London is famous for many things. The Royal family (hello Meghan Markle); Big Ben, Winston Churchill (we salute you sir), and erm… Jack the Ripper. Partly because of some of these things, London is also famous for the giant throng of tourists that gather in the city all year round. However, there is more to London than Royal flag waving and historical landmarks. There are some quirky and unusual things to do in the city which we think you should know about. So, after checking out our London vlog for a few highlights, put the following on your itinerary the next time you set foot in the UK’s capital city.
Stay somewhere a little different
Now, while we love these short stay apartments, you could choose to stay somewhere a little more quirky instead. You could camp out in a Yurt at Highgate, sleep in a London Tomb (part of the city’s London Bridge Experience), or book a stay at London Zoo’s new accommodation facility (not a cage), where you can try and get some shut-eye, despite the noise of the lions, tigers, and the other wildlife which populate this popular attraction.
See some fantastic artwork
No, we aren’t talking about one of the many art galleries in the city, as incredible as the works of Picasso and Da Vinci are. We are talking about street art, which you can find along the streets of Hackney and Shoreditch, where the likes of Banksy have rejuvenated the area with incredible colour and designs. David Bowie fans should also check out the fantastic mural of him painted on Morley’s Department Store, round the corner from his childhood home in Brixton. Check out the Leighton House Museum too, which eschews traditional art for something a little more quirky and art nouveau.
Check out the darker side of London
When people think of London’s dark side, they think of Whitechapel, the home of Jack the Ripper’s murders, and the infamous London Dungeons. However, there are other things you should put on your itinerary if you are looking for a few chills. Visit the Clink Prison Museum, where you can get locked up (for a few minutes) while learning about the jail’s grisly past. Have a drink in a (supposedly) haunted pub, such as The Spaniard’s Inn (on Spaniards Road), where you can supposedly see the ghost of highwayman Dick Turpin. Or visit the Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities and check out the skulls, taxidermy specimens, and other assorted ghoulish oddities.
Something for music lovers
Enjoy music? London has much to offer away from the norm. For example, you could dance the night away at a Silent Disco on one of the Thames Riverboats, take part in a Hip-Hop Karaoke event (brunch included) or enjoy the summer beach party vibe at Beaumont House, situated in the heart of Chelsea. And if you think you really know music, then take part in a music quiz, and show off your credentials.
Finally
There’s something to do for everyone, especially those of you keen to avoid the crowds that populate London all year round. If you think we’ve missed something that could be classified as cool and/or unusual, please let us know.
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