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

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.

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.

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!

Leave this field blank

First Name

E-mail:

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

Send

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?

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.

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!

Win-win!

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.

38. Go Ape

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.

But do you know what is?

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?

In London?

Yes!

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?

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