Unusual Things To Do In London

When visiting London, you will find something to see or do at every bend in the road. However, if you’ve visited a few times in the past, the chances are that you have ticked off some of the more “famous” destinations already, making it harder to put together an itinerary for your trip. With that in mind, here are some of the more unusual things you can do during your next trip to the Big Smoke!

_{[Photo by John Dancy on Unsplash]}

Unusual Things To Do In London

Go on a street art tour

Looking for a way to immerse yourself in London's art scene? Join one of the free street art tours in Shoreditch. This will allow you to discover some of the area’s hidden gems, many of which are located on side streets you would not usually think to walk down. In fact, you’ll even see work from renowned artists such as Banksy, Stik, and Ben Eine.

Go to a themed bar

There is no shortage of themed or activity-based bars in London, which are a great way to make going for a drink more fun. For example, you could tap into your creative spirit by visiting a shuffleboard bar london! Don’t worry if you’ve never played before; it's relatively easy to familiarise yourself with the rules, and everything is a little easier with a cocktail in hand. 

Head to Phantom Peak

If you usually spend time at the theatre when visiting the city but want to try something a little different, head to Phantom Peak in Canary Wharf. This is an immersive experience, which is part-show, part-escape room. Guests are welcomed to the town of Phantom Peak and must complete a variety of missions, interacting with quirky characters when doing so. Be sure to book in advance, however, as you cannot buy tickets on the door! If this isn’t your thing, there are a wide range of immersive theatrical experiences that you can get involved in the city! 

Visit Little Venice

Want to head out on a lovely walk during your trip? Head to Little Venice for a picturesque scroll (and great coffee). Here, you can walk alongside the canal while also stopping by some of the area’s best coffee shops and restaurants. It is also a little quieter here than on other canalside walks!

_{[Photo by Matthew Waring on Unsplash]}

Visit an Unusual Museum

London is home to countless museums. However, the majority of guides encourage visitors to stop by the biggest or most well-known ones, such as the Science or British Museum. However, these are spaces that you only need to visit once. Fortunately, you have plenty of other options to choose from. This includes: 

• The Jack the Ripper Museum
• The Museum of Brands
• The Sherlock Holmes Museum
• The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities
• The Cartoon Museum
• The Old Operating Theatre

It's worth noting that some theme museums do charge entry, but you can typically get a better deal by booking in advance online. That being said, they are well worth the entry fee!

Visit different filming locations

From Harry Potter to Notting Hill, a growing number of films are shot in London. As such, movie-buffs will have a fantastic time checking out some of the filming locations in the flesh. If you’re not the best when it comes to navigating your way through the city, there are plenty of walking tours that focus entirely on filming locations.

Go to a pottery painting class

Want to bring back a physical memory from your trip? Head to a local pottery painting class. This way, you’ll walk away with something truly unique to remind you of your time in the city. However, you should be sure that they are able to send your creations to your home address - as they often take a week or so to be ready after you’ve finished painting them. 

Alternatively, you could participate in one of the city’s many paint and sip classes. Here, you can enjoy a glass (or two) of wine and your favorite drink, all while being taught how to create a fantastic painting by a talented working artist! 

Visit London’s floating bookshop

f you’re always looking for your next page-turner, no trip to London is complete without stopping by one of the city’s bookshops. Again, you have plenty of options to choose from here, such as Daunt Books and the Notting Hill Bookshop. However, if you’re looking for a truly unique space, then you should visit London’s floating bookshop, “Word on the Water,” which is on a canal boat. This is located (or rather docked) on Regent’s Canal Towpath. 

_{[Photo by Hanlin Sun on Unsplash]}

Visit Greenwich Observatory

Located just south of the river, Greenwich is one of the spaces in London that doesn’t really feel like London. Instead, it's as though a country village has been dropped in the middle of the city. Here, you can spend hours wandering through the park or the award-winning market. However, no trip to Greenwich is complete without stopping by the Greenwich Observatory, which is home to some of the city’s most stunning panoramic views. In fact, from this vantage point, you can see for miles - taking in both classical architecture and buildings and modern skyscrapers. In short, it is a view like no other (even if the walk is a little steep). 

Watch a classic film at the BFI

The British Film Institute isn’t just a place to watch the latest movies. They also show reruns of classic films, which means it's another great spot for cinephiles. In addition to this, they also run regular talks and panels with industry experts and A-list stars, so be sure to check out their website ahead of time. 

Final thoughts

While you may already feel as though you’ve done everything there is to do in London, this is simply not the case. After all, new venues and attractions are popping up every single day, and straying away from the beaten path (aka the most obvious tourist destinations) will allow you to truly make the most of your time in the city.