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

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.

Incredible views of London from helicopter tour of London
Incredible views of London from helicopter tour of London

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.

Enjoying dinner on board The Murder Express, London

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.


Contents

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.

Tower Bridge in the snow
There are unique London experiences for every season

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!

Afternoon tea river cruise London
You’ll see lots of amazing sights on this afternoon tea river cruise in London
Afternoon tea river cruise London
Tucking into a delicious afternoon tea on a River Thames cruise

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!

Up at The O2 climb
This might be London’s ultimate selfie spot – from Up at The O2!
Up at The O2 climb
This is what it’s like to climb The O2 in London

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!

The ArcelorMittal Orbit
Looking for cool experiences in London How about sliding down the ArcelorMittal Orbit?

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.

The Grid, London
The Grid, 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.

GoBoat, London
Hiring a GoBoat is one of the coolest and most unusual things to do in London for couples

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!

The Serpentine, Hyde Park
Looking for London unique experiences? Try Swimming in The Serpentine in Hyde Park!

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.

Incredible views of London from helicopter tour of London
Incredible views of London from helicopter tour of London

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!

The Attendant, London
Looking for weird things to do in London? How about brunching in a Victorian toilet, The Attendant?

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.

Primrose Hill - the best view of London
One of my favourite experiences in London is walking to the top of Primrose Hill for the best view of London

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!

God's Own Junkyard, Walthamstow
Visiting God’s Own Junkyard, Walthamstow – definitely goes on my list of different things to do in London

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.

Sherlock - The Game Is Now Shepherds Bush
Lioking for cool things to do in London? I loved playing Sherlock – The Game Is Now

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!

Darcie & May Green, Paddington
Brunching on board Darcie & May Green – one of my favourite London activities

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!

Puttshack, Westfield, Shepherd's Bush
Puttshack, Shepherd’s Bush – one of the most fun London experiences for families

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.

Lee Valley White Water Rafting
White water rafting at Lee Valley is definitely one of the most unique activities in London

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!

The Crystal Maze Live Experience, London
Looking for quirky things to do in London? How about trying The Crystal Maze Live Experience?

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.

Milk Train Cafe
In search of quirky places in London for food? Try MilkTrain for crazy ice creams and 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. 

Secret Adventures - Kayak London
Secret Adventures run unique days out in London including kayaking down the Thames

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!

Leadenhall Market
A Harry Potter walking tour is great if you’re looking for alternative things to do in London

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.

Electric Gamebox
Looking for crazy things to do in London? Give Electric Gamebox a go!

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!

Gir Lion Lodge, London Zoo
This unique London experience is perfect or animal lovers

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. 

West End Musical Tour
West End Musical Tour is one of the more random things to do in London!

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. 

House of Dreams, London
House of Dreams, London

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! 

The Big London Bake
Looking for unique experiences in London? The Big London Bake is one of my favourites
Posing with our colourful cloud dome cake at The Big London Bake
Posing with our colourful dome cloud cake at The Big London Bake
Judging time at The Big London Bake
Judging time at The Big London Bake – such a fun experience in London
The cloud dome cake we made at The Big London Bake
The Big London Bake is great if you’re looking for unusual group activities in London

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!

Morning Gloryville, London
Morning Gloryville, London – definitely one of the most unusual activities in London

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?

Ben Eine, Sidestory Street Art Tour, London
A Street Art Tour is great if you’re looking for fun experiences 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. 

Ice climbing - one of the most unusual things to do in London
Ice climbing – one of the most unusual things to do in London

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!

West End Musical Tour
West End Musical Tour

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!)

Chocolate fudge petit fours at Maze Restaurant, Mayfair
A chocolate tour is one of the best London experiences for food lovers

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!

Ballie Ballerson
Ballie Ballerson is one of the most unusual group activities in London, popular with hen dos

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.

Parkour in London
Parkour in London

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!

Capsule Hostel, St Christopher’s Inn, London
How cool is this accommodation in London?

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:

Town House Kensington’s London landmarks afternoon tea
Town House Kensington’s London landmarks afternoon tea

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.

Neon Naked Life Drawing
Neon Naked Life Drawing

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.

Tower Bridge
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.

Clink 78 Hostel, London

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.

Indian Food
Indian Food

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.

Sunborn Yacht Hotel, London

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.

Chel-ski - among the most unusual things to do in London
Chel-ski – among the most unusual things to do in London

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.

Ruislip Lido - Beach in London
Ruislip Lido – Beach in London

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

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Unusual Things To Do In London

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”

  1. 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).

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