Your guide to 10 relaxing things to do in London.
I know what you’re thinking, how can you relax & unwind in a place where there is so much going on?
Well, even though London is a fast pace city, there are plenty of ways to slow down the pace and relax your mind & body.
From taking advantage of London’s green spaces to unique explorations off the beaten path, there are actually plenty of relaxing things to do in London.
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Finding Wellness in London
We all travel to feel good and making time to slow down the pace is important for both the mind and body.
Really, if you close your eyes and imagine how you want to feel when you adventure out into the world, relaxed most likely appears at the top of the list.
The fact that relaxation is a common motivator for travel, isn’t really a surprise.
If you’ve been here before, you’ll know I love London and it frequently appears on my wellness inspired travel agenda.
Over the years I’ve learned first hand that relaxation can be found in any location. To include busy and frequently visited cities like Edinburgh, London, Venice and Rome.
You just have to know where to look!
10 Relaxing Things to Do in London
In this post, I wanted to share some of the best relaxing things to do in London. That way you can recharge your mind and body as your explore one of the most iconic cities in the world.
No matter the season or how long your itinerary, there are lots of easy ways to work a little self-care and relaxation into your cultural explorations.
You’ ll find that many of these things are centrally located and easy to access by bus or tube, making them convenient to work into your trip.
Explore Kew Gardens
A visit to Kew Gardens is a leisurely way to spend the afternoon, or even the day!
This world famous UNESCO world heritage site is the perfect place to disconnect from daily life and totally immerse yourself in the natural world.
As one of the oldest parks in England, it has something for every age.
An ideal spot to get off the beaten path is The Queen Charlotte’s Cottage. This charming and rustic royal retreat is a great place to escape the crowds and find a bit of peace and quiet.
Another not to be missed experience is exploring The Hive.
The LED lights on this striking 17 meter installation glow according to the bee activity in the garden, making it is one unique and inspiring space.
Wander Kensington Gardens
The iconic Kensington Gardens are a beautiful place to take a break from the hustle & bustle of city life.
Covering 265 acres, Kensington Gardens is one of the eight Royal Parks in London.
The gardens are actually a mix a mix of iconic buildings like Kensington Palace and The Serpentine Galleries, as well formal gardens, water features and parkland.
My favorites, The Sunken Garden and Italian Gardens, are both mindful and intimate spaces to find some peace and quiet.
Most recently, The Sunken Garden was redesigned and the it is now home to the Princess Diana statue.
If you prefer to linger and take a load off your feet, The Orangery is a beautiful backdrop for afternoon tea. A few years ago my mom and I spent a lazy summer’s afternoon wandering the garden and enjoying tea, and it’s still one of our favorite London memories.
Stroll Hyde Park
Right next to Kensington Gardens is Hyde Park, which is the ideal green space for a relaxing stroll.
It’s large size means there are many corners to explore, so you can find your sweet spot of relaxation as you wander.
There are benches for quiet contemplation, grassy areas to lie down and watch the clouds go by, and summer brings the sweet smell of the roses.
It’s enough to make anyone smile with delight.
Strolling the park is a fantastic way to slow down and be with the world around you. The birds singing and the leaves rustling in the wind bring calm to the day.
Visit Highgate Cemetery
A cemetery may seem like an odd place to visit for relaxation, but when they are as beautiful as Highgate, it makes perfect sense.
Perched on a hill above the city, is the historic Highgate Cemetery. It’s part of The Magnificent Seven, a collection of overgrown Victorian garden graveyards.
Highgate is the only one of the seven to charge admission, but the over 50,000 plots are well worth a visit. In addition, it’s only a stone’s throw from the beautiful Hampstead Heath. Which is an engaging day out for some nature time.
I love to visit old graveyards and think they offer a unique fresh air opportunity to contemplate as your explore history. Other favorites in London include Brompton Cemetery and Nunhead Cemetery.
Further afield, I adore The Glasgow Necropolis and Edinburgh’s Historic Graveyards.
Take a Cab Ride
Are you hoping for some engaging conversation from a local perspective?
If so, hail an iconic black cab. Then just sit back and enjoy the ride.
A cab ride is an engaging way to get from point A to B. It provides a unique opportunity to chat with a local and hear their insights about life in London.
Over the years, I’ve often found London cab drivers to be up for a friendly chat and full of interesting facts and opinions.
Take a Walk in Richmond Park
Located just outside central London, Richmond Park is an ideal place to explore the great outdoors.
Created in the 17th century as a deer park by Charles I, it is the largest of The Royal Parks. Today the fold of deer still roam the grasslands, making it a wonderful space to experience the awe of nature.
The Isabella Plantation is a Victorian woodland set within the park and particularly peaceful place to roam. Sprinkled with ponds, streams and clearings it is especially spectacular in springtime when the azaleas bloom.
Maybe its the deer or the spaciousness of it all, but it is definitely one of my favorite nature spots in the city.
It’s beautiful year round and you can read more about it here in through the eyes of a mindful winter photo walk.
Unwind with a Massage
A massage is a wonderful way to relax the body, so why not take advantage of the multitude of innovative offerings across the city and leave some of your tensions behind.
Spas in every borough mean it’s convenient to find little window of time to support your well-being.
Here are a few centrally located options to tantalize you:
- Cowshed: three renowned locations across the city make it a reliable & convenient choice
- Aveda: for a combination massage & reflexology
- Lush: they sprinkle fun into their relaxing bliss
Enjoy a River Cruise on The Thames
Can you think of anything more relaxing than taking in London’s sites as you float by on a boat?
A boat offers a one of a kind vantage point to some of the most iconic sights in London.
It’s an entirely different pace than walking and you have plenty of time to observe all the details. There’s no dodging of people or watching where you’re going. You can just sit back and enjoy the ride.
A cruise is an opportunity to experience London at a much slower pace, which is an unexpected find in a big city.
For my money, it’s perfect to pair with a day trip Greenwich. Where you can leisurely explore history, nature and architecture, all in one space!
Capture City Life with a Photo Walk
Pick a borough, any borough and take a mindful photo walk!
From tiny alleys and colorful doors, to open air markets and peaceful gardens…there’s plenty to photograph in London.
A photo walk is also a simple way to bring mindfulness to everyday life. Being present helps us to experience our travels more deeply and cultivate better well-being.
At the end of the day, small acts like this add up to bring more happiness to our lives, making them worth the time and attention.
Curious? This is my go-to relaxing thing to do in London and you can lean more about it in the Mindful Photography Guide.
Relax with Afternoon Tea
In addition to being a quintessential British thing to do, afternoon tea is sure one relaxing way to spend the afternoon.
It feels good to sink into an experience where there is no timetable, just you a few friends and some yummy treats.
Afternoon tea is also a fun way to sprinkle a bit more fun into your day.
You can enjoy tea on a boat, train or bus. Or go for a themed afternoon tea like Peter Pan, London Landmarks, Harry Potter, Science or Shakespeare.
All you need to do is bring your appetite, sit back and enjoy the goodies as they are beautifully presented at your table.
So tell me, which of these relaxing things to do in London do you want to explore on your next trip to the city?
Whichever calls to you, be sure to make time to relax. Your mind and body will thank you!
until the next time…
…live well – travel well – be well
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