Active fitness escapes a one hour train ride from London
Stay active this winter with MLA’s hot tips
Team MLA is becoming increasingly spread out in different cities around the world, however we still consider London the place we know best. This article is for those of you wanting to escape London for a brief moment .. We share some of our hot tips on where you can go within an hour’s train journey from London to keep you moving throughout the winter.
Escaping London
London is a pretty great city to live in, we can all agree on that. However, for those days when the pace can feel a little overwhelming, we’re fortunate to have an abundance of places, all with a diverse range of activities, to escape to. There may be thrilling outdoor activities in the city itself - think jet boating on the Thames or abseiling at Olympic Park - but step a little further afield, and the opportunities are endless. There’s activities come rain or shine if you look for them, so whether it’s for a solo weekend or an active staycation, we’ve put together our suggestions for those looking for something a little different that’s still only a day trip away. Not only offering a break from city life, these adventures serve up the chance to try something new and step out of your comfort zone, which here at MLA we’re huge proponents of.
Paddle Boarding in Surrey
SUP is one of our favourite activities on our retreats, the perfect way to wind down and watch the sun set
With core strength, balance and muscular endurance bundled into one activity, stand up paddle boarding - or SUP, as it’s commonly referred to - comes out top for a simple and accessible way to combine fitness with nature. Whilst not always a year-round activity, it’s a summer staple and available at a number of water spots on the outskirts of London.
Just SUP UK operates from Runnymede Pleasure Ground in Egham, Surrey. Located on the banks of the River Thames, they offer paddle board and kayak hire as well as individual and group lessons, with the added option of hiring a wetsuit for those prone to, or worried about, falling in. Just a 40-minute journey from Waterloo to Egham, and you’ll be all set for the SUP experience.
Also situated on the banks of the Thames, this time taking in the views of Bushy Park and Hampton Court Palace, is Floatin on Thames. Lessons are available or you can rent the boards yourself and have a leisurely exploration of the Thames’ tranquil sights.
Get there:
For Just SUP UK, trains run from London Waterloo to Egham in 40 minutes, followed by either a 5 minute taxi or 20 minute walk.
For Floatin on Thames, take a 30 minute train from Waterloo to Hampton Court, then walk for 10 minutes.
White Water Rafting in Hertfordshire
For those looking to step out of their comfort zone and challenge themselves, white water rafting should be top of the list. Not only is it a great aerobic and strength workout, it’s a prime opportunity to come together in a group and learn the fundamentals of trust, communication and teamwork (pitch this to your HR Manager and thank us later!). Coordinated efforts amongst all participants are essential to navigate the raft through the rapids, and that post-exercise endorphin high is sure to be enhanced when surrounded by a group of like-minded folk.
Fortunately for us Londoners, white water rafting is less than an hour away. Trains run from Liverpool Street to Cheshunt in just 23 minutes, which, for some perspective, is as long as it takes on the northern line from Balham to Old Street. A ten minute taxi, or a 40 minute walk for those wanting to clock up some steps, and you’ll be at Lea Valley White Water Centre and the adventure can begin.
Get there:
There’s 6 trains every hour from London Liverpool Street to Cheshunt, with journeys as fast as 23 minutes.
The rapids are simply a 10-minute taxi or uber from the station.
Walking and Cycling at Box Hill
Hikes are essential parts of our retreats, to explore the nature around, and get some steps in
A true hotspot close to home for thrill seekers, Box Hill has a bit of everything. From the iconic stepping stones path to the zig zag road made famous by the London 2012 Olympics, there’s stunning scenery to accompany any activity.
For the walkers and hikers, The Box Hill Hike is an 8 mile circular walk covering much of the Box Hill estate. Expect steep climbs and descents into deep valleys, as well as some viewpoints and pubs en route for a pit stop if desired.
If you’re a cyclist, Box Hill offers a climb that whilst challenging, is definitely manageable for the majority. Referred to as ‘zig zag road’ for its hairpin bends, the hill itself is short, at 2.5km, with a steady climb of 120 metres; steep, narrow and a great test of fitness. You can incorporate this into the 8-mile Olympic loop, a scenic route combining roads, country lanes, and some decent hills.
Get there: trains run from London Waterloo to Box Hill & Westhumble station in 47 minutes, with the start of any walks or cycles being less than 10 minutes on foot from the station.
River Swimming in Oxfordshire
With both one and two-day adventures on offer here, this swimming tour along England’s longest river could well be the perfect mini active UK holiday. Organised by SwimTrek, who create expert-guided open water swimming holidays around the world, there’s a variety of itineraries across the UK, and fortunately for us, they offer a River Thames experience. Technically it’s just over an hour via train and taxi to the starting point at the edge of the Cotswolds, so it’s close enough to London that it’s doable in a day, or you can book an overnight stay at the halfway point of the river tour and reassemble on day two for the full experience.
It’s a fully guided swimming holiday, so you’ll have swim guides and a full safety escort at all times as you cover 6km of the river each day, taking in the charm of the Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire countryside. It’s recommended that you have a basic understanding of open water swimming and are capable of completing a 3km swim before joining the trip.
Get there: a 50 minute train from Paddington to Swindon, followed by a 30 minute taxi journey to Buscot Lock.
Abseiling at Olympic Park, Stratford
Ok yes, the Olympic Park is definitely within London, however depending on where you live in London, a journey to Stratford may take as long as London Victoria to Brighton! If venturing out of your neighbourhood to East London is somewhat of a trek for you (you know who you are), then the ArcelorMittal Orbit at Queen Elizabeth Park is a great active day out to tick off your list.
Standing at 262 feet above the city, the ArcelorMittal Orbit is the UK’s tallest structure and in turn offers the UK’s highest freefall abseil, taking in breathtaking views of our capital city. If abseiling isn’t on your bucket list, or you simply prefer your activities a little less heart-rate spiking, there’s always The Slide, a 40-second journey of twists, turns and drops through what is the world’s tallest and longest tunnel slide in and around the sculpture (we did say only a little less heart-rate spiking!).
Get there: choose from the overground, central, Elizabeth, DLR, jubilee or National Rail to Stratford.
Go Ape in Cockfosters
You can of course opt to stay in London and check out Go Ape’s Battersea Park location, however we’d suggest travelling to the end of the Piccadilly line and navigating the ropes, zip lines and obstacles of their Cockfosters site. If you’ve yet to experience one of Go Ape’s 36 (!) UK locations, they’re known mostly for their challenging high ropes courses through the treetops. Think superfast ziplines, free fall tarzan swings and wobbly bridges whilst strapped into a harness and cheering on your fellow adventurers.
Their Cockfosters location, nestled in Trent Country Park, goes one above the Treetop Challenge and offers the Challenge Plus course for those really looking to test their mental and physical limits. Described as ‘proper tough’, it requires a ton of support from your tribe to negotiate the new tree-top crossings and complete a sky-high challenge that we’re sure many people wouldn’t dare attempt.
Get there: jump on the Piccadilly line northbound and sit it out until the final stop, Cockfosters, which is approximately 35 minutes from Central London.
Indoor Skiing & Snowboarding in Hemel Hempstead
For both the winter sports enthusiasts and first-timers alike, The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead is an ideal spot to experience the thrill of snowsports without having to trek to the mountains. A 160 metre slope is simply a 30-minute train ride from London, with lessons available for everyone from beginners to seasoned pros. Known for being a combination of endurance and resistance training, this activity is a great go-to for clocking up some serious activity without a trip to a crowded gym.
Get there: just a 30-minute train journey London Euston to Apsley, where you can then take a 6-minute taxi journey straight to the slopes.
Punting in Cambridge
Punting might not be your first thought when it comes to an active adventure, but sometimes our activities don’t always need to be about strength, endurance or getting the heart rate up. Sometimes, rest is the best activity of them all, which is where punting really gets to show off, especially on a sunny day. Escape from one city to another for a mini weekend retreat near London, and take in the best sights from an unrivalled view point along the water. For the energetic ones of the group and those still wanting a bit of movement, why not have a go at the punting - you’ll need to work that core and stability to stay in control of the punt and ensure you’re not heading back to London in river-soaked attire.
Get there: trains run frequently from London King’s Cross to Cambridge in 48 minutes.
Zip lining and hiking in Brighton
Brighton: a staple day trip outing for Londoners. And if the 55 mile London to Brighton cycle race isn’t your thing, there’s still a way to incorporate some adventure with the added bonus of zero leg fatigue. The Brighton Zip is the longest zipwire on the south coast, standing at 300 metres long, and enabling you to fly over Brighton Beach with panoramic views across the city and beyond.
Bonus points if you tag the zipwire on to the end of one of Brighton’s long hikes, with this 21km circular trail being a great option to take in the town, the coastline and the rolling green hills of the South Downs over the space of 5 hours. And what better place to wrap up a long hike & some exhilarating zip lining than Brighton’s beachfront eateries.
Get there: trains from London Victoria to Brighton run frequently and take around 1 hour.
Join Adventure Club at Our December Event
If keeping active, discovering new things and meeting great like-minded people are all high on your to-do list, then join us at Adventure Club’s upcoming social to explore active escapes in London and its surrounds. Serving up so much more than just a great evening out, they’re a stepping stone to a unique community of individuals with shared passions, interests and goals. They’ll give you a peek into the full MLA retreat experience, where movement and connection are combined with sunshine and the great outdoors, and challenges interspersed throughout the week. 2024 retreats include Crete and Madeira (with more to be announced), and our final 2023 Adventure Club takes place at Parthian Climbing in Wandsworth on December 13th - with Christmas jumpers highly encouraged!