15 Non-Touristy & Unique Things to Do in London
London’s famous sights get all the attention, but some of the city’s best stories lurk in the shadows.
Here’s a lineup of the most unique things to do in London that ditch the typical checklist.
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1. Explore The Hidden Roman Amphitheatre
Eight meters below street level, London’s only Roman amphitheatre from the late 1st century AD hides under the Guildhall Art Gallery. This ancient arena turned up in 1988 during a construction project.
The preserved oval walls and interactive displays make the past feel oddly close. Out in Guildhall Yard, dark stones trace the original edge, so you can size up the scale before heading back above ground.
2. Sip Tea While Cruising The Thames
What’s more British than tea and river views? A Thames afternoon tea cruise lets you nibble scones and sandwiches while cruising past icons like Big Ben and Tower Bridge.
From the water, London feels like a different city; less frantic, more cinematic. The upper deck is where you’ll want to be for photos, a cup of Earl Grey in hand, watching the skyline drift by.
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3. Visit Dennis Severs’ House
Hidden in Spitalfields, Dennis Severs’ House is a candlelit, immersive trip through 18th-century life. Ten rooms are staged as if a Huguenot family just stepped out, beds unmade, half-eaten food on the table, the scent of woodsmoke lingering.
Severs crafted this living artwork so visitors feel like trespassers in someone’s memory. Silence is the rule—no chatting, just the tick of clocks and crackle of fires telling their own stories.
4. Climb To The Top Of The O2
Ever wanted to see London from 54 meters up? Up at The O2 lets you harness up and walk the dome’s roof for a real adrenaline rush.
With a guide leading the way, you’ll get 360-degree views of landmarks like Canary Wharf and Greenwich, no climbing experience necessary. If you can, book a sunset or twilight slot for those epic city lights and photos.
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5. Check Out The Magic Circle
The Magic Circle in Euston is home to London’s only magic museum, nicknamed the “house of 10,000 secrets.” You’ll need to reserve ahead, as it opens only for special events and tours.
Guided tours wind through the society’s history, peppered with surprises and magical artifacts. The basement museum is a treasure trove of illusions and oddities.
6. The Secret Garden Of Postman’s Park
Near St. Paul’s Cathedral, Postman’s Park is a pocket of calm tucked between city blocks. The name comes from the postal workers who used to have lunch here.
The Watts Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice are ceramic tiles that honor ordinary people who died saving others. Each plaque tells a story of everyday bravery that’ll stick with you long after you leave.
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7. Take Part In A Quirky Ball-Pit Social
Ballie Ballerson is a Shoreditch bar where you can channel your inner kid and dive into a million glowing balls, cocktail in hand. R&B beats, neon lights, and creative drinks set the mood for a night that’s part playground, part party.
Book bottomless brunch, a private booth, or karaoke if you want to go all out. It’s a solid pick for birthdays, work outings, or just letting loose with friends who like their nights a little off-script.
8. Explore Leadenhall Market
Leadenhall Market in the City is all ornate Victorian ironwork and cobblestones. It doubled as Diagon Alley in the first Harry Potter film. Hagrid and Harry walk these covered walkways before ducking through a blue door into the Leaky Cauldron.
That famous blue door at 42 Bull’s Head Passage is actually an optician’s shop, but the magic lingers. The market’s also home to indie shops, classic pubs, and lunch spots. You might recognize it from other films too, like Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.
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9. Stay In A Sherlock Holmes Room
Spend the night in a Sherlock Holmes-themed room and step right into the detective’s world. 221B Baker Street hosts the Sherlock Holmes Museum by day, but some hotels nearby have rooms decked out with Holmes memorabilia and Victorian details.
Expect vintage lab gear, period furniture, and all the atmospheric touches straight out of Conan Doyle’s stories. If you’re after something a bit different, this is a quirky way to get your mystery fix in London.
10. Visit God’s Own Junkyard
Out in Walthamstow, God’s Own Junkyard is a riot of neon signs and vintage lighting crammed into a warehouse. Movie props, fairground lights, and glowing art cover every inch.
Stroll through rooms of electric art, snap some photos, and maybe grab a coffee at the on-site cafe. It’s quirky, vibrant, and a little overwhelming in the best way.
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11. Take A Boat Ride Through Little Venice
Little Venice in Maida Vale is where the Grand Union and Regent’s Canal meet, creating a peaceful waterside spot with colorful narrowboats and leafy paths. Hop on a canal boat to Camden Lock and watch London drift by at a slower pace.
Jason’s Trip runs the oldest boat at Little Venice, using a 1906 vessel that’s been touring since the ‘50s. The journey takes you through tunnels and under bridges.
12. Take A Street Art Walking Tour
Shoreditch is London’s street art playground, with murals and stencils on nearly every wall. Big names like Banksy and Stencil have left their mark, but you’ll also spot new gems from local artists.
Guided tours (usually about two hours) lead you down alleys and side streets you’d never find solo. The art’s always changing, so no two tours are the same.
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13. Dine Inside A Former Victorian Prison
How about dinner behind bars? The Clink at HMP Brixton is a working prison restaurant where inmates train as chefs and servers, gaining valuable skills for life after release.
The setting is surprisingly stylish, and The Clink often lands among London’s top restaurants. Expect three courses cooked and served by students working toward a second chance, and a meal you’ll remember for the story alone.
14. Visit The Viktor Wynd Museum Of Curiosities
East London’s Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities is a tiny, jam-packed cabinet of wonders. Shrunken heads, two-headed kittens, mermaid skeletons—it’s all here, squeezed into a space that feels more like a collector’s attic than a museum.
The collection jumps from extinct birds to vintage erotica, and there’s a bar if you need a stiff drink after the weirdness. Entry is cheap, and you’ll probably lose track of time gawking at the bizarre displays.
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15. Experience an Immersive Theatre Show
The Great Gatsby immersive show drops you right into a roaring 1920s jazz bash, with flappers, feathers, and a whole lot of champagne. Instead of just sitting back, you can chat with the actors, wander through the rooms, or simply soak up the chaos from the sidelines if you’re feeling a bit shy.
London’s longest-running immersive theatre production blends live acting with a buzzing party vibe; jazz, cocktails, the works. The whole thing unfolds at Gatsby’s Mansion, and just a heads-up, you’ll need to be 18+ with ID to join the fun.
