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There are degrees of hybrid ranging from trail bikes that are a lot like mountain bikes with slightly thinner tires and lighter weight suspension to city bikes with slick skinny tyres and no suspension at all.
Something like this is very much road oriented with 700C wheels, road bike components and no suspension.
An MTB will have fatter knobblier tires and more capable suspension with e.g. 4-5 inches of travel rather than 2-3. The frame geometry and riding position might be a bit more relaxed and easy to control off road as well.
Is the barclays cycle hire a possibility? They are very good bikes for London - heavy but finely balanced. A friend had a crash with one - came off very badly but the barclays bike untouched.