London

Sweat it out in the London Marathon

8 Play London skittles
Try to knock down nine pins with a 10lb ‘cheese’ (more a wedge than a ball). This historic London game is nearing extinction – play it to save it!
Freemasons Arms, 32 Downshire Hill, NW3 (020 7433 6811). Belsize Park tube.

9 Play London fives
Another game under threat. Sometimes called ‘East End darts’, this uses a board with 12 numbers instead of 20.
Palm Tree, 127 Grove Rd, E3 (020 8980 2918). Mile End tube. Feature continues

10 Run (or preferably watch) the London Marathon
www.london-marathon.co.uk

11 Fly a kite on the Heath
On the top of Parliament Hill, or the large open area towards the swimming pool. But watch your step.
Hampstead tube/Hampstead Heath rail

12 Speed along the Thames
Cruise at 30 knots in a 12-seater RIB (ridged inflatable boat). Trips are daily from Waterloo Millennium Pier on the hour from 11am until sunset and cost £32.50-£45 (£19.50-£28 for children 12 years and under).
London RIB Voyages (www.londonribvoyages.com). Waterloo tube/rail or Embankment tube.

13 Row on the Serpentine
Rent one of the 110 boats and pedalos (available from March to October) and have fun messing about on the oldest boating lake in the capital.
Hyde Park Corner tube

14 Catch the Bard on grass
The open-air theatre in Regent’s Park is perfect for summery Shakespeare romps. They tend to be popular so book well in advance.
Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park, NW1 (www.openairtheatre.org). Baker St tube.

15 Be a groundling at the Globe
Stay on your feet and catch a historically authentic performance in the reconstructed theatre; the original burned down in 1613. Plays take place from May until September.
Shakespeare’s Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, SE1 (020 7401 9919/www.shakespeares-globe.org) London Bridge tube/rail.