed in light – from St Paul’s Cathedral to the Houses of Parliament, Bankside and Tower Bridge. This nocturnal adventure starts on the beach by St Mary’s Church in Battersea and finishes in Greenwich, next to the Old Naval College’s grand façade.

Carving up the water with Canary Wharf as your backdrop may just be the closest you’ll ever get to being James Bond but, boy, is it worth it. Located in East London’s Royal Victoria Dock, WakeUp Docklands is home to the only cable wake park in the capital. Here, thrill-seekers can learn to dart across the Thames on two wakeboarding lines while mastering jumps and flips along the way. Novices should book the hour-long introduction class (which starts on land) before testing out their newfound skills in the water. Advanced riders can try and take on the two impressive kicker ramps.

Take to the wheel and captain your own motorboat with GoBoat. First-time skippers needn’t worry about getting their legs wet, thanks to a quick training session before heading off down river. A handy map marking out the route will help you navigate your way towards the majestic Hampton Court Palace (Molesey Lock) and onwards to Teddington Lock. There’s space for up to eight people on board, so bring your friends (plus dogs, should you fancy furry crewmates) and make a day of it. Oh, and don’t forget to pack a picnic.

Remember to pack your waterproofs for this high-speed, high-thrills boat-based adventure like no other. The 50-minute Ultimate London Adventure begins deceptively calmly at the London Eye Pier, where your skipper will kick off the tour with some fun facts about the local history before cranking up the speed. Once at Tower Bridge, it’s time to tighten your grip and prepare to scream with delight as you twist and turn around the docklands at 30 knots (35mph!) – whizzing by the city’s famous landmarks as you go.

There’s more to Wimbledon than the annual tennis tournament that takes over the leafy London suburb every summer. This village-like spot in the southwest of the city is home to a boating lake (where it’s rumoured some Olympic hopefuls have trained) plus an array of leisure and watersports activities. So, swap your ball and racket for waterproofs and a lifejacket and learn to sail on Wimbledon Park’s idyllic lake. Fun for all the family – first-time seafarers can master the basics of rigging, sailing in all directions and tacking with a Start Sailing one-day course, while little ones can learn the ropes in a single-handed Topaz dinghy with a one-to-one tutoring session.

Try an alternative sightseeing tour with Moo Canoes. Happily, no experience is needed to pilot these two-man vessels, decorated with black-and-white cow prints, so devoted landlubbers are just as welcome as veteran seafarers. Take your pick from individual rentals for solo adventurers, or get your friends involved if you’d like to form a flotilla. There are 12 different routes of varying difficulty, leading everywhere across the city, from the idyllic canals and rivers of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to the bustling waterways of Angel and Clapton.

The Skuna BBQ Boat – brought to you by the people behind London’s fabulous floating hot tubs – lets you bob gently along the Isle of Dogs while flame-grilling some tasty food en route. Each boat holds up to ten people and comes fully equipped with all the barbecue essentials, so all you have to do is pack the burgers and beverages. The team will light up your grill before you depart, as well as give you a short briefing on where you can steer your vessel. From then on, you’re on your own. Simply cast off into the horizon and enjoy a delicious one-hour, 40-minute voyage along the historic West India Quay docklands.