There are plenty of ways to have fun in London but one stands out above the rest - largely thanks to the huge crane involved. We’re not talking about skyscraper construction, this is something far more thrilling - bungee jumping! This extreme sport has been around for a couple of decades now, popularised in remote places like high bridges in the South island of New Zealand and now finding a place in the beating heart of the capital city of the United Kingdom.

This sport is a visceral experience that fills your head with wild thoughts and your body with adrenaline. While this is enough to make it more than worthwhile, we think it’s worth doing it in a place with good views. What could be better than London? Give your sightseeing a twist by seeing the River Thames, the Shard, St Paul’s Cathedral and more whirl through the air while you drop like a stone! With multiple locations in the capital and the simplicity of the experience, is one of the most convenient and affordable ways to get a thrill! Keep reading to find out how to get involved.

Where are the best places to bungee jump in London?

• Battersea Park: The four chimneys of the Victorian power station dominate the skyline of Battersea. These were featured on the cover of Pink Floyd’s 1977 album Animals, accompanied by a giant floating pig. A more exciting, but no less iconic, aerial adventure than that of the pig awaits you just across the road in Battersea Park. The bungee jump platform is raised by a crane to a height of 160 feet on the south bank of the Thames and you have the unenviable task of throwing yourself from it. Battersea Park’s location on the opposite side of the river from Chelsea gives this option a touch of class.

• Coram’s Field: You might not have heard of Coram’s Field but we think you’ll know the illustrious neighbourhood that surrounds it - Bloomsbury. That’s right, the high-flying literary associations of this fashionable part of the West End can become real-world events if you challenge yourself to complete a bungee jump here. Once again, this is a crane-based option at a height of 160 feet. This is one of the best ways to get views of the surrounding area and you might spot famous places like the British Museum or Covent Garden Market from the jump platform. But please don’t sign up for this experience just for the views - you also have to jump!

• Outside London: If you’d prefer a more open landscape for your experience, we can recommend a number of sites outside the capital but easily reached by car or public transport. A popular location is the royal town of Windsor, where a bungee venue operates on the shores of Bray Lake. Another lakeside venue is Priory Lakes, on the border of Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. Finally, there’s the chance to feel the sea breeze in London-by-the-Sea, also known as Brighton.

Kinds of bungee jumps you can try

- An Individual Jump: This is the one that you’re probably picturing as you read this guide. The slow and steady journey as the crane lifts you from the ground to 160 feet is followed by a far more rapid descent as gravity pulls you back to Earth. The landmarks of London’s Skyline will blur into one as you reach terminal velocity until the cord, secured at your waist and ankles, stretches out and slows the fall.

- A Tandem Jump: Too scared to jump on your own? Then rope in someone else! The jump master will secure you both to the same cord - face to face, for mutual support - before giving you the command to jump! Falling towards the earth together is a bonding experience like no other, as is coming out of the experience in one piece! If you’re with your partner and want to do something memorable, this is the activity for you. You’ll never look at each other in the same way again.

- A FAB Jump: What does that mean, fabulous? Not exactly. FAB stands for Front And Back, meaning two separate jumps! While the first is a standard jump as described above, the second involves attaching the cord to the front of your harness and leaving the jump platform backwards. You’ll turn the view of London on its head when you step back into the void. It’s a very different experience from the front jump and it will leave you with your heart pumping even when you’re back on solid ground!

Experience requirements

It isn’t just for adrenaline junkies and thrill seekers. The fact that there are multiple venues in and around London demonstrate the demand that exists for this sport amongst the general public. So if you’re a Londoner, or you're visiting the capital city, why not challenge yourself to an experience like no other?

As you might expect, this activity is a highly regulated sport across the UK. Safety is taken very seriously and all the equipment is carefully calibrated for every jump. The protocols and procedures in place put some limits on participation. In the first place, every jumper needs to give their informed consent. Over 16-year-olds can do this themselves, but anyone between the minimum age, 14, and 16 needs the signed consent of their parents.

There are also limits on the safe loads that the bungee cords, harnesses and structures can carry. You must weigh less than 120 kilograms, that’s 18.9 stone, to jump. In addition, the harnesses on offer will fit waist sizes of 40 to 125 centimetres, or 15.7 to 49.2 inches. This city is famous for top-level restaurants and eateries, but we recommend that you wait until after the jump to go for a big meal!

How to dress on the day of the activity?

We recommend that you wear comfortable, sports clothing and according to the weather conditions at that time. Boots, heels, and flip-flops are not appropriate footwear for jumping, so we recommend bringing lace-up sneakers. For everything else you shouldn't worry, the activity centre will provide you with everything you need.

The experience is calling - what will you say?