10 Unique Things to Do in London: Go Beyond the Top Attractions
You’ve ticked London trip off your bucket list. But, are you ready to visit London like you live here?
If you’re reading this, you’ve done the main things to do in London. You’ve successfully navigated your first trip to London, snagged those iconic photos and maybe even mastered the Tube. You know Big Ben is beautiful, but you also know that London has so much more.
The problem, as a return traveller or someone with 4+ days in town, isn’t finding things to do; it’s figuring out how to coordinate them all. How do you move past the big sights and string together a cohesive, non-rushed itinerary that truly reflects your interests? And better yet- which ones are worth it for you?
That’s where we pivot.
As an American living in London since 2013, married to an English man born here, I am sharing the activities I visit again and again. (Some are also still on my London bucket list!) They are the unique things to do in London that will make your extended trip or second London trip feel like you live here!
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The Insider’s Tour: Going Deeper than a Double-decker Bus
The hop on and off bus tours are perfect for your first day visiting London. But, with more time, you should immerse yourself in the city’s specific niches. These tours offer rich history, personal connection and information you can’t get in a guidebook.
1. The Backstage Magic of the Royal Albert Hall Tour
Why I love it: As a music lover, this tour would be a dream! I’ve taken the tour twice. And while the structure is similar, the guides always bring their unique personal spins to the Hall’s history. It’s an incredible visual experience, rich with stories of legends. It’s genuinely appealing even if you haven’t seen a show there. It truly is one of the most informative and appealing tours in London. You can read what it involves and why in my Royal Albert Hall Tour Review.
2. Deeper into Wartime History: The Churchill War Rooms
If you’re a history buff, this is a non-negotiable must-see. The underground bunker where Churchill and his government directed the war effort is preserved perfectly. Mr. Sunny and I loved our visit. The emotional weight of the rooms and the incredible details of the exhibition provide a powerful counterpoint to London’s above-ground history.
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- Minecraft Experience: Village Rescuer
- Banksy Limitless
- The Murder Express
- Legend of the Titanic Exhibition
- Jurassic World: The Experience
- Humbug– Santa’s Christmas Dive Bar Experience
- SABRAGE
- Prison Island
- Dark Secrets: The Esoteric Exhibition
- Colosseum– The Legendary Arena
- SURFACE: Photo Exhibition by Søren Solkær
3. Niche Exploration: The Royal Opera House Tour
For art and music lovers, the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden is iconic. While I haven’t taken this specific tour yet, it’s high on my list because it offers a rare glimpse into the artistry, craft and architectural history behind one of the world’s greatest cultural institutions. It’s a wonderful way to combine a love of performance with history.
4. Tasting the City’s Past on a Food Tour
As a London foodie, I have taken many food tours. They are a brilliant way to combine history and flavour into one afternoon. Unlike a massive Sunday roast, you won’t walk away feeling stuffed and lethargic. But, you will leave with an incredible list of authentic pubs, markets and places to visit for food in London. This is great for the rest of a trip or your return visit. It’s a fantastic planning tool disguised as a fun afternoon or evening.
Unique Things to Do in London to Escape Zone 1
The best way to feel like a Londoner is to spend a day in a neighbourhood outside of Zone 1 (IYKYK!). These locations demand a half-day or a full day and they offer a different pace, stunning nature and unique history.
5. Day Trip without the Stress: Hampton Court Palace
This historic palace, once home to Henry VIII, is a perfect day trip experience without the hassle of advance train bookings or complicated planning. The grounds and the maze are enormous, offering hours of exploration. While I haven’t been yet, the simple logistics and rich Tudor history make it essential for travellers with a day to spare. The feedback I’ve received from friends, family and followers who have visited is consistently excellent.
6. FRESH AIR & NATURE: Kew Gardens
Need an escape? Kew Gardens is a massive, beautiful UNESCO World Heritage site that offers stunning nature year-round. Londoners treat it as an annual pilgrimage, especially for the incredible Christmas at Kew experience. I have a viral video on it because it truly is that magical. Spending a day here completely removes you from London crowds.
7. NeighboUrhood Deep Dives: Greenwich and Richmond
If you have 4+ days, allocate one entirely to a major neighbourhood.
- Greenwich: Home to the Cutty Sark, the Royal Observatory and a charming market. I have tons of suggestions for Things to Do in Greenwich and why this area is a must-visit. It’s one of our favourite areas to go when we don’t want to make a whole production out of a day trip but still want to feel like we’ve had a great experience away from Central.
- Richmond: Perfect for nature lovers and fans of feel-good TV. You can explore Richmond Park (watching for the wild deer!) or even take a Ted Lasso walking tour.
Unique Things to Do in London: Learn a Skill
The ultimate anti-tourist activity is to spend an afternoon learning a skill. These experiential classes offer a fun, unique memory and guarantee a genuine connection with local culture (or local spirits!).
8. My Favourite Hands-On Classes
Forget watching. Do! I haven’t personally taken these specific classes, but based on my research and what travellers with 4+ days look for, these are the ultimate experiences to book:
- Traditional Scone Making Workshop: Learn the secrets of the perfect afternoon tea pastry.
- Make Your Own Gin Experience with Take Home Bottle: A fun, boozy afternoon crafting your own spirit in a historic distillery.
- Indian Cooking Masterclass with Market Tour: London has some of the world’s best Indian food; learn the techniques behind it.
- Traditional Pork Pie Cookery Class: A classic, slightly quirky British cooking lesson.
These are available to book through platforms like GetYourGuide and are the perfect anchor activity for a day of non-touristy exploration.
Unique Things to Do in London: Hidden Gems in the City
For quiet views and atmospheres that Londoners love, I always suggest these City of London treasures. They reflect the old and the new.
9. Tranquil Ruins: St Dunstan in the East
This is genuinely one of my personal favourites. Tucked away between the Tower of London and the City skyscrapers, this ruined church was bombed during the Blitz but was left standing and is now a public garden. It’s a magical, peaceful spot perfect for a quiet escape and easily one of the top things I recommend to visitors who have already seen the Tower of London and Sky Garden.
10. The Sky-High View with No Price Tag: Horizon 22
Forget The Shard’s price tag or the London Eye’s limited time on a ride. Horizon 22 offers breathtaking, high-up views of the city for free. I’ve been once. I can tell you it’s incredible but not for the faint of heart! Crucially, you need to book well in advance, or be willing to brave the walk-in queue, which can require a bit of a wait. This requires a little strategic planning, which is why it’s perfect for the methodical second-time visitor!
The Ultimate Bougie Escape: The Royal Exchange
This is a fantastic full experience that anchors a luxury day in the City. We frequently pop in to Fortnum and Mason inside for some champagne for a quiet escape or bring guests here who love a luxurious, historic experience. It feels like a world away from the busy City streets outside.
Your Perfect London Trip Starts Here
This list gives you the best of London’s unique depth. It has backstage tours and serene nature escapes to hands-on cooking classes.
But here is the honest truth that every seasoned traveller knows: finding the unique things to do in London is only half the battle. Coordinating these scattered locations (like Greenwich, Kew and a class) into a logical, seamless London itinerary that doesn’t waste hours on the Tube is the real challenge. You deserve a London trip where you aren’t rushing and your days flow perfectly.
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If the thought of perfectly scheduling the Horizon 22 queue before a Royal Albert Hall show, or seamlessly combining Hampton Court with a Richmond walk, seems stressful, let me help you organise your London trip with my insider’s information!
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Stop planning and start getting excited! You’re a click away from turning your list of unique things to do in London into a coordinated, unforgettable journey.
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