12+ Unique Experiences in London You Have to Try for Yourself (2026)
Looking for unique London experiences? I’ve got you covered. Here’s unusual London experiences you simply can’t find anywhere else — from a Londoner.
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From classy to weird and boujee to wonderful, there’s tons of unique experiences to be had in London, if you know where to look…
As a borderline (okay, full-blown) London lover, I’m always on the hunt for new and quirky experiences in the city. And of course, I’m willing to share.
Whether you’re in the city for the long haul or a spell, if you’re looking for something different, here’s the best unique London experiences you simply can’t find anywhere else.
About the Author
Hi, I’m Candace — a London-based travel writer and content creator who traded the East Coast of the US for the charm of the UK back in 2016. London’s been my home ever since.
On this blog, you’ll find hundreds of thoughtfully crafted London, UK, Europe and Worldwide travel guides alongside lots of insider London tips, honest hotel and restaurant reviews and advice for content creators.
P.S. – For more trip inspiration, travel videos, and behind-the-scenes adventures, be sure to follow along (and say hello, if you fancy) on Instagram, TikTok or YouTube.
🗞️📺 As featured on the BBC, USA Today & Recipe.TV.
Unique Experiences in London You Have to Try for Yourself
P.S. – Coming to London? Have the perfect trip planned for you with our 3,5, or 7-Day London Tourist Itineraries 🇬🇧
1. Test Your Mini-Golf Skills at Swingers Crazy Golf
It’s one thing to mini-golf. It’s another to do crazy mini-golf with a cocktail in hand and delicious street food. Welcome to Swingers.
Take up a night of friends, booze, food and trying to get a hole in one (only took me 20 tries…).
Simply book a time slot for your tee-off time and let the games begin. Each round takes about 30 minutes, with friendly waiters ready to take your drink of choice for a little liquid courage during your game.
P.S. – I personally recommend Swingers for a date night or night out with friends. There’s also group packages if you want the full experience.
2. Take a Ride Down St Regent’s Canal
Gliding down Regent’s Canal never gets old for me — it’s hands down one of the most unique ways to see London.
Start in Little Venice, where waterside cafés and narrowboats make you feel miles from the city, then hop on the Regent’s Canal Waterbus all the way to Camden Town.
Once you dock in Camden, wander Camden Market, hunt for vintage treasures and round things off with a climb up Primrose Hill for skyline views.
Go late afternoon if you can to catch sunset!
3. Indulge in an Afternoon Tea on a Double Decker Bus
Afternoon tea with a view? It’s time for the BB Afternoon Tea Bus Tour, where you can sip your brew and nibble on scones as a vintage red double-decker rolls you through Central London.
What I love about this unique experience in London is that it’s not your usual hop-on, hop-off ride.
You stay on board the whole way, gliding past icons like Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Hyde Park, Royal Albert Hall, Nelson’s Column, Downing Street, Marble Arch and plenty more. All while the tiered trays of finger sandwiches and cakes keep coming.
The journey lasts about 90 minutes (traffic depending), so you’ll still have time to wander London by foot after.
Looking for more afternoon tea experiences like this? Read 3 BEST Afternoon Tea Bus Tours in London You Have to Check Out.
4. Get a Taste of London with a 3 Hour Secret British Food Tour
I’ll never say no to exploring London through its food — and the Secret British Food Tour is one of the best ways to do it.
Over three hours you’ll wander the city tasting classic dishes, from melt-in-your-mouth English fudge at Borough Market to award-winning Cumberland sausages, proper pub snacks, sweet and bitter pints, and indulgent desserts.
And yes, there’s fish and chips (because what’s a London food tour without them?). As for the “secret dish”… you’ll just have to join to find out…
Looking for more foodie experiences in London? Read 5 Best Food Tours in London.
5. Take a Sunset Cruise Across London
I honestly can’t think of anything that tops a London sunset from the water.
Hop aboard a Sparkling 2-Hour Cruise Across the River Thames and you’ll sail past the capital’s most iconic sights with a glass of bubbly in hand and canapés to match. There’s even live jazz!
The best bit? It doubles as a sightseeing tour. You’ll glide under Tower Bridge, catch the London Eye twinkling into the evening and spot the towers of Canary Wharf glowing in the distance. Pure London magic.
Looking for more lovely River Thames cruises? Read Best River Cruises in London.
6. Drink Away the Day at the Soho & Piccadilly Beer Bike Tour
The first time I spotted a group pedalling through Soho on a beer bike, I knew I had to try it myself.
The Piccadilly and Soho Beer Bike Tour is exactly what it sounds like: cycling through central London with your mates, drinks in hand and the city buzzing around you.
Tours last between one and two hours, with an onboard guide, barman and even a barista. It’s BYOB, so stock up beforehand, and you’ll stop off at a few pubs along the way if pedalling gets the best of you.
Fair warning — you’ll definitely draw a few stares (and cheers) from people on the pavement. But that’s half the fun.
7. Abseil Down the ArcelorMittal Orbit
Sliding down Europe’s longest tunnel slide is one thing. But at the ArcelorMittal Orbit, you can actually strap in and abseil 80 metres down the side of the structure. Definitely one of the boldest ways to see London.
If you’re fine with heights, the views over the Olympic Park and beyond are worth the adrenaline rush.
And if dangling from a skyscraper-sized sculpture feels a bit much, you can always stick to the slide — still a thrill in its own right.
8. Climb the Roof of the O2
If you’re after an adrenaline kick in London, try climbing over the O2. Harness up, clip in and make your way across the dome until you’re standing 52 metres above Greenwich with the whole city skyline spread out around you.
Safety gear and an instructor are included, so you’ll feel secure even if you’re a bit wobbly on the way up.
Once you reach the top, you’ll have time to take in the 360° views before heading back down.
And when you’re done, you’re right by the IFS Cloud Cable Car, the Thames and the O2 itself — perfect if you fancy a film, dinner or even a gig after your climb.
9. Take a Jack the Ripper Walking Tour
I’m not usually one for spooky tours, but the Jack the Ripper Walking Tour is the exception. Following the trail of one of history’s most notorious figures through the backstreets of Whitechapel is both eerie and fascinating.
The real highlight is the guides — they know their history inside out and manage to mix dark storytelling with just the right touch of wit.
As you stop at each site, you’ll hear the theories, the facts and the unanswered questions that still linger today.
By the end, you feel like you’ve stepped straight into Victorian London — gas lamps, cobblestones and all.
Looking for more night tours? Read The BEST Night Tours in London.
10. Cycle Through Street Art in Shoreditch
Cycling around London is fun on its own, but doing it while spotting murals makes it even better.
The Shoreditch Street Art Bike Tour takes you through Brick Lane, Hoxton and Hackney, with plenty of hidden pieces you’d probably miss on foot.
Tours are capped at just 12 people, so it feels nice and personal, and the guides really know their stuff when it comes to East London’s creative scene.
P.S. Other great neighbourhoods for street art in London are Brixton, Camden, Clapham and Dulwich.
12. Explore the Wizarding World at Warner Bros. Studios Tour
It might not be the quirkiest pick on this list, but the Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter (with transport) is too good to leave out.
If you’ve ever dreamed of walking through the Great Hall, peeking at the Philosopher’s Stone or seeing how the sets and props came to life, this is your chance. It’s a bit outside London, but the return coach makes it easy to get there and back.
Whether you’re a die-hard Potterhead or just curious about the magic behind the films, it’s one of those London days out you won’t forget.
Big Potterhead? Read The Best Harry Potter Tours in London.
Other Unique Experiences in London
London never runs out of surprises. Once you’ve ticked off the bigger bucket-list items, there are plenty of smaller, quirky ways to see the city — many of them easy on the wallet too.
Explore ‘lesser-known’ neighbourhoods
The city isn’t just about Central London.
Wander over to Bethnal Green for the wonderfully odd Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, Fine Art & UnNatural History, pop down to Twickenham to discover bohemian Eel Pie Island, or head south to Dulwich and the colourful House of Dreams.
Even in popular spots you’ll stumble on the unexpected — think the graffiti-covered Leake Street Tunnel in South Bank, Sir John Soane’s Museum in Holborn, or grabbing a bite inside Mercato Mayfair, a food market set in a former church.
Have a look at my London neighbourhood guides for more!
Visit an eccentric bar
If there’s one thing London does well, it’s bars with personality.
Try BYOC near St Paul’s (bring your own bottle of spirits and let the bartenders work their magic), duck through a fridge door to find The Mayor Of Scaredy Cat Town in Shoreditch, or book The Candlelight Club in Greenwich for a secret 1920s-style night out.
Other favourites? Mr. Fogg’s Tavern in Covent Garden, Cahoots in Soho with its old Tube carriage set-up, or Ballie Ballerson in Shoreditch — yes, that’s the bar with the giant ball pit.
Relax at a Cemetery
It might sound a bit unusual, but some of London’s cemeteries are as beautiful as its parks. Here’s a few to check out:
Get Competitive The London Way
London loves a good game. Beyond crazy golf, you can try axe throwing at Whistle Punks (or Boom Battle Bar at The O2), play Lifesized Monopoly, or dive into a new world with VR at Otherworld Hackney. Perfect for when you want to do something a little different with friends.
Unique Experiences in London FAQs
💭 What’s the most special thing about London?
For me, it’s the mix of contrasts. One moment you’re wandering through a quiet Bloomsbury Garden square, and the next you’re in the middle of bustling Oxford Circus.
💭 What are London’s iconic spots?
You can’t miss Big Ben, the London Eye, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral and Covent Garden. They’re famous for a reason.
Read more: Top 10 London Attractions: 10 Famous Places to See & Visit
💭 What’s one especially popular attraction?
Aside from the big names, Covent Garden is always a crowd-pleaser — from its street performers to the market hall and little shops tucked away in every corner.
💭 What’s the best immersive experience in London?
For sheer magic, it has to be the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. Even if you’re not the world’s biggest Harry Potter fan, stepping onto the sets and seeing the film secrets up close is brilliant.
💭 What shouldn’t I miss in London?
The markets, without a doubt. Camden for the energy, Borough for food, Portobello Road for antiques, and Brick Lane on a Sunday for vintage and street food.
RECAP: Best Unique Experiences in London
Thanks for reading my Unique Experiences in London Guide. If you enjoyed it, let me know on Instagram!
CHECK OUT MORE LONDON GUIDES:
- 5 Best River Cruises in London
- The Best Themed Afternoon Teas in London
- London Travel Tips & Inspiration
- Best Things to Do in London
- London Film Tours
- London Day Itineraries
- Hidden London
Happy Londoning,
