It takes a brave soul and a head for heights to enjoy London’s latest tourist attraction. Zip Now London has returned to the city for a second year in the hopes of building on last year's success which saw 30,000 people ride the 225 meters wire, close to the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye. 

The ride will be in position in Archbishop’s Park for sixteen weeks and, this year, the organizers hope more international visitors will drop by.

Riders are given a full safety briefing before being kitted up and led up to a ten-story high tower. The views may be worth the climb but the downside is that you have to descend a small flight of steps that hang in thin air.

Aaron Henderson rode the zip wire twice and told CGTN he was able to enjoy the views the second time around. “When you do get a chance to look around, it’s incredible, you get to see the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, it’s really really lovely, I mean for the brief amount of time you know, you hurtle past these things,” he said with a laugh. 

Barry Shaverin, the founder of Zip Now London, recognizes that the attraction will not suit everyone. However, he told CGTN that it offers city thrill-seekers an adrenaline rush on their doorstep.

“A bungee jump, a parachute jump is just a bit too frightening for most people, a roller-coaster isn’t frightening enough,” he said, “and it’s just that important bit in the middle, guaranteed adrenaline without terrifying you.” 

However, some people were clearly terrified. On an opening day, at least three adventurers climbed the ten flights of steps only to find that once at the top, they weren’t feeling that adventurous. One of them was Daisy Zecca who admitted to CGTN that while she wanted to experience the zip wire, she found she could not descend the steps suspended above the ground. "It does go against everything that feels natural doesn’t it, to step off five steps into oblivion," she said. “I mean it’s an amazing view and I’ve had a good thigh workout walking up the 187 stairs so trying to pick the positives.” 

Zip Now London will be offering its thrills throughout the summer, although will close in the event of lightning or high winds.