Going out for dinner or drinks or sitting in the park is fun in the summer, and it never gets old, but sometimes it’s nice to do something a bit different with friends.

I’ve found a new summer activity, and I can guarantee it’s different to things you might have done before.

My friends and I hopped on a boat on the canal in Paddington and chatted, ate and laughed as we sailed all the way through Little Venice, Regent’s Park past London Zoo and to Camden Lock.

You can see the monkeys at London Zoo from the canalYou can see the monkeys at London Zoo from the canal (Image: Immy Share, Newsquest)

We booked it through GoBoat and it was really easy, really fun and really scenic.

Each boat sits eight people and goes at a leisurely speed of 3.5mph.

It has a silent motor, no boating license is required and you get given good and helpful instructions on how to ride safely.

(Image: Immy Share, Newsquest)

It’s chilled, it’s disconnected and it feels like you’re anywhere other than London.

We stopped at the shops on our way there and picked up some classically British ‘picky bits’ for dinner to eat while on the boat – it helps that there is a big table in the middle of the boat to eat from.

(Image: Immy Share, Newsquest)

You can’t take alcohol on this boat, but you can at GoBoat’s Canary Wharf boating branch, so if it’s a boozy boating bonanza you’re looking for then I’d head there instead.

We had the boat for two hours but you can book it for three if you want to sail for longer.

Two hours was more than enough time to get from one end of the canal to the other, and we watched the sunset over the water as we had a 6.45pm booking time.

You can, however, book the boats at lots of different times of the day depending on the kind of vibe you want – whether it be evening, daytime as a work social, or a date.

It really is the thing to do this summer.