The UK’s capital city is chock-a-block with fun things to do – boredom simply isn’t possible here. That said, we think it’s most exciting to step off the beaten path and explore things outside the classic ‘touristy’ stuff. Fortunately, London has plenty of quirky places and activities to keep you entertained when you’re looking for something a bit different! Here’s our rundown of the top five unusual things for tourists to do in London.
Top 5 Unusual Things for Tourists to Do in London You Don’t Want To Miss:
1. Combine cocktails and crazy golf at Swingers West End
Who wouldn’t like to bask by the seaside awhile, even in landlocked London? If this sounds like a dream come true, get ready to immerse yourself in Swingers West End: a crazy golf club with a 1920s seaside theme! On top of aquamarine bandstands, beach umbrella decorations and carnival-themed courses, Swingers West End also boasts delicious street food options and ‘caddies’ who will deliver drinks to you right there on the green.
Start by grabbing a club and ball and choosing from three bespoke crazy golf courses. Will you brave the tricky Helter Skelter, or venture upstairs to the enchanting Meteorite Course? Whichever you choose, you and your party will have a brilliant time battling for the lowest-under-par score! Of course, all that putting is thirsty work – so don’t forget to peruse the extensive food and drinks menu and enjoy tipples on the course or in one of Swingers’ cocktail bars. Take things to new heights on the West End Terrace, or if it’s raining (a common occurrence in London), check out one of the four other stylish cocktail bars – complete with botanical decor and brightly coloured accents.
Feeling hungry? Never fear: Swingers offers a number of gourmet street food vendors to fill up rumbling tummies. Sample fish tacos from Breddos or vegan burgers from Patty&Bun – and for dessert, top it all off with the flavours of the day from Crosstown Doughnuts. We can’t think of a better day out in London for a fun-loving group of tourists!
2. Enjoy a culinary experience based on DC Comics
This one’s for comics fans who know their Batman from their Black Canary. The Monarch Theatre culinary experience is a London show like no other – one that takes place on the palates of its guests. Plunging you headfirst into the world of DC heroes and villains, this gastronomic show is a fight between good and evil, where the battleground is none other than your taste buds.
Guests will enjoy an intimate 20-seat area within the Park Row Brasserie & Bar, complete with floor-to-ceiling screens and 360-degree projection mapping. The staggering 10-course menu includes eccentric dishes named after almost every Batman villain – from ‘The Penguin’, an intriguing appetiser of caviar and white chocolate, to ‘The Joker’, a triple-whammy entrée of black cod, lobster and sea urchin. The meal is accompanied by a number of darkly fitting thematic touches, like a fortune teller to determine your dinner cocktail and cryptic texts to solve by the evening’s end.
Needless to say, like the franchise it’s based on, this experience is not for the faint of heart. But if you’re looking for something a bit wild (and a lot extravagant) to do while you’re in London, a meal at the Monarch Theatre cannot be beat.
3. Embrace your inner artist (and raver) with neon life drawing
Then again, if you’d prefer to create rather than consume – in an equally quirky London setting – why not try your hand at neon life drawing? At Neon Naked, you’ll experience the singular combination of a modish art class with a mosh-pit nightclub; think paint brushes instead of glow sticks, neon shades instead of pastels.
This life drawing experience involves models posing in the dark, their bodies decorated in neon paint and accessories that glow under the ultraviolet light. You and your group will be given art supplies to render the models according to your artistic visions, whether that’s a true-to-life depiction or an abstract work of dazzling colours. All skill levels are welcome, so expect a friendly, relaxed atmosphere where you can embrace your inner creativity while also getting any assistance you might need.
Indeed, whether you’re a total novice or practically Picasso, you’ll love the welcoming atmosphere and the unique souvenir you get to take home. Do check the location on their website before you head out, as Neon Naked is held at a different London venue every week (and occasionally even hosted alongside bottomless brunch, if that’s your thing!).
4. Walk through the preserved home of an eccentric architect
Sir John Soane’s Museum in Holborn is nothing short of a collector’s dream. Take the stone steps to the entrance and travel back in time to Regency London and a spectacular house full of incredible items! John Soane was a neo-classical architect who designed the Bank of England building, and his aesthetic sensibilities extended far beyond his work. Today, his home remains almost perfectly preserved since the time of his death in 1837, and holds artifacts and curios from all over the world.
Among these are Greek and Roman antiquities such as bronze statues, vases and mosaics; marble sculptures and busts, including an impressive one of Soane himself; and plenty of the architectural models and drawings he used in his work. Discover striking paintings by Canaletto, a bronze from Pompeii and – the house’s crown jewel – the 3,000-year-old sarcophagus of Seti I. The sarcophagus is located at the base of the house, shrouded in shadows and candlelight, and is the perfect way to cap off your visit (other than picking up a miniature stone replica in the gift shop!).
The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm and, best of all, entry is free. If you want to explore the stories behind the collection in even more detail, tours are available to book as well. Be sure to check the events schedule for talks, late night openings, family workshops and more.
5. Lean into satire and surrealism at Novelty Automation
The last on our list is also a museum in Holborn, albeit a much more modern and technologically advanced one. Novelty Automation is an utterly unique space housing homemade inventions and arcade games with an edge. Founder Tim Hunkin engineered the museum to be ‘an antidote to the corporatisation of fun’ and, indeed, the commercialisation of London as a whole. In other words, if you’re seeking something off the beaten path to do in the city, Hunkin’s museum is tailor-made for you.
Visitors can expect a clever mix of social satire and exceptional engineering inspired by Victorian technology and turn-of-the-century arcades. At Novelty Automation, you’ll find an interactive divorce, an alien probe and an instant eclipse box you can lock yourself inside. And don’t miss the ‘Microbreak’ holiday simulator, which allows you to sit back and be taken on a virtual journey to a mysterious destination.
You might not believe that such a cutting-edge museum would be free to enter, but in fact, it is – you’ll just need to purchase tokens to operate the machines. We also recommend checking the website for opening times, as they vary depending on the day. Finally, if you happen to be in London on the first Thursday of the month, stop by their bar night from 5pm-9pm – there’s nothing quite like sipping a cocktail while getting interactively divorced.
What are your thoughts on our Top 5 Unusual Things for Tourists to Do in London? Let us know in the comments below!
