Best boat hire locations in London
With summer in full swing it might be the perfect time to hire a boat and float your way across lakes surrounded by beautiful scenery. Here are some of our favourite locations.
Alexandra Palace
Also known as the Ally Pally, the Alexandra Palace has its boating lake open all year round so visitors can enjoy the view overlooking the park whilst fishing or pedaling away. There are a number of pedalos to choose from ranging from the classic swan to dragons.
Regent’s Park
Regent’s Park Boating Lake is perfect for those long, lazy summer afternoons. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, including a separate smaller lake for children and a larger lake where adults might attempt a spot of romancing – this is the very lake Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson frolicked in, in that classic British romance ‘Brief Encounter’.
Finsbury Park
Take in the duck-speckled waters of Finsbury Park’s boating lake with up to four people per boat. The service is available for visitors of all ages but those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, and under-twelves must wear the life vests provided.
Crystal Palace Park
The Crystal Palace Park is also another perfect location for a family day by the lake, with pedalos available to visitors. Children going through the dinosaur phase can also enjoy the thrill of spotting five dinosaur sculptures that lurk among the trees around the lake. The remains of a Victorian pre-historic theme park created on the site by Benjamin Waterhouse-Hawkins, the dinosaurs were restored in 2003.