We picked Hidden London on a Sunday morning, and had the city to ourselves, more or less. There’s something magical about exploring those sleepy streets that are usually so bustling with commuters and workers.

Between us, the boyfriend and I have lived and worked in London for over 25 years. I’m a big fan of exploring places through a quirky lens, liking to think of myself as a modern day flaneur. But Alex was able to show us places and spaces we hadn’t seen before, and put an interesting spin on those we had. Who knew that maypoles, trees, and cats had such a bearing on the history of our City?

We started off with an essential safety briefing, and some training. In those first few minutes I was ready to hang up the towel, convinced I’d fall off, crash, or break a bone, possibly all three at the same time. I persisted, and with reassurance from Alex, was soon up to a healthy speed. You ride predominantly in cycle lanes, which have had a lot of investment during Covid, so it feels pretty safe. I get bored easily, so the idea of over two hours had me pretty daunted, but the pace and rhythm of the adventure was perfect, and it never felt a slog. Not a moment to get bored.

eScooters are surprisingly affordable to hire. ScooTours partner and have a deal with Dott, but if you’re picking one up yourself, it’s just £1 to unlock, then 15p a minute. It seems a no brainer for a fast jaunt from meeting to meeting, or the tube to the office. I can see a day when it’s not just about tourist and weekend discovery, but a part of the commute.

Maybe the modern day flaneur will use an eScooter. Until then, jump on a ride with ScooTours.

ScooTours were kind enough to gift us the tour, and send some photos of another ride as I forgot to take any! Thank you!

Thames Rockets do things slightly differently. One warm September evening we embarked a bright red speed boat at London Eye Pier for a guided tour that genuinely blew our minds. The 50 minute Ultimate London Adventure. We might have started off at the Houses of Parliament, a place we all knew well, but never before had I been told that the flag at the top is the size of a tennis court – and it’s my new favourite fact. We were taken out east past Somerset House, the OXO Tower, the MI5 building, Tate Modern, St Paul’s Cathedral, The Shard, Millennium Bridge and more as interesting facts and new revelations were told in a fun and interesting way to our merry band of six people – all socially distanced of course.

But it’s once you get past the river police building just up from Tower Bridge that things really start to get exciting. Because that’s when the speed restrictions lift. And the driver cranked up the engine as we zoomed and twisted and curved at speeds of 30 knots – which is 35 miles per hour for those of us without seafaring experience. Tunes blared out, we smiled and cheered, and it was an utter delight to be on board. We often walk along The Thames, or cross bridges over The Thames, but are rarely actually on this river that is the life blood of London.

As we cruised back towards our start point, the sun began to set on the city, and it looked as beautiful as ever. A can of Pimms helped. Thrills and spills aboard Thames Rockets are wholly recommended.