Are you sick of staring at Buckingham Palace? Is wandering through the Houses of Parliament the last thing you want to do? Is the London Eye too tame for your tastes?

London might not seem like the best destination for thrill-seekers initially, but you have to dig a little under the surface. Away from the countless museums and historical landmarks is a healthy collection of exhilarating activities.

For a small sample of what activities are on offer, read on for five examples that can turn your next London trip into an action-packed adventure.

Drop down the world’s longest tunnel slide

The London 2012 Olympic Games waved goodbye a long time ago, but it did leave behind one welcome present for the capital: the actual venue. Now Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is open for the public to visit, and they can participate in different activities.

One such activity is dropping going down the world’s longest tunnel slide. That’s right. It may not have been an Olympic event, but this slide – known as the ArcelorMittal Orbit – is housed within the UK’s tallest sculpture. With multiple twists and turns, this 178m long tunnel is a dream for thrill-seekers.

Tackle white-water rapids

Another remnant of the Olympics is the course of the white-water rapid, which is found at the Lee Valley White Water Centre. Whether it’s in a canoe, raft, or kayak, you have the chance to traverse the rapids that posed a serious challenge to the world’s best back in 2012.

Journey down the Thames

Have you ever wanted to go on the Thames? Rather than going for a gentle boat ride, the best way to do this is with an extreme jet-powered boat. At least, that’s the case for those who like to push boundaries.

Companies such as ThamesJet provide the opportunity to zip along the river with the Thames RIB Experience. Taking the latter as an example, you can go on an exhilarating 50 or 75-minute trip as you take in London’s landscape via unconventional means.

Climb the O2

Formerly the Millennium Dome, the O2 Arena is now a large arena that hosts everything from live music concerts to boxing events. Recently, it has also opened up the opportunity for visitors to climb up the venue’s roof.

The 52-metre climb isn’t for those who have a fear of heights. Yet once you reach the top of the dome, you’re rewarded with a stunning 360-degree view of the city.

Trapeze school

Ever felt like you could have been a circus act in another life? To test that theory out, there’s one attraction you cannot miss in London: trapeze school.

Gorilla Circus, which is located in both Regent’s Park and Kensington Gardens, gives visitors the chance to experience the thrills of acrobatics in a safe, controlled setting. The experts will teach you the basics to ensure you get from one bar to the other. Keep partaking in classes, however, and you will eventually be taught a whole range of advanced tricks.