quirky london tour

18 unusual London tours: quirky & fun options

Want to get beyond the icons of London? Booking a place on one of these unusual London tours will make your trip to the UK capital memorable.

The UK capital is the type of place where you would never be bored, but you could go broke, because there are so many fun things to do in the city, particularly in the form on unusual London tours.

Yes, there is indeed a time-honoured tourist trail in London of go-to-a-museum-see-Tower-of-London-ride-the-Eye-go-to-West-End-show, etc. But there are plenty of other bizarre and whacky activities to do in the city – like eating in the dark or trying your hand at taxidermy .

Tours are an excellent way to see a city and London is no exception. Yet, rather that trailing around the same old spots, why not try something a little bit different? Particularly if you’re going on a date in London and want to do something a bit different.

I’ve rounded up some of the most unusual tours you can do in London. Get onto it!

This post forms part of my guide to London . Check out this 4 day itinerary for the city and read tips on how to not look like a tourist in London .

Disclosure: This post on unique London tours may contain affiliate links. If you click through for additional information or make a purchase, it may result in a small commission, at no extra cost to you. See my privacy policy if you require more information. Thank you for supporting a small content creator.

Unusual London tours by day

Here are some unusual tours in London, which will take you through the city during the daylight hours.

Get Around Quickly

1. Harry Potter Walking Tour

Potterheads unite! This free walking tour will take you through the finer sights of London, whilst pointing out locations from the Harry Potter films, such as the real Diagon Alley (the gorgeous Leadenhall Market) and the bridge blown up by Death Eaters. (If you’re a massive fan, you’ll probably want to check out the Warner Brother’s Harry Potter Studio Tour at some point as well).

Be sure to tip your guide at the end!

Plus, if you fancy going full Potter, you may consider spending the night in a Wizard themed hotel .

There are stacks of other Harry Potter tours available and if you’re after a paid option that’s a bit quirkier, why not take one which comes with a boat ride ?

2. Climb the Roof of the O2

The O2 in North Greenwich is a multi-purpose indoor arena.

A fun London date idea (if you’re both okay with heights) is to climb to the roof of the O2 , in order to take in 360° views of the city.

Yup, it’s not an event for the fainthearted, or those who suffer from vertigo. But, it’s sure to be memorable.

3. Street Art Tour

Street art isn’t in itself unusual, but London does have a lot of unique street art, particular in the city’s east.

In this tour , you’ll learn about the work of the artists in the city, while you explore one of London’s most interesting areas.

After the tour is complete, you’ll learn how to make some street art of your own.

4. Hidden London Tours

As far as unusual London tours go, these are some of my favourites, mostly due to the level of history that is involved.

London Transport have opened up some of the disused stations and tunnels across the city’s Underground network – from Euston’s Lost Tunnels, to Aldwych Station and the bunker where Winston Churchill took refuge during the height of the Blitz during WWII.

A word of warning – these tours sell out FAST. The website has the ticket release dates, so make your decision and pick a backup, just in case the tour you want sells out.

Discover what it’s like to tour Euston Station’s lost tunnels .

5. The London Loo Tour

This has to be one of the most unusual London tours… can I go so far as claiming perhaps in the world?

As the name suggests, here is an opportunity to tour some of London’s finest public facilities. The Loo Tours operate through Waterloo and Bloomsbury, with a third tour dedicated to the life of Thomas Crapper, a pioneer of bathroom fittings.

Now you know why toilets are often referred to as “crappers”. Are you as delighted as I am?

And why not wind up your day by going and drinking in a toilet bar? The Bermondsey Arts Club and Cocktail Bar is a personal favourite of mine.

NEVER MISS A POST! SIGN UP FOR THE BIRDGEHLS NEWSLETTER , WHICH WILL HIT YOUR INBOX ONCE A MONTH.

6. Tour Highgate Cemetery

Why not take a stroll through Highgate Cemetery ?

The graveyard is divided into two sections – the East and the West. The East is the final resting place of literary great George Eliot, the artist Patrick Caulfield and the cemetery’s most famous resident, Karl Marx (you know – the founding father of Communism).

The West can only be seen as part of a guided tour, which enable you to stroll up the Egyptian Avenue, through a pair of giant obelisks to the Circle of Lebanon cedar tree, which is older than the cemetery itself. Then there are the graves of course, such as the Terrace Catacombs and the very impressive Mausoleum of Julius Beer, built by a grieving father in homage to his daughter.

7. James Bond Walking Tour

His name is Bond… James Bond and he’s a British icon.

If you’re a fan of 007, or love exploring film locations on your travels, hop on a tour that will lead you around to various London icons that feature in the Bond films and immerse yourself in his world.

You’ll also visit real locations frequented by spies and discover secret bunkers within the city, amongst many other interesting historical facts.

8. Unseen Tours

Unseen Tours are tours with a philanthropic difference.

These tours are led by people who have experienced homelessness. 60% of each ticket price is paid to each guide.

So, go learn something new about a popular area of London and get to know someone who you may not have necessarily crossed paths with, in the process.

↠ RELATED: BEST DAY TRIPS FROM LONDON

9. Hidden City

Here’s a tour that will get your brain juices flowing while you see the city’s sights.

After registering a team with Hidden City , you’ll be sent a bunch of cryptic clues to your mobile phone. Each clue will lead you to a new location a short walk away.

Once you’ve solved the clue, you text your answer back, in order to receive the next clue. There are around 12-20 for each trail, which will take anywhere from 2-4 hours to solve (pending on your thinking abilities and level of jet lag at the time).

There is a range of tours available, from the Shoreditch street art themed, to the more niche Moriarty’s Game, where you’ll follow a Sherlock Homes inspired trail put together by his quick-thinking nemesis.

10. See Secret London by Bike

A city as big and as old as London has a lot of secrets.

From historical landmarks, to kooky characters, you’ll learn about them all on this 4 hour tour around the city … on a bicycle!

11. Deptford Creek Tour

Once a month the folk at the Creekside Discovery Centre will don their waterproofs and gumboots and take a group of willing participants to explore Deptford Creek during low tide .

The creek is home to a range of biodiversity (making it perfect for nature enthusiasts and budding biologists). As the trust declares, “You don’t have to leave London to have a wild day out.”

↠ RELATED: A WILD DAY OUT AT DEPTFORD CREEK

12. Medicine & Disease Tour

One of the more unusual London tours will take you back in time to London at its grimiest – a city where epidemics spread quickly .

You’ll pass by the oldest surviving medical society in England and see the site of Florence Nightingale’s first hospital and learn about how London grew from disease-ridden city, to the capital of a country which one of the greatest health systems in the world.

13. London by kayak

Keen to see London from a different angle and get an upper-body workout into your day? Why not book onto a kayak tour from Greenwich to Battersea (or vice versa)?

During this three-hour journey you’ll pass the city’s most notable landmarks, such as the Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge, St Paul’s, the London Eye, Houses of Parliament… this list goes on!

All equipment is provided.

14. Afternoon Tea Tour

This one is rather self-designed, but if you like tea, cakes and crustless sandwiches, why not go on your very own tour of some of London’s finer establishments?!

I’ve done the hard yards for you – here’s some places where you can get a decent and inexpensive high tea .

15. Gin Distillery Tour

The British love their gin and Sipsmith Distillery (great name) offer up the opportunity three times a week to learn a little more about London’s gin-soaked past, while you sip on a few spirits and see the stills in motion.

Unusual London Tours By Night

Here are some tour options to liven up your night (or evening, in some cases).

16. Secret Indian Food Tour

Love Indian food? You’ll find some great restaurants in London, particularly in the East-End.

You’ll be introduced to some notable Indian restaurants, allowing yourself to eat as much naan, korma, biryani and the like as your can handle.

Start this unique London tour with an empty stomach.

17. London Literary Pub Crawl

This literary pub crawl describes itself as being “less of a traditional tour and more of a guided performance”.

On this tour you’ll be very much entertained as you’re brought to where literary greats such as Charles Dickens, Virginia Woolf, T.S Eliot and George Orwell drank, ate and worked (and you too can grab a tipple in the taverns and pubs that so inspired them!).

18. Herstorical Tours

After an unusual walking tour in London which mixes drama and history, adds a dash of comedy and sprinkles over a bit of feminism to boot?

It’s a pretty well-known fact that women’s stories haven’t exactly had a place in the pages of history. The good old patriarchy has done a solid job of silencing women’s voices and stories, so that as Laurel Thatcher Ulrich once quipped ‘well-behaved women seldom make history’ – and even the more ‘wicked’ of women are lost to the sands of time.

Herstorical Tours are trying to right this wrong, in London at least. Their immersive theatre tours aim to uncover the city’s herstory, with a particular focus on the darker aspects of London’s past.

There’s currently two tours on offer – ‘Hex and the City’, which tell tales of London’s witchy past and ‘Harlots & Strumpets & Tarts, Oh My!’, which details the experiences of the West End’s sex workers in the 18th century.

Have you tried any of the above? Or are there any unusual London tours which you believe deserve a place on this list? If you’re after more inspiration in planning your trip to London, discover some things to do in south east London and what it’s like to take a mouse taxidermy class .

Where to stay in London

Opps, I pinned it again 📌

Similar Posts

Hidden London: Exploring Euston Station’s Lost Tunnels

It’s pretty hard to move to or live in London and not be in awe of the Underground. Or feel consistently frustrated with it. After living in the city for over two years, I know I would bitch and moan when I have to wait more than five minutes for a train and do all…

Why Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is Worth the Hype

Excited beyond belief before the start of part one of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.   A note for those who are seeing the play/reading the play and are worried about having things ruined for them forever: This post does NOT container spoilers – I promise you. I’ve written about my relationship with the…

Walking With Dinosaurs at Crystal Palace Park in London

I pose a question to you. Where would you go dinosaur hunting in London? My guess is that the city’s south probably wouldn’t top your list. So, it may surprise you to hear that you will encounter dinosaurs on London’s Green Chain Walk. In Crystal Palace, of all places. As a forewarning, you’re probably going…

Fantastic things to do in Jersey, Channel Islands

Spending some time in the Channel Islands? Discover the top things to do in Jersey, where to eat, stay and the best time to visit.

How to travel responsibly between London & Paris

Train, plane, automobile, ferry… bike? We break down the best ways of travelling between London and Paris, to suit every budget.

A Fright Night at Screamland

The lighting in the maze was dim. I stuck my hand out in front of me, making contact with the wall, which was made out of reflective glass. My reflection stared back at me, looking equal parts apprehensive and amused. I shuffled forward, using the mirror as a guide until I came upon a set…

How did I not know about the free HP walking tour?!?!?! Sounds worth the slog up to London for that alone! Couple it with the Murder Mile walk and it could just end up being the best day of my life.

My cousin is terrified of stuffed animals – totally gonna look into Taxidermy classes for her next birthday gift!

I feel the same way! You should do them next time you’re in London and report back. Although the train trip there may cost more than the tours themselves. Your cousin will hate it! Brilliant!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

49 Quirky And Unusual Things To Do In London – Unique London Activities

From afternoon tea with a twist, to solving mysterious crimes and playing captain for the day, this is the definitive guide to the unique, crazy and downright unusual things to do in London.

When it comes to putting together a list of amazing London activities, it’s hard to know where to start! I started brainstorming, and the list just got longer and longer. I kept thinking of random things I’d seen, places I’d visited and bizarre activities I’d tried my hand at.

There’s the time I navigated London’s canals on my own private boat, clambered over one of London’s most iconic buildings, channelled my inner Bond girl with a helicopter flight over London, oh and the day I cracked puzzles faster than Sherlock.

There are so many unique things to do in London – from checking out the incredible foodie gems at Borough Market, to flying through the air at trapeze school, to wandering the Burlington Arcade (England’s oldest and longest shopping arcade) and trying ice climbing, skiing and parkour. It also seems to be THE place for weird and wonderful immersive experiences like The Murder Express .

While you might come across a few of these activities dotted around the United Kingdom… or the rest of the world, I don’t think any other city offers this concentration of quirky activities.

London might be my home, but it’s also my playground. I travel for a living, but I spend more time each year in this city than anywhere else on the planet. So, let ME be your tour guide and share with you some of the amazing London activities on offer.

When Is The Best Time To Visit London?

England is a country obsessed with weather. Don’t know what to say? Comment on the weather! We talk about it a lot, but contrary to what you may have heard, we don’t have awful weather in England. It’s just a little unpredictable and varies from region to region.

You can expect average lows of around 5 °C in London in January / February, and highs around 25°C in July / August.

If you’re wondering when is the best time to visit London, I’d suggest planning a trip in May or June. The weather tends to be warm and sunny, rain is at a minimum and it’s out of peak season, so you shouldn’t be battling any big crowds either. The longest day is around 20th June every year, so it’s a time you can enjoy maximum daylight hours exploring!

I’ve never been a fan of November in England. It’s the wettest month of the year, and while December can be pretty cold, there’s a Christmas magic around the country which always puts a smile on my face!

Planning your trip to London? Here are a few quick highlights:

Fun, Quirky and Unusual Things To Do In London

Based in a certain area? Look for places near you on this handy map…  

See London’s Sights On An Afternoon Tea River Cruise

This has to be one of the best combinations of sightseeing and food around! Spend the afternoon on board a lovely river cruise in London while tucking into a quintessentially British afternoon tea. I’m talking mini triangular sandwiches with egg mayonnaise and cress, delicate strawberry tarts, micro Victoria sponges and even scones with clotted cream and jam!

This gorgeous experience begins right by the historic Tower of London and takes you past sights including the London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Tower Bridge. There’s even an entertaining commentary that’ll give you a brief history as you cruise.

If you’re short on time in London but want to pack a lot in, this is a great experience to try. Although I’ll admit, I’m a Londoner and still absolutely loved it! It’s a great value treat. You can read my full review of this activity here .

Climb A London Icon

Climbing The O2 is definitely one of the most fun and unusual things to do in London! I’ve actually done this activity three times now as it’s one of my favourite quirky things to do in the city! There’s something so special about seeing the city from on top of the famous Millennium Dome.

The climb itself starts off a little challenging with a steep 28% incline, but after that it’s pretty easy. You’re clipped onto a safety system all the way. On my last climb there were people from teenagers right up to 80 year olds!

The entire experience, including the safety briefing, getting kitted out and the climb itself takes around an hour and a half. If you get a sunny day in London, the views are absolutely amazing too.

Slide Down A London Landmark

Looking for daredevil things to do in London? Over in Stratford’s Olympic Park is The ArcelorMittal Orbit – a 114m high sculpture and viewpoint. It’s a bizarre structure and definitely one of the more unusual London landmarks you’ll see in the city.

Once you’ve enjoyed the impressive views from the top, it’s time for an adrenaline-filled trip down! The Slide at the ArcelorMittal Orbit is the world’s tallest and longest tunnel slide. It twists and turns 12 times, takes around 40 seconds, and reaches speeds of around 15mph!

Solve Mysteries While You Drink Cocktails At The Grid

Escape rooms are all the rage right now, but The Grid is the perfect combo of cocktail making and escape room puzzles. Once you’ve registered at the ‘Neosight HQ’ you’ll be taken to the first room, where there are some complex puzzles to crack.

Thankfully, one of them involves mixing up a tasty cocktail (I think better after those!) Then it’s on to a second room filled with codes and puzzles, before celebrating with a bubbling concoction you create yourself. If you think this sounds fun, be sure to check out my guide to the Best Escape Rooms In London .

Hire A GoBoat And Explore London’s Canals

Be the captain of your own ship in London! Well sort of… Head to Paddington Basin and you can hire a GoBoat for an hour or two. The boats are self-drive and super easy to get the hang of. Then it’s time to explore Little Venice, Regents Park and even Camden as you venture along the Grand Union Canal.

I honestly think this is an amazing London activity! The boats seat up to eight people, and you can take you own food and drink on board, so it’s a great idea for a small gettogether or birthday activity in London.

Take A Refreshing Dip In London’s Ponds Or Lakes

When there’s a heatwave in London, everyone scrambles to Hampstead Ponds and The Serpentine in Hyde Park for a spot of al fresco swimming. It’s amazing to immerse yourself in nature, and one of those London bucket list activities. Plus it’s one of the cheapest things to do in London – win win!

Take To The Skies With A Helicopter Flight Over London

I did this a couple of years ago ( you can read my review here ) and loved it! It’s one of my favourite London activities on this list. After taking off from the heliport in Battersea, it’s time to take to the skies for a totally unique view of London.

You get so close to major landmarks like the Shard and Canary Wharf, you’ll feel like you can reach out and touch them! On the way back, spot the London Eye, Buckingham Palace and the bright lights of Piccadilly Circus.

Have A Coffee In A Victorian Toilet

Definitely one of the most unusual places to visit in London – how do you fancy sipping your morning cappuccino in a former toilet, dating back to the 1890s? The Attendant is now a lovely café, serving great coffee, brunch and sweet treats, but if you want to eat in, you might find yourself sitting on one of the old porcelain urinals!

Enjoy One Of The Best Free Views Of London

I lived in Camden for several years and can honestly say, the view from the top of Primrose Hill is one of my favourite views of London. From up there you get an amazing panorama of the city skyline, with landmarks like Canary Wharf, The Gherkin The Shard and The London Eye all visible. Plus, you get the contrast of with the grassy hill and Regent’s Park ahead of you.

Top Tip: No plans for Bonfire night? Head up to the top of Primrose Hill and you’ll be treated to a free display as you watch the city skyline illuminated with beautiful fireworks.

Light Up Your World At God’s Own Junkyard

Walthamstow’s surprising and brightly-lit den is one of the coolest places to go for a coffee in London! Inside are hundreds of neon signs, so think of it as a light museum, but with a sense of humour (I love the Sex, Drugs and Bacon Rolls sign!!) It’s free to enter, open Fri-Sun, and while Walthamstow might feel like a bit of a trek, it’s worth it!

Challenge Yourself At The Official Sherlock Live Experience

You don’t need to be a fan of Sherlock to enjoy hi-tech escape game, Sherlock The Game Is Now. Along with seriously impressive sets, you can live out your dreams of life at 221B Baker Street, while enjoying a few video cameos from the stars of the show.

The interactive experience involves playing detective as you solve a case using mental challenges and puzzles. We escaped in 55 minutes, and ended the night with a celebratory cocktail in the Mind Palace Bar. If you think this sounds fun, be sure to check out my guide to the Best Escape Rooms In London .

Enjoy Brunch On A Colourful Canal Boat

Around the back of Paddington Station are Darcie & May Green – two colourfully decorated canal boats designed by British pop artist, Sir Peter Blake. Specialising in Aussie brunches (totally amazing!!) it’s a great spot for catching up with friends, sipping on cocktails or enjoying a strong coffee after a stroll along the canal.  I’d recommend their bottomless brunch too – available at weekends it’s a great option if you fancy a boozy weekend!

Drink While You Play  

Oh quirky quirky London. London’s competitive sports / drinking scene is growing fast! First came Bounce – a ping pong themed bar. But these days there are so many other fun London activities to add into the mix. There’s Flight Club – a fun group of bars where you play interactive games involving darts.

There’s The London Shuffle Club for fans of shuffleboard. There’s Puttshack, Shepherd’s Bush ‘s high-tech crazy golf experience. Basically, lots of fun activities for adults (who are still big kids at heart!) I heard one of the next experiences set to be reinvented for a younger crowd is bingo. Watch this space!

Go White Water Rafting In London

Another quirky London activity for you, yes, you can actually go white water rafting! Well technically this is Hertfordshire, but it’s close enough. Lee Valley White Water Centre is home to the London 2012 Olympic course, plus there’s a lake where you can take things a little easier.

If you’re looking for a great activity for a stag do in London, this would be one of my top picks – it has it all: adventure, adrenaline, teamwork and fun. Along with rafting, you can also take on the rapids kayaking, hydrospeeding (where you hold onto a small board), tubing or enjoy stand up paddleboarding, canoeing and open water swimming in the lake area.

Teamwork Makes The Dream Work At The Crystal Maze Live Experience

I grew up watching this TV show in the 90s, and can’t believe there’s now a live experience in London. I haven’t been yet but several friends have recommended it. Once inside your funky boiler suit uniform, you’ll play games to test your skill and agility and win those all-important crystals, before heading to the dome to collect money against the clock!

Try Some Of London’s Most Incredible Insta-Worthy Desserts

London’s best desserts right now include insane chocolate bar encrusted freakshakes, ice cream served with its very own cloud of candy floss, bubble waffles stuffed with cream, and colourful ice cream macaroons. I challenge you to eat your way through my guide to the best London desserts , and report back on your favourites! Oh and if you’re heading stateside anytime soon, you could compare the offerings in London with New York’s Desserts .

Kayak Or Paddleboard On The Thames

See London from a unique perspective as you get out on the water in a kayak or on a paddleboard. There are quite a few companies offering tours and trips, so take a look at the routes. I’ve always liked the look of Secret Adventures ‘ kayak tours, which go from Battersea to Greenwich. For SUP, check out Active 360 who have options in Richmond and Kew. 

Go On A Harry Potter Walking Tour

Looking for a magical way to spend a day in London? Walk in the footsteps of your favourite wizards, find out which house you belong in, then wander London’s Diagon Alley (Leadenhall Market), see the outside of The Leaky Cauldron, and snap a pic on Platform 9 ¾. There are plenty more exciting stops along the way too, and a special quiz to test your Harry Potter knowledge!

Try A Futuristic Gaming Experience

If you’ve grown up loving gaming or arcades, it’s time to whizz you into the 21st Century. Electric Gamebox uses projection mapping, touch screens, motion tracking, and surround sound to create a truly immersive gaming experience. Once you arrive you’ll be given a visor with a tracker on the top. When you step inside the game room, your location in the room will relate to your position on the screen.

We played the alien aptitude test which had four different games in it. My favourite was a Pacman-style game which involved moving around the space to collect points in a short amount of time. This is a great test of co-ordination and agility… it’s also really good fun!

Explore London’s Ghost Stations

These spooky, abandoned stations are definitely among the most unusual places to visit in London. Hidden beneath London are several tube stations which are no longer in use. Along with seeing the abandoned platforms and tunnels at stations like Aldwych, you’ll hear stories of their use during the Blitz and more recently as film locations for the Bond films and Sherlock.

The ghost station tours are just a few of the interesting tours run by the London Transport as part of Hidden London . When I last looked, I saw they also had some thought-provoking architecture and history tours.

Stay In London Zoo

Ever wondered what it would be like to have a sleepover at the Zoo? Nope, don’t worry – you’re not being put in an enclosure! The ZSL London Zoo Lodges are luxury lodges hidden away in the heart of Land of the Lions. If you book to stay you’ll enjoy after-hours tours, a two-course dinner and entry to the zoo. If you’ve always dreamed of waking up to the sounds of elephants, parrots and lions, then this unique London experience is for you!

Help Tackle Food Waste Problems (And Bag A Cheap Deal)

If you’re visiting London on a budget, download the app Too Good To Go . It’s helping tackle the food wastage problems among London’s restaurants, cafes and hotels. Each day the app lists local establishments offering discounted food, just before they close. I used it recently and bagged £12 of delicious sushi for just £3.50!

Sing Your Way Around London On A West End Musicals Tour

Luvvies listen up! This weekend tour takes you past London’s top theatres, but rather than just listening to a tour guide, on this trip you wear silent disco style headphones. You’ll listen to show tunes as you pass the theatres, and literally sing and dance your way around the West End! The tour guide will give you some fascinating facts and anecdotes along the way too. 

Visit The House Of Dreams

Artist Stephen Wright has spent years transforming his home and garden into a magical space packed full of unique and colourful creations. There are intriguing mosaics made from old crockery, a garden archway featuring dolls’ heads and plenty of fascinating items indoors too. It’s located in East Dulwich (South London), and only open once a month, so check Stephen’s website and book a slot if you’re interested in seeing the space for yourself.  

Imagine You’re On The Great British Bake Off

The Big London Bake in Tooting is the closest you’ll come to feeling like you’re cooking for Paul Hollywood! With a bake off style tent, a challenging creative yet technical challenge, it’s a seriously fun afternoon activity in London. The tent can hold ten teams of two, but only one team can win… so it’s perfect for a birthday or team building day! 

When I visited we made dome cloud cakes – something I’d never seen before, let alone baked! We made flavoured sponge cakes, fruity jams, an aerated Italian meringue dome and then decorated in our own unique style, all in just one hour and twenty minutes. We rushed to finish, and really felt the pressure at the end, still attaching fondant decorations in the last seconds. We went for a tropical flavour and look and thankfully received some great comments from the judge! 

Start Your Day With A Rave

If you’re the sort of person who likes to jump out of bed at the weekend, then this is for you! Morning Gloryville started in 2013 and has been a huge success. The raves run from 6.30am to 10.30am and feature DJs, great tunes, visuals and food and drink – basically everything you need to start your day. Brightly coloured rave costumes are encouraged!

Tour London’s Street Art Scene Then Create Your Own Masterpiece

Shoreditch is covered in gritty, urban street art, and the best way to get to grips with it is on a tour. While there are plenty of street art tours of London, this one takes things to the next level.

Yep, after checking out street art and graffiti by the likes of Banksy, ROA, Shepherd Fairy, Jimmy C and Invader, you head to a workshop to try your hand at creating your own masterpiece. How’s that for a unique thing to do in London?

Go Ice Climbing In London

Fancy trying an extreme activity? At Vertical Chill you can give ice climbing a go – an exhilarating and challenging activity, which I tried on a frozen waterfall in Canada ! Once you’ve been kitted out with all the necessary equipment, including ice picks, crampons and a harness, it’s time to start your frosty vertical climb. 

Singalong To Your Favourite Musical Films

Moments from Leicester Square, The Prince Charles Cinema is famous for hosting singalong movie experiences. From the Sound of Music and Grease, to Mamma Mia, Moulin rouge and The Greatest Showman, it’s great fun belting out the hits while you enjoy your favourite film on the big screen. Check out the quote-alongs too. When I last checked they were advertising a Mean Girls quote-along!

Indulge Your Sweet Tooth On A London Chocolate Tour

Mmmm, how does a day of tasting London’s best chocolate sound? DELICIOUS! On this three-hour tour you’ll learn all about the history of chocolate, how it’s made and obviously, TRY LOTS! The tour is based in the Mayfair area, and stops by some great artisan chocolatiers, where you’ll try everything from ganache to Marmite truffles (you’ll either love them or you’ll hate them!)

Go For Drinks In A Ball Pit

Going for cocktails at Ballie Ballerson   is one of the most unusual things to do in London. It’s an adult ball pit bar – yep, you read that correctly! With a long list of cocktails, a dance floor, VIP section and several ball pits, you’ll be snapping pics quicker than you can upload to Instagram!

Parkour Your Way Across London

We’ve all heard of parkour, and no doubt seen pulse-raising videos of daredevils running off high ledges before jumping between two skyscrapers and landing with a smooth forward roll. It looks like a crazy activity, but now you can learn the skills for parkour in London. The classes at Parkour Generations include strength, acrobatics, flexibility, and of course some outdoor practice too.

Catch Some Zzzzzs In A Capsule

Welcome to the UK’s first capsule hostel at St Christopher’s Inn Village. Straight from Tokyo to my home city, and while these rooms might not be to everyone’s taste, it’s certainly a unique London experience!

The Japanese-style capsules are hi-tech, with USB ports, ventilation and mood lighting. Prices start around £25 per night, which is a bargain considering how central this is.

Fly Through The Air At Trapeze School

Ever fancied yourself as a circus performer? Or just want to try something new? At Gorilla Circus Flying Trapeze School in Regent’s Park and Kensington Gardens you’ll learn the basic skills before progressing to the high trapeze for a unique flying lesson. Try a one-off class or book a series and perfect your technique.

Enjoy Afternoon Tea With A Twist

Going for afternoon tea in London is one of the most quintessential British experiences, but rather than munching your way through some dry cucumber sandwiches and boring scones, try one of these quirky afternoon teas:

• Chemistry meets gastronomy at the Ampersand Hotel’s science afternoon tea
• Tour the London sights on an afternoon tea bus 
• Enjoy a little magic with Aqua Shard’s Mary Poppins afternoon tea
• Channel your inner health goddess with Farmacy’s plant based high tea
• Feast on a carrot cake Shard, white chocolate Gherkin and a lemon curd Big Ben at the Town House Kensington’s London landmarks afternoon tea
• Indulge your sweet tooth with the Chesterfield Mayfair’s sweet shop afternoon tea
• Treat your pup with The Egerton House Hotel’s doggy afternoon tea (complete with pawsecco!)

Neon Naked Life Drawing

If you’re looking for one of the most unique activities in London (and a great London date night idea )… errr, I think this might be it! At Neon Naked Life Drawing classes, the models are decorated with neon paint, and clutching a few neon props.

The UV lights illuminate them, then the artists create their masterpieces using brightly-coloured neon pastels and paints. If the street art workshop wasn’t appealing to your artistic side, perhaps this will.

Take An Alternative Bike Tour Around London’s Secret Spots

One of London’s top-rated bike tours, this tour brings some of London’s weird and wonderful tales to life. Cycling around the City and East End, you’ll explore hidden gems, see surprising landmarks and learn some gritty secrets about London. Highlights include learning the gory tales of Jack The Ripper, passing some real life Harry Potter spots, and cycling over Tower Bridge.

Dine In A London Prison

Did you know you can go for breakfast, lunch or dinner at HMP Brixton? What a quirky London activity this is! Inside the prison is The Clink Restaurant , where meals are cooked and served by inmates working towards gaining cooking qualifications.

The restaurant itself is located in the historic Old Governor’s House and the food gets great reviews. It’s amazing that there’s an opportunity to help those working towards a new life, and the latest stats have revealed that people following this course were less likely to reoffend. In order to visit, you’ll need to book 72 hours in advance, and go through security checks on arrival.

Stay In A Prison Cell

After dining at The Clink in Brixton, how about staying overnight at Clink78 Hostel in King’s Cross? Ok so it might sound like a creepy thing to do in London, but bear with me.

The building used to be a courthouse, and the building retains a few elements from its former use. You can sleep in n old prison cell or take a seat on one of the old courtroom pews in the TV area. It’s the perfect way to finish a prison-themed day in London, if that’s what you’re in to!

Visit An Old Curiosity Shop 

It’s hard to explain what The Last Tuesday Society in Hackney is. It’s kind of a shop mixed with a gallery and museum, and houses all sorts of weird and wonderful items. It was set up by eccentric Viktor Wynd, who created the old-fashioned ‘curiosity shop’ as a bit of a joke in 2009.

The East London haunt is still going strong, and receives plenty of visitors each week, who want to look at everything from taxidermy and erotic toys to totally pointless inventions. There’s also a bar, plus you can take the madness to new levels with one of the tours run by character actors.

Belt Out Bohemian Rhapsody On A Queen Walking Tour Of London

Queen fans listen up – this Queen tour takes you on a walk down Freddie Mercury’s memory lane. After checking out some of the band’s concert venues, you’ll head to the studio, where ‘Who Wants to Live Forever’ was recorded. Plus, you’ll see Freddie’s former house and the iconic pub where Freddie met Brian and Roger. The stories are fascinating and there are plenty of details which only the biggest Queen fans will know.

Feast On London’s Best Indian Food

Brick Lane is famous for its curry houses, but even though I’ve eaten there lots of times, I never know which is the best place to visit. I’ve heard this Indian food tour is amazing .

Over three hours you’ll visit several different restaurants, sampling everything from tasty pakoras and sizzling chicken tikka, to fluffy naans and sweet gulaab jamuns. It’s a great intro to Indian food in London, and a chance to taste the best of the best.

Flyboard In Docklands

Flyboarding has to be one of the most unusual things to do in London right now! It’s something I’ve seen in countless beach destinations from Miami to Thailand, but never in my home city. During the 30-minute session , you’ll learn how to taxi, levitate and turn the flyboard. After that, it’s up to you to practice your tricks (and try not to sample that Thames water!)

Learn The Gory Tales Of Jack The Ripper

A tour all about a serial killer might sound like a pretty unusual thing to do in London, but I went on a Jack The Ripper tour when a friend was visiting from Oz, and can genuinely say it’s one of the best London tours I’ve been on! Turn back the clock to Victorian times and take a spooky walk around East London, listening to stories of Jack The Ripper’s many murders. See the spots where alleged attacks happened, and learn all about the conspiracies surrounding his identity. You might end the tour with more questions than answers, but that’s the beauty of an intriguing tour like this.

Stay On London’s Most Stylish Floating Hotel

This chic floating hotel (or boatel) is moored at Royal Victoria Dock. Forget tiny cabins, on Sunborn Yacht Hotel you’ll enjoy large rooms with river views.

For the ultimate in relaxation, you can take a trip to the onboard spa or relax with a gourmet dinner in the restaurant. This has to be one of the most unique places to stay in London.

Go Skiing In London

So I’ve already covered white water rafting, paddle boarding, ice climbing and kayaking in London, but did you know you can also ski in London? Chel-Ski claims to be London’s largest indoor ski centre (or only!)

There’s a small slope which acts like a big treadmill so you can practice your skills, whether you’re a skier or a snowboarder. After your time on the slopes, it’s time for the après-ski, with St Moritz Alpine Bar serving up fondues, raclettes and other cheesy goodness, to make you feel like you’re truly in the mountains.

Drink In An Abandoned London Underground Station… Kinda! 

Popular cocktail bar Cahoots has a 1940s theme, and as your venture down to its location beneath Kingly Court, you’ll definitely feel like you’ve gone back in time. With retro music, creative décor (which includes part of an old tube carriage and station), and a menu of nostalgic cocktails, this is one of the most unusual bars in London.

Hit The Beach At Ruislip Lido

This is my most recent discovery. A few weekends ago I went to Ruislip Lido for the first time and was AMAZED at the fact there’s a sandy beach right here in London! Ok so it’s a little way out of the centre, but on a sunny day it’s the place to be. Kids will love playing on the sand, getting wet in the splash play area and taking a ride on the old railway that weaves its way around the lido to the car park. There’s a cafe too, and plenty of space to relax and enjoy a picnic in the sunshine.

I hope my guide to the most unusual things to do in London has given you inspiration for a weird and wonderful day in the capital! I’ll be continuing to add to the list, so let me know if you have any suggestions. 

Looking for other great things to do in London? Don’t miss my guide to the best Escape Games In London , find out my favourite Unique Restaurants In London , my guide to  11 Quirky Hotels In London , and my top 5 fun London date night ideas ! 

Enjoyed this post? Pin it for later…

Chloe Gunning

With a passion for food, fun and adventure, Chloe is the content creator behind one of the UK's top travel blogs Wanderlust Chloe. From volcano boarding in Nicaragua, to sailing around Sicily and eating her way around Japan, her travels have taken her to some of the coolest spots on the planet. Named Travel Influencer of the Year in 2022, Chloe regularly works with a number of tourism boards, producing inspirational travel content across multiple platforms. Find out more about Chloe here.

2 thoughts on “49 Quirky And Unusual Things To Do In London – Unique London Activities”

The Crystal Maze brings back memories. A commando roll that I did in one of the rooms featured on the ads for the television show on Channel 4 (series five, I think).

Your Quirky things to do in London is incredible. Years of fun and entertainment if you tried everything.

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Posted on 13th December 2023 Categories Things to do

By: Author Julianna Barnaby

56 Quirky and Unusual Things to do in London

Love This? Save and Share!

Think it’s all “been there, done that” when it comes to London? Think again. London is full of secret spots for you to explore. Need inspiration? Check out these 56 quirky, weird and unusual things to do in the capital.

London has a lot going for it. There are the big attractions, the museums , the galleries… basically the stuff that everyone talks about.

But sometimes, well, we’re a bit over the obvious stuff right? We’ve done all the big things to do around the city and are looking for something a little quirkier to occupy our time.

We hear you – we’ve all been through phases where we feel totally “over” London. Somehow, we think that because we grew up here, or have spent years writing about London, that we’ve seen it all. Incorrect.

So we set out to discover some of the more unusual places to visit in London, the quirky spots and obscure pastimes. From stunning cathedrals of sewage (yes, that’s a real thing) to ghostly tube stations, and from off-the-beaten-track museums to hidden Roman temples, this is what we found.

Quirky & Unusual Things to do in London

Worship a roman god at the london mithraeum.

The City of London 

The Mithraeum is a gem of a find. Looking for an unusual way to spend an afternoon? How about an immersive experience based around the ancient Roman Temple of Mithras underneath the Bloomberg Offices slap-bang in the heart of the city? Thought so.

We’d never even heard of the Mithraeum before stumbling on it while visiting St Stephen’s a few doors down the road, but it was a revelation.

The Mithraeum is set over three floors – one showcasing the Roman artefacts found on the site, the second explaining who Mithras was (the deity of loyalty to the emperor) and how people worshipped him and the third the temple itself.

The temple dates from the 3rd century AD – the ruins are part of a short sensory experience that plunges you into the mystery of worshipping in a Roman temple. Totally weird, very memorable and completely wonderful.

Check out the Fake Houses of 23 and 24 Leinster Gardens

Paddington 

These houses look completely normal right? Nothing to see here.

Look again.

The fake houses of Leinster Gardens in Bayswater are one of the more obscure things to see in London – largely because they’re so difficult to spot.

The story goes that two houses were demolished to create an air vent for the Metropolitan Line, which was being constructed at the time.

As you can imagine, the local residents were furious. They demanded that two fake facades were built to cover up the unsightly gap.. and so the fake houses were born.

Over the years, the houses have seen more than their fair share of scandal – in the 1930s a con man sold tickets to a ball in the houses, and it was only when the guests turned up that they realised they’d been duped. 

The houses also pop up in much-loved detective drama Sherlock.

Go Wild in a Ball Pit Cocktail Bar London 

Shoreditch 

We used to think we were the only ones who looked back with a touch of nostalgia and longing for those heady hours spent in the ball pit during our childhoods. Apparently not – ball-pit bars are one of the quirky London crazes du jour.

While there are many bars scattered around the capital where you can drink alcohol and throw yourself with gleeful abandon into a pit of plastic balls – Ballie Ballerson in Shoreditch is the original and the best.

You can buy tickets in advance on their website (which, incidentally is smattered with tongue-in-cheek references to playing with their balls). Naughty.

Take an Urban Adventure 

Looking to explore London? CityDays offers a pretty unique way of discovering London’s fun side. It’s probably best described as an interactive treasure hunt crossed with an outdoor escape room. What does that look like? 

Well, they’ll line up an interactive mystery walk for you, shooting clues to your phone as you run around London trying to solve puzzles and discover hidden sides to the city. It doesn’t require any prior knowledge but it does require a little teamwork. 

Whether it’s just two of you, a bunch of your pals or a day out for an office team building you’ve got ten different routes to choose from, each focussed on discovering a different area of London and telling a different story about the city’s past and present. 

Each route is about 5km long and should take about two and a half hours to complete. In one you’ll explore Kensington’s beautiful and mysterious mews, in another you’ll follow in the footsteps of Jack the Ripper. Fancy tracing the City of London right back to the Romans. You can do that too. 

More information and booking here

Or Visit Leighton House

The Narcissus Hall © Leighton House Museum, RBKC.

Image Courtesy of Will Pryce

Fabulous, opulent and verging on the bizarre, Leighton House is one of those places that could have only belonged to a grand old British eccentric. 

That eccentric was Frederick Lord Leighton and Leighton House, built in 1866, his private studio-cum-home.

Lord Leighton was an artist – at the time the house was built he was an associate of the Royal Academy, and he rose to become its president before his death.

He wanted Leighton House to be both somewhere he could work and somewhere he could showcase his extensive art collection, curated from the work of his contemporaries.

The result is a stunning palace of art and design – resplendent in rich colours, created from materials sourced from all over the world – and one of London’s most beautiful interiors.

Read more: 150+ Things to do in London: The Ultimate London Bucket List

Be Enchanted by Brixton Windmill

Brixton 

Once upon a time, South London was a rural area – a patchwork of farms, woods and clean, wholesome air. While those days are long gone, finding and visiting the bits that remain is one of the more unusual things you can do in London.

Did you know that there’s a windmill in Brixton ? The windmill – an old flour mill dating from 1816 – sits in the shadow of Brixton Prison. 

Recent restorations mean that the mill is fully functioning – you can even take tours during certain times of the year, depending on the mill’s open days.

Read Next: Unmissable Things to do in Brixton

Adventure On The Dare Skywalk

Ready for an ultra-fun adventure in London? Tackle The Dare Skywalk and climb to the very top of Tottenham Hotspur’s Stadium. It’s one of the most unusual things to do in London and the views from above are well worth it.

Once you’re clipped in, you’ll be led up 100 steps towards the glass apex – a whopping 46.8 metres above the pitch. From here you’ll be greeted with views of the London cityscape and the stadium bowl below.

Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the famous Golden Cockerel that overlooks the city – he’s even more magnificent up close!

Tickets start from £31 with discounts available for club members and kids – book yours here .

Take a Backstage Tour of the National Theatre

The Southbank

We’ve all heard of The National Theatre right? We’ve snuggled into the comfy seats and watched the plays (if you haven’t, you should – The National puts on some of the best plays in town and tickets are totally reasonable), then toddled off home.

But what if you could do more… What if you could take a peek behind the scenes to learn about the history of the theatre and learn about how a play actually gets onto the stage?

Well, turns out that you can. The National Theatre’s backstage tours are the perfect way to get an insider’s look at the stages, sets, props and costumes that make each play what it is.

Watch the Archives in the British Film Institute’s Mediatheque

Got a few hours to spare and want to settle in and watch something a bit different?

Head to the BFI’s cool little Mediatheque at the BFI Southbank.

The BFI is one of our favourite places to visit on the South Bank . The Mediatheque contains a number of private booths, each with its own screen, headphone jack and speakers, where you can access all of the digitised BFI National Archive.

As you’d imagine, the archive is vast – you can feast on Dracula film after Dracula film, through period dramas, old classics, silent films – all for free.

Last time we went down there we plumped for an old version of Wuthering Heights with Timothy Dalton – because vintage 70s period dramas is where it’s at. 

To find the mediatheque, just pop into the BFI and it’s right behind the ticket desk.  

Visit the Bascule Chamber in Tower Bridge

Tower Hamlets

Tower Bridge. We can literally feel you rolling your eyes. It’s safe to say that Tower Bridge is not at all off the beaten track in London. It’s at the top of any tourist itinerary for the city and is one of the most photographed spots in town.

But deep within the bridge’s bowels, there’s a secret chamber. A secret chamber! It’s one of the many facts and stories about Tower Bridge that few people know about.

The Bascule Chamber is a cavernous space that is situated beneath the bridge’s towers – the huge counterweights swing into the chamber when the bridge opens, but the rest of the time this cave beneath the river sits empty.

Sounds incredible! Sign us up! Unfortunately, the Bascule Chamber can only be accessed as part of the Tower Bridge Behind the Scenes Tour (which costs an eye-watering £75) or as part of the Bascule Chamber Concerts (these tend to be held in the summer – keep an eye on the website for details when summer approaches).

Peek at the Street Art in Croydon

A slow revolution has been taking place in Croydon in the past few years.

An area once known for ugly architecture, the riots and the Croydon facelift (a hairstyle where your hair is scraped back so tightly that your face retreats at least 2 cm upwards), has been quietly creating its own little scene of cool and quirky things to do in London.

We’ll be upfront, we’ve got a Croydon gal on our team and so there might be a touch of bias here, but we reckon Croydon might be one of the most underrated spots to explore London’s street art scene.

Much of the neighbourhood’s street art revolution has come about since Rise Gallery’s RISEfestival in 2018 which saw huge international names such as Otto Schade, Dotmasters, Hayley Welsh and David Hollier adorn Croydon’s walls. 

Since then the collection has grown and much has changed with some of our new favourite street art pieces taking pride of place on Croydon’s walls. It’s well worth checking out. To do so just head into the centre of town to take a look on the fly, you can’t miss the works, many of them take up the side of whole buildings. 

Read more: Street Art in Shoreditch

Visit London’s Smallest Listed Buildings

Piccadilly 

London has heaps of listed buildings. It’s kind of to be expected when you have a city as old as this. It’s the city’s smallest listed buildings that we love best though. 

They come in the form of a pair of K2 Telephone Boxes tucked into the grand entrance to the Royal Academy. They’re the original prototypes of the phone box that went on to be a true British icon. 

One is made of wood and the other cast iron and together they won designer Gilbert Scott the competition organised to find the new model. That was all the way back in 1924 and now there aren’t many K2 boxes left in London, which also makes this a good place to get a blast from the past.  

Visit the Marx Memorial Library

Clerkenwell 

Contemporary London isn’t exactly a bastion of communism. It’s safe to say that anywhere you have to pay £5 for a small coffee has strayed far from the communist manifesto. But there are small pockets that continue to pay tribute to the resistance if you know where to look.

The Marx Memorial Library , in leafy Clerkenwell, is one such place. The library pays tribute to the city’s past affinity for political rebels with a collection of over 150,000 pieces of left-wing literature.

They also hold semi-regular talks (called symposiums here) and events like book launches if that tickles your fancy. You can find more information about those on their website. 

Visit the Cinema Museum

Elephant and Castle 

Tucked away in South London, the Cinema Museum is one of those unusual places in London you’ll wish that you had discovered sooner. Put simply, the Cinema Museum is a treasure trove of images and items from the film world.

Any and everything relating to the cinema makes an appearance – thanks to collector and founder Robert Grant’s tireless passion for film.

Over the years, Grant has built his collection into the quirky emporium that we see today: corridor after corridor of film reels, scores, props and stills. Visiting is one of those quirky experiences that isn’t quite what you expected – but so much better.

See the Perfect Modernist Show Home 

Hampstead 

2 Willow Road is famed for being the modernist masterpiece of master architect Ernö Goldfinger. It’s not some grand structure, more like a humble, paired-back bit of red-brick building. 

It does, however, represent a bit of a revolution in British architecture, pushing the boundaries of Modernist design in ways that were quite shocking to people of the time. Interestingly enough, Ian Flemming hated Goldfinger’s work, the reason he lifted the man’s name and gave it to Bond’s nemesis in Goldfinger. 

We’re thoroughly on board with the style of this place though. It seems to us to be incredibly sophisticated, even decades later. We’ll let you be your own judge though. 

Visit the Ghost Stations of the London Underground

Mutliple location (But especially Aldwych)

Given that the tube was constructed in the 19th century it makes sense that there have been a few changes to the network over the years.

As time has passed, stations have been closed or repurposed – meaning that if you keep your eyes open, you can spot more than a few of the so-called “Ghost Stations” of the London Underground .

Of these unusual London attractions, the most central is the former Aldwych Underground Station at the end of The Strand. The station sits forlornly, a few paces away from Somerset House .

London Transport Museum host tours of the station from time to time – giving visitors a look at the historic (and slightly creepy) interiors.

Head to the Spot where the Brownings had their Illicit Marriage

Marylebone 

It was the love affair of the century. She was a Romantic poet, an invalid and a recluse, housebound and governed by a tyrannical father. He was an up-and-coming poet (later to become one of the most eminent poets of the Victorian period ).

They fell in love, her father banned the relationship, so they eloped, getting married in St Marylebone Church near to her house and then running away to Italy. The story of Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Robert Browning sounds like something straight out of a fairytale.

You can visit the room in the church where the two married by appointment. There’s a stained glass window commemorating the event and a copy of their marriage certificate too.

Read More: Romantic Things to do in London

Be Charmed by a Sewage Pumping Station (Yes, Really)

We’re well aware that a sewage pumping station doesn’t sound like the kind of place you might be charmed, but that’s because you’ve not seen the inside of Crossness Pumping Station .

The building was designed in the Victorian era (you know how the Victorians were for flare) and boasts an incredibly ornate design of wrought iron and vivid colouring. No kidding, the word ‘cathedral’ gets thrown around a lot in relation to this place. It’s very grand. 

You can visit the pumping station on a guided tour that runs a couple of times a month. Check their calendar here for the next outings. 

Take a Good Look at the Lions of Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square 

There’s barely a person who has visited London that hasn’t been to Trafalgar Square .

The four lions, sitting towards the front of the square are pretty famous in themselves – not to mention subject to a never-ending stream of prancing, posing airheads seemingly incapable of obeying the sign telling them not to climb on them.

So why have we included the Trafalgar Square lions in our guide? Because for all their fame, few people ever really look closely at the lions. If they did, they’d start to think they looked a bit strange.

No wonder, when you hear the story behind them.

The lions were created by Sir Edwin Landseer, a painter who, prior to starting the lions, had never sculpted in his life.

Landseer requested a dead lion from London Zoo to use a study for the sculptures – unfortunately, it started to rot away before he’d finished them. That’s why they have the paws of a cat – in truth, their faces look a bit odd too. Take a close look the next time you visit.

Marvel at an Art Deco Palace

Eltham  

When you think of the palaces of London you tend to think of the ornate rococo of places like Buckingham Palace, or the grandeur of Hampton Court. 

Eltham Palace offers something totally different. It has been the site of royal courts since the 1400s but fell into disrepair after the kings of England fell out of love with Eltham and started hanging out elsewhere. 

Then, in 1933, the palace came into the hands of a pair of wealthy socialites, Stephen and Virginia Courtauld. They gave it an entirely new facelift in the style of the day: Art Deco. The result is stunning. We thoroughly recommend you give it a look. 

Walk Alongside the Old London Wall

Barbican 

First built by the Romans around the settlement of Londinium and maintained until the 18th century, you can still spot parts of the old London Wall popping up in various parts of the City of London between the Barbican and Tower Hill.

The section between what was the Museum of London and the Barbican is our favourite – thanks to the small patch of parkland and gardens surrounding it – it’s a rare quiet spot in the heart of the city.

Read More: Cool (and Free!) Museums in London

Visit God’s Own Junkyard

Walthamstow

Neon, neon everywhere. In deepest, darkest Walthamstow lies a quirky place that’s bound to light up your day – God’s Own Junkyard .

A private collection of all things neon – curated by the late Christopher Bracey, it’s like walking into a film set.

Bracey, otherwise known as the Neon Man, was a second-generation neon signmaker who collected pieces throughout the decades.

The result is one hell of a quirky experience. Once you’ve finished admiring all the work, be sure to settle in for a cuppa at the stellar on-site cafe.

Explore the Museum of Brands 

Notting Hill 

London’s got more quirky museums than you’d imagine. One that really took us by surprise is the Museum of Brands . 

It’s pretty much exactly what it says on the tin, a museum that showcases branding throughout the ages. It’s sort of a time warp. They have loads to see and they dress it all up with a good bit of historical context. 

We’d highly recommend this for anyone that’s got an eye for design or perhaps a job in advertising. 

Visit the Institute of Making

Bloomsbury 

A research club and makerspace run by UCL, The Institute of Making offers all kinds of unique things to do in London.

While the space is reserved for UCL’s students and staff, the Institute of Making runs a programme of maker workshops that are open to the public.

Dabble at making your own Christmas decorations or create your own Roman mosaic – check the listings and book well ahead.

Catch a Show at Wilton’s Music Hall

Shadwell 

Wilton’s Music Hall first opened in 1859 with the goal of providing the glamour and showmanship of the West End stage to the people of the East End. 

It’s still going strong on exactly those principles, providing shows that are well worth catching. They don’t run a massive budget like their West End competitors so the stuff they get on stage has a charmingly grassroots feel – it also means the tickets won’t break the bank. 

Go Stargazing at the Royal Observatory

Greenwich 

There’s nothing like a trip to outer space for something unusual to do… You can find quite the astrological journey at Greenwich’s Royal Observatory . 

The place dates back to 1675 and was built under the order of Charles II. A lot has changed since then, mainly the addition of a planetarium – the object of your visit. 

With daily shows ranging from trips across the surface of Mars to understanding the night sky as it is on the day you’re visiting, it’s nothing if not fascinating, and we’ll throw in pretty beautiful too. 

Step Back in Time at the Dennis Severs’ House

Spitalfields 

Ever so slightly wacky, visiting the Dennis Severs House is one of the more unusual ways to spend a day out in London.

The house is an artistic recreation of the life of a Huguenot weavers family from the 18th to the 20th centuries.

A series of still-life recreations, each meticulously brought to life in the rooms of 18 Folgate Street – you walk through the house and through the lives of generation after generation of the fictional family.

The place is a feast for the eyes, with period furniture and a baffling array of trinkets and Huguenot floral patterns on pretty much every wall. We doubt you’ll have seen anything like it before.  

Take a Turn Around the Streatham Rookery

Streatham 

If you’re looking to find a hidden slither of peace in the busy city, how about a stroll around a secret garden? 

Streatham Rookery offers exactly that. It’s a series of gardens that’ve been lovingly tended to for over a hundred years. Its site was once (believe it or not) a spa. 

Strolling through the charming gardens you’ll even be walking in the footsteps of royalty. Queen Mary, consort of George V, is said to have loved the gardens dearly and often came here for her walks. 

Visit a Country House in the City

We love a day exploring London’s National Trust properties for something a bit different to do. Hampstead’s Fenton House would be one of our top picks if you’re thinking the same way. 

The grand house resembles something closer to a stately country home than it does a London residence, but then again it was owned by the 2nd Earl of Haddington – someone we’re sure wasn’t short a quid or two. 

His wife, Lady Binning left a charming touch on the house and its gardens and then handed it over to the National Trust in her will. They’ve kept it almost exactly how she left it. 

Walking the corridors is like stepping into another world. We’re not going to pretend we didn’t imagine ourselves as a set of earls, dukes and duchesses when we visited. 

Visit The Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology

The Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology is another UCL gem tucked away in Bloomsbury.

With over 80,000 objects displayed within its rather small space – it’s a full-blown immersion into the world of the ancient Egyptians .

From the world’s oldest dress to pyramid texts and beautifully engraved ceramics, The Petrie offers a glimpse into a civilisation past (and on a much more manageable scale than the nearby British Museum too).

Read More: Visiting the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology

Go to a Magic Show and Visit the Magic Circle Museum

Euston 

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of a magic show. Sadly, these days good magic shows are few and far between.. Until you head to The Magic Circle that is. The circle is a society of some of the world’s best magicians and illusionists.

You’ll be happy to hear that they frequently host top-class shows that make for a much cooler alternative to a night in the pub.

There’s even a museum – though it’s only accessible with a ticket to one of the shows. It’s well worth a visit. There’s also no public access to the building at other times so buckle up and prepare to have your mind blown. 

Take the Parkland Walk 

Finsbury Park, Muswell Hill  

Living in the concrete jungle can get a bit much sometimes. It’s good to take in a little nature once in a while. Parkland Walk makes the perfect place for exactly a bit of that. 

It’s London’s longest nature trail, stretching a mild 3.1 miles from Finsbury Park to Muswell Hill. The walk follows the route of an old rail line that ran from the two parts of London and has now been removed and left as a space for nature to flourish. 

It boasts some lovely views, plenty of scenic spots and no end of quirky elements – creepy railway arches and spriggans included. 

See the Jean Cocteau Murals in the Notre Dame de France

Covent Garden 

French novelist and director Jean Cocteau is best known for his writing (Les Enfants Terribles) and avant-garde films (Beauty and the Beast, and Orpheus, among others). However, Cocteau also blessed London with a unique series of murals.

Hidden in plain sight in a church on the corner of Chinatown in the West End, the murals are dedicated to the Virgin Mary and show the religious celebrations of the Annunciation, the Crucifixion and the Assumption. (And no, that’s not the one in Paris)

Bold and striking, the murals are one of London’s quirkier sights. You’ll find them in the Church of Notre Dame de France (And no, that’s not the one in Paris).

Ride the Mail Rail

Mount Pleasant

Quite a few Londoners will have heard of the Mail Rail but most people are hazy about what and where it is.

In its former life, the Mail Rail was the lifeblood of the Royal Mail postal service. Ferrying thousands of letters to and from the sorting office on Mount Pleasant, the railway operated from 1927 until 2003.

Today, you can hop aboard the railway as part of a visit to the Postal Museum . A train ride through a tiny tunnel in an immersive railway experience – certainly one of the more unusual ways to explore London’s subterranean world.

Feast at Bob Bob Ricard

It’s no secret that Bob Bob Ricard is one of our favourite restaurants. Not only is the menu totally decadent – it’s the perfect spot for a splashy night out where all you want is good food, great cocktails and even better champagne.

Bob Bob’s appeal is that it lies a world away from the bland cookie-cutter restaurants that seem to dominate the city’s dining scene.

Cosily ensconced in your banquette booth, you are encouraged to ring the bell discreetly labelled “Press for Champagne” as you feast on lobster, truffled fries, souffles and other such indulgences. Dinner at Bob Bob is an unforgettable London experience – book ahead at weekends.

Read more: Bob Bob Ricard Review

Step into the World of Harry Potter at The House of Minalima

Who else is a raging Harry Potter fan? We’ll freely admit that even years after the final film, we still sit down with the box set every Christmas, drawn into the world of The Boy Who Lived.

If you can relate, you should totally get yourself down to The House of Minalima – one of our fave quirky places in the capital (and one of London’s top Harry Potter sights).

The House of Minalima is the brainchild of Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima, the creators of the graphic universe in the Harry Potter films. The store features all kinds of graphic works that appear in the film – including some that have come straight from the Harry Potter Studios .

From wanted posters of escaped Azkaban inmates (Bellatrix Lestrange still frightens us to this day), to books adorned with Gilderoy Lockhart’s’ simpering face and copies of the Quibbler and The Daily Prophet, it’s part-shop-part immersion into the world of wizarding.

What’s more? There’s a whole floor dedicated to Fantastic Beasts too ( hello Eddie Redmayne..)

Read More: Step into the World of Harry Potter in Soho – The House of Minalima

Take a Snap Running Through to Platform 9 ¾

King’s Cross

There’s no shortage of Harry Potter finds in London – but a trip to Platform 9 ¾ to take a picture of you pretending to run through the wall is pretty much mandatory. You’ll find it in Kings Cross Railway Station.

Just head to the back of the station and look for the crowds of people wearing Hogwarts scarfs and brandishing HP merch. You can’t miss it. 

Get Street at Leake Street Graffiti Tunnel

It’s no secret that London is a street art lover’s dream .

Shoreditch , Camden , Walthamstow, Croydon and Brixton are great places to go if you’re looking to spot some cool murals. If there’s one spot that’s always packed with awesome works from a diverse range of artists it is Leake Street Tunnel .

The tunnel is just behind Waterloo Station and constantly features an ever-changing rotation of street art. The tunnel first rose to fame when Banksy organised Cans Festival in 2008, which saw 30 artists transform the bleak tunnel into a multi-faceted and colourful canvas.

Whenever you visit, you’re bound to see a new piece in the making, not to mention hundreds of others sprayed on every single inch of the tunnel’s walls.

The tunnel is also surrounded by (and filled with) great bars and restaurants for a bit of a recharge should you need it. 

Read more: Street Art in Camden

Visit the London Transport Museum’s Depot

Acton 

A trip to the London Transport Museum is one of the more unusual days out in London – but if you want to go the full hog, you should travel out to Acton to visit the museum’s vast depot .

The depot is packed with the transportation of times past. Ever wondered what trains looked like on the Metropolitan Line in the 30s? Now’s your chance to find out. The place is packed with literally hundreds of thousands of vintage vehicles and transport-related items, including some uber-cool vintage tube posters.

The depot only opens to the public for special events – check the London Transport Museum’s website for more details.

Play Bingo in a Beautiful Grade I Listed Cinema

Tooting 

Billed as the most spectacular cinema in Britain, the former Granada Cinema in Tooting was one of a handful of Art Deco cinemas built in the thirties.

These days it’s a Buzz Bingo and without a doubt, it’s the most beautiful space you’ll ever play bingo in – and one of the most unusual places to visit in London to boot.

The interior was inspired by the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain – that will explain the soaring arches and intricate carvings inside then. It can be a bit distracting – all that beauty when you’re simply trying to play a game of bingo, but we’re sure you will struggle through.

Check Out Severndroog Castle

Woolwich 

Eltham is one of those surprise places that you never think to visit – but when you do, you find out it’s home to some of London’s weirdest spots – Severndroog Castle being a case in point.

The unusual London castle was built as a memorial to naval commander Sir William James by his wife in the 18th century. 

An architectural oddity, the triangular castle is made of three rooms, each atop the other and crowned with a viewing platform that boasts some of the best views in South London.

You can visit from Thursday to Sunday 9am – 3.30pm and see what this obscure place is all about. 

Visit London’s Smallest Police Station

Trafalgar Square

Have you ever wondered what the small Tardis-like box perched on the corner of Trafalgar Square is? The answer is London’s smallest police station.

The box (which, in truth isn’t a police station but an observation post made from a hollowed-out lamppost), gives the officer inside a view across the whole of the square – an important as Trafalgar Square is used as a frequent spot for protesters.

In the day and age of modern surveillance, the boxlike station is no longer used, but that shouldn’t stop you from striking a pose outside anyway.

See the Views from Westminster Cathedral’s Bell Tower

Westminster

Westminster Cathedral makes for an interesting visit on any day of the week, but did you know it also makes for one of the best viewing platforms in London? 

Yep, you can actually climb to the top of the cathedral’s tower and soak in views of the city right from its heart, 64 metres up in the air. It’s not often you get a chance to see the capital from that angle. 

The tower is open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 3.30pm. 

Get Wet at Lee Valley White Water Centre

Waltham Cross 

The Olympics may have brought a new sense of pride to London, but even though the events are long-finished, their legacy lives on.

The Lee Valley White Water Centre may technically be in Herefordshire, but it’s close enough that you can get there without breaking a sweat. Believe us when we say that it is worth the effort.

Where else are you going to get the chance to tackle white water rapids, go canoeing, kayaking or tubing less than an hour from the centre of town?

Wrap Up and Visit the Hampstead Observatory

If you want to see something that will really impress, you can actually go and look at the planets and stars at an observatory in London. 

Hampstead Observatory opens to the public from mid September to mid April and gives you a chance to gaze through some astronomically large (geddit?) telescopes. The sessions do depend on the alignment of the planets so you have to be flexible. 

They also happen in winter because you’ll have less light which is better for seeing the planets with, so remember to bring a warm coat. 

See the York House Watergate – A Testament to the Banking of the Thames

Embankment 

The banking of the Thames was a feat of Victorian engineering. The Thames is a tidal river, and prior to the banking project, its shores extended way beyond the river we see today.

The York House Watergate is one of the few remaining watergates that used to provide entry to the riverside mansions that lined the shores of the river.

Tucked away down a narrow alley that begins about halfway up Villiers Street, the gate shows just how much the Thames was narrowed when it was banked- it stands just under 144 metres from the bank of the Thames today.

Read More: Cool Things to See in and Around Covent Garden

Check out the Christopher Wren Architecture at St Stephen Walbrook

Christopher Wren basically re-designed London after the Great Fire of 1666. Most famous for his work on St Paul’s Cathedral, he actually created the designs for a number of buildings in central London, St Stephen Walbrook among them.

The church is an unusual place – particularly for architectural buffs to see Wren’s work on a much smaller scale. It’s also just rather beautiful. The knave is bright and airy in a way that stands in direct contrast to other more gothic places of worship.

Don’t forget to pop into the Mithraeum (featured above) a few doors down once you’re done.

Visit the Clown’s Gallery and Museum

Dalston 

If you’re after an afternoon of clowning around (harr harr) you probably can’t do better than The Clown’s Gallery and Museum . Established in 1959, the museum has been building a collection of items that illustrate the fine art of the clown. 

We’re guessing some of you might be getting the spooks just thinking about it, but if you’re interested (or just looking for something different to do) this place will provide plenty of laughs. 

Highlights include the Egg Gallery, where you can see the individual face painting patterns of clowns painted on eggs. Funnily enough this was originally a practice to protect your pattern against plagiarism, the eggs making a perfect shape to represent a human head. 

Get Spooked at Crossbones Burial Ground

Southwark 

Make your way through the maze of streets in Southwark to find the rather strange and eerie Crossbones Burial Ground .

A lot of weird things to see and do in London revolve around bodies and death, and Crossbones is no exception.

The burial ground once sat within London’s poorest slum and many of the city’s paupers and prostitutes are buried within its grounds. The graveyard closed in the 1850s, by which time it’s estimated that over 15,000 people were buried within it.

Today, people use the site to commemorate loved ones who have passed away – the ground’s boundaries are covered in flowers, ribbons and wreaths in varying stages of decay.

You can also attend the monthly Vigil for the Outcasts – a service meant to remember outcasts living and dead.

See Giro’s Grave

St James’

What’s so weird about some guy’s grave we hear you ask. Well, first off it’s not a guy, it’s a dog, and what’s more that dog was a nazi. 

Giro was a pet terrier. He came to London with his owner, German ambassador Leopold von Hoesch, in 1932. Von Hoesch would go on to represent the Nazi Party after they seized power a few years later. 

He’d also go on to create a memorial for his beloved pet, who strangely enough died of electrocution after chewing through an electrical cable. That memorial is the only one you can find in Britain that commemorates a nazi. 

You can find it at Carlton House Terrace, St. James’s, London SW1Y 5AJ. 

Pull Some Teeth at The British Dental Association Museum 

Housed in a tiny (and we mean tiny) room in the British Dental Association , this museum charts the history of the British dental profession.

Modern dentistry, with its white rooms and concerns about hygiene, is a very recent thing – the museum has a few (pretty horrifying) images of blacksmiths pulling out people’s teeth, as well as some of the crude items used to do the job.

Though it’s small, there are a couple of fun interactive exhibits – you can test your skills at pulling people’s teeth, or using a treadle-powered drill to drill into a tooth (don’t put it in your mouth, it’s sharp enough to do damage).

Hopefully you’ll time your visit to coincide with the hours of the ebullient guide, who talked us through the exhibits and really brought the museum to life.

Freak Yourself Out at The Old Operating Theatre

Borough 

If you’ve got the stomach for it, The Old Operating Theatre never fails to make for a curious day of exploration. 

The place was actually lost for many years, then rediscovered when an adventurous researcher decided to climb to the attic of St Thomas’ Hospital in Southwark. 

The space used to be an operating theatre, primarily used for female surgery cases. The space has been restored to a worryingly accurate degree. What’s the worrying part? The fact that you can see where people used to gather round to watch the operations. 

Given the quality of surgery back in the 1800s when the space was in use, it creeps us out no end. 

Knock Yourself Out at the Anaesthesia Heritage Centre

Another quirky quease-inducing museum in a small room – the Anaesthesia Heritage Centre showcases the curious and interesting history of the use of anaesthetics in medicine.

While the history is relatively tame, the implements used in the past were not – you can’t help but shudder at the drawers of gigantic needles and syringes. Ring the bell at the Association of Anaesthetists and they’ll show you down.

Peek at the Hyde Park Pet Cemetery

Hyde Park 

A sad and wobegon spot on the edge of Hyde Park, the Hyde Park Pet Cemetery was an unofficial pet cemetery in the then-parkkeeper Mr Windbridge’s back garden. After the first burial in 1880, over 300 pets were buried by Mr Windbridge until he closed it in 1915 due to a lack of space.

You can’t get inside the garden itself, but you can see it through the railings from the pavement outside the park.

Visit Postman’s Park

Postman’s Park is both touching and tragic – it was built to memorialise Londoners who died doing heroic deeds. You can read about their sad and sometimes grisly deaths – there are several drownings, tales of people who caught fire trying to put out one another and more strange tales you can’t help but marvel at.

If you’re thinking that it sounds a bit familiar – the park actually features in the film Closer . Natalie Portman’s character takes her pseudonym from a plaque on the memorial at the beginning of the film.

Read More: Postman’s Park – London’s Memorial to Heroic Self Sacrifice

Check out the Golden Boy of Pye Corner – The Alternative Monument to the Great Fire of London

Everyone knows about The Monument that was erected as a memorial of the Great Fire of London… but there’s another, much smaller and more random memorial to the fire on the corner of Cock Lane (seriously, that’s its name).

Stand on the corner, look up and you’ll see a small statue of a fat, golden boy set into the wall on a spot marking the outer limit of the Great Fire. He stands as a reminder of the true cause of the great fire (it started in a bakery on Pudding Lane and finished on Pye Corner) – gluttony.  Be warned.

Weird and Unusual Things to do in London: Map

Looking for More Unusual London Guides?

• 30 Hidden Gems in London – Secret Spots You Have to Discover
• 18 Weird Museums in London: Discover The City’s Small, Quirky and Unusual Museums
• 64 Fun and Interesting Facts about London You’ll Absolutely Love
• Famous Blue Plaques in London To Look Out For
• The History of London’s Roman Amphitheatre and the Unlikely Story of How it was Discovered

LET'S GET SOCIAL!

London x London is the insider’s guide to discovering the best of London.

We delve into the cool, interesting and quirky spots that make London such a dynamic city, telling you the best things to do, eat and drink along the way. 

Tired of the same old dull suggestions? Want to know where to find London’s secret bars, tastiest eats and weirdest finds? We provide practical guides that help you do just that.

Find Out More

Recently Published

• Eltham Palace: Discovering South London’s Gorgeous Art Deco Secret
• Staying At: The Laslett, Notting Hill Review
• Carreras Cigarette Factory: A Curious Reminder of London’s Egyptian Art Deco Craze

• Get in touch

Explore London

14 Unusual Tours In London You Need To Try

Published on: 11th December 2023

If there’s one thing that’s truly unique about London, it’s the amount of walking you have to do around the city to really get to see and appreciate what the bustling metropolitan hub has to offer. Visiting the city for the first time can be daunting with all the attractions you may have on your to-do list. 

London’s top tour guides have taken to the streets, offering incredible tours you can do on foot, and others that show you a different side of the city - letting you explore sites you won’t see on your typical postcard. If you’re looking to experience something different in London, then you have to get involved with one of these unusual tours in London . 

London High Tea Bus Tour

London is famous for its high tea and classic red buses. The London High Tea Bus Tour combines these two iconic concepts and takes you through the city the old-fashioned way, while you dine on crustless sandwiches, delicious pastries and an abundance of different flavoured teas. This is certainly one of the more unusual tours to do in London, albeit one of the more glamorous. 

London Gin Distillery Tour and Gin Making 

London is home to some of the most well-known gins around and the spirit has certainly become one of the pinnacles of the city’s culture. The London distillery is home to one name gin lovers are well-versed with - none other than Whitley Neil. The tour will take you around the surprisingly small distillery, explaining the process behind making your favourite tipple. You’ll also get to enjoy a gin tasting, where you’ll get to sample an array of flavours from the gin brand. 

Self-Guided Blue Plaque Walk 

If there’s one thing that helps you out when navigating the streets of London, it’s a little bit of local knowledge. Here’s a tip for you - if you’re walking around some of London’s older areas , you may notice some blue plaques on some of the buildings. Stop for a minute and take a look at the names on these signs. These plaques tell passers-by about the influential people who lived and worked in these buildings. Although there is no formal tour for these, it’s a great way to see the city on a self-guided mission. 

Fashion Sustainability Shopping Tour

Do you have a flair for fashion but are unsure of where the best places are to shop for your next new look ? The Sustainable Fashion and Shopping Tour will take shoppers to all the best retail spots, specifically those who are making a real effort to practise sustainability in their manufacturing and materials sourcing processes. This is a great way to get to know the London fashion scene and indulge in some guilt-free retail therapy while learning a thing or two. 

Jack The Ripper Tour

As with any major city, London has a rich history , not all of which is a testament to the hub of success it is today. The Jack the Ripper Tour takes you through the gruesome shenanigans of one of history’s most feared killers. Guests are guided through the borough of Whitechapel which is where the famed villain operated. This is a great opportunity for anyone who is interested in true crime and is keen on learning more about the depths of London’s history. 

Harry Potter Walking Tour

The Harry Potter walking tour is the perfect activity to do with the kids or anyone who is a keen fan. Although there are several Harry Potter-themed tours around the city, the Tour For Muggles is by far the best one to do. During the tour, you’ll see some of the sites from the famous movie and encounter some of the points of inspiration behind JK Rowling's bestsellers. 

Street Art Walking Tour

London is home to some of the most talented street artists around, making the walls of the city come to life with colour and thought-provoking imagery. This unusual tour takes you through inner-city London and tells you about the concepts and culture behind graffiti art, and street art as well as a bit about the artists themselves. This unusual London tour shows guests the creative side of London and provides interesting insights into the world of underground art. 

Hidden London and Underground Tours

Delve into London’s hidden past in underground walking tours. These expeditions allow you to discover some of the best-hidden gems in the city as well as some historical secret locations like disused tunnels, forgotten crypts, and clandestine chambers that reveal centuries of history. Led by knowledgeable guides, these tours offer a unique perspective on London's past, from mediaeval times to wartime bunkers. These tours are perfect for anyone who wants to learn about the underground side of the city. 

James Bond Walking Tour

After 60 years of Bond, the films have been shot in some of the most iconic places in the English capital. On the James Bond walking tour, you’ll be guided around some of the sites used as sets in the films, including Kings Cross, Vauxhall, and Trafalgar Square while hearing about the sites and how they featured in the famous film series. 

In this unusual London tour, you’ll get to experience the glamour and intrigue of MI6, explore the settings of thrilling car chases, and visit some of the luxurious haunts frequented by the suave 007.

Hidden City Cryptic Tour

This is one for the brainboxes. The Hidden City tour is a treasure hunt where you have to follow the clues given to you in order to get to the locations on the tour before learning about them upon your arrival. The tour is done via text, where guests receive messages with clues guiding them to their next destination. This is a great way to see the city of London and combine it with a fun activity to do with the whole family. 

Indian Food Tour

London's love affair with Indian food is more than a mere culinary trend; it's a reflection of the deep historical ties between the UK and India. On the tour, you’ll get to delight in the aromatic spices, intricate flavours, and diverse regional dishes that have found a second home in London. The tour takes you from the historic Brick Lane to Southall's Little India and reveals the hidden gems to guests. 

Your guide will also tell you the stories behind these restaurants, including those of migration, trade, and cultural exchange that have made Indian cuisine an integral and beloved part of London's culinary identity. This is the ideal tour of London for those who have a thing for tantalising curries, flavourful street food, and sweet Indian delicacies.

Underground Urban Farm Tour

Ever heard of an underground farm? The world’s first one is located in an old bunker near Clapham. With an increasing population and less and less space for agricultural infrastructure, the farm was established in an effort to explore new spaces for farming. 

On this tour, you’ll get to hear about all the ins and outs of what it takes to run an underground farm and enjoy learning about the equipment, operations and prospects of underground farming for the future. The farm currently supplies local restaurants with micro greens to incorporate into their dishes and serves as a pioneer for sustainable farming. 

London’s Women Tour

Although a lot of London’s history revolves around powerful and influential men, this tour serves as a way to appreciate the women who helped shape the course of London’s history. There are several tours that allow guests to learn about the various roles women played in different parts of London, including around Westminster and even in the manual labour boroughs of East London. This tour is a great way to learn about stories less told and about the powerful women who helped make London into the city it is today. 

Medicine and Disease Tour

There are several events that shaped London’s medicinal history and gave rise to the likes of Florence Nightingale and the NHS. On this tour, you’ll delve into the history of London’s most significant epidemics, and visit the sites of some of the first medical establishments in the city. 

London has also been the home of several medical breakthroughs, and its medical institutions have been home to innovative advances in the global medical sector. If you’re at all interested in the history of medicine and want to learn more about the pandemic history of the city, then this tour is certainly one not to be missed. 

With so many unusual tours in London to choose from, you’ll certainly leave the city feeling more enriched with knowledge not many others know about. From fun high tea bus tours to delving into the grimmer parts of London’s history, you’re spoiled for choice. 

If you want more inspiration on how to spend your time in London during your visit, check out the Love To Visit website for more unusual things to do in London. 

10 Unmissable Things To Do In North London >

Planning a trip to London?

Why not stay in one of our luxury homes

from £187 /night

Bright Birchlee Home in Inverurie, Scotland

from £193 /night

Trendy apartment a short drive from Aberdeen City Centre

from £253 /night

Stunning Maida Vale apartment near Regent’s canal

from £275 /night

Spectacular Shepherds Bush Home close to Westfield

Receive exclusive offers & benefits in our fortnightly newsletter..

We won’t spam you, ever.

Privacy and cookies policy

This site employs Cookie Tracking. Click here to find out more.

Get in touch with the team

3 Sloane Gardens

Take a Look around our luxury aparthotel in Sloane Square, London.

We won't spam you, ever.

JavaScript is not enabled. You must enable JavaScript or use a browser which supports JavaScript in order to use this site.

Top 10 Unique London Tours and quirky London experiences

By Discover More UK

Published: 26 July 2022

Sharing is caring!

Of course there is no shortage of things to do in London, it’s one of the most famous cities in the world! But whether you’re a local looking for unusual days out in London, or a first time visitor ready to experience some unique London tours, these are the top 10 quirky London tours that you’ll LOVE!

Visiting Buckingham Palace, riding the London Eye and seeing Big Ben are all of course popular sites for a reason, but this guide aims to provide you with some ideas and inspiration for quirky days out in London, unique experiences and a day to remember with some of the more quirky London tours available.

These are all great options if you’re a London local looking for something to do on the weekend, perhaps you have friends visiting from out of town and want them to experience something a bit different.

Or maybe you’ve visited London so many times and this time you want something new, exciting and even odd things to do in London – those activities make all the best stories afterwards!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something. While clicking these links won’t cost you anything, they will help us to keep this site up and running! See the full disclosure policy for more details.

10 Unusual London tours and experiences

A narrow boat cruise on the regents canal.

This charming narrowboat tour is just 1 hour long and takes you from Little Venice to Camden Town on a cute narrowboat barge, with sights to see along the way.

This is a much more leisurely paced tour, a perfect addition to a slow day around Little Venice or wandering Camden Markets.

You’ll pass through the Maida Hill tunnel and learn about Canal history, you can also nosey at the grand houses you’re cruising past too!

This is a really affordable and fun London activity, perfect for a sunny weekend out in London.

Climb the roof of the O2 Arena

If you fancy something with a bit more adrenaline, why not brave a climb on the roof of the O2 arena.

Previously known as the Millennium Dome as it was constructed to market the Millennium in 2000, the dome is now a concert venue holding 20,000 seats.

This 90-minute experience offers incredible city views and you’re guaranteed to get your heart racing!

This is a great option for London gift experiences too, if you know someone who’d love this – why not buy it as a gift or as a London day trip to share with them?

London Beer Bike Tour

They are hilarious, sort of cringe but also look incredibly fun, right?!

Not only is one of the most unusual tours London has to offer, it’s also one of the most fun tours in London!

This drinks bike London activity is best done with a group of your mates while you pedal and drink your way around Soho and Piccadilly on a moving table!

The best part is that drinks are not included, so this unique London tour is also really budget friendly and you can bring whatever drink you enjoy most!

The barman will keep drinks following and tell you about the sights around you too. You can choose either a 1 hour or 2 hour experience.

Thames Speedboat ride

How many times have you seen those speedboats whizzing up and down the Thames?

Well now is your chance to join them on a Thames speedboat ride.

With a tour commentary of the famous London sights around you, a great music track and the thrill of flying along at that speed, this is a big winner for locals and tourists alike!

There are a few speedboat tour companies to choose from so find the option that suits you and your party best.

Ride the world’s longest and tallest tunnel slide

Did you know the famous red sculpture from the 2012 Olympic Games has been transformed into a fun tunnel slide where you reach speeds up to 15 mph?

This is a short, sweet and cheap option for a unique London experience that’s perfect for the whole family.

The ArcelorMittal Orbit is the UK’s tallest sculpture at 114.5 metres tall and the viewing platform from the top allows you to see panoramic views of London up to 20 miles away.

The world record breaking slide is 178 metres long with 12 twists and reaching speeds up to 15 mph.

Children must be over 8 years old and 1.3m or taller.

Evening Dinner River Cruise on the Thames with Live Music

If you’re looking for fun and unusual activities London has to offer couples, this evening river cruise with a 4 course meal and live music is the perfect London date night idea!

It’s also a really fun experience for a group of friends to enjoy together, with a 4 course meal, sparkling wine on arrival, tea and coffee, live music and dancing all included in the price.

From the boat you’ll see the city illuminated at night, or if you take the cruise in the summer, you’ll get to enjoy the sunset from the boat with the wonderful food and music as your soundtrack.

This is one of the more exclusive London tours and it’s an experience you’ll remember!

Afternoon Tea tour on an double decker bus

If you’re looking for cool tours in London, this is one of the experiences London does so well – where else can you ride a double decker London bus while enjoying English afternoon tea?!

This London Afternoon Tea bus tour includes a full sweet and savoury afternoon tea spread plus a glass of prosecco as you spend 1.5 hours seeing the best of London and some of the city’s most iconic sights and landmarks.

This is the perfect quirky London activity for a girls day trip, a mother-daughter day out or a London hen party.

Comedy Horror Ghost Tour on a bus

This Ghostly Horror Bus Tour is probably one of the most offbeat London tours ever but it’s definitely one of the most unique tours of London!

Learn about the gruesome history of London and the horrors behind some of the most well-known and iconic landmarks.

With onboard actors, ghost story narration and a few spooky scenes onboard, this is as much an entertaining tour as it is a spooky one!

This is a unique London tour to remember!

Hidden London Underground Tour

The London transport system, aka the Tube, is one of the most well-known transport systems in the world.

This London Underground tour is probably one of the most interesting tours in London as your guide shares the history, secrets and stories of the transport system.

Even as a local this is a fascinating opportunity to learn about an integral part of London and the guides are super knowledgeable – one of the best guided tours in London.

Skywalk at Tottenham Hotspurs

This is a fun London tour for the Spurs fans out there!

Walk on the glass walkway 46.8 metres above the football pitch at the Spurs stadium. You’ll scale the edge of the stadium and see epic views of the city from the top.

The experience lasts for 1.5 hours and you’ll get professional photos taken too.

Definitely an exhilarating experience to remember for footie fans out there!

London street art tour and workshop

Experience one of the most unusual walking tours London has to offer with this half-day street art walking tour in London’s East End.

The whole experience lasts for 4 hours and you’ll have the chance to spray paint your own art piece at the workshop at the end of the tour.

See artwork from Banksy, Invader and other famous street art names and learn about street art from active street artists. 

As a London resident, it’s easy to walk past artwork and never know or appreciate the work behind it, this is one of the best quirky walking tours London has to offer about street art.

Book here. 

Summary: Unique tours in London

There are countless unusual experiences in London and hopefully this guide has given you some ideas and inspiration for the range of unique tours London has to offer.

Even as a local Londoner or UK resident, it can be easy to dismiss exploring more of your own capital city, these exciting activities are a reminder of how much there is on offer in London.

Pin for later to plan your future trip!

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Privacy Overview

• Bournemouth
• My Bookings
• My Email Preferences
• Edit this page
• Access admin
• Back to search

Quirky Walks And Tours In London

It's easy to get to see the big sights of a city, but to really get to know a place you have to spend some time down its side alleys. Get away from the tourist traps and discover some local landmarks with one of these cool and quirky London tours. From the best beers in Bermondsey to movie-scene spots and the sordid secrets of the city's ghoulish and ghastly history, read our recommendations for the best quirky walks and tours in London.

Last edited by Kiera Chapman

Last updated on 27th February 2024

London Premier Walking Tours

Searching for quirky things to do in the city? London Premier Walking Tours are bringing you a fun outdoor event sure to remember. Get stuck into themes from Shakespeare and Sweeney Todd to outdoor  treasure hunts  across the city.

Silent Disco Walking Tours #silenttours

Ready to groove? From West End Musicals to Drag, Silent Disco Walking Tours has got all the themed-events you could want. Sing, dance and celebrate to your heart's content at The West End Musical Tour or unleash your inner diva on the Drag Queen Disco Diva Tour featuring hits from Spice Girls, Madonna, Kylie, Lady Gaga, and more.

Haunted London Pub Tour

@ Temple Underground Station on Various dates from Saturday 30th March 2024

• Something A Little Different ⋅ Walks & Tours
• Tickets from £17.50

BucketRace Scavenger Hunts

From an Easter-themed hunt to a summer special and the winter wind down, the Bucket Race is bringing you a fun group activity come rain or shine. With teams of up to 4 competing to complete various tasks around London, this is one if you're looking for something a bit different.

Ale Hunters

Ale Hunters is a unique walking tour and beer experience taking place across London's best pubs, craft breweries and taprooms. Get the low-down on the creation process while picking up expert knowledge and maybe even sampling a few sips along the way. 

Urban Foraging with John the Poacher & Hiver

@ Hiver Taproom on Sun, 31st Mar 2024 @ 12:00 - 15:00

Embark on a three-hour guided foraging tour this March, led by renowned forager John the Poacher. John will be sharing his expertise, accumulated over three decades, as you hunt for edible and medicinal plants in and around Bermondsey. The tour will end with a trip to Hiver's Taproom for a complimentary beer – with the option to head to Maltby Street market next door if you're feeling peckish. 

• Activity ⋅ Daytime ⋅ Food & Drink
• Tickets from £55.00

Rock Cab Tours

@ Various Venues, London on Various dates from Tuesday 26th March 2024

Calling all music lovers: this rock n roll tour is just for you. With over two decades in the music industry, Stephen Channell invites you for a black cab tour of some of London's most iconic musical landmarks; from Jimi Hendrix's flat to the location where Bowie shot his iconic Ziggy Stardust cover.

• Daytime ⋅ Live Music ⋅ Something A Little Different
• Tickets from £300.00 - £600.00

CityDays London

CityDays' interactive treasure hunts are the perfect way to explore your local area. Clues and trails are sent to your phone, so all you need to do is strap on a pair of comfy shoes and get adventuring.

• City of London ⋅ Central London
• Activity ⋅ Event Space

Looking for a quirky way to get around the city? Check out Bustronome, where you'll be treated to amazing views atop a double decker; all while tucking into a mouthwatering menu with specially paired wines. You've never seen this before.

• Central London

Musical Bingo: Silent Disco Trail - City of London

@ Dabbers Bingo on Saturday 20th and Saturday 27th April 2024

Something a little different to the usual walks and tours of London is Dabbers Bingo's offering of a Musical Bingo: Silent Disco Trail through the City of London. Grab your mates and embark on an adventure filled with music to your ears only, as you visit famous sites that become the stage for your adventure. What's more, there will be an array of games, plus a complimentary cocktail to see you on your way. 

• Clubbing ⋅ Immersive ⋅ Something A Little Different
• Tickets from £23.00
• City of London

StreetHunt Games

Can you crack the case? StreetHunt Games is putting your mystery solving skills to the test, with their quirky outdoor activity that combines a scavenger hunt with amateur sleuthing. Better yet, this self-guided experience is fully flexible and lets you see some of the most interesting streets in London.

See Your City

Eyes this way, Potter fans! Fancy getting up close and personal with some actual, real-life Harry Potter filming locations? What about being sorted into a Hogwarts house and using your superior spell knowledge to outwit other houses? Well this quirky London tour will be bringing you all that a then some. You can leave your Firebolt at home as this tour takes you on foot from the entrance to Diagon Alley, past the Leaky Cauldron and all the way to Platform 9 3/4. There's other tours if you're not into Harry Potter!

An X-Rated Tour Of London

When it comes to all things cheeky in the city, we're on the pulse. From secret kinky spots to historic tales like you've never heard before, we've come up with our very own x-rated tour of London, one sexy detail at a time. 

Recommended by

How to work with us.

Whether you own a bar, restaurant, pub, club, private hire space, pop-up and/or run events, you can take advantage of our full suite of products. Explore one or more from the below.

Revolutionary booking and enquiry management software for bars, restaurants, pubs and clubs. Table management, pre-orders, payments and more.

An online event ticketing box office, catering for all kinds of events, pop ups to big music festivals, and free marketing and exposure to help sell more tickets.

Sell e-gift vouchers to your customers; whether it be a packaged up experience or a monetary value. Generate an extra revenue stream and open up your venue/event to even more customers.

Advertising

Need to get your venue out to millions? Use our targeted marketing packages to instantly push your venue to a young professional audience.

Welcoming groups from 17th May 2021, find out more about our Covid-19 safety here .

Home > London > Cultural experiences > Quirky tour

Alternative History - Quirky London Tour

Insider London’s Quirky London Tour is the London that the history books don’t mention, and the tour guides leave out!

Whether you are a born-and-bred Londoner or just looking to get off the beaten track, the Quirky Tour is a London history tour with a difference. This alternative London history tour explores the fun-filled streets of Covent Garden from the secret stories of the piazzas and monuments to the curiosities round ever back-street corner. Journey back in time with Insider London and Covent Garden will never be the same again.

Discover London’s best bits with this two-hour Quirky Walking Tour. Sites include Covent Garden Piazza, the Royal Opera House, Waterloo Bridge, the Savoy Hotel and Trafalgar Square.

Meeting Point : Outside Covent Garden Station

Finishing Point : Trafalgar Square

On this alternative London tour you will :

• Explore London’s historic party district
• Meet a group of lions that would upset any zoologist
• Discover the favourite intoxicants of old London
• Find London’s most controversial sculptures
• Learn the true origins of some of Britain’s favourite expressions

To book your Quirky Tour or to find out more then get in touch via [email protected] .

Enquire now

Our packages can be arranged for any date or time. Furthermore, we are happy to create a bespoke programme to reflect your specific needs.

@ [email protected] T +44 (0) 20 7183 1055 M +44 (0)78 6967 8717

YOU'RE ENTERING A LONDON THAT VERY FEW KNOW

Filled with music, culture & secrets

LIVE YOUR PERSONAL LONDON EXPERIENCE

Hidden to mass tourism and guidebooks

BESPOKE PRIVATE EXPERIENCES

Tailored for the savvy traveller and curious Londoner

DISCOVER LONDON'S BEST MUSIC

Walk to the music that was created in the area

AND JOIN THE NEW RESPONSIBLE WAY TO EXPLORE LONDON

Connect to locals and learn about their stories

Welcome to Unexpected London

Your exclusive access to a true and authentic london.

London is the world in a city, a world that never stops surprising with unexpected secrets, anecdotes, art, nature. Unexpected London is the new, bespoke way to explore this world, far from traditional guided tours but with unexpeccted Local Curators, that will make you enter hidden places, laboratories, city farms, independent stores, vintage markets, house museums and engage with locals and experts that will welcome you into their magic worlds made of passion and love to sweep you away, making you COME AS A GUEST AND LEAVE AS A LOCAL .

What We Offer

We offer premium bespoke experiences with unique Local Curators that will welcome you into their world of passion, secrets and knowledge, all in a fun, light-hearted and engaging way.

Private experiences

Private experiences for small groups of up to 6 people to make you enjoy London like a true insider, as if you were going around with a knowledgeable friend who will make you feel a part and not just an anonymous spectator of the places you visit. All our experiences are far from the crowd and commercial spots to make you live the most local side of our beautiful city.

Made to measure experiences

We are here to create made-to-measure experiences tailored around you and your passions. From music, to art, to culture, to history, to alternative retail, to street art, let us know your needs and our local experts will try their best to turn it into reality. We are always up to date with special events happening in London and have exclusive private experiences tailored around them.

Corporate experiences

Engage and reward your workforce and your clients with unique and unexpected experiences that make them immerse in London’s best kept secrets, craftsmanship, music, food, nature. From wellbeing, to sustainability, to culinary, to art & culture experiences we are here to make sure you surprise and entertain your team with the most unique experiences you can find in London.

Our Walking Experiences

Every Unexpected London walk is a lively explosion of music, stories and fun. Wear some comfortable shoes as all experiences are on foot, to allow you to fully immerse in London’s magic atmosphere!

Street Art Experiences

Secret Experiences

Nature Experiences

Music Experiences

First Time in London

Canal Experiences

Most popular experiences.

London Online Experiences

Enjoy a unique and engaging online experience through London's Black culture in Brixton

The Alternative Notting Hill Experience

Come and explore one of London’s most iconic areas without missing out on its history, music & street art.

Canary Wharf to Greenwich Walk

Explore Canary Wharf’s financial district to iconic Greenwich through nature & secrets.

Secrets of the City Historical Walk

From Bank to the Tower of London uncover some of London’s best kept secrets.

Brixton Street Art & Music Tour

Explore London’s biggest Afro-Caribbean community, local markets, street art & music.

Shoreditch Street Art Tour

Explore Brick Lane and Shoreditch markets, graffiti, music and lifestyle.

Watch our Video

We are very honoured to rank 14th out of over 1,230 tours in London with an average of 5 out of 5 on TripAdvisor and Google and having been awarded the certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor for the second year running. We are also finalists for Best Activity of the Year at the iNews Staycation Awards.

A unique experience in London that feels good Savio took us through different neighbourhoods with a friendly, tailored and accessible style. He knows how to use different universes (music, cinema, photos) to make us appreciate street art and... read more Savio took us through different neighbourhoods with a friendly, tailored and accessible style. He knows how to use different universes (music, cinema, photos) to make us appreciate street art and the cultural richness of these historical places in London. The small group and outdoor format is very adapted to the current context. read less

A unique experience in London that feels good Savio took us through different neighbourhoods with a friendly, tailored and accessible style. He knows how to use different universes (music, cinema, photos) to make us appreciate street art and... read more Savio took us through different neighbourhoods with a friendly, tailored and accessible style. He knows how to use different universes (music, cinema, photos) to make us appreciate street art and the cultural richness of these historical places in London. The small group and outdoor format is very adapted to the current context. … read less

Truly and pleasantly unexpected tour! Savio provides you with an immersive experience from the music played throughout to mingling with the locals. He seemingly blends with the tapestry of the community and shows you a... read more Savio provides you with an immersive experience from the music played throughout to mingling with the locals. He seemingly blends with the tapestry of the community and shows you a thing or two of the character of the area. More importantly he provides you with the historical perspective which makes you appreciate more the story behind the street art. With Savio, you feel that your longtime friend is showing you around. Thank you very much again for a great experience! read less

Brixton I've lived in London for most of my life and have always been reasonably curious about my surroundings, and yet Savio has manged both times (I've also been on the... read more I've lived in London for most of my life and have always been reasonably curious about my surroundings, and yet Savio has manged both times (I've also been on the Shoreditch experience) to bring this city to life in a way that I can't quite articulate, but which leaves you exhilarated and desperate to explore every corner. There's a very particular magic in the way that he narrates these explorations; a friendly informality combined with passion, energy, and an exhaustive knowledge that incorporates all aspects of the area and community, both historic and contemporary. On both occasions, I've left feeling elated but never overwhelmed and with my eyes opened in a new way. Can't recommend highly enough! read less

Truly and pleasantly unexpected tour! Savio provides you with an immersive experience from the music played throughout to mingling with the locals. He seemingly blends with the tapestry of the community and shows you a... read more Savio provides you with an immersive experience from the music played throughout to mingling with the locals. He seemingly blends with the tapestry of the community and shows you a thing or two of the character of the area. More importantly he provides you with the historical perspective which makes you appreciate more the story behind the street art. With Savio, you feel that your longtime friend is showing you around. Thank you very much again for a great experience! … read less

Brixton I've lived in London for most of my life and have always been reasonably curious about my surroundings, and yet Savio has manged both times (I've also been on the... read more I've lived in London for most of my life and have always been reasonably curious about my surroundings, and yet Savio has manged both times (I've also been on the Shoreditch experience) to bring this city to life in a way that I can't quite articulate, but which leaves you exhilarated and desperate to explore every corner. There's a very particular magic in the way that he narrates these explorations; a friendly informality combined with passion, energy, and an exhaustive knowledge that incorporates all aspects of the area and community, both historic and contemporary. On both occasions, I've left feeling elated but never overwhelmed and with my eyes opened in a new way. Can't recommend highly enough! … read less

Brixton Music and Stories it was fun and very informative, even for Londoners, learnt a lot about Music, was a good afternoon thanks Savio, he is very knowledgeable on the subject

An unexpected local friend It was great to learn so much about an area of less than 1 Square mile and it’s living community idea. We loved it and may do it again with... read more It was great to learn so much about an area of less than 1 Square mile and it’s living community idea. We loved it and may do it again with our teenager kids next time in London. Savio has so much to tell, in particular about music (Reggae) and street art. Worth for everybody, even if you are not a fan of street art. read less

Walking experience with street art, history and a great backing track! Savio is obviously not Brixton born and bred, but his passion for the area, its history, music, art and people is undisputed. He has cleverly curated an informative and enjoyable... read more Savio is obviously not Brixton born and bred, but his passion for the area, its history, music, art and people is undisputed. He has cleverly curated an informative and enjoyable walk through Brixton environs, seamlessly splicing together the history of the area, its street art, some of its more famous denizens and its local food markets with a fabulous soundtrack to match. Our family enjoyed the experience immensely, particularly learning about the music and musicians who have emerged out of Brixton life. Walking through the various Brixton markets and being introduced to some very gracious Brixton locals was also a highlight. We enjoyed a jerk chicken and plantain lunch from one of these locals, The Bushman, once the tour was over and had cocktails in a pop-up village. Savio has obviously spent a lot of time and effort ensuring this experience is informative, unique and flows beautifully - it allowed us to wander through Brixton and get a real sense of the place without feeling as though we were on a whistle-stop tourist tour. We highly recommend the experience. read less

An unexpected local friend It was great to learn so much about an area of less than 1 Square mile and it’s living community idea. We loved it and may do it again with... read more It was great to learn so much about an area of less than 1 Square mile and it’s living community idea. We loved it and may do it again with our teenager kids next time in London. Savio has so much to tell, in particular about music (Reggae) and street art. Worth for everybody, even if you are not a fan of street art. … read less

Excellent Tour of Notting Hill My partner and I did the Notting Hill Tour on 8th March. Savio was an excellent tour guide, who knew a huge amount about the region. He is clearly... read more My partner and I did the Notting Hill Tour on 8th March. Savio was an excellent tour guide, who knew a huge amount about the region. He is clearly very passionate about music, art and culture in this area and this came across. Every stop was full of insight and interesting facts that you would not have been able to know without Savio. It was great to see where some films were shot, music recorded or art created. One of the highlights for us was the soundtrack to the walk being played out at relevant points so it correlated to what he was saying. This tour is clearly very well thought out and crafted with years of knowledge. If you have any interest in Notting Hill it is definitely worth doing, you will definitely learn something and have a great time in the process. It was only us on the tour, which allowed us to ask as many questions as we wanted. Thanks for a very enjoyable and interesting tour Savio. We will look out for the other tours you run in London too and tell our friends and family about it as well. Thank you. read less

Savio's Brixton This was my second tour with Savio, already did Nothing Hill with him and we were amazed with the amount of cool, interesting, not in your face information he shared... read more This was my second tour with Savio, already did Nothing Hill with him and we were amazed with the amount of cool, interesting, not in your face information he shared with us. Brixton was equally amazing, from the strories, music, food, street art, people we meet while on the tour...Everything was top notch. If you want to get away from touristic London, Savio is your man! read less

Amazing Shoreditch Tour! Whether you are visiting London for the first time or you lived here your whole life, i guarantee that by taking any of the Unexpected London tours you will learn... read more Whether you are visiting London for the first time or you lived here your whole life, i guarantee that by taking any of the Unexpected London tours you will learn something new, awesome and unexpected about it. In fact, these are not tours, these are shows where Savio shares his immense love for this city by walking through art, culture and music. I highly recommend the Unexpected London experiences with Savio, from Brixton, to Shoreditch, Notting Hill, Greenwich and many more... read less

Brixton with Savio was a great experience We loved experiencing Brixton with Savio. Beside Brixton uniqueness Savio is a passionate storyteller with wealth of information about what makes Brixton special... Savio is passionate, knowledgeable and welcoming. Next time... read more We loved experiencing Brixton with Savio. Beside Brixton uniqueness Savio is a passionate storyteller with wealth of information about what makes Brixton special... Savio is passionate, knowledgeable and welcoming. Next time in London, make yourself a gift and book an Unexpected London experience. read less

An experience to remember!! We visited Notting Hill for the first time and booked the experience with Savio to learn more about the neighbourhood. From the first moment he captured our interest with his... read more We visited Notting Hill for the first time and booked the experience with Savio to learn more about the neighbourhood. From the first moment he captured our interest with his charming and friendly personality, his knowledge and his enthusiasm. You can feel his love for London, Notting Hill and his work. He took us through Notting Hill, surprising us with stories about its history, the people and of course the music. We visited little shops, saw beautiful street art and heard wonderful stories about Notting Hill. We could have never found all those things out by ourselves. We can highly recommend booking with Savio. You will not be disappointed at all. It is not a tour, it is truly an experience of the highest level and for us the highlight of our weekend. If you want to get to know Notting Hill, he is the man to talk to! read less

Organisation of tripadvisor music and activity tour of Brixton accompanied by Savio I booked this undiscovered music, activity and street art tour of Brixton for my niece who moved to Brixton and Streatham Hill a year ago. Savio was absolutely fantastic at... read more I booked this undiscovered music, activity and street art tour of Brixton for my niece who moved to Brixton and Streatham Hill a year ago. Savio was absolutely fantastic at contacting us a few days before the tour to confirm meeting point and time and very attentive that it was not me doing the tour , but my niece. She absolutely loved it. Said she knew so many new fabulous places to visit in Brixton and had found a new restaurant to sample one of her fav meals , ceviches! Absolutely 10/10 from start to finish . Thank you Savio read less

Experience round Brixton Really great experience! Savio is friendly, relaxed and makes it feel like an engaging conversation with a knowledgeable friend. Very original tour learning lots about the area and being inspired... read more Really great experience! Savio is friendly, relaxed and makes it feel like an engaging conversation with a knowledgeable friend. Very original tour learning lots about the area and being inspired to explore more! Tailored content too and follow up email with links to everything we discussed. Got a chance to see a cheeky leap year proposal too (attached)! Oh and....cracking tunes! read less

Hidden gems in Notting Hill This was my third experience with Unexpected London and Savio and it was again wonderful. Savio showed me places I would have never found on my own. We also walked... read more This was my third experience with Unexpected London and Savio and it was again wonderful. Savio showed me places I would have never found on my own. We also walked through Portobello Road but before the market started to get crowded and there are a lot of stores to explore that you could easily miss. The best part was a visit to a local gallery. And I saw a piece by Banksy. But all the streetart was great and we again listened to a lot of songs on our tour. I hope to come back to London soon. Thanks again, Savio, it was a pleasure! read less

Great walk in Spitalfields Very nice and interesting walk, we heard about historical events in the area and found some cute secret places. It was a great experience I recommend it if you want... read more Very nice and interesting walk, we heard about historical events in the area and found some cute secret places. It was a great experience I recommend it if you want to really get trapped in London at least in this part of the city = ). Great time thank you so much read less

A great tour run by the very friendly Savio! This was a very interesting and insightful tour run by Savio! We learned about the history of the area as well as about the variety of street art

Be Ready For The Best Experience!! Savio is a very smart and passionate host. He explained everything I wanted to know in much detail and added music and meetings with locals. It was on of the best... read more Savio is a very smart and passionate host. He explained everything I wanted to know in much detail and added music and meetings with locals. It was on of the best experiences I have ever had in a new area. I will definitely use Savio and his Unexpected London tours again! read less

Knowledge + Talent + Bowie = A great afternoon in Brixton As a fan of Bowie since I was 14 in 1971, I knew the content of this tour was always going to be intersting as the man was a genius.... read more As a fan of Bowie since I was 14 in 1971, I knew the content of this tour was always going to be intersting as the man was a genius. My daughter bought the tour for me and she came along with me. It was cold and raining but Nick was amazing. It goes without saying that to do this you have to know your subject and the area-he did. You need talent if you are also going to treat everyone to acoustic versions of iconic songs-Nick had that in bucketfuls. He was funny and also sympathetic towards the needs of his group to take a break. All in all, I thoroughly recommend this tour and will look into Nicks other tours. read less

Intimate, friendly & enjoyable Really enjoyed our experience with the friendly and knowledgeable Savio, who made the experience very personal and informative. We learned a lot about the history of the Shoreditch area... read more Really enjoyed our experience with the friendly and knowledgeable Savio, who made the experience very personal and informative. We learned a lot about the history of the Shoreditch area and saw street art which would be impossible to find without inside knowledge. Would highly recommend if you have a few hours spare in London and interested in history, art, fashion or music. read less

Fall in love with Brixton I have been to London many times, but this was my first time in Brixton and thanks to Savio I realize I've been experiencing London the wrong way up to... read more I have been to London many times, but this was my first time in Brixton and thanks to Savio I realize I've been experiencing London the wrong way up to now. If you have any interest in music, street art, or history don't hesitate to book this experience. Savio has deep knowledge of the area, and he seemingly knew everyone in the markets and stores we visited. He purposely keeps the group size small so that it feels more like a walk with friends than a "tour," which I appreciated very much. A great value for a time well spent. read less

Cultural and Musical Wonderland If you’re interested in the history of Brixton, one of the most colourful and interesting areas of London and want to see a collection of contemporary and historic street art,... read more If you’re interested in the history of Brixton, one of the most colourful and interesting areas of London and want to see a collection of contemporary and historic street art, authentic Afro Caribbean markets and enjoy a musical time warp encompassing Bowie, The Clash, Marley and Eddie Grant, then Savio’s tour of Brixton is for you read less

Magical Christmas Savio took us through the sparkly Christmas version of London, complete with a soundtrack to set the mood. It was a bit of a workout but all in all, amazing

Shoreditch - The Grittier Side of London This tour started in the more modern area of London which made for an interesting contrast as we walked into the older neighborhood of Shoreditch. I had heard comparisons between... read more This tour started in the more modern area of London which made for an interesting contrast as we walked into the older neighborhood of Shoreditch. I had heard comparisons between Brooklyn (Williamsburg) and Shoredtich and yes, they were accurate when it comes to the amazing street art. Its a transitioning neighborhood with a rich history of the Jewish and Bangladesh communities; I was struck by hearing the Call to Prayer and seeing a former synagogue converted to a mosque. Also, the Spitelfield Market and the Federalist style homes. One was converted to a gallery above with a hidden gem of a bakery below where we enjoyed homemade cakes. Ceilings barely high enough to stand and a corner chair that made me want to stay the whole day immersed in conversation with Savio and the others on the tour. We finished with a walk through the old brewery area with street food vendors, an amazing chocolate shop, and a visit to the "Broccoli Man". The peak moments for me was the surprise at the bookstore and climbing up on the voluptuous statue. Savio has a special talent for bringing life to the streets of London. We were hanging on his every word but it isn't just the information that he shares, its the passion with which he tells stories and the joy in his face for simply being alive and living in the amazing city of London. Grazie Mille Savio! read less

Quite interesting neighbourhood Excellent guide, very enthusiastic and passionate by the subject - Brixton and their best representatives - a good walk to learn interesting facts and places with a lot of particular... read more Excellent guide, very enthusiastic and passionate by the subject - Brixton and their best representatives - a good walk to learn interesting facts and places with a lot of particular characteristics. I had a great time! read less

Nothing Hill memorable tour Savio made our trip to London memorable! Without him, we would wonder the streets of Nothing Hill, passing the most important sites of the area, without even knowing it! Through... read more Savio made our trip to London memorable! Without him, we would wonder the streets of Nothing Hill, passing the most important sites of the area, without even knowing it! Through his knowledge of the history, film, music and street art, we discovered all the beauty of the area, not to mention the perfect music he played during the tour, making the experience even more enjoyable! After the tour we recieved all the information, photos, music videos, movie clips of the movies filmed in the erea, playlist etc. All inclusive, memorable experience. Thank you Savio! See you again, this time in Brixton! read less

Christmas Tour of Covent Garden Loved my tour with Unexpected London, different to my other two tours I’ve done with Savio but yet again I discovered and experienced areas that I never would have gone... read more Loved my tour with Unexpected London, different to my other two tours I’ve done with Savio but yet again I discovered and experienced areas that I never would have gone to myself and it was a great way to capture some of the Christmas spirit in London. read less

Experience and learn about the real, 'beyond-the-obvious' London Savio promises "an immersive experience, not a tour". And he absolutely delivers on that. We did the Brixton experience recently, starting out in the comfort of a local... read more Savio promises "an immersive experience, not a tour". And he absolutely delivers on that. We did the Brixton experience recently, starting out in the comfort of a local cafe where he shared historical context and background with the small group of participants before we set out. We enjoyed and learnt about the street art, the music, the markets and the people, experiencing a wide range of aspects of this vibrant part of south London. We will definitely plan to join other 'Unexpected London' experiences in our home city. read less

The alternative Notting Hill experience Savio gave us a full immersion experience of Notting Hill! I learned so much about this neighborhood that I never would have known just walking around on my own. Of... read more Savio gave us a full immersion experience of Notting Hill! I learned so much about this neighborhood that I never would have known just walking around on my own. Of course it was lovely to see the famous filming sights, and there is so much more to Notting Hill than that. Savio showed us so many hidden gems. He played a thoughtfully curated soundtrack throughout the walk, and he provided tons of interesting anecdotes the entire time. He’s clearly a neighborhood favorite. I enjoyed getting to know him and talking about music, Notting Hill, and all kinds of other interesting topics! Highly recommend any opportunity to experience London with Savio! read less

We really unexpected London!! Many thanks Savio for your enthusiasm and to let us discover London in a different way, have been a lovely experience and for sure we will join a new tour... read more Many thanks Savio for your enthusiasm and to let us discover London in a different way, have been a lovely experience and for sure we will join a new tour experience with you soon. We leave here since four years now and we always like to discover this amazing city that always surprise us. Highly recommended!! read less

Great experience All I can say about the tour is that I just loved it from beginning to end! Savio is much more than a tour guide and the experience is not... read more All I can say about the tour is that I just loved it from beginning to end! Savio is much more than a tour guide and the experience is not only informative and entertaining but also really enjoyable. He’s really passionate about the topic and takes all the time you need and even more to show you London as a local. I highly recommend it. read less

Another wonderful experience by Unexpected London I had such a great time doing the Shoreditch tour, I've decided to book this tour as well. And again, it was an absolutely Unexpected experience! Savio is very connected... read more I had such a great time doing the Shoreditch tour, I've decided to book this tour as well. And again, it was an absolutely Unexpected experience! Savio is very connected to the local community, not only knowing all the ins and outs, but really give back to the community as well. I've learned a great deal about Brixton and had a fun time visiting the Lost in Brixton bar recommended by Savio as well. Again, the personal touch, the friendly and warm approach, an eye for details, and accommodating to the guest’s needs makes this a truly wonderful experience! Highly recommended! read less

Superb Tour Savio's genuine curiosity and passion was truly palpable and it was contagious. He introduced himself as a knowledgeable friend, as opposed to a guide which felt like an enormous relief.... read more Savio's genuine curiosity and passion was truly palpable and it was contagious. He introduced himself as a knowledgeable friend, as opposed to a guide which felt like an enormous relief. The brilliantly original details, profound knowledge and diverse range of things that we looked at and the route itself all felt very organic. We didn't feel the 'stress' or bustle of the city at all. I genuinely left feeling like my eyes had been opened, that I was seeing things anew and I felt exhilarated and inspired. read less

London for a different angle This tour is for travelers who want to meet the locals, hear the stories behind the art, and feel the pulse of this vibrant London neighborhood. Savio is an engaging... read more This tour is for travelers who want to meet the locals, hear the stories behind the art, and feel the pulse of this vibrant London neighborhood. Savio is an engaging storyteller with a heart of gold. He is clearly well respected in this community and the friend you wish you had in every city you travelled. Bush Man's chicken under the stairs should not be missed! Would recommend. read less

Highlight of the weekend This was a birthday treat for my mum - who is in her mid-70s with an interest in Banksy. She was skeptical as 3 hours of walking isn’t her idea... read more This was a birthday treat for my mum - who is in her mid-70s with an interest in Banksy. She was skeptical as 3 hours of walking isn’t her idea of fun. We both had an amazing afternoon along with the other 3 guests. Savio made it so interesting and unlike any tours I’ve done before. He plays great music from his backpack, knew so many people on the tour and brought us to places we’d never have been able to find or access. He showed us amazing art on walls, doors and windows, great shops, fed us gourmet chocolate and made all of us feel like we were hanging out with a clued in friend. Our only regret is that we don’t have time to do another tour before we leave. If you are wondering whether this is a worthwhile tour it is and will exceed your expectations. Savio is a lovely person who made us all welcome and amazed us with sites. Really great afternoon. Thanks!! read less

To be done again! I had the pleasure of going on 2 tours with Savio from Unexpected London in September. I did both the Canary Wharf and the Secrets of London. Both truly unique... read more I had the pleasure of going on 2 tours with Savio from Unexpected London in September. I did both the Canary Wharf and the Secrets of London. Both truly unique showing a completely new side of London I was unaware of. Highly recommended thanks to Savio's extensive explanations which clearly denote a continuous research ranging form history to art, personal experience and the future of London. To be done again in the future as I'm sure I wouldn't be hearing the same things twice. read less

Amazing alternative experience in Notting Hill It was more than great, I liked every second of it. Was different from everything I’ve done before, it truly is an experience. I hope many people get the chance... read more It was more than great, I liked every second of it. Was different from everything I’ve done before, it truly is an experience. I hope many people get the chance to meet Savio, he was very friendly and cared about everything so I can get the most out the whole experience. I learnt a lot from Notting Hill, Bob Marley, the riots in 1958 and 1976. About so many stores that I wouldn’t know if it wasn’t for Savio. I learnt a lot, and yes, you visit the usual landmarks in there, but you get quite more than that. We talked and walked for more than 2.5 hours, was quite more but I didn’t care because everything was so interesting. Thanks Savio. read less

The best! This was an amazing experience. Savio was GREAT. No other words needed. We were Mum and 4 grown up daughters and we all enjoyed every moment. Communication also before the... read more This was an amazing experience. Savio was GREAT. No other words needed. We were Mum and 4 grown up daughters and we all enjoyed every moment. Communication also before the tour was easy and Savio!!!!!!!!! read less

Unexpected Notting Hill You will discover hidden gems like true Bansky and Dotmaster street art to the recording studios of Adele and Bob Marley. It was fun having a personal tour guide show... read more You will discover hidden gems like true Bansky and Dotmaster street art to the recording studios of Adele and Bob Marley. It was fun having a personal tour guide show me all the best antique shops, galleries and locations that were used for the movie Notting Hill. I enjoyed having my picture taken in front of the famous bookstore where Julia Roberts met Hugh Grant in the movie. It was interesting to learn about the historical significance of the population shifts that occurred through the decades while walking past the posh, brightly painted homes. Savio played music for us as we walked through the streets while sharing fun tidbits of information. A fun and engaging approach to a tour that I have never experienced before. He runs other tours and I would gladly have him show me around other parts of London as well! Bravo! read less

Best experience! We met Savio yesterday for our trip around the city and quickly realized how fortunate we were to be walking the streets with him! He showed us so many places,... read more We met Savio yesterday for our trip around the city and quickly realized how fortunate we were to be walking the streets with him! He showed us so many places, little jewels that we would never have found on our own, introducing us to the city in a way that was personal, fun, informative and music filled. Our teens loved it, even asking us to book another day with him :) I honestly felt sorry for the people we passed in mass style tours as we were ducking into only locally known coffee shops and art filled alleys. He became our first friend in London, and what a great friend he is. Highly, highly recommend, you won’t be disappointed. Thank you Savio!!! read less

Really good, very different Our own private tour. Really, really liked it. Savio is so knowledgeable and has designed such an enjoyable tour. Very different

A 'one of a kind' 'Immersive', 'Experience'!!! :-) Before turning 30, I decided to try out 30 things I have never done before. Like many Londoners, I felt there are areas in my own city of London that... read more Before turning 30, I decided to try out 30 things I have never done before. Like many Londoners, I felt there are areas in my own city of London that I’m still to discover. As my roots are from Africa! The Brixton Experience naturally grabbed my attention. I’m completely blown away, thoroughly impressed at how it was an immersive experience that is far away from ‘traditional guided tours’. You are warmly invited into the very core of this society, so you truly understand it! It’s really clever how its led by Savio (a talented, creative, energetic warm Italian, who is deeply passionate and knowledgeable about London) in a way that touches all of ‘ones senses’, from viewing the Brixton currency, street art, chocolate Museum, hearing about the Brixton history, its relation to music (with an awesome vinyl shop visit), smelling the sensational seasoned aromas of the Afro-Caribbean market food, to having a feel of native fashion fabrics. The play list of music booming out of his speakers is wonderfully thought out, tailored to the history of every stop off point. I found this shone light, adding another dimension and dynamic to the experience. lt has been years since I last visited Brixton so it was great to have Savio, how is like a friend to show you around so learn about things you never would have known . It was impressive to see how well Savio knows the locals, he introduces you to some of them and they share their stories with you, this touched me and took my understanding and appreciation of the area to a whole new level. Also, you get great content after the day as a sort of memorabilia of Brixton and the experience, from photos to music and videos. I highly recommend this! read less

Awesome Tour This is an in-depth, personal and insightful experience told through the lense of a young Italian outsider who became a Brixton beloved insider with the Afro-Carribean old school guard of... read more This is an in-depth, personal and insightful experience told through the lense of a young Italian outsider who became a Brixton beloved insider with the Afro-Carribean old school guard of the famous Brixton market. If you want to meet locals tied to the historical black experience of the market, and know about how this neighborhood came to be, then this is the tour for you. Based on a connection I made during this tour, I was invited to a little know Monday night jam session with local young musicians and experienced an intimate musical event that few people know about or even experience. After your tour, come back and do some local shopping at African centered Diversify and Refined 80. Then get a proper meal at Fish, Wings and Tings (yes, Tings . . . Not Things). Top off your experience at the record store Pure Vinyl and chat w/ the owner Claudia about old school soul and debate who laid the foundation for rap music. And purchase from the shop keepers to keep this vibrant and special community alive. When you buy, just don't run out. Take the time to share your stories and experiences with them, and they'll share there's. -L.Swann read less

Unexpected London - The Ultimate Urban Experience - HOSTED BY SAVIO LOS Taking a walk on the wild side of Savio’s Adventure was a 5 star experience! Famous London Street Art was enhanced by his storytelling and carry-along music. Savio’s selection of... read more Taking a walk on the wild side of Savio’s Adventure was a 5 star experience! Famous London Street Art was enhanced by his storytelling and carry-along music. Savio’s selection of tunes were customized according to artist, era and neighborhood – bringing to life many of the iconic musical “Greats”. Savio was super knowledgeable in all areas of both the Graffiti Masters and the up and coming wanna-bees. His style is unique and his personality radiates with each any every step along the way. A definite recommendation for a one of a kind Artistic Happening! read less

Great tour of Brixton Really enjoyed the tour with Savio. Lots of knowledge on the area especially around music. Excellent and different guided tour which was great.

The best walking tour (experience) ever! I’ve started takingmore tours in the big cities or at special attractions and I can say that Savio’s bespoke offering far exceeded my expectations. As he says himself - it’s... read more I’ve started takingmore tours in the big cities or at special attractions and I can say that Savio’s bespoke offering far exceeded my expectations. As he says himself - it’s not a tour, it’s an experience! I particularly liked the small group format and also the focus on a particular area/subject (in this case street art and music) while still covering a lot about London, architecture and general history. It was like a local friend taking you around and showing you the sights they are interested in and enthusiastic about! We never would have found these “off the beaten path” places without him in the time we had available. Also included was an amazing vintage clothing shop visit (even if you are not interested in shopping vintage - it was a fascinating local cultural experience) and a fabulous Ghanian chocolate shop - incredible. It’s a week later and I’m still thinking about all of it - definitely a London highlight. Wish we would have had time to do at least one more. read less

Really great experience I did the Shoreditch walking tour earlier this year and came back to London to do the Brixton experience (among other things). And it was so nice to meet Savio... read more I did the Shoreditch walking tour earlier this year and came back to London to do the Brixton experience (among other things). And it was so nice to meet Savio again, really like meeting a friend. That’s what this is about, making new friends and discovering a - for me - unknown area of London. Brixton is really great, and Savio knows so much about the history of the black community here. And he knows a lot of people there. So this was a big difference to the Shoreditch tour: we met some people who are pictured on the walls there. And everyone was super nice. What I also liked a lot are the different markets. We had a very good lunch after the tour. Thanks a lot for having me and my friend on this great experience! read less

Best London experience I had! This was a wonderful and unique experience and this is NOT a tour!! This is much more than a tour!! Savio is an informative and energetic “friend” who shares street... read more This was a wonderful and unique experience and this is NOT a tour!! This is much more than a tour!! Savio is an informative and energetic “friend” who shares street art, history, architecture and much more all while playing music. If you want to to something that is non typical tourist things, then this walking experience is for you!! read less

The undiscovered side of Notting Hill You will be getting a unique, intimate and interactive perspective of Notting Hill with the help of Savio. If you want to take pictures at iconic places this is not for... read more You will be getting a unique, intimate and interactive perspective of Notting Hill with the help of Savio. If you want to take pictures at iconic places this is not for you - do that a different time. This will plunge you into the history and people who shaped Portobello road and beyond. I had a wonderful time. read less

* This was a fantastic experience. I am already recommending it to other people. Savio is so engaging, informative and well, he makes it fun. I loved the use of music... read more This was a fantastic experience. I am already recommending it to other people. Savio is so engaging, informative and well, he makes it fun. I loved the use of music to show the cultural depth of the area. read less

Unexpected Notting Hill Wow! What a fabulous morning we had learning the history of this are through music and street art. Totally recommend this tour with a difference!!

Due to Covi-19 we are not running any experience until further notice to safeguard the health and safety of our clients as well as our staff.

30 unique and unusual things to do in London [2023]

Disclosure: I may earn a small commission from the companies or products mentioned in this post.

There’s no shortage of cool things to do in London, from the major tourist attractions to pretty and lesser-known hidden gems .

But for those looking for something a little different and offbeat to impress your friends with, here are 30 of the quirkiest, most unique, and unusual things to do in London… 

Unusual things to do in London

Visit london’s most famous cemetery.

While walking around a cemetery isn’t on most people’s London itinerary, you’d be surprised how interesting it can really be.

Highgate Cemetery in North London is probably the capital’s most famous graveyard due to its many famous residents .

Famous graves include the German philosopher, political theorist and socialist revolutionary Karl Marx,  painter  Henry Moore ,   novelist  George Eliot,  actress  Jean Simmons  and, most recently, singer  George Michael .

It is also home to some of the finest funerary architecture in the country.

The cemetery is open for anyone to visit. There’s a £4 admission fee for the East Cemetery where Karl Marx is buried, while the impressive tombs, chapels, catacombs, and mausoleum of the West Cemetery are available to visit by guided tour only (£12 including entrance to the East) .

Explore London Underground’s ghost stations

Take a unique Hidden London tour of the London Underground with the London Transport Museum.

The exclusive tour takes you into ‘forgotten’ parts of the London Tube network such as disused ‘ghost stations’ and tunnels , as well as a behind-the-scenes look at some of London’s busiest stations.

Certainly one of the most unique London experiences.

Drink tea in the capital’s oldest tea shop

What’s one of the most quintessentially British pastimes you can think of?

If your answer wasn’t enjoying a nice cup of tea then you clearly haven’t spent enough time in the UK (or watched enough movies).

And what could be better than stocking up on brews at the capital’s oldest tea shop ?

Twinings Café on the Strand opened in 1706, with Twining being one of the first merchants to bring tea to the UK and providing the royals with their morning cuppa since 1837.

The 300-year-old teashop now houses a huge range of teas and coffees from around the world, as well as plenty of teaware, accessories, a sampling counter, and a unique display of antique teapots.

Also check out this cool London tea and cake tour.

Play Unusual Arcade Games at Novelty Automation

Hidden down an unsuspecting side street in Holborn, Novelty Automation is an unusual little collection of homemade satirical arcade machines .

The museum takes traditional seaside arcade games and slot machines and turns them completely on their head, with lots of bizarre twists you definitely wouldn’t expect.

The arcade includes machines such as the “3-minute micro-break,” where you sit in an armchair and go on holiday, an “interactive divorce,” which has you racing to separate your partner, and “test your nerve,” in which you place your hand in a dog’s cage and hold it there for as long as you dare.

You can also remove your shoe and have your foot treated by “The Chiropodist,” take some fun photos in the “Expressive Photobooth,” or get some love advice from “Barry’s Love Line.”

Most of the unusual machines are constructed by cartoonist and engineer Tim Hunkin as a mix of engineering, humour, and political satire.

The museum is free to enter, but you’ll need to buy tokens to play on the machines. Tokens cost £5 for 5, £9 for 10, and £27 for 34 tokens (needed to try every machine).

Walk under the Thames in the Greenwich Foot Tunnel

The Greenwich Foot Tunnel runs underneath the River Thames , connecting Greenwich with Island Gardens on the Isle of Dogs, and is one of only two foot tunnels under the river in central London (the other is the Woolwich foot tunnel).

The unique structure was built in 1902 to replace the ferry service which used to bring those living on the south of the river to work in the docks and shipyards.

It can be entered for free via the domed entrance next to the Cutty Sark in Greenwich, with both a staircase and a lift big enough for cyclists.

But keep your wits about you when walking through the tunnel at night as it’s said to be haunted by the ghosts of a Victorian man and woman who can be spotted late at night and their footsteps can be heard echoing through the tunnel.

Not one for the faint-hearted!

Learn something new at Speakers Corner

Speakers Corner in the northeast corner of London’s Hyde Park is an area where open-air public speaking, debate, and discussion are both allowed and encouraged. 

While Hyde Park isn’t the only speaker’s corner in the world or even London itself, it is the original and certainly the most famous.

Often referred to as the ‘ home of free speech’ , anyone can turn up unannounced to speak on any subject.

The speakers discuss everything from more serious topics such as politics (the Socialist Party of Great Britain are regular speakers) , religion and world conflicts, to more relaxed topics such as making healthy lifestyle choices and plenty more.

While you might not feel comfortable speaking yourself (I’ve never done it!), listening to the enthusiastic speakers discuss their topics so passionately is definitely one of the most unique things to do in London for free.

Slide down the world’s longest tunnel slide at London’s Olympic Park

In the centre of East London’s Olympic Park, you’ll find the ArcelorMittal Orbit , the UK’s tallest sculpture which was originally built for the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Now the unusual structure is an adrenalin-junkies playground with both the UK’s highest free-fall abseil and the world’s longest tunnel slide.

Take in the amazing views of London from the 262 feet above the city then plunge or slide your way down to ground level once again.

Book the abseil here and/or the worlds longest and tallest tunnel slide here .

Climb the roof of the O2 Arena

Located on the Greenwich Peninsula in southeast London, the O2 is a huge entertainment complex with a 20,000-seat arena plus a number of restaurants, bars, and shops.

All of which sit underneath the unusual dome-like structure formerly known as the Millennium Dome, which was built to celebrate the year 2000.

But what’s even cooler than visiting the complex itself is climbing over the top of it with ‘ Up at the O2 ‘!

Slide into a harness, strap on your helmet, and climb over the domed roof of one of the capital’s most iconic buildings, taking in the amazing 360-degree views over the city skyline.

Book your ticket to climb the O2 here.

Unusual things to do in London at night

London’s most unusual nighttime activities…

Have a sleepover at London Zoo

In what has to be one of London’s most unique experiences by night, London Zoo Lodges allow you to stay inside the zoo’s Land of the Lions exhibit, within ‘ roaring distance ‘ of the lions themselves.

Each of the lodges is decorated around the theme of the lions’ native Gujarati home in India, with an en-suite bathroom and private veranda to enjoy an evening drink alongside your furry neighbours.

As well as entry to the zoo on both days of your stay, guests at the lodges also get three exclusive after-hours tours, plus a two-course dinner and breakfast at the zoo’s Mappins Pavilion.

Go to a silent disco in the Shard

Talk about a party with a view!

‘ The View from The Shard ’ is the viewing platform inside London’s tallest building and is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions by day.

But what many people don’t realise is that it’s also home to one of the most fun and unusual  evening activities in London.

Every Saturday night, London’s highest viewing gallery (a whopping 72 floors up) hosts a silent disco , where guests can dance along to their favourite music while enjoying some of the most amazing panoramic views across London by night.

Unusual things to see in London

Weird and wonderful things to see and the most unique London attractions…

The Sphynxes at Cleopatra’s Needle

Cleopatra’s Needle is an Egyptian obelisk that sits on the bank of the River Thames in Westminster, close to Embankment station.

The obelisk is a genuine Ancient Egyptian artefact , which was originally erected in the ancient city of Heliopolis in 1450 BC, then moved to Alexandria, before being gifted to the UK during the 1800s.

It’s one of three which have been re-erected in London, Paris, and New York City.

But what really makes Cleopatra’s Needle one of the more unusual attractions in London is that the two faux-Egyptian sphinxes, which are supposed to be acting as guards for the needle, were accidentally installed backward .

Yes, the sphinxes are facing the structure rather than facing away from it.

A mistake that has never been rectified!

The Lions in Trafalgar Square

While the four lions which surround Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square aren’t exactly an off-the-radar attraction in London, they do have a fun little secret that not many people ever seem to notice.

The closer you look at the lions, the more you’ll realise that a few things don’t look quite right , and there’s a pretty interesting story as to why.

The lions were created in the mid-1800s by Sir Edwin Landseer, a British artist and sculptor who had never actually seen a lion in real life.

In order to make the sculptures, Landseer requested a dead lion from London Zoo, but unfortunately, it started to rot away before he’d finished his work. So he modeled the paws and other small finishing touches on the features of his cat instead.

London’s Smallest Police Station

Another unusual London attraction within Trafalgar Square is the city’s smallest police station .

Dating back to the 1920s, the tiny building is made from a hollowed-out lamppost and is just about big enough to fit two people inside.

Rather than a fully functioning police station, the structure was actually used as an observation post which allowed an officer to have a view across the whole square.

While the tiny building is no longer a working station, you can still visit the unique structure on the southeast edge of Trafalgar Square.

The Seven Noses of Soho

The Seven Noses of Soho is an unusual art installation in central London.

The noses are plaster reproductions of artist Rick Buckley’s nose and were installed as a prank provoked by the controversial introduction of CCTV cameras throughout London during the 1990s (the noses were installed under the noses of the cameras).

The prank wasn’t publicised at first so many rumours began to spread about the origin and meaning of the strange little statues.

While 35 noses were originally installed, only 10 still remain today, and searching for them all certainly makes for one of the most unique days out in London.

Cheatsheet: The noses are located at Admiralty Arch, Great Windmill Street, Meard Street, Bateman Street, Dean Street, Endell Street, and D’arbly Street.

The Fake Houses of 23 & 24 Leinster Gardens

These two unsuspecting townhouses in Baywater’s Leinster Gardens are passed by thousands of people every year who don’t even think about taking a second look.

But if you do take the time to stop and examine the buildings, you’ll notice something’s a little off.

In the mid-1800s, two houses were demolished on the original location to create a necessary air vent for the Metropolitan Line , which was being constructed at the time.

However, the local residents became angry about the way the large gap looked. So a fake facade matching the surrounding houses was built to cover it up.

Unusual Museums in London

The viktor wynd museum of curiosities, hackney.

A part of The Last Tuesday Society, The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, Fine Art & Natural History is a quirky little museum and bar in Hackney which houses a collection of extremely unusual items.

From Fiji mermaids and Amazonian shrunken heads to erotica and even supposed condoms used by the Rolling Stones themselves, there’s a huge variety of quirky artefacts to discover.

Be warned though, some of the collection items aren’t for the squeamish or faint-hearted. This unique museum is certainly amongst the more macabre things to do in London.

The Vagina Museum, East London

The Vagina Museum is the world’s first physical museum about gynecological anatomy.

From vagina-themed artworks and exhibitions about the science of the vagina to educating people about the cultural issues surrounding them (such as FGM), the Vagina Museum is certainly one of the most unique museums in London.

The Museum first popped up in Camden Market but recently announced it is moving to a “new permanent location in East London” in 2023 (exact location announced soon!) .

Pollocks Toy Museum, Fitzrovia

Pollock’s Toy Museum is a small museum and toy shop inside two Fitzrovia townhouses.

The museum has an extensive collection of Victorian toys, including toy theatres, dollhouses and teddy bears.

It also houses a collection of toys from around the world such as the world’s oldest teddy bear and an ancient Egyptian toy mouse made of clay.

Some of the Victorian dolls are a touch on the creepy side, hence its inclusion as one of the weirdest museums in London.

The Old Operating Theatre Museum, Southwark

The Old Operating Theatre is a museum of surgical history and Europe’s oldest surviving operating theatre.

The interesting museum is located in the garret (attic space) of St Thomas’s Church, on the original site of St Thomas’ Hospital, one of London’s oldest hospitals.

Step inside the perfectly maintained operating theatre and learn about the history of medicine and surgery in London.

Dennis Severs’ House, Spitalfields

Dennis Severs’ House in Spitalfields in East London is a self-labelled “still-life drama” and certainly one of London’s most unique museums.

Created by previous owner Dennis Sever, the inside of the house is a creative historical re-imagination of the life of a family of Huguenot silk weavers in the 18th-20th centuries.

An immersive and interesting step back in time to experience life in historic London.

The British Dental Association Museum, Marylebone

The BDA Dental Museum was started in 1919 when a woman named Lilian Lindsay became the first female to qualify as a dentist in the UK and donated several old dental instruments to the association.

The collection gradually grew to over 30,000 items spanning dental equipment to photo archives and more, and finally opened to the public in 1967 (previously it was only for BDA members).

While learning about the history of dentistry may not appeal to most, there are a couple of fun interactive exhibits at this quirky London museum, such as being able to test your skills at pulling teeth or using a dental drill to drill into a tooth. Certainly one of the weirdest things to do in London.

Unusual restaurants in London

From dinner in a disused tube carriage to coffee in a Victorian public toilet, check out the most unique and unusual places to eat in London. Plus, you might also like my other posts on the coolest interactive dining experiences in London and the prettiest pink cafes in London.

Unusual places to enjoy a drink in London

Sip champagne in a floating hot tub in canary wharf.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Emily | Travel Blogger (@londoncitycalling)

Another one of the most unusual activities London has to offer, Skuna boats rent out hot tub boats (yes you did hear that right) which you can sail around the waterways of Canary Wharf.

The toasty 38° freshwater tubs can fit up to 7 people and are a fun experience no matter what the weather.

Plus, for those over 18, the boats have ice boxes on the side where you can store wine, prosecco, beers and cocktails to enjoy during this unusual London experience.

Go canoeing with a cocktail in Hackney

And if drinking in boats is your thing, head to the Milk Float at Hackney Wick where you can hire a kayak or canoe, pass by their sail-up window to grab a cocktail to-go and paddle away on an adventure around North London’s canals.

The float-up bar also does soft drinks if alcohol isn’t your thing. A fun London experience either way!

Find out more about kayaking and canoeing in London here.

Win your wine at Lady Chastity’s Reserve escape room

Lady Chastity’s Reserve is one of London’s most unusual escape rooms, being one of the capital’s only strictly 18+ escape rooms combining comedy and immersive theatre.

Located within secret rooms of several pubs across London, guests have to solve a series of clues and negotiate their way through Lady Chastity’s sordid secrets and naughty tales in order to find a bottle of her fabled aphrodisiac wine to enjoy in the pub after.

Try BYOB life drawing in Dalston

A night at Brushstrokes and Nudes in Dalston is one of the most unique things to do in London at night, as long as you’re not shy around a little nudity.

Describing itself as ‘a sexy, social night of art, drinks, music and the glorious nude form’, Brushstrokes and Nudes is a BYOB event every Friday night in Dalston where you can unleash your inner artist by drawing or painting nude models who come around and interact with the audience.

It’s the perfect few-too-many-glasses-of-wine girls’ night out in London.

Drink retro cocktails in a ball pit in Shoreditch

The pop-up basement ball pit bar which became such a big hit that it’s now one of Shoreditch’s most popular drinking establishments , BallieBallerson is definitely one of the most unique bars in London.

With giant ball pits filled with over a million balls , the unusual bar serves retro cocktails and plays throwback 80s and 90s hits while allowing guests to frolic around in ultimate childhood nostalgia.

BallieBallerson now also does a fun bottomless brunch , with 2 hours of unlimited pizza, prosecco, cocktails and crazy ball pit fun.

Unusual London tours

Interactive jack the ripper tour.

This cool Jack the Ripper London Tour stands out from the rest due to its unique interactive nature.

As well as visiting the real-life Whitechapel crime scenes of notorious Victorian London serial killer Jack the Ripper, you’ll also get to investigate the historic crimes yourself with the help of your own suspect cards and an expert guide.

London Street Art Tour and Workshop

This unusual London tour is perfect for those who fancy themselves the next Banksy.

The London Street Art Tour and Workshop will take you on a journey around the colourful East End, showcasing the best street art London has to offer.

You’ll then return to a studio to try your hand at creating your own spray-paint masterpiece.

Soho Beer Bike Tour

The original Beer Bike Tour is one of the most unique ways to explore the streets of central London, taking in the areas of Picadilly and Soho while pedalling along with a beer in hand.

A dedicated onboard guide / bartender will also be there to show you the way.

Sex, Drugs, and Rock’n’Roll London Tour

London’s Sex, Drugs and Rock’n’Roll Tour takes you on a journey across the capital to explore Hippie, Mod, Hippy, and Punk culture.

From the backstreets of eclectic Soho to the alternative music scene of Camden Town , plus plenty of famous Beatles sites including the iconic Abbey Road crossing.

Historical London Pub Walking Tour

Say cheers to London and explore some of the city’s most historic pubs, taverns and alehouses with a Historical Pub Walking Tour .

Follow in the footsteps of Dickens and others while drinking some of the city’s finest brews as you walk from historic Southwark to the bright lights of the West End.

Enjoyed this post on the most unique things to do in London? Pin it for later:

Emily is a born and raised London girl, starting life in the north of the capital then moving down to Fulham in the southwest. She has a master’s degree in Social and Cultural Anthropology from University College London and now works full-time running this blog and as a freelance travel writer, splitting her life between London and travelling the world as a digital nomad.

Find me on: Instagram

You may also enjoy:

15 fun things to do in london in the winter, best fireworks displays in london for bonfire night 2023, 7 best pumpkin patches near london this halloween [2023], london pass review – is the london pass worth it.

57+ Quirky and Unusual Things to Do in London (2024)

This post contains affiliate links for which I may make a small commission to help keep the site running. You will not be charged extra for these items had you not clicked the links. Thank you for your help to keep the site running!

With so much to do in London , it can be overwhelming to figure out what to do, so most short term visitors and study abroad students end up simply doing the main sites like the London Eye , Westminster Abbey, Tower of London , and Trafalgar Square.

Maybe they’d venture out a bit further to Hyde Park or Harrod’s, but they miss all of the quirky things to do in London that are both fun, unusual, and not visited by every tourist on the planet, making you part of a special club of people who have gone a bit further off the beaten path.

⭐️ Editor’s choice! ⭐️

Let’s cut to the chase.

The best unique thing to do in London is this speedboat tour on the Thames .

>>Click here to book!

As someone who has lived in the city for almost 7 years now, I’ve put together this guide to some of London’s quirkiest things to do and unusual things to do in London, though note that not all of them are “crazy, level 10 out of this world” quirky.

Some are simply things most tourists don’t think to do or areas they don’t think to go, while others are truly a bit out there.

Alternatively, if you’re looking to incorporate more mainstream sites as well, you can purchase a London Pass , which gives you access to 80+ attractions throughout the city.

The Absolute Must-Knows (from a Londoner)

• 😍 Cheapest Way to See it All: Get the London Pass here (yes, it’s worth it)
• 🎭 Cheapest site for West End theatre tickets: London Theatre Direct
• 🚕 Cheapest and most reliable airport transfer service: Welcome Pickups
• 🚉 Cheapest Way to Book Train and Bus Tickets: Omio
• 🔌 Most Reliable Adapter for UK Plugs: This one

Hey! Want more honest UK tips and planning advice? Click here to join my London and UK Travel Tips Facebook group , where I can answer more of your questions!

Unique Things to Do in London with Kids

While the following list is more geared towards adults and fun-for-the-whole-family, if you’re specifically traveling with kids, one of the best things to do with your kiddos in London is to prepurchase some of the incredible Treasure Map Trails.

There are 3 to choose from – this Covent Garden one , this Trafalgar Square one , and this Leicester Square one .

Most visitors will visit all 3 areas, so I’d recommend getting all 3.

These foldable treasure maps contain lots of hidden clues and secrets to get the kids searching around London and making the most of their time – perfect for when you want to keep them occupied and not just feel like they’re aimlessly wandering and saying “can we go yet?” over and over again.

It’s a unique way to interact with London and make memories aside from the standard visitor fare, and I highly recommend it!

1. Enjoy London Views at the Skygarden

London’s highest public garden sits atop 20 Fenchurch Street, a towering building with gorgeous views of the City of London and London’s skyline.

People often think of the Shard as the best place to book tickets to see views of London, but the Skygarden is much more relaxing and also completely free.

In addition to the gardens, you can enjoy the patio terrace and the three stories of windows to get enchanting views from.

While this is an unusual way to see London, it is a popular one, and you have to book tickets ahead of time to get a slot to go up to the viewing areas, so make sure you book in advance if this is on your list of quirky things to do in London.

It’s one of the best things to do in London at night as well.

GET A FREE LONDON INTRO GUIDE and ACCESS TO MY FB GROUP

Start your planning with this “Intro to London” guide and access to my London planning Facebook group!

I consent to receive this book and other e-mails from Girl Gone London

2. Satisfy Your Need for Speed with the Thames RIB Experience

When most people think of London’s famous river, the Thames, they might imagine walking alongside it or possibly taking a slow-moving, gentle boat tour down the river to see some of London’s major sites.

This is all well and good, but also it can be boring once you’ve spent 5 minutes listening to a guide drone on about why Big Ben is covered in scaffolding.

Instead, try a RIB Boat experience where you hop on one of the fastest boats on the River Thames and BLAST down the river at breakneck speeds.

Seriously, hold on to your hats!

It’s billed as a “rollercoaster on the water,” and your trip is accompanied by James Bond music, so it really doesn’t get better than that.

Tours range from around 20 minutes to upwards of 75 minutes depending what you’re seeing and where your RIB boat is taking you.

It’s one of the most unusual ways to see the Thames, but the memories will last far longer than a regular tourist boat!

3. Speaker’s Corner: unusual things to do in London

You may have ventured into Hyde Park before, but have you stopped by Speaker’s Corner on a Sunday afternoon?

This small corner of the park, on the Marble Arch corner, is a famous place where Londoners can come to speak their mind and give speeches about things they are passionate about.

It’s rooted in history, of course, not just a random place for people to come and talk – this is where some famous names like George Orwell and Karl Marx came to try and influence the masses with their ideas.

Today, you can still visit and see the atmosphere as people stand up and talk – sometimes it turns into heated debates, other times it’s quieter.

This is a public opportunity, as well, so if you have something you’re really passionate about, why not take a turn and stand up yourself?

🛎 Still looking for somewhere to stay in London?

My favorite hotel in London for all visitors is the Strand Palace ( click here to check prices ). ⭐⭐⭐⭐

4. Camden Market

I included Camden Market as an unusual thing to do in London because not as many visitors come here as they do to other markets like Borough Market .

I used to live just around the corner from Camden Market, and while it’s gotten increasingly hipster-fied over the years, it’s still a quirky place to go to shop for gifts, clothing, jewelry, and more.

Its history is rooted in grunge, so you’ll find lots of grunge items and “alternative” clothing options, but there are also really tasty food stalls and shops selling gifts that differ from the traditional Queen bobbleheads.

Camden Market is open every day of the week, except Christmas Day, which makes it way more accessible than some other markets in London with more specified opening days.

Come for a wander or to let all of your shopping dreams come true! It also has one of the best street food markets in London .

IMPORTANT: are you coming to the UK from abroad?

In case you’re reading this from outside the UK and will be a foreign visitor here, you need to know these 2 things to stay safe and save money.

• Travel insurance – you need it when going overseas! I use this site to get the best quotes and purchase my packages from. Do not skip this – having medical coverage abroad as well as other coverage in case of missed flights, lost luggage, etc is essential. As I said, I have never gone wrong using this site .
• International debit cards without fees – do not get stuck paying extortionate foreign fees when using your card abroad (and the UK is almost all card these days). I use the Wise debit and travel card which you can apply and learn more about here .

5. Sleep Over at ZSL London Zoo

Everyone is familiar with London Zoo , but did you know that you can actually sleepover inside of it?

Stay at the Gir Lion Lodge, where you will literally sleep within hearing distance of the zoo’s four lions.

You’ll get private tours of the Zoo after hours, as well as a buffet dinner and breakfast.

This is truly a unique way to see London and learn about conservation in the heart of this bustling city.

The lodges are well-kept and stocked so you don’t feel like you’re camping in the wilderness (which is a bonus for me), while still feeling the right amount of disconnected from the rest of London.

Oh, and you may wake up to the sounds of the zoo’s other animals screeching, singing and howling you awake, so be prepared for a unique way to wake up in London!

6. Wellcome Collection: unique things to do in London

Right near Euston Square is a quirky museum in London with plenty of things to be fascinated with (or grossed out by, depending on your tolerance).

We all talk about London’s famous museums like the Science Museum and V & A, but the Wellcome Collection deserves a special place in the list of unusual things to do in London for its quirky collections that have been educating Londoners since 2007.

The museum was originally the collection of Sir Henry Soloman Wellcome, a traveller who had a curious collection of artifacts from all over the world.

The museum has expanded to include even more nowadays, including exhibits on the human genome project and cloning technology.

Some of the weirdest items displayed are Napoleon’s toothbrush, a used guillotine and carvings of pregnant women.

7. Postal Museum : quirky things to do in London

Interested in the history of mail?

Who wouldn’t be?

The Postal Museum is London’s premier museum focusing on the history of Royal Mail and mail-delivering techniques, and it only opened in 2017 to the public so is still very new and well-loved by Londoners with an interest in this part of the city’s history.

From letters discovered from a shipwreck to an exhibition featuring old London mail delivery vehicles, this is truly a fascinating way to see the way the mail services changed over time with the introduction of technology and new ways of connecting.

You can also take a ride on London’s mail rail, an underground system full of secret tunnels that was used to deliver the mail for decades.

8. Clink Prison

Every heard of “throwing someone in the clink?” to mean “prison?”

Well, lucky you, you can go visit the actual Clink Prison that started this phrase!

This prison in London was open from around the 12th century to 1780 and it has lots of ghoulish things to uncover.

Today, the museum has tried to recreate some of the scenes that you would have seen in the prison back in the day, including torture devices you can try your hand at (ummm, seriously), and perhaps some piped in sounds of prisoners moaning and groaning.

It’s weird, it’s wonderful, and it’s historic, as well as one of the best things to do near London Bridge , so check it out!

9. Dinner on the Tube

While you’re commuting with 1,000 other sweaty passengers on the London Underground , the last thing you might think is, “Hey, I wonder if you can eat dinner on one of these!”

But, fear not, transportation-loving people, there is somewhere you can eat dinner on the tube train in a much more refined atmosphere, believe it or not.

The Supper Club operates a restaurant on an old Victorian Line tube train, and with a four course menu, it’s the fanciest you’ll ever get while sitting on the tube.

The actual location of the restaurant and tube train is in Walthamslow, so you’ll need get a real tube to get to the fake one!

10. Take a Walking Tour of Unused Tube Stations

Carrying on with the London transportation theme, one of the most unusual things to do in London includes taking a walking tour of an unused tube station .

There are more than you might think, all with different reasons for no longer being occupied by the London Underground.

Tours are offered by the London Transport Museum, and include things like nature walks at a tube station in Highgate, as well as film screenings in some abandoned tube stations and historic talks on how some of these stations were used in the war to protect local residents.

You can even uncover Churchill’s tube station bunker that he used during the war to help him take refuge at the height of the Blitz.

11. Visit Highgate Cemetery

Travel out to Highgate Cemetery where you can see some of London’s most unusual history and tombstones that stretch back generations.

There are over 100,000 people buried here, including some notable names like Karl Marx and the family of Charles Dickens.

The cemeteries are divided into the East Cemetery and West Cemetery, and are also a defacto nature reserve.

Highgate Cemetery is a place of peace and reflection, and with the help of the Friends of Highgate Cemetery organization, it is open to visitors for tours or simply for a calm walk through this lovely area of London.

12. Go Swimming in the Thames

While the murkiness of the Thames makes this definitely one of the most unusual things to do in London, open water swimming in the river is actually on the up and there are lots of clubs dedicated to open water swimming in the Thames.

Especially in the summer, you can find plenty of places to jump in, though keep in mind that this isn’t a pool – the fish and slimy vegetation underwater aren’t going anywhere except for right next to you and on your skin!

If you want to start small or aren’t as good of a swimmer as is required of swimming open water in the Thames, there are also lots of lidos in London that you can swim in in the summer months, or there are some indoor pools in places like the Olympic Park and gyms across London.

13. Ride the ArcelorMittal Orbit in Olympic Park

London’s Olympic Park was created for the 2012 Summer Olympics, held across London but primarily in the venues located inside the park.

It was home to indoor cycling, the aquatic center, and the Olympic Stadium itself that also held athletics as well as the opening and closing ceremony.

Nowadays, you can take tours of the Olympic Park or just take a walk through it, but you can also take a ride down a giant slide that also acts as a public art installation.

The ArcelorMittal Orbit is something quirky to do in London that will appease kids as well , as you can get up to 15 miles an hour in just the 40 second journey, including 12 turns.

From the top of the slide, you’ll also enjoy beautiful views of London and the Olympic Park before plunging your way down the world’s tallest and longest tunnel slide.

14. The Fan Museum : quirky museums in London

Situated in Greenwich, the Fan Museum is a museum all about…well, fans!

Seriously, the whole thing is dedicated to fans – and not the ceiling kind, the paper ones!

There are some beautiful treasures to uncover, in addition to Greenwich being a lovely area to visit anyway.

15. Draughts Board Game Café

Draughts Board Game Café is a great option for those looking for unusual things to do in London on a date or with a group of friends.

They’ve got a giant collection of board games, ranging from the classics like Life and Scrabble to more niche board games that you might be trying for the first time.

There’s nothing more fun than gathering around a board game and enjoying some drinks and food around the table.

16. Sleep over at the Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum is one of London’s premier museums and one of the best things to do in South Kensington , and while it’s fantastic, it’s certainly not an unusual thing to do in London.

But do you know what is?

Sleeping in it!

And not just sneaking in “Night at the Museum” style and setting up camp where the security guards can’t see you, but actually an organized sleepover.

The museum regularly holds an event called Dinosnores (both a kid’s version and an adult version) that allow you to bring your sleeping bag, camp out under your favorite exhibits, and enjoy an evening of dinner, talks, and the chance to explore the Natural History Museum in a way you’ve never seen it before.

While it can be pricey, this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many, and certainly an unusual thing to do in London that all of your friends back home would be envious of.

The kid’s version is one of the best things to do in London with toddlers as well!

There’s also edible insect tasting and stand-up comedy, so this event just got even weirder.

17. Discover Kyoto Garden

Did you know there is a tranquil Japanese Garden hidden in a London park?

The Kyoto Garden in Holland Park is a hidden gem in London that was opened in 1991 as a gift from the Japanese city of Kyoto to the United Kingdom.

In the park, you’ll find tiered waterfalls, Japanese architecture and a pond full of koi carp!

Keep an eye out for the roaming birds as well to see one of the more unusual things to do in London – see a peacock!

18. Dinosaur Park at Crystal Palace Park : different things to do in London

If you’ve got a dino lover in your family, you’ll love walking around the Crystal Palace Dinosaurs at Crystal Palace Park, where these sculptures, commissioned in 1852, provide an interesting glimpse at some (incorrect) models of extinct creatures.

They’re incorrect because they were the first dinosaur sculptures in the world, and what they knew then about dinosaurs is wildly different from what we know now, but that doesn’t stop them from being something cool to see in London.

In general, Crystal Palace Park is just a fun place to hang out, so pack a picnic and enjoy the other views of the London vegetation.

19. Top of Selfridges Rooftop Restaurant

Everybody knows you can head to Oxford Street as one of the most popular things to do in London, but not everybody knows one of the quirky things to do in London that involves one of the street’s flagship stores, Selfridge’s.

During the summer, Selfridge’s opens a rooftop restaurant where you can dine and relax on the top of Oxford Street and enjoy the sunshine.

It’s also an exhibition space so you can enjoy local artwork at the same time, which makes this an unusual thing to do in London as well as a cultured one!

20. Eat in the Dark at Dans Le Noir

For a restaurant experience like no other, visit Dans Le Noir where you will dine in the pitch black!

The idea behind the restaurant is to help raise awareness about blindness and visual impairments, and most of the waiters and waitresses are visually impaired.

When diners arrive, they make their orders in a lit room, and then are led into total darkness where you will enjoy your food and drinks without the help of any light.

To get ahold of your server, you simply say their first name that they have given you when you arrive.

If you need to get up for any reason or go to the bathroom, you will get an escort to help you so you aren’t stumbling around in the dark.

This is truly a wonderfully quirky London experience that everyone should try out.

21. Crystal Maze Experience : unusual London experiences

Whether you’re British and have grown up watching Crystal Maze or from another country where Crystal Maze hasn’t made waves, you’ll love this action-packed gameshow type experience in London that lets you team up with friends, colleagues or strangers to solve puzzles and make your way through this wacky maze.

There are physical challenges, intellectual challenges, physical puzzles and just some plain weird tasks that you have to complete to make your way through the maze and to the final round, where you stand in a globe with money swirling around and see how much you can grab!

You don’t get to keep the money, of course, but it’s an authentic Crystal Maze experience and is sure to lead to a few laughs and some tense moments as your mom screams at you to just climb the wall already before you make the team lose.

Or something like that.

22. Secret Cinema London

From Star Wars to Casablanca to Romeo and Juliet, Secret Cinema London aims to take classic movies and deliver them in a way you’ve genuinely never experienced before.

Not only is the location of the movie kept secret, but the entire “world” surrounding your experience is created to make you feel like you’re part of the action.

You’ll be given instructions on how to dress, where to meet, and what to bring, and then you just prepare yourself to be whisked away into an alternate reality made by some really talented set designers, prop designers and actors and musicians.

It’s a truly immersive experience, and one of the quirkiest ways to see a movie in London.

23. Ice Cream Making

In the heat of the summer when you’re wondering why London doesn’t have air conditioning and sweating it out on the sidewalks, consider taking an ice cream making class for something unusual to do in London for foodies or ice cream lovers (or maybe you’re both!)

24. Attend a Stamford Bridge Tour

Sure, you might have been to a football match (soccer for our US readers!), but what about actually taking a tour behind the scenes of the home of the Chelsea Football Club?

This is the best Stamford Bridge Tour , which includes the home dressing room, being able to actually walk out to the pitch, as well as media areas where interviews of some of the world’s best football players take place.

25. Go Geocaching

Ever heard of geocaching ?

By using coordinates and clues that others have left, you can follow the path to hidden secrets around London, sometimes finding little trinkets or notes.

The name of the game is really in the hunt, and people love hiding “geocaches” all around London, so download the app and see if you can go on your own hunt around London.

Alternately, write a little note or leave a trinket yourself and then upload your own clues into the app!

26. Take a Historical Pub Tour

Pubs are a mainstay in British life, and one of the best ways for visitors to see some of the best ones is to take a historical pub tour .

People always think about London walking tours or river cruises, but a historical pub tour will make sure that you see some of the pubs that have shaped London history or played host to famous writers, actors, and politicians throughout the years.

This is such a fun and unique thing to do in London, combining culture with history and great drinks.

27. Dennis Severs House: weird things to do in London

This quirky London attraction is a fascinating look at the home of Dennis Sever , who created a mix between a still-life art gallery and a home with his collection of historical items meant to recreate the way of living in former centuries.

Each room has its own theme, and he lived here until 1999.

It’s a seriously unusual thing to do, as the house follows the fictional family of the Jervis’, who are meant to be Huguenot silk weavers.

28. Wilton’s Musical Hall : uncommon things to do in London

This performing arts theatre is a fantastic venue and Grade II listed building in London that holds all sorts of unique events, including Dead Poets Lives and local plays.

They also offer history tours, which will take you through the venue as you learn about how a sailor’s pub from Victorian times turned into a Methodist Mission and beyond.

There’s also a bar serving food and drinks on evenings when shows are taking place, so turn it into a fun evening out in London in this quirky venue.

29. Grant Museum

Built in 1828, the Grant Museum of Zoology has been at the center of natural history ever since.

It is full of specimens and exhibits that cover every nook and cranny of animal life.

There are nearly 70,000 different specimens here, even including extinct animals that you genuinely can’t see anywhere else.

Free to visit, it’s a great place in central London to not only find out more about the animals themselves but how we have learned and developed alongside them as the museum has always been a place for teaching as well as its standard exhibits.

30. Forbidden Planet Comic Book Store

Forbidden Planet is one of the best comic book stores in London and in all of the UK, offering a variety of comic books, toys, collectibles, graphic novels, and movie and TV merchandise.

It’s a treasure trove for comic book collectors and is a fantastic place to go to browse the aisles and see what new collections are in stock.

31. Daunt Books

If you’re hoping to escape into a cozy bookshop, Daunt Books is an incredible independent bookshop in London.

The interior is absolutely beautiful and a booklover’s dream, and you can spend so much time here browsing, people-watching, and taking so many Instagram pictures that your friends will be jealous for days.

32. Queens Ice Rink and Bowl

Whether you want to bowl the night away or take part in central London’s only ice skating rink (the other ones are further out), visit Queens Skate & Bowl right near Hyde Park.

There’s an on-site restaurant, the vibe is fun and funky, and the whole point is to be in a sort of underground party area so there aren’t even windows to show you what the dreary weather is like outside.

33. Horniman Museum: quirky places in London

Perched on a high point of South London, looking out over the city, the Horniman Museum combines some of the world’s best natural history museums with panoramic views looking out over the city.

You will find all sorts of exhibitions and collections in this light, airy space, from strange musical instruments to deep anthropological studies of cultures from all over the world.

The variety of exhibits, the beautiful gardens, and the fact that it’s free makes the Horniman a really family-friendly museum.

And if you’re particularly keen to see a huge display of taxidermied animals, this is the museum for you.

34. Climb the O2

If you want to get a bit more extreme, why not climb the O2 arena?

That’s right, climb it!

It’s one of the more unique things to do in London, and August presents the perfect opportunity for clearer skies and better weather conditions.

Just make sure to pack water to stay hydrated!

35. Flight Club

With multiple locations across London, Flight Club is a social darts bar where you can hang out with friends, perfect your aim, and spend late evenings laughing and competing in casual dart competitions.

It’s got the warmth of a British pub, combined with a sort of fair-like atmosphere and a real vibe at the bar.

From regular catch ups with friends to a fun birthday night out in London, this is a unique London bar and perfect if you want something a bit off the beaten track.

36. Swingers Crazy Golf : unusual things to see in London

“Crazy golf,” known as mini golf or putt putt golf in the US, can be a great thing to do indoors in London when the weather takes a turn.

Swingers Crazy Golf is a great place for London visitors to go for some golf, drinks, and a ton of fun navigating the fun and colorful courses.

It’s more of an evening entertainment kind of vibe, rather than a family-friendly crazy golf place (those are further outside the city), so come and get some drinks with your adult friends here.

37. Sotheby Art Auction

Sotheby’s is one of the premier art auction houses in London, and while it seems like a strange free thing to do in London, you can come and observe an art auction as a visitor.

It is an electric atmosphere once the bidding takes place, and you can actually view many of the works that are being auctioned off, many worth more money than you can even fathom.

Art enthusiasts will love this experience and being so close to all of the auction action.

Want to soar in the sky?

Go Ape is a fantastic, active thing to do in London, with multiple locations, with one of the most popular being the one at Alexandra Palace.

With plenty of in-air obstacles, climbing ropes, and bridges to help you traverse from tree to tree, Go Ape will challenge your skills as well as provide tons of fun.

It’s totally family-friendly, and you’ll be hooked in to the harness safely so that you can enjoy your time without worrying about falling.

Conquer your fears and head to Go Ape!

39. Ally Pally Ice Skating

Whether it’s the festive season or it’s too hot outside (it does happen in London, occasionally), you can always go skating at Alexandra Palace (Ally Pally for short).

They have skates you can rent and offer plenty of public sessions throughout the day to give you a chance to perfect your glide and do circles around your friends.

The other benefit?

The view of London from Alexandra Palace is quite beautiful, and this area of London is a more unique and residential London area that many visitors don’t make it to.

40. Hyde Park Peddleboats

Hyde Park is a wonderful park in London, but certainty not a unique thing to do.

Hiring a peddleboat in Hyde Park to take it out on the Serpentine Lake!

Grab a friend and peddle your way around on a warm London day to take in the park from a different vantage point.

41. London Escape Room

There are, as always, some days in London where you’ll find the weather might not be quite up to scratch.

In that case, head indoors to an escape room.

Famous worldwide nowadays, escape rooms are essentially live brainteaser experiences where you and your group are “locked in” a room and made to figure out clues to find your way out.

London has a variety of escape room companies throughout the city, and it’s a great team bonding experience and way to make sure you have an indoor activity planned if the rain has set in.

42. Jump Giants Trampoline Park

Want something fun to do with the kids when in London?

One of the most unusual things to do in London with the little ones is to take them to a trampoline park like Jump Giants .

You’ll find foam pits, plenty of climbing obstacles, and of course, wall to wall trampolines so they can bounce their way to a good night’s sleep.

43. HMS Belfast

Maybe the most unique museum in London, the HMS Belfast is a real warship that has now retired into the more peaceful life of hosting exhibits that tell visitors all about Britain’s naval history.

Operated by the Imperial War Museum, this imposing ship is moored on the Thames, providing a space where the whole family can explore the nooks and crannies of a real Town-class light cruiser, climbing stairs and ladders to see the interactive displays inside and the great river view of the city on the outside.

You can’t overstate the importance of maritime power in making Britain and London what they are today, and there’s nowhere better to get an inside view of that history than here.

44. Saatchi Gallery

If you’re searching for a contemporary art gallery that features the best of the best in up and coming artists, the Saatchi Gallery is for you.

Established by Charles Saatchi, a famous name in the world of advertising, the galleries here are filled with artists you’ve probably never heard of before – and that’s a good thing.

Instead of just displaying art by well-known artists, the gallery hopes to act as a springboard for the best artists of the current age who are yet undiscovered, which makes it a quirky thing to do in London .

This is a gallery where pushing the envelope is encouraged and controversy in art is welcomed.

45. Venice Canals

Venice is a beautiful part of London, filled with canals (get the reference?) that you can wander along on a warm summer’s day.

See the houseboats moored up in the canal, or choose a restaurant along the canals to eat lunch in.

You can also take a waterbus up and down theses canals for a tour of London’s Venice neighborhood.

46. Leadenhall Market

You may recognize this famous London market from the Harry Potter films, where it was used as part of Diagon Alley!

This covered market is one of the oldest in all of London, and the architecture inside is stunning.

You’ll find plenty of fresh food here, from cheese to meat to ready-to-eat meals.

It used to be a meat and poultry market, in fact!

The great thing about Leadenhall Market is that you can visit in poor weather and not have an impaired experienced like an outdoor market.

47. Doughut Time

Want the quirkiest doughnut shop in London?

Doughnut Time allows you to create your own doughnuts, or you can enjoy their pre-made creations with awesome themes like Mean Girls doughnuts, David Hasselhoff doughnuts, or the Heart Throb doughnuts.

Of course they also have regular doughnuts like sprinkles doughnuts and chocolate lover doughnuts, so whether you’re craving something new or an old classic, head to one of the doughnut shops (there are locations across London).

48. The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town : strange things to do in London

This hidden bar underneath the Spitalfields Breakfast Club location is truly one of the most unusual things to do in London.

To get there, you have to walk through a fridge (seriously) and then you’ll find yourself in a cozy and intimate venue that serves up delicious food and drinks throughout the night.

They also do a brunch option, if you want to visit during the day.

You can actually make bookings to make sure that you get in, so if you’re visiting for a special occasion like a birthday or date night where you don’t want to risk being turned away, definitely book in advance.

When you get to the Breakfast Club, just say that you’re “here to see the mayor” and they’ll take you to the entrance to the speakeasy.

One of the most fascinating things is how different the environment is at the Mayors compared to the Breakfast Club upstairs.

It adds to the feeling like you’re heading into a secret and exclusive world!

49. Evan & Peel Detective Agency

This speakeasy in London is part cocktail bar, part theatre, and it’s a totally immersive experience no matter how you look at it.

Throughout the night, you’ll attempt to crack the case that you’ve been given, but even if you don’t quite figure it out, you can still enjoy the out-of-this-world cocktails and live entertainment.

You’ll laugh, you’ll feel like you’re undercover, and you’ll forget that you’re even in Central London when you step into this prohibition-era themed speakeasy.

50. White Water Rafting : unusual things to do in London with the family

White water rafting?

But not on the Thames.

Instead, go white water rafting at the Lee Valley White Water Center.

This manmade white water rafting (and kayaking) venue is a quirky thing to do in London if you want to get active and experience extreme sports in a new way.

Fun fact: it was built to host the canoe slalom events for the 2012 London Olympics and you can raft the Olympic course!

51. 3 Hour Secret British Food Tour

What do you think of when you think of British food?

If it’s all fish and chips and meat pies, well, you’re sort of right, but you’re missing out an entire part of British food that you’ll get to discover on this secret British food tour .

You’ll visit some iconic London food venues and try everything from Cumberland sausages to British cheeses to sticky toffee puddings.

Run by London foodies with a passion for British food and its history, you’ll come away from this experience feeling like you’ve seen a unique side to London and ventured off the beaten path of the standard fish and chips.

52. London Rock ‘n’ Roll History Tour

Whether you’re a fan of the Beatles, Hendrix, or the many other names that have come out of the London Rock ‘n’ Roll scene, this tour will talk you past the iconic places that have been visited, played at, or lived in by some of the world’s most famous musicians.

This is a fantastic London tour for music lovers, and a great surprise if you’ve got a fan in tow!

53. Piccadilly and Soho Beer Bike

Hop on board a 15 person bike as you pedal your way through the streets of Piccadilly and Soho.

You’ll get to enjoy drinks on board (don’t worry, you’re not driving) and as you go, you’ll be treated to plenty of tunes and an atmosphere fit for a birthday party, bachelorette party, or family reunion in London.

You’ll also stop off at some historic London pubs to take a break and check out pub culture before getting back on board and cycling your way around town.

54. Cheese Walking Tour with Tastings

Cheese is one of the most iconic parts of many British meals, as many families choose it for dessert or as a staple at events like Christmas or Boxing Day.

But what exactly are the types of cheese most famous in Britain and what do they taste like?

On this cheese tour, you’ll be learning all about British cheese as well as tasting plenty of cheese options that will keep your mouth-watering and eventually your stomach full (of cheese) as you walk around London with an experienced guide.

55. James Bond Bus Tour

James Bond, an iconic British character, is beloved throughout London and the rest of the UK, and you can see many of the most notable filming locations by taking a James Bond bus tour.

If you’ve got James Bond fans in the family, this is one not to be missed.

56. East London Street Art and Spray Painting Session

Street art is prevalent in London’s East End, not as graffiti to deface property, but as beautiful expressions of art covering up some quite frankly gritty looking building, underpasses, and more.

And, of course, the famous Banksy is known for his work in London!

This walking tour is for art lovers who want to see a different side of the London art world far removed from the pristine halls of the National Gallery.

57. Luxury VIP Chocolate Tour

What could be better than chocolate and London put together?

This VIP chocolate tour will take you to some of London’s most premier chocolatiers and bakeries, where you’ll get to delve into some seriously tasty chocolate treats while learning more about the history of chocolate making in London and how it has evolved alongside the city itself.

Plus, it’s chocolate.

Do you need another reason?

What else should I not miss in London?

If you’re visiting London soon, here’s a very brief rundown of a few of my other favorites to make sure you don’t miss anything!

• Hidden London Walking Tour – this tour is the absolute best if you want to see London in a different light and uncover hidden nooks, crannies, and histories that you won’t get on your normal, run-of-the-mill London walking tour. Click here to check prices and book.
• Historical Westminster Walking Tour with Churchill War Rooms – if you’re a history buff or even mildly interested in all of the insane things that have happened in London, particular during the wars, you have to book this tour which is an absolute bargain for the tour + entry to the Churchill War Rooms (basically two must-dos in one). Click here to check prices and book .
• Cutest London Afternoon Tea on a Bus – want to see the sights and enjoy afternoon tea at the same time on the upper deck? Yes, absolutely you do. This afternoon tea is a real delight and helps you get out and about while also putting your pinkies up. Click here to check prices and book.

Want more helpful London guides? Check these out!

• 45 Things to Do in London at Night
• 53 Things to Do in London for Couples
• 11 Tourist Traps to Avoid in London
• 23 Best London Tours
• 41 Best Things to Do in London with Kids
• 21 Best Castles Near London
• 15 Best London Hotels
• 17 Best Street Food Markets in London
• 15 Best Areas to Stay in London
• 23 Best Afternoon Teas in London
• 25 Best London Museums
• 33 Free Things to Do in London
• 21 Best London Markets
• 21 Best London Apps
• 23 Best Pubs in London
• 35 Best Restaurants in London
• 21 Harry Potter Things to Do in London
• 35 Things to Do in London in the Rain
• 25 Best Art Museums in London
• 17 Famous London Filming Locations
• 25 Best Places to Shop in London
• 35 Best Day Trips from London
• 31 Best Parks in London
• 41 Most Instagrammable Places in London
• 27 Best Views in London
• 27 Best Birthday Ideas in London
• 29 Best London Cinemas
• 29 Best Things to Buy in London
• 41 Things to Do in London Alone

UK Travel Planning Guide: the FAQs

🏥 Should I buy UK travel insurance?

Absolutely yes. Basic coverage is not expensive, and as a visitor you are NOT covered under the NHS. Compare policies and prices with Travel Insurance Master here , a big name in the travel insurance business, and cross that off your list.

🔌 Do I need travel adapters for the UK?

Yes, you do, otherwise you won’t be able to plug in your electronics/phone/lifelines. I recommend this one , which is all-in-one so you can use it in other countries.

🚗 What do I need to drive in the UK?

The first thing you need to check out if you’re planning on renting a car in the UK is this guide to driving in the UK for visitors – the roads, signs, and driving experience will likely not be what you’re used to and it’s essential to prepare yourself to stay safe and aware.

🛌 What’s the best way to book hotels in the UK?

For UK hotels, Booking is the best site as it offers free cancellation on many properties. If you want an apartment, I always recommend VRBO over AirBnb.

📳 Will my phone work in the UK?

Yes – if you set it up right. Check out my guide on making your foreign phone work in the UK to ensure that you get the type of service you need.

🚿 Can I drink the water in the UK?

Yes, UK water is great and perfectly safe. But drink out of taps in any kitchen or use water fountains. Double check before drinking out of the taps in hotel bathrooms, though, as they may be on a different system. London water is safe to drink .

Heading to London? Want the best tips?

Check out my Ultimate Guide to London for Visitors. Using text, images and video, this guide is packed full of tips, tricks, safety advice, knowledge on how to get around and what to do, and more!

Moving to the UK or already an Expat?

Grab my book which covers moving to the UK, struggles I faced and that you might face too, and uplifting advice to help you along the way! Available in hard copy and on Kindle.

2 thoughts on “57+ Quirky and Unusual Things to Do in London (2024)”

This was a GREAT, fascinating list of intriguing things that I want to put on my itinerary for my oft-postponed trip to London. Postponed again this year, but hopefully on for summer 2023! Thanks for the awesome content!

How cool, love this! I am moving over from the US and must try some of these

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

13 Unusual Experiences in London That You Won’t Forget

By: Author Amanda OBrien

Posted on Last updated: 17/02/2024

I have lived in London for just over 17 years now and have tried most tourism experiences from the very well known to the rather esoteric.

If you are looking for some unusual experiences in London – as a tourist or as a local – here is my list of 13 unique things to do in London that you are unlikely to forget.

• 13 Unusual Experiences in London

Table of Contents

1. Go on a London Loo Tour

2. make your own london gin, 3. go back in time to the 18th century, 4. attend a mad hatter’s tea party, 5. travel under london with mail rail, 6. create street art, 7. take a rubbish tour, 8. see 68,000 zoological specimens at the grant museum, 9. enjoy a gourmet meal on a double decker bus, boutique hotels in londons, getting to london and getting around:, best ways to get from the airport to london, getting around london, who paid for what in this post.

You can learn a lot about London by finding out about the history of its toilets or loos. It is quite unbelievable how many of London’s Loos come with a story.

This London Loo tour also covers old Loo’s with new uses. Several of the older underground public bathrooms have now been changed into coffee shops and bars. Indeed, the tour even ends in an old Loo which is now a bar.

⇒ One of my favourite websites for finding unusual things to do in London (including the London Loo Tour) is Funzing . Funzing offers a range of tours, classes, evening events and lots more all at very reasonable prices.

Did you know that it was illegal to distill Gin in small amounts in London before 2008? In 1720 the distilling of Gin was made legal in London.

This was to offset the popularity of French brandy – and the taxes being paid to France on this which was funding the French army. Well alas London went Gin mad.

Those who didn’t become alcoholics often ended up with serious health problems as there were no regulations around making gin or what went into the gin. A new law was brought in prohibiting the distilling of gin in anything under an 1800 litre still. 

Anyway, luckily the team from my favourite London gin brand, Sipsmiths , took up the cause and had this law repealed in 2008.

Top Tip: Sipsmiths run a fantastic tour and tasting evenings at their distillery in West London.

Without Sipsmiths The Distillery would not exist. The Distillery is a three-storey Gin temple on Portobello Road in Notting Hill .

The ground floor of The Distillery contains the wonderfully titled The Resting Room bar. This cozy bar has a wall of very comfortable red leather booths in which we very happily sat.

What a menu in the Resting Room. It is pages of delicious and exciting sounding beverages. How about some butter gin?

There are many unique twists on well-known spirits at The Distillery – one thing I really liked about the menu was that they then suggest a cocktail which best suits that spirit flavour – can be a bit much to have something like this neat.

I started with the Lemon Fizz – lovely but possibly more for a summer day than a cold February night.

Next up was the Gin and Tonic. Wow wow wow!!! It is served with loads of ice and orange peel and peppercorns in a lovely big glass and tasted just amazing. I then had to have another one of these it was so good.

Upstairs is The Distillery’s restaurant Gin Tonica. I learned that Spaniards are very big gin consumers – who knew? Gin Tonica is a fabulous room – buzzy and comfortable with an open kitchen and a small bar.

A couple of doors down from The Distillery is the Ginstitute . A three-hour session at the Ginstitute will educate you in all things gin. Once you have been filled in you will be invited into a blending room where you can sniff your way through a range of botanicals and choose your ideal mix.

These will then be used to make your own bespoke gin. In addition to leaving the Ginstitute with your personalised bottle of gin, gin cocktails are served throughout the session.

For a cost of £120 guests receive four gin-based cocktails, a bottle of personalised gin and a bottle of Portobello Road Gin – fantastic value for money.  

⇒If you know someone who loves a Gin and Tonic as much as I do check out this post on the Best Gin Set for Gin Lovers

One of my favourite tourist attractions in London is the fantastic Dennis Sever’s House . Dennis Sever’s house is a living and breathing museum.

It is made up of ten different rooms which are decorated in intricate detail. What makes this London museum so unique is that it has been designed for all of your senses.

As you enter each room it feels like the people who lived in that room have just left. Dennis Sever’s house uses smells to bring to life what it would have been like in the 18th century.

Sound is also used very well with noises from tramcars and background noises within the house all add together to a feeling of complete immersion.

A typical visit to Dennis Sever’s house lasts about 45 minutes. Opening hours are a little random so do check their website.

The house also hosts lots of special evenings that are often themed throughout the year. Usually, this involves the addition of champagne and/or mince pies.

London is famous for its fantastic afternoon teas. There are so many to choose from these days that it can be a bit overwhelming.

If you want to experience afternoon tea but are looking for something different then the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party is for you.

The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party is held at the super stylish Sanderson hotel in Soho. Afternoon tea is served in their lovely covered outdoor area (with heaters etc in the winter).

As per the other activities in this blog post, this is an immersive afternoon tea. Your afternoon tea menu comes inside a vintage book. All of the crockery has been themed to Alice in Wonderland.

A mix of tea recipes based on Alice in Wonderland are on offer like the White Rabbit. Afternoon tea consists of a delicious range of interesting savoury items and the real wow – the sweet items.

From fudge caterpillars to pocket watch themed macarons this is a true feast for the eyes as well as your taste buds.

⇒ I enjoyed the Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea so much that I wrote an entire blog post about it! Check it out here.

It turns out that London traffic was just as bad over 100 years ago as it is today. Royal Mail was struggling to get mail across the city with both congested streets and fog. A recommendation was made to build an electric railway with driverless trains.

The railway opened in 1927. Although it was designed for mail rather than people the stations actually resembled tube stations as did the sounds.

Mail continued to be delivered through the railway until 2003 when the system was suspended. The former engineering depot of Mail Rail was re-opened as Ride Mail Rail in 2017.

The highlight of any visit is crawling into one of these miniature trains and experiencing the same journey that the mail would have underneath London. Not one for the claustrophobic.

There is a museum with interactive exhibits to help re-create the time when this was a bustling railway system and all of the stories of those who created and ran mail rail. There is also the opportunity to dress up in some of the old rail mail workers’ gear. [separator type=”thick”]

⇒ Heading to London? Check out my posts on 13 Unusual Experiences in London , the best London Food Tours , my virtual London Travel Blog , some great Earlsfield restaurants , 14 Things to do in Notting Hill , restaurants near Clapham Junction and Victoria Station restaurants , 16 Famous Landmarks in Europe , a mad hatter afternoon tea party and a day trip to Brighton , 67 Fascinating Facts about London , 18 Landmarks of London from a local, 15 Places to see Sunsets in London , 9 Places to watch the Sunrise in London , 10 Bridges in London Not to Miss and Cotswolds tour from London options.

London has a thriving street art scene – particularly in the East of the city. Whilst many have heard of Banksy, alas few of his pieces are still up and available to be viewed. Instead, new artists and techniques come and go with great frequency.

This is why the best way to check out London street art is through a guided tour. Personally, I don’t know a lot about art but I do like to see it and photograph it. I really enjoyed hearing from the guide why certain techniques had been brought in and the stories behind the art.

Best of all there are now options available to create your own street art. Alternative London combines a street art tour of the area around Brick Lane with time in their studio. Here you can make your own stencils and then use their spray paints to make your own street art in their garden area.

Or forget the tour and just head straight to the quirky Nomadic Community Gardens to experience a graffiti and street art workshop with an actual local street artist.

You’ll get an introduction to the main tools of the street artist (spray paint, stencils) plus have a lesson in basic art theory before you get going on your own creation.

Dotmaker Tours is a fantastic local tour company that run some genuinely inventive and unusual tours in London. My favourite is their Rubbish Trip. This fantastic and unique tour basically tells the history of how rubbish gets taken care of in London and uses it as a theme to show visitors lesser-known parts of London.

The 2-mile tour covers the seldom visited Isle of Dogs in East London as well the more well known and very lovely Greenwich. The walk was devised by the founder of Dotmaker Tours, Rosie Oliver, a former environmental lawyer.

I have lived in London for a long time and I found out many new and interesting things about my favourite city.

OK so maybe you won’t see all 68,000 specimens at the Grant Museum but it is always good to have a goal. The Grant Museum is one of those wonderfully quirky places that only exist in London and isn’t featured in many guidebooks. The Grant Museum was established in 1827 as part of London’s biggest (and fantastic!) University UCL.

The Grant Museum includes everything from the world’s rarest skeleton to dodo bones to what I am sure was the largest penis bone of any mammal. It feels like walking into something from a Harry Potter movie with shelves and books and tables and unusual items in glass all over the place yet organized.

And entry is free! The Grant Museum is open from 1300 – 1700 Monday through Saturday.

London is famous for its red double-decker buses. However, they are seldom associated with food – let alone fine dining. Well, the team at Bustronome has changed all of that with its fantastic black double-decker buses that offer gourmet lunch, afternoon tea, and dinners.

All seating is on the top floor so as to maximize the views. I enjoyed an outstanding dinner on Bustronome whilst the bus drove throughout the middle of London and passed many key London sights.

The aesthetic is upmarket with wooden floors and clean lines – and a fantastic plastic glass holder for your wine.

Dinner was a six-course tasting menu which was delicious.  From a crab and artichoke gateau to seared tuna to strawberry and ginger pavlova, it was an outstanding meal with an ever-changing interesting view.

Champagne is served on arrival and then the staff is quite generous with their pouring on the red and white wine throughout the meal.

10. Leighton House

11. Sir John Soanes

12. Pitzhanger

13. Cabinet War Rooms

14. Cheese Barge

15. Bookshop barge

16. Have dinner in a church

17. Leake Street Arches

18. Take a Transport for London Hidden London Tour

19. Visit an old Power Station

20. Go on a donut tour

21. royal albert hall behind the scenes

22. climb the 02

Artist Residence is located in Pimlico which is fabulously central. It is in a gorgeous 5 store regency building and has a cute bar.

⇒ Read reviews on TripAdvisor ⇒ Book Now

The Portobello Hotel is located in one of London’s best known and cutest neighbourhoods Notting Hill. This is also the hotel where Kate Moss and Johnny Depp filled up the bath with champagne. The hotel is located on a quiet street but is a great location.

The Great Northern Hotel is ridiculously close to Kings Cross and St Pancras stations which is incredibly convenient. The hotel dates back to 1854 but has had a major refurb so it feels fresh and modern.

The Hoxton hotel is in the heart of East London in Shoreditch and a perfect base for exploration. The rooms aren’t huge but the location makes up for it – as does the great value for London with rooms starting at £99 a night.

⇒ Flights to London

London has several airports. It can be confusing and expensive to get from each of the airports into central London. And the last thing you need after a flight! It is much easier to organize tickets before you fly.

Heathrow is the most common airport for international flights. The fastest way to get from Heathrow into Central London is the Heathrow Express . This train only takes 15 minutes to get from Heathrow to Paddington Station and runs 4 times an hour. The Heathrow Express is much faster than a cab or any other option.

The lowest cost way to get from Heathrow to central London is the tube . The tube is actually one of the fastest options as well – and will get you the closest to your final destination.

There is also a bus or coach option which drops passengers at Victoria Station. This is a cheap option but you will have to deal with London traffic. If you are taking this option during peak hour it could take up to 2 hours each way.

Gatwick Airport is south of London and can be quite the distance in a car. The Gatwick Express is the fastest option into London and runs directly from Gatwick to Victoria Station.

Thanks to ABQ London who invited me to experience their Breaking Bad night and The Bletchley Bar. All other admission and transport fees I paid for myself. I live in London so there weren’t really any costs involved for me but as always my opinions are my own.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click through on them and make a purchase I will receive a small commission. I just wanted to make sure you were aware of this.

READ NEXT: BEST COTSWOLDS TOURS FROM LONDON

Like this Post? Why Not Pin It?

Amanda O’Brien is the creator and editor of The Boutique Adventurer. She has visited 80 countries and is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers as well as the IFTWTA. She is passionate about wine had has just completed Level 3 of the WSET. Born in Australia, she lives in London.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Like this post? Why Not Share It?

Thanks for Sharing!

Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

The best of London for free.

Sign up for our email to enjoy London without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush).

Déjà vu! We already have this email. Try another?

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

Love the mag?

Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions.

• Things to Do
• Food & Drink
• Coca-Cola Foodmarks
• Attractions
• Los Angeles

Get us in your inbox

🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!

Unique things to do in London

Take a walk on the weird side in London at these out-there exhibitions, attractions and events

London is so stuffed full of world-class theatres , museums , attractions , music venues and parks that you’d have to live here for aeons before you’d be able to tick them all off your bucket list. A noble pursuit, for sure, what if you want to take a walk on this city's wilder side?

Venture down dank tunnels, marvel at medical oddities, or take to the canals in a cow-print canoe with our guide to London's unique things to do. There's a pretty much limitless array of ways to stretch your legs, brain and wallet in the city's more esoteric corners. Finally, something actually good to tell your work mates about on Monday morning.

RECOMMENDED:  101 things to do in London RECOMMENDED: Time Out Offers

An email you’ll actually love

The best unusual things to do in London

1.  Do glow-in-the-dark drawing

It looks more like a psytrance rave, but a  Neon Naked  life drawing session is actually an experiment in light, texture and movement. Expect models adorned in glorious neon accessories and body paint, throwing different poses for you to capture. Keen drawers – and there’s no experience necessary btw – are encouraged to experiment with different techniques, like line-drawing and pointillism using neon paint. Trippy. 

2.  Give yourself a scare

• 4 out of 5 stars
• Recommended

Ready for tales of murder, torture and other foul deeds? They're all brought to life on a tour of London’s horrible past in scary but seriously funny style. There's a  stonking variety of scenery, smells, rides and atmospheric lighting to make you feel like you’ve left the twenty-first century behind.

3.  Sleep over at the zoo

• Zoos and aquariums
• Regent’s Park

The appeal of a sleepover in (well, next to) the lion enclosure is obvious: it’ll be like living in the real-life ‘Jungle Book’.  Hire a lodge, enjoy private guided tours around and get exclusive access to animal enclosures after hours. A two-course dinner and buffet breakfast are included, so you won’t have to worry about your rumbling stomach waking up the neighbours. 

4.  Explore a little-known arty island

The stretch of the Thames between Putney and Hampton Court contains several strange surprises, one of which is a number of small islands dotted along the watercourse. One of the best-known (and biggest) of these is Eel Pie Island . First finding fame as the site of blues gigs in the ’60s, and then for its recording studio, it’s now got its own nature reserve and a collection of artists’ studios. Keep your eyes peeled for Eel Pie’s open days when you’ll get the chance to visit this privately owned Thames delight.

5.  Get your 1980s groove on at Little Nan’s

• Bars and pubs
• Cocktail bars
• price 2 of 4

Welcome to full-throttle ’80s front-room fetishism, with cocktail menus hidden inside Charles ’n’ Diana memorabilia books, mocktails served in leopard-print mugs, soap stars in photo frames and cat-covered cushions galore. Little Nan’s Bar  was set up in honour of owner Tristan’s late grandmother, who made it to 104. Expect leopard print, china and Pat references aplenty.

6.  Discover a kitsch treasure trove

• East Dulwich

Down a perfectly normal-looking street in East Dulwich you'll find a perfectly not-normal-looking abode. Taking the concept of one man's trash being another man’s treasure, artist Stephen Wright is in the process of covering every available surface of this home in his kitschy mosaics. Everything here comes together in a magical hideaway that’s periodically open to the public, generally on the last Saturday of the month.

7.  Meet some highly unusual robots

• Things to do
• Games and hobbies

Want a divorce? Fancy a cheap holiday? Need to launder money or lose weight? All these things and many others can be achieved for the modest outlay of a pound (sometimes two) at the nutty slot machines of Novelty Automation in a small shabby space behind a Bloomsbury shopfront. Once displayed in Covent Garden’s Apple Market, these lovingly crafted moving sculptures are almost all the work of cartoonist Tim Hunkin. 

8.  Splash down white-water rapids

• Sport and fitness
• Waltham Cross

This London 2012 Olympic Games venue is open to the public for adrenaline-fuelled white-water rafting, canoeing and kayaking sessions – riding the rapids that challenged the world’s best makes for an action-packed experience. On the centre’s raft adventure, you’ll be high-siding, spinning and nose-dunking on the Olympic Standard Competition course before you know it.

9.  Take selfies at an OTT neon gallery

• Walthamstow

God’s Own Junkyard showcases neon artist Chris Bracey’s personal collection of work in a salvage yard in Walthamstow. It contains everything from his signage for Soho sex clubs in the ’60s to his work for the movie industry, including pieces that were used in ‘Captain America’, ‘Eyes Wide Shut’, ‘Byzantium’ and more. Once you’re done being dazzled, you can grab drinks and snacks at the yard’s Rolling Scones Cafe (lolz).

10.  Explore a riverside creek

• Walks and tours

Take a guided walk at low tide around Deptford Creek , one of the last natural creeks to survive in the UK. The post-industrial area is a haven for freshwater and saltwater plants and animals including birds and butterflies, and a huge range of wild flowers. Walks last two hours, cost £15, and booking is essential. 

11.  Have dinner on a vintage tube carriage

The Grade II-listed former Victorian waste water pumping station Walthamstow Pumphouse stopped sloshing around sewage a while ago and is now home to something far more palatable. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, it's home to Latin American supper clubs where you can feast on a six-course tasting menu in a vintage tube carriage. Dimmed lights, an atmospheric soundtrack, and dishes from Mexico to Patagonia set the tone for a memorable night on the rails.

12.  Visit a secret sewing machine museum

This tiny family-run Battersea museum is a neat-as-a-pin tribute to the sewing machine, which opens on the first Saturday of each month. It houses the collection of Ray Rushton, which includes a replica of his father's sewing machine shop, and 600 gleaming examples of his wares, dating from 1829 to 1950. Look out for the star exhibit: a machine which belonged to Queen Victoria's daughter.

13.  Experience eighteenth-century London life

• Historic buildings and sites
• Spitalfields

The ten rooms of this ornate Huguenot house have been decked out to recreate snapshots of life in Spitalfields between 1724 and 1914. A tour through the ‘still-life drama’, as American creator Dennis Severs put it, takes you through the cellar, kitchen, dining room, smoking room and upstairs to the bedrooms. Tours take place four days a week: opt for one of the silent candlelit visits on Friday nights for maximum historic atmosphere.

14.  Get lost in Sir John Soane’s Museum

When he wasn’t designing notable buildings (among them the original Bank of England), Sir John Soane (1753-1837) obsessively collected art, furniture and architectural ornamentation. In the nineteenth century, he turned his house into a museum to which, he said, ‘amateurs and students’ should have access. That’ll be us then. The result is this amazing place in central London , open Wednesday through Sunday, which is completely free to visit. 

15.  Paddle along London's canals in a canoe

Kayak down the Thames in a bovine boat as part of Moo's Canoes's watery sightseeing tours. A two- or three-person vessel decorated with a black-and-white cow print will be your mode of transport. There are several waterway routes you can pick from, including Hackney Wick or around Limehouse Basin, and some come with meal stops for hungry canoers. 

16.  Visit London’s weirdest museum

• Art and design

This tiny  Mare Street curiosity shop is both on the art circuit and determinedly off any beaten track. Peek through the windows of the Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and you’ll see a world in which velvet-cloaked Victorians, or perhaps The Mighty Boosh, might reside. Entering the shop, which is also the spiritual home of the esoterically minded Last Tuesday Society, reveals a plethora of shells, skulls, taxidermy specimens and assorted oddities. 

17.  Fly through the air at a trapeze school

• Classes and workshops

Gorilla Circus's  flying trapeze school  sets up camp on the north-west side of Regent’s Park for the summer with expert acrobats teaching all sorts of fancy tricks on the highly strung bars.  Even beginners aim to be ‘caught’ by the hands of a (trustworthy) instructor by the end of a two-hour session. 

18.  Dine in the dark

• Restaurants
• Clerkenwell

Are you a sucker for a pretty plate decked out with delicate herbs or dabs of coulis? Learn to focus on what really matters at Dans le Noir? , an Islington restaurant where you eat in complete darkness, putting all the focus on the taste, smell and texture of the food. Before being led into the pitch-black basement by the restaurant’s blind waiters, you select one of four colour-coded mystery menus. The best part? If you spill anything down your top, no one’s going to notice. 

19.  Get all coquettish at the Fan Museum

An entire museum dedicated to a coquettish cooling method ? We are a fan. This beautiful building is the world’s first museum dedicated to the history of handheld fans and the craft of fan-making. Housed in a pair of newly restored Georgian townhouses, it holds more than 3,000 specimens from all over the world, some dating back to the eleventh century. Entry costs just £5, and it's just on the edge of Greenwich Park for a picturesque stroll afterwards.

20.  Have cocktails in a public toilet

The proposition of a drink in a public loo has never been a very appealing one. That was until WC opened up inside an old toilet in Clapham. But don’t be put off your Martini: not only is it surprisingly beautiful, it’s – dare we say it – romantic. Spend a penny on a well-curated wine list and a selection of cheese and charcuterie. WC, geddit?

21.  Go back in time at a hidden Roman temple

There’s a wonderful world to discover below ground level, and we’re not talking about the tube. The Roman Temple of Mithras lay hidden for around 2,000 years before it was rediscovered in central London. Now, it’s preserved in a state-of-the-art museum, where visitors can ogle some of the exquisite artefacts that were left or lost by the very first Londoners. Look out for the ancient Oyster cards carved in marble… kidding.   

22.  Eat cheese from a conveyor belt

A few years back, The Cheese Bar made all our dreams come true when it opened a cheese conveyor belt restaurant in the West End, and we are forever thankful for it. It’s just as you hope it’ll be and more: an unending supply of quality, artisan cheese dishes gliding around a shared dining table. Plates start from around £3.95 – you’re in for gouda times. 

23.  Explore Euston’s lost tube tunnels

Know the Burger King at Euston like the back of your hand? Maybe it’s time to explore what lies beneath it with one of London Transport Museum's special tours. There is a labyrinth of dark passageways that have been concealed for more than 50 years – many of them with perfectly preserved mid-century design.  Book on to a tour and fall in love with these dank and grimy relics of old London. 

24.  Take in the sights at London’s longest graffiti wall

The dimly lit tunnels of  Leake Street  link the South Bank area to Lower Marsh, creating an edgy subterranean gallery of street art. Look closely and you might spot a Banksy. Or just soak up the atmosphere and get mildly, enjoyably high off the fug of aerosol fumes.  

25.  Check out this crazy collection of kidney stones

• Science and technology
• South Kensington

Imagine passing a kidney stone the size of a mango. Not only did it really happen, but the folks at the Science Museum got their hands on it to show in their Medicine gallery . The speckled display wall looks rather beautiful from afar. Then you get up close and realise it's made up of hundreds of urinary and gall   stones   which have been removed from the human body. Nice. 

26.  Learn to shuck oysters

Ah, oysters. The height of sophistication, right? Well, they were considered peasant food in London in ye olde days, served up on street corners as snacks. Today, they’re enjoying a renaissance thanks to a foodie boom and their fab sustainability credentials. With that in mind, there’s no need to be intimidated. Bentley’s Oyster Masterclass is one of the best in the biz: eat a load of oysters and master shucking for £75, which includes a glass of champers. That’s worth shelling out for. 

[image] [title]

Discover Time Out original video

• Press office
• Investor relations
• Work for Time Out
• Editorial guidelines
• Privacy notice
• Do not sell my information
• Cookie policy
• Accessibility statement
• Terms of use
• Modern slavery statement
• Manage cookies
• Claim your listing
• Time Out Offers FAQ
• Advertising
• Time Out Market

Time Out products

• Time Out Offers
• Time Out Worldwide

Quirky and Unusual Things to Do in London

With a rich history and a buzzing cultural life, London has dozens of unique things to do and see tucked away – you just need to know where to look. From exploring ancient temples to wild swimming, these are the best quirky and unusual things to do in London.

Race on an official f1 kart track.

The world’s first official F1 karting experience has opened in north London, allowing drivers of all ages the chance to test their racing skills. Three tracks have been developed by F1 Drive underneath Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium, each with the seal of approval from the biggest motorsports category in the world. The karts are fitted with DRS and ERS systems to give you the authentic experience and you can also tackle a pitstop challenge if you don’t want to get behind the wheel. Immersive in-kart audio, complete with sound effects taken from onboard recordings of the cars of Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc during an F1 Grand Prix™ this season, commentary from David Croft and Naomi Schiff and live driving tips take this an unmissable new attraction only available in the city.

Play boules with friends and colleagues

If you’re looking for festive fun, tasty street food and top-notch tipples, then Jack & Boule has you covered. Located in the heart of South Bank, celebrate Jack & Boule’s first-ever festive season in style and enjoy the classic French pastime of boules with friends, family and colleagues. Bring your mates for a festive get-together, try something new for your office party or even impress your date with your new-found boules skills. You can even bring your dog! Teams of up to six can play on one of the eight urban boules courts from 11am-11pm Tuesdays-Sundays. From just £25 per court, each session lasts 55 minutes. Whilst you try your hand at a game of urban boules under the toasty warm canopy, grab some refreshments from not just one, but TWO bars, and once you’ve had your boules fix, tuck into some delicious food from London’s hottest street food stalls, Rico Burrito and Jimmy’s Burgers.

To book, please head to www.jackandboule.com/book

Become a Culture Tripper!

Sign up to our newsletter to save up to 500$ on our unique trips..

See privacy policy .

Rumble in the Jungle Rematch

London’s highly anticipated immersive experience, “Rumble in the Jungle Rematch,” is now open at Dock X in Canada Water, offering a groundbreaking fusion of theatre, sport, and technology. This adrenaline-pumping show transports audiences back to the iconic events of Zaire 1974, including the legendary Rumble in the Jungle boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, and the Zaire ’74 music festival featuring iconic artists like James Brown and BB King. With a remarkable live cast, immersive sensory elements, and authentic tastes and smells of the time, this experience reimagines history and captivates all five senses. Created by Rematch, with acclaimed Creative Director Miguel Hernando Torres Umba, Writer Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu, and Music Director Femi Temowo, it offers an unmissable journey into the greatest sporting event of the 20th century. Don’t miss your chance to relive history at Rumble in the Jungle Rematch. Tickets available at rumblerematch.com until December 10th.

SAW: Escape Experience London

Plunging straight into Jigsaw’s twisted world, contenders (willing or otherwise) will discover their worst nightmares and fears, as Jigsaw ensnares a new generation of players attempting to earn their redemption. Taking inspiration from the popular horror series, this experience is a light introduction to the world of escape rooms, and a full return to the world seen in the movies. SAW: Escape Experience London is located at 1 America Square, London, EC3N 2LS, just a few minutes’ walk from Tower Hill station. With two game routes to choose from, daring risk takers can return again for a different yet equally terrifying experience.

Futuristic bingo with Hijingo in Shoreditch

This summer, Hijingo is introducing the world’s first cinematic bingo experience. Set to transport guests back in time to the vibrant, dynamic era of the ‘80s with its brand new, limited-time-only experience – ‘The ‘80s Power Trip’. Combining live entertainment, cutting-edge sonic effects, and captivating footage and motion graphics, Hijingo promises to deliver the ultimate in interactive entertainment this summer, through a hilarious story of greed, power, and redemption.

The ‘80s Power Trip follows the tale of ‘80s London’s most fashionable and exhilarating bingo club (Hijingo), and its fight to escape the clutches of a greedy corporate establishment aiming to transform it into a soulless profit-driven machine. It promises to be an experience that has players in fits of laughter and cheering like never before. Players will be guided through the cinematic immersive experience with the help of the ‘80s Hijingobots (other-worldly masked dancers), on-screen characters, and state-of-the-art technology, during a 90-minute session including six rounds of bingo with six chances to win, plus prizes of up to £250 cash and a European holiday for two.

Get spooky at the Hoxton Street Monster Supplies

It’s Halloween all year round at the Hoxton Street Monster Supplies, run by the charity Ministry of Stories, which encourages children to write. The shop has everything you could want – salt made from tears of sorrow, cubed earwax (fudge) and jars of daylight (a solar-cell LED light) – for “the monster in your life or afterlife”. A great place to visit if you want to find unusual gifts and support a good cause at the same time.

Swim in the open air at Hampstead Heath ponds

London has a surprising number of outdoor pools and lidos that are perfect for both warm summer swims and brisk winter dips. Some of the best can be found on Hampstead Heath, where the bathing ponds and the lido are open for swimmers all year round. Taking in the wilderness in the middle of London with an early morning swim is a lovely, calm way to exercise and get back to nature. Opening and closing hours depend on the season, so make sure to check the website, but the ponds normally open at 7am.

Visit the oldest surviving surgical theatre in Europe

The Old Operating Theatre Museum, close to the Shard in London Bridge, is exactly what it sounds like. The charity showcases how surgeries were made before we had anaesthetics and antiseptics, and the attic space also houses herbs that were used for medicines. It’s a fascinating place to visit, and makes you very grateful for modern medicine. If you want to get a real feel for how operations were done in the 1800s, there are surgical demonstrations every weekend.

Six by Nico

London isn’t short of food options. Locals often find new restaurants opening up overnight and there are hundreds of recommendations everyone can share at the mere mention of dining out, so you do have to go the extra mile to stand out from the crowd here. Six by Nico not only offer up an affordable line-up of six courses (with fantastic drink pairings too), but they also opt for a fun twist on dishes and themes. Its never so experimental that it becomes a parody of itself, but it does fill you with excitement every time they announce a new menu. The most recent Neverland dishes were a balanced delight and you won’t have to wait for long for the next series to come along. The good news is that you don’t have to be in London to enjoy a trip to Six by Nico, as they also have branches around the country.

Developed by the creative minds behind London 2012’s Olympic Opening Ceremony, Frameless brings the work of world-famous artists to a new digital generation. You might have seen some of the temporary exhibitions touring around the world of this type before, but there really is nothing of the scale of Frameless at the moment. This multi-sensory, multi-artist experience is set to become a ‘must-see’ as well as a new cultural landmark for London. The space features four rooms that flow seamlessly from one style to another, they all have a distinct look and feel even though the general layout is the same. The transformation comes from the visuals but also the sounds and immersive elements. You’ll go in thinking you’ll spend a few minutes here and end up spending the whole day in awe. With projects like this, there is also scope for refreshing the line-up and adding new works, so repeat visits will be a real option.

Candlelit tour of an eccentric Victorian house

Inside the curious Sir John Soane’s Museum you’ll find a lavish collection of classical paintings, sculptures and relics, all bizarrely jam-packed into a large terrace house, once home to the neo-classical architect it was named after. Sir John accumulated such a stash of historical oddities that a Private Act of Parliament had his home transformed into a museum upon his death in 1837. The museum is so crammed with artefacts, including a huge 3,000-year-old stone sarcophagus, that you’ll have to tread carefully to avoid upsetting a valuable piece of history. You can visit during the day, but for an extra-special treat, visit during a late opening, when the space is lit up by candlelight, Victorian style.

Take an outdoor art walk along The Line

Already familiar with uber-trendy Hackney? If you want to explore a lesser-known corner of East London, take a walk along The Line, a sculpture trail that stretches across the Thames, from the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford all the way down to The O2 Arena in Greenwich. There are 12 sculptures along the route by artists including Damien Hirst and Antony Gormley. Look out for the upside-down electricity pylon in Greenwich, and when you visit the 115m-tall ArcelorMittal Orbit tower in Stratford, be sure to ride the slide from top to bottom. The walk takes about three hours and roughly follows the Meridian Line. Both start points are easily accessed via the Tube network and it’s the perfect way to get some exercise and see the Thames, which you’ll cross via a dangling cable car.

If home is where the art is then you’ll love our private small-group getaway to Barcelona . You’ll explore the architectural legacy of local legend Antoni Gaudi, eat pintxos in the Gothic Quarter, and have some free time to take in the Picasso museum.

Drink coffee in a Victorian toilet at the Attendant

The Attendant has a number of cafes in the city, but the Fitzrovia is the one to visit. In Victorian times, the space was a public toilet, but the old urinals are now a main focal point of the interior (but don’t worry, they’ve been cleaned). The beautiful wrought-iron entrance is another reason to visit the café, which looks so authentic that baristas say they regularly have to turn away people who think it’s still a functioning public toilet.

Raise a glass to Dr John Snow in Soho

Blink and you’ll miss the water pump in Soho that helped to cure cholera. The water-borne disease caused mass fatalities in London, until local doctor John Snow traced an outbreak back to this pump in 1854. Before this, people believed cholera was transmitted through the air. Pop into the John Snow pub nearby to raise a pint to the good doctor.

Play golf with a twist

Who doesn’t love a game of good ol’ mini golf? Puttshack is mini golf, but quirkier (and dare we say, better?). With branches in Bank, White City, Watford, and Lakeside, Puttshack leans on its ground-breaking technology to elevate the game, while serving world-class food and a full bar in an uber-cool environment. Its patented Trackaball technology allows guests to play an automatic point-scoring game in an immersive, upscale and exciting environment. Fuel up and unleash your competitive spirit with themed holes such as Beer Pong, Drumroll and Pipe Dream, and putt knowledge to the test with the pop quiz at Pop the Question hole. Even head to Puttshack’s iconic Prize Wheel for a chance to win prizes in every game.

Drop into a 300-year-old tea shop

No one loves tea more than the Brits, right? London used to practically run on the stuff and the Twinings Café on the Strand has seen some changes since it opened in 1706. Twining was one of the first merchants to bring tea to the UK and it’s been providing the royal households with brews since 1837.

If your love for tea is equal to your passion for travel, we’ve got the answer – a once-in-a-lifetime escape to Kerala . You’ll trek through lush tea plantations (and even stay at one), cruise the serene backwaters and luxuriate at a spa.

Tour an elaborate Victorian sewage works

Istanbul has its “basilica” Cistern; Paris has its sewer tours. To learn about the history of London’s plumbing, make sure you visit the Grade I-listed Crossness Pumping Station in south east London. After the Great Stink of 1858 – a summer when the smell of human excrement being dumped into the Thames became unbearable – the engineer Sir Joseph Bazalgette proposed a radical solution: a London-wide sewage network powered by cutting-edge pumping technology. Aside from being a triumph of Victorian engineering, the site is an ornate marvel, with working pumps and wrought-iron decoration that has been carefully restored. To get there, catch the train from London Bridge to Abbey Wood, then walk 30 minutes north towards the Thames.

Explore a Roman temple dedicated to Mithras

London dates back nearly 2,000 years and was already a town before the Romans descended on Britain. They made it a fortified city and brought their mystical beliefs with them. The temple of one of their gods, Mithras, was discovered in 1954, and today the London Mithraeum has its own museum below Bloomberg’s European headquarters. The temple has been restored to look the way it did when it was first excavated, and is showcased in a presentation that uses lighting design, audio recordings and haze. Entrance is free but booking is essential.

Bask in neon lights at God’s Own Junkyard

East London’s psychedelic God’s Own Junkyard is a treasure trove for anybody fascinated by neon signs. The gallery, which is located on an industrial estate, contains everything from old Soho sex-shop signs to props used in fashion shoots. Walking around the colourful space is a truly cool experience; it’s one of the more Instagrammable places in London, and has its own café, The Rolling Scones Café. God’s Own Junkyard is only open at weekends and entrance is free.

Kayak on the Thames

It might look murky and you definitely wouldn’t want to fall in, but kayaking is a fun way to get up very close to the iconic London river. Kayaking London take out small groups every day around the Houses of Parliament or in Little Venice in Paddington.

Spot some of the world’s best street art

East London has been a hotbed for some of the world’s best street artists for the past couple of decades. While street art comes and goes, the streets around Shoreditch and Hackney are awash with colour and life. If you’re not sure where to start, book a street-art tour.

Nose round the oldest prison in England

The Clink Prison Museum, just off the South Bank near London Bridge, has a long history of locking people up. The clink (a nickname for “jail”) operated from the 12th to the 18th century. Today you are free to leave, but not before being shown round by actors in costume who bring the grisly past to life.

Discover the historical graveyards The Magnificent Seven

The Magnificent Seven isn’t just a 1960s Western; it’s also the collective name of the seven large Victorian cemeteries dotted around London: Kensal Green Cemetery, West Norwood Cemetery, Highgate Cemetery, Abney Park Cemetery, Nunhead Cemetery, Brompton Cemetery and Tower Hamlets Cemetery. Originally introduced to help relieve the city’s small, overflowing burial grounds in the 19th century, today the cemeteries are beautifully overgrown and havens for wildlife. Choose one of them to walk around, and make sure to find out if anyone famous is buried there before visiting – Highgate Cemetery is where you’ll find Karl Marx’s grave.

Additional reporting and updates by Cassam Looch

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

See & Do

The best things to do in london.

How the Metaverse can help you plan your next trip

Bars & Cafes

The best bars in london for stylish nights out.

Food & Drink

The best international afternoon teas in london.

Places to Stay

Five london hotels to familiarise yourself with.

The Coolest Hotels in London

Guides & Tips

Must-visit attractions in london.

Pillow Talk: Between the Sheets of the Beaumont, Mayfair

Top European Cities for a Plant-Based Foodie Fix

A High-Rollers Guide to a London Staycation

A West End Performer’s Guide to London With Sam Harrison

Winter sale offers on our trips, incredible savings.

• Post ID: 1298969
• Sponsored? No
• View Payload

Unusual London Guided Tour

• Visit documents
• Brew Garden - Caffè Vergnano 1882, Staple Inn, 337-338 High Holborn, London WC1V 7PX, UK The visit will start in front of the cafe
• St. Paul's, Cheapside, London EC2V 6AA, UK Tour ends in St. Paul's
• Wheelchair accessible
• Stroller accessible
• Service animals allowed
• Near public transportation
• Transportation is wheelchair accessible
• Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Most travelers can participate
• This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• Lincoln's Inn
• St John's Gate

Similar experiences

• You'll start at Brew Garden - Caffè Vergnano 1882 Staple Inn, 337-338 High Holborn, London WC1V 7PX, UK The visit will start in front of the cafe See address & details
• 1 Staple Inn Stop: 5 minutes See details
• 2 Lincoln's Inn Stop: 5 minutes See details
• 3 St John's Gate Stop: 5 minutes See details
• You'll end at St. Paul's Cheapside, London EC2V 6AA, UK Tour ends in St. Paul's See address & details

• OYP-London 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent tour, full of facts and anecdotes Very good value. We organised a tour for 11 people around the East End of London. Our guide Jordi was fabulous, and full of energy, mixing facts, anecdotes and humour with ease. Our 4-hour tour of the East End was varied, full of fun and informative. We will rebook next year for a different area of London Read more Written April 25, 2022
• lizah631 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Maximum joy with Maxime Have just spent the most magical morning with Maxime and I couldn't recommend this trip highly enough - Maxime is just a joy - passionate, enthusiastic, utterly knowledgeable whilst also being the most delightful person to spend the time with! I've learned more about my home city with Maxime and I will be back to do more tours! It's a morning I'll treasure and never forget ! Read more Written June 12, 2021
• LaurentG1318 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles In the streets of London in 1888 following Jack The Ripper Very interested visit with Maxime who knows much about Jack The Ripper and the small and dark streets in Whitechapel. Done with a 15 years old kid. Read more Written January 15, 2020

More to explore in London

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Buy it with

Unusual London Guided Tour provided by Maximum Londinium

650 Best London Tours and Activities

Check real time availability.

• London England
• London derry / Derry England

All Activities in London

London: Westminster Abbey Skip-the-line Entry & Guided Tour

Uncover the secrets of Westminster Abbey — the royal church and coronation site — on a private or group tour with skip-the-line tickets and a licensed guide. See Big Ben, Westminster Palace, and more.

• 2-5.5 hours • Skip the line • Free pickup available • Private tour • Guiding available • Available tomorrow

London: Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey & Big Ben Tour

Embark on a walking tour of central London and discover 3 of the city's most iconic landmarks. Learn about the fascinating history of each place, with skip-the-line access to Westminster Abbey.

• 4.5 hours • Skip the line • Guiding available • Available tomorrow

London: Historic Pubs of Central London Walking Tour

Say cheers to London and discover 4 of the city’s most historic pubs and taverns on a guided walking tour. Explore the heart of the city and visit boozers which have stood the test of time.

• 3.5 hours • Guiding available • Available tomorrow

London: The Great British Rock and Roll Music Walking Tour

Walk in the footsteps of rock and roll royalty on a music walking tour in London. Visit the locations where rock and roll legends played, recorded, performed, drank, caused trouble and hung out.

• 2 hours • Guiding available • Available tomorrow

London: Soho Music and Historic Pubs Walking Tour

Visit 4 iconic pubs in London's famous Soho area on a guided walking tour. See where legends such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Marilyn Monroe, and more all hung out.

• 2.5 hours • Guiding available • Available tomorrow

London: Jack the Ripper Small Group Tour

Prepare to be gripped by the chilling tales of Jack the Ripper's reign of terror. Our Jack the Ripper Tour will transport you back to the sinister streets of Victorian London, where the mystery and intrigue of this infamous killer await.

• 2 hours • Guiding available • Available today

London: River Thames Speed Boat Tour

Join a River Thames boat cruise with banter provided by a comedian guide, whose cheery anecdotes include narration about London's history. See landmarks such as the London Eye and the Tower of London.

• 50 minutes • Guiding available • Available today

London: Climb The Roof of The O2 Arena

Climb the roof of London's premier entertainment venue, The O2 Arena, and admire the stunning views of the British capital. Enjoy an exhilarating guided climb as you learn more about the venue.

• 1.5 hours • Guiding available • Available tomorrow

London's Top Sights: Walking Tour with Local Guide

See over 30 London sights in half a day with a local guide. Walk through the most famous parts of town and see Buckingham Palace, Westminster Palace, London Bridge, the Tower of London and much more.

• 5 hours • Guiding available • Available tomorrow

Magical London: Harry Potter Guided Walking Tour

Embark on an interactive Harry Potter tour around central London with a guide. Choose from either a boat or London Underground trip.

• 2.5 hours • Guiding available • Available today
• Mexican Peso MXN New Zealand Dollar NZD Norwegian Krone NOK Polish Złoty PLN Romanian Leu RON Singapore Dollar SGD South African Rand ZAR South Korean Won KRW Swedish Krona SEK Swiss Franc CHF Turkish Lira TRY UAE Dirham AED Ukrainian Hryvnia UAH

Something went wrong!

Quirky Bloomsbury

Most Bloomsbury walking tours focus on the literary links, intellectual institutions and famous residents. On this fun walking tour we’re on the hunt for the surprising, beautiful and quirky history that’s hiding in plain sight.

Get off the beaten track in one of London’s most beautiful and inspiring neighbourhoods and encounter abandoned railways, London’s narrowest alley and epic street art.

Wander the quiet, atmospheric streets of Bloomsbury and take in unusual sculptures, sneaky plaques and unexpected details that help you unravel the area’s unique charm.

The meeting point is outside Holborn Station, the corner of High Holborn and Southampton Row. The address is 120 High Holborn, London WC1V 6RD and its the corner diagonally opposite Sainsbury’s

The walk lasts around 90 minutes and ends near Russell Square Tube Station.

Book the Bloomsbury Walking Tour

All Look Up London tours focus on the hidden stories, trying to spot the details above your eye line that are often missed by passersby. There’s a lot of information in an architectural detail, a crest or a sculpture that tells you about the history of the area! See all the walks here .