5 Arctic Experiences (In London) To Shock You Out Of Hibernation
If you’ve spent the last month holed up at home with a ‘do not disturb’ sign on the door, flitting from one screen the next, and with the Deliveroo guy as your only actual human interaction, then it’s time to come out of hibernation, reset the mind and reinvigorate the body. And maybe just, just maybe, have some pure unadulterated fun at the same time, too.
If we are allowed to resume some new and slightly limited take on reality next week, then you might as well be physically and mentally prepared. Whether you wrap up against the cold or strip off and fully embrace it, we’ve rounded up the best outdoor experiences for right now. The ones guaranteed to release all the good endorphins while shocking you back into the real world.
NIGHT KAYAK ACROSS LONDON
An evening or late afternoon paddle – it currently gets dark at 4.01pm – is the perfect way to see the city bathed in light. Sail under Westminster Bridge and past the Houses of Parliament and St Paul’s. Take in the iconic London Bridge and the twinkling lights of the London Eye. The adventure begins on the sandy shores of St Mary’s Church in Battersea and winds up in Greenwich. You can take this on whatever your ability, too. The route and timings are planned around the falling tide, and you’ll be kitted out with buoyancy aids and life jackets as well as flanked by a professional. The whole experience takes around 3 hours. You take your belongings with you in a dry bag (provided), so you just hop off the other end. Comfortable clothes to paddle in, a change of clothes (just in case) and a pair of trainers you don’t mind getting muddy are recommended.
From £67 www.secretadventures.com
ICE SKATING AT HAMPTON COURT
Get into the festive spirit while enjoying a blast of cold air at Hampton Court Palace, the grand sixteenth century turrets and imposing surrounds once served as Henry VIII’s summer residence. You can enjoy the magical castle-like backdrop while whizzing/ stumbling/ edging your way around the space on a pair of skates. The ice rink is a massive 1,040 square metres so social distancing shouldn’t be a problem, and the neighbouring Thames makes for a lovely post-activity stroll. There are food and drink pop-ups so you can defrost with a well-earned mulled wine afterwards. This is something for the whole family with little penguin and dolphin skate aids available for children (just make sure you book in advance).
From £17.20 per person www.hamptoncourtpalaceicerink.co.uk
TAKE THE PLUGE AT PARLIAMENT LIDO
Despite the imminent temperature drop, on the whole, wild swimming and open water swimming has seen an epic rise this year. And the benefits far outweigh the fact that it’s a little bit like self-torture. The shock to the system is said to provide mental clarity, charge your metabolism, and boost your immune system. Obviously there are fitness benefits too. Take the plunge at Parliament Hill Lido – an unheated open-air swimming pool which is open to the public 365 days a year. Yep, come rain or snow. There are some Cold Water Safety guidelines to take note of and The Parliament Hill Lido Users’ Group (PHLUG) suggest that you know your limits and avoid staying in the water too long. The sauna should not be relied on to warm you up or used as a safety net in order for you to stay in the water longer than normal. Make sure you swot up and go prepared.
£4 per adult www.partiamenthilllido.org
CATCH SUNRISE AT RICHMOND PARK
Coming out of a cosy slumbersome lockdown and into a month of Christmas mayhem is going to require the right mindset. Start your day as you mean for the month to go on, by catching a breathtakingly frosty sunrise at Richmond Park, London’s largest. Apparently the sun rises at approximately 7.36am throughout the winter months but there’s an app called Photographer’s Ephemeris which allows you to plot the sunrise and locate the sun on specific days. So pack a flask of tea or coffee, a warm mince pie or two, and a fully charged phone or camera – and just make sure you’re there in plenty of time. Entry is free and the gates are open 24/7.
OPT IN FOR AN ICE TREATMENT
The Apogii clinic was set up by former professional show-jumper Emilie Martinsen-Konigsfeldt, after trying Cryotherapy for total mind and body rejuvenation, she never looked back. The Spa Combines a Danish Hygge lifestyle with medical-grade treatments, and at the centre of it is London’s first whole body cryotherapy unit which reaches a rather chilly -110 degrees. More of an ice box, than an ice bath the Revitalise treatment will bring your system out of lockdown with a bang. It’s a combination treatment which helps with muscle tension and repair – and it includes a 45 minute infrared sauna, a 60 minute deep-tissue massage and a 3 minute Cryotherapy at the end. Apparently 3 minutes is all you need to release endorphins, get the blood pumping and boost metabolism.
Revitalise Package, £195 at www.apogiiclinic.co.uk
