Quirky Activities In London

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By Marcus Sanigar Food, Drink & Events Copywriter, DesignMyNight 10-year hospitality, travel and events expert, writing for Expedia, Trainline and more. Last updated on 1st April 2026

Find the best quirky activities London has to offer on DesignMyNight, tried and tested by our editors. There's no shortage of unusual activities, whether you're planning a trip here or a local searching for fresh ideas; think once-in-a-lifetime things to do like abandoned underground mail trains and aqua aerobics in a rooftop pool overlook Battersea Power Station.

To help, we've listed unique activity recommendations and interactive things to book below, whether you're a couple, with a group, need a team building session, want to explore everything outdoor, looking for something free, or need to unleash your inner big kid with competitive socialisation games.

Find out more about how we create our guides in our Editorial Policy

Fun London Activities For 2026, Handpicked By A Local




1. Sky Garden

  • Location: 1 Sky Garden Walk, City of London, EC3M 8AF
  • Best for: activities with a view
  • Activity type: music, boozy, active, wellness, daytime
  • Price: from £12.65 per person
  • Why I recommend: the views from Sky Garden are pretty much unbeatable, but it's the range of activities on offer that make it such a top pick; from mornings relaxing with the sunrise or on a yoga mat to late-nights with live music

One of the most iconic places across the city due to its rooftop location in the Walkie-Talkie with floor-to-ceiling windows and an abundance of greenery, Sky Garden is also a great shout if you're after the most unusual and fun things to do in London.

Why, you might ask? The venue has plenty of unique activities, including morning yoga sessions while you take in those views, sunrise viewings and live music nights to boot. There are multiple bars on site as well, so you'll be well-stocked for drinks throughout.

2. Flight Club

  • Location: multiple, including Bloomsbury, Victoria, Shoreditch, and Islington
  • Best for: interactive darts and boozy brunching
  • Activity type: competitive, group, pub game, brunch
  • Price: from £10 per person
  • Why I recommend: this is the original destination for social darts, providing hours of fun for groups. The handy self-scoring system means you can focus on your aim instead of the maths as you compete across fun minigames

Flight Club is the original home of 'social darts', providing one heck of a fun activity for those stepping up to the oche. These fairground-themed venues can be found in Victoria, Shoreditch, Bloomsbury and Islington, boasting multiple electronic boards that add up your scores for you.

Get stuck into competitive, multiplayer games with your friends, with prices starting from £10 each for an hour. What's more, their weekend brunches offer an hour of gaming, two hours of unlimited pizza and a bottle of prosecco or four beers per person.

3. Discover The Best Bingo Events

  • Location: various
  • Best for: playing themed, party-driven twists on an old school game
  • Activity type: group, competitive, party
  • Price: from £7
  • Why I recommend: the days of bingo being only for your nan and her mates are gone; these ramped-up versions of bingo feature festival-style parties, immersive challenges, drag queen hosts, fun themes and more to take the activity to the next level - now some of the most popular and fun activities in London for young adults

Editor's picks:

  • Dabbers - a mainstay in the interactive bingo business, these guys offer a range of themes alongside top comedians, flamboyant performers, and cheeky MCs, so you can come back time and again for a different experience.
  • Old Skool Bingo - the ultimate throwback party taking you back to the 90s and early 00s, complete with RnB vibes, dance contests, and DJs throughout.
  • Agency Unknown - with a focus on music bingo, Agency Unknown ticks all the boxes with rotating themes each month, including 90s vs 00s, love songs, party anthems and more.

4. art'otel London Battersea Power Station

  • Location: 1 Electric Boulevard, Nine Elms, SW11 8BJ
  • Best for: starting off your morning in an invigorating way
  • Activity type: wholesome, fitness, classes, wellness, daytime
  • Price: from £25 per person
  • Why I recommend: complete with a one-of-a-kind view of Battersea Power Station, art'otel's wellness events offer a stunning perspective that you can't find just anywhere. Choose between aqua aerobics, yoga and brunch, and - my favourite - yogalates on a paddleboard floating in the rooftop pool

One of the most wholesome ways to kick off your day, a trip to art'otel London Battersea Power Station promises stunning rooftop views and unique fitness classes. Look out over the Power Station and beyond from this elevated terrace, complete with its own outdoor pool.

Here, you can get involved in everything from aqua aerobics to sunrise yoga and even Pilates on a paddleboard. Tickets start from as little as £25 per person, including a coffee and a pastry afterwards.

5. Murder Mystery Events To Try

  • Location: various
  • Best for: diving into a different world filled with scheming and sleuthing
  • Activity type: immersive, group, date, vintage, themed
  • Price: from £21
  • Why I recommend: a detective drama come to life, in which you get the pleasure of also hunting down the culprit, murder mystery experiences are as unique as they come - especially when you throw in vintage themes, food, drinks and the potential to win prizes

Editor's picks:

  • Mr Fogg's Victorian Murder Mystery - already known for their immersive experiences, Mr Fogg's take it up a notch in the theatre department with their Victorian murder mystery experience, where a gentleman is poisoned during a game of cards. There's one hour to interrogate four suspects, plus two cocktails included with every ticket.
  • The Murder Express - a long-standing murder mystery experience with rave reviews, I love that this event combines live acting with a three-course, classic British meal and a vintage train setting at Pedley Street Station to boot. Amateur sleuths will enjoy the two-fold story of diamond thievery and murder.

6. Alcotraz London: Cell Block Two-One-Two

@ Alcotraz Penitentiary: London on Various dates from Wednesday 1st April 2026

  • Location: 127 Hackney Road, Hoxton, E2 8GY
  • Best for: immersing yourself in a prison-themed bar
  • Activity type: group, immersive, cocktails, date, themed, hen, stag
  • Price: from £39.22 per person
  • Why I recommend: this is one of the city's original and best immersive experiences, making for excellent photo opportunities as well as a boozy night out complete with bespoke cocktails made using your smuggled-in contraband. I've tried this one in multiple different cities now - no two had the same story, and all were fun as they come, even if you end up in solitary

If you're searching for something unique and boozy, then Alcotraz is your best bet. The whacky bar has prison-themed outposts, where you'll be implored to dress up and smuggle in liquor for an immersive experience with bespoke cocktails.

Their Hoxton venue will see you sneaking past the warden and using corrupt guards to your advantage, with plenty of great photo opportunities along the way.

7. LONDON WING FEST 2026

@ London Stadium, on Friday 24th July 2026 and 2 other dates

  • Location: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, E20 2ST
  • Best for: chicken lovers
  • Activity type: outdoor, food
  • Price: £27.50 per person
  • Why I recommend: this has to be the city's best food festival, beloved by locals and tourists every year. From the scrumptious chicken to the fantastic entertainment, what's not to like?

One of London's coolest festivals is returning for 2026 promising £1.50 wings and free trucker hats for everyone on arrival. Wing Fest will be taking over London Stadium for three days in July, hosting 45 different vendors battling to be crowned the best across barbecue, Buffalo and wild wing categories.

If you really love wings, you can even take part in their eating competition, or the Lava Wing challenge if you're brave enough. There's plenty of entertainment to be discovered too, from axe throwing to live music, amusements and even bourbon masterclasses.

8. The Big Bakes

  • Location: multiple locations
  • Best for: getting stuck into competitive baking
  • Activity type: group, date, competitive, cooking, food
  • Price: from £32.40 per person
  • Why I recommend: you might not quite be good enough to make it on to Bake Off, but this is the next best thing - ideal for unique date ideas or competing against another pair of friends

If baking is a no-brainer for you, or you really think it's about time you tried, this cooking experience is not one to be missed. Go head-to-head with your mates in themed challenges, as you whisk and stir your way to possible victory in a mega marquee, at their locations in Tooting and Haggerston.

You'll be provided with all the materials and equipment you need, before being given 90 minutes to bake in pairs. Tickets start from £32.40 per head, and you'll leave with a delicious, handmade treat.

9. Electric Shuffle Canary Wharf

£15 Lunch Offer

  • Location: multiple locations, including Canary Wharf, King's Cross and London Bridge
  • Best for: getting competitive over a high-tech version of shuffleboard
  • Activity type: competitive, group, game, brunch, date
  • Price: from £10 per person
  • Why I recommend: think you know shuffleboard? Think again. The interactive games here are fun for groups of all sizes, and I enjoy the ease of their automatic scoring system

I don't know if you've heard, but shuffleboard just so happens to be one of London's most popular pastimes, so where can you play? High-tech and quirky to boot, join Electric Shuffle in Canary Wharf, London Bridge or King's Cross for boards, cocktails and plenty of fun.

Their electronic tables come equipped with several multiplayer games, and the screens calculate your scores and play back your best moments for you. You can play in groups of up to 16 people, and they even host boozy brunches on weekends - complete with unlimited pizza and a whole bottle of prosecco or four beers each.

10. Hexmoor: Wizarding Prison

@ Hexmoor: London on Various dates from Wednesday 1st April 2026

  • Location: 127 Hackney Road, Unit 11, Hoxton, E2 8GY
  • Best for: witches and wizards who want a taste of prison life and the dark arts
  • Activity type: group, immersive, cocktails, date, themed
  • Price: from £53.95 per person
  • Why I recommend: I always love an immersive experience, and this one is from the team behind the five-star-user-rated Alcotraz and Moonshine Saloon, so you know it'll be good. Between the live action and the magic-inspired cocktails, it ticks all the boxes

Welcome to Hexmoor, the world's first immersive wizarding prison bar. On arrival, you'll be issued your official inmate jumpsuit and locked up alongside a cast of notorious wizards with a penchant for the dark arts. This isn't just a themed bar - it's a fully interactive experience featuring live actors who bring the prison to life with immersive theatre, spellbinding storylines, and the chance to collude with other characters to orchestrate a daring escape.

To tailor your experience, choose from three ticket tiers: the standard inmate package includes three magical cocktails for £49.50; upgrade to four cocktails for £57.50; or go all in with four cocktails and a custom-made wand, hand-delivered to you by Willbott's Wand Shop as part of the experience, for £77.50.

11. Uncover Secret Places You Won't Believe Are In London

  • Location: various
  • Best for: finding hidden gems in the Big Smoke
  • Activity type: history, outdoor, hidden, sightseeing
  • Price: from free
  • Why I recommend: when you've ticked off all the major landmarks and want something a little different, our guide on underappreciated places to visit and hidden things to do in London is where to consult next; think Hindu and Buddhist temples, gothic ruins and more

Editor's picks:

  • Highgate Cemetery - nicknamed the 'great garden of death' when opening in 1839, Highgate is still one of the city's most famous cemeteries and great for a spooky stroll. Whether you opt for a tour or visit self-guided, don't miss Egyptian Avenue, inspired by the Victorian fashion for Egyptology, or mausoleum of Julius Beer.
  • Dunstan In The East - dating back to 1100, this now-ruinous Gothic church is a hidden escape found halfway between London Bridge and the Tower of London. Destroyed in the Great Fire of London, restored in the 1800s, and damaged again in the Blitz, it paints a picture of some of London's greatest tragedies.
  • Hampstead Heath Pergola and Hill Gardens - once renowned for its beauty, Hampstead Heath Pergola and Hill Gardens were abandoned and fell into disrepair after owner, Lord Leverhulme, died in 1925. Now being restored to its former glory, you'll find grand architecture and peaceful outdoor space here.

12. Unusual London Attractions You Might Not Have Tried

  • Location: various
  • Best for: finding our capital's hidden historical gems
  • Activity type: museums, history, sightseeing
  • Price: from free
  • Why I recommend: you've ticked off the standard attractions; so, what next? I'd say going off the beaten track is your best option, where you'll find new, once-in-a-lifetime activities at iconic landmarks and tunnels under the Thames

Editor's picks:

  • The Postal Museum's Mail Rail - a unique view into the postal service's underground world, a trip on the Mail Rail is included with every museum ticket. Discover original tunnels and unchanged platforms, as well as see inside them from the glass-topped mini train.
  • Greenwich Foot Tunnel - open since 1902, this refurbished 370m foot tunnel under the Thames connects Cutty Sark in Greenwich with Island Gardens, the park in the south of Isle of Dogs. At the entrance north of the river, take in the famous "Canaletto view" of Greenwich, from the Old Royal Naval College on the riverfront to the Queen's House and the Royal Observatory atop Greenwich Park's hill in the background.
  • Tower Bridge's glass floor - while Tower Bridge is a blindingly obvious pick of top attractions, not everyone knows that it's not just the bridge's structure and exterior that's impressive. Installed in 2014 and located in the high-level walkways, its glass floor is 11.5m long and 42m above the Thames, so particularly recommended for viewing the bridge's bascules lifting.

13. Ballie Ballerson London

Discounts available on certain events

  • Location: 97 - 113 Curtain Road, Shoreditch, EC2A 3BS
  • Best for: diving into a pink ball pit and themed bottomless brunches
  • Activity type: boozy, brunch, late-night
  • Price: from £5.60
  • Why I recommend: this is one of our favourite spots for nightlife in the whole city and their iconic ball pit is the ultimate Instagrammable feature

Home to one million balls and a signature glowing pit of them housed in a huge mirrored cage, Ballie Ballerson is one quirky night out activity. You'll get to jump head-first into a unique experience, complete with a hit soundtrack and retro sweet-inspired cocktails from the bar.

They host all kinds of brilliant events too, all complete with access to the ball pit, ranging from bottomless pizza brunches to club nights.

14. Mr Fogg's Cocktail Experiments

@ Mr Fogg's Apothecary on Saturday 4th April 2026 and 32 other Saturdays

  • Location: 34 Brook Street, Mayfair, W1K 5DN
  • Best for: sipping cocktails in an immersive setting
  • Activity type: immersive, cocktails, classes
  • Price: from £62.64 per person
  • Why I recommend: I'll never say no to a cocktail, but especially not when it's made by ourselves in a magical apothecary

Activities don't get better than Mr Fogg's Cocktail Experiments. So, what's in store? Step inside the Mayfair Elixir Room to make your own boozy prescription with the guidance of mad mixologists. Think Moët & Chandon potions, colour-changing delights and lots of magic.

You'll be welcomed as an apothecary apprentice, taught how to use their unique mix of ingredients to create a bespoke concoction. Tickets cost £62.64, including three cocktails and the guidance of their specialists.

15. Draughts Waterloo & Stratford

  • Location: Arch 16, Leake Street, Waterloo SE1 7NN &  5 Aquatic Walk, Sratford E20 2AS
  • Best for: board game fanatics
  • Activity type: wholesome, competitive, group, family
  • Price: from £7.50 per person
  • Why I recommend: there are more than 1,000 board games to choose from here, meaning you can wile away the hours with wholesome activities galore - with refreshments like cocktails and comfort food meaning you can really make a full day of it with an epic-length game

With an actual library of board games, a cool beer garden and seven interconnecting rooms, Draughts is a fun den. The Stratford and Waterloo locations are also keeping you in wallet-friendly cocktails and a range of tacos, burgers or fries.

You can come with friends, or attend one of their meetups to meet likeminded people to play with. There are endless games to choose from, as well as a full-sized shuffleboard table.

16. Kitty Yoga

  • Location: multiple locations in Old Street
  • Best for: bonding with some adorable kittens
  • Activity type: wholesome, active, wellness
  • Price: from £25 per person
  • Why I recommend: the ultimate relaxation experience if you're a cat-lover, this amazing opportunity to hang out with loads of adorable cats at once isn't to be missed. Get practicing your breathing and stretching techniques with plenty of chances for petting in between

For a unique fitness event that's bound to leave you feeling relaxed, check out Kitty Yoga. This takes place at Tara Yoga Centre in Shoreditch and other nearby venues, where they'll take you through a soft, slow vinyasa flow, focusing on breathing techniques and stretches.

There'll be cute kittens roaming around you throughout the 40-minute session, and an extra 20 minutes of playtime at the end. Tickets start from £25 for kitten therapy, or £35 with yoga included.

17. Lucky Voice Karaoke Venues

  • Location: multiple, including Soho, Islington, Holborn, Liverpool Street, and Waterloo
  • Best for: singing your heart out in a private room
  • Activity type: group, music
  • Price: from £8 per person, per hour
  • Why I recommend: these private karaoke rooms provide an exclusive feel without breaking the bank - particularly recommended for birthdays or team nights out

One of the best indoor activities for adults in London is without a doubt Lucky Voice, in Soho, Islington, Holborn and beyond. Sing your heart out in the privacy of your own karaoke room, perfect for groups of friends or a quirky work event.

They've got over 13,000 songs to choose from across multiple genres, available in different languages too. Take advantage of the world-class cocktail bar and artisan pizzas to fuel your session of songs, and they'll even deliver to your room. 

18. Fairgame Canary Wharf

Book an event this Easter and the fizz is on us and 1 other offer

  • Location: Fishermans Walk, Canary Wharf, E14 4DH
  • Best for: adults-only fairground fun
  • Activity type: competitive, interactive, gaming, nostaglic
  • Price: from £19 for a games booking, additional packages available
  • Why I recommend: this place offers some of my favourite activities to do in London, giving a real nostalgic vibe, and I particularly enjoy the interactive leaderboard that encourages a competitive atmosphere on any outing

Fairgame Canary Wharf offers some of the quirkiest games in their indoor immersive fairground, from Whac-A-Mole to Skeeball and Shoot the Clown. Their innovative RFID wristband tech, alongside an app which logs your scores, creates a gaming bar like no other - and you can keep track of who's winning on the leaderboard.

This colourful, Instagram-worthy space is perfect for an unusual date idea or group activities in London for adults - ideal for all the big kids out there. There's tasty street food up for grabs from Burger & Beyond, Rudy's Pizza or Taco Collective, paired with creative cocktails and boozy slushies. Plus, they've got a second venue in St Paul's.

19. Escape The Power Cut

@ Control Room B on Various dates from Saturday 4th April 2026

  • Location: 270 The Power Station, Circus Road South, Battersea, SW11 8BZ
  • Best for: a cocktail-fuelled escape adventure
  • Activity type: immersive, group, cocktails
  • Price: from £59.40 per person
  • Why I recommend: this is a great shout of fun activities in London for couples or small groups, helping you bond through a high-energy escape room experience complete with cocktails

Ditch the bog-standard days out and head over to Escape The Power Cut, found at Control Room B in Battersea Power Station. During this thrilling experience, you'll need to work together to solve problems and decipher cryptic clues (all while sipping a couple of cocktails, of course).

Your ticket includes two drinks and a 90-minute session, so you'll have to work against the clock to crack the code. This works for teams of two to six people, so it's ideal for either couples or groups of friends.

20. NQ64 Shoreditch

  • Location: 256-260 Old Street, Shoreditch, EC1V 9DD; 53-54 Berwick Street, Soho, W1F 8SP
  • Best for: nostalgic, competitive fun
  • Activity type: competitive, group, gaming, retro, nostalgic, date
  • Price: free entry, activities vary
  • Why I recommend: this is the perfect choice for a hit of nostalgia, packed full of retro games and creative cocktails

With locations in Shoreditch and Soho, NQ64 is the ultimate arcade bar. This nostalgic destination is covered in neon graffiti, boasting a wide range of retro arcade machines and old-school consoles.

You can play everything from Street Fighter to Pacman and Guitar Hero, great for some competitive fun with friends. Their themed cocktails are excellent too, from the Powerstar Martini to an Aku Aku Fruit Punch.

21. Monopoly Lifesized

  • Location: 213-215 Tottenham Court Road, Fitzrovia, W1T 7PN
  • Best for: a unique take on a classic board game
  • Activity type: group, competitive, gaming, family
  • Price: from £54 per person
  • Why I recommend: Monopoly is one of the most beloved board games of all time, and just when you thought there couldn't be any more takes on it, these guys are bringing you a full venue dedicated to it

Situated in Fitzrovia, Monopoly Lifesized is a fabulous event for team-building activities and weekends with friends. You'll get stuck in immersive experiences based on the board games. Be warned: you might need to escape from jail.

Choose from multiple boards, including classic, city and luxury - using a huge board and all your favourite tokens. Plus, there's themed food and drink at the Top Hat Bar & Restaurant.

22. F1® Arcade - St Paul's, London

  • Location: 1 New Change, St Paul's, EC4M 9AF
  • Best for: sipping cocktails in an immersive setting
  • Activity type: competitive, group, gaming, high-adrenaline, sport
  • Price: from £19.95 per person
  • Why I recommend: F1®'s first official racing simulators make this the original destination to experience the sport from the comfort of a swanky bar. Even when you're not speeding around some of the world's most famous tracks, the vibes are still impeccable

F1® Arcade is a great choice of fun things to do in London with friends, especially if you're a lover of the sport or enjoy getting your heart racing. The bar is home to world-first official racing simulators for you to get stuck into.

Race across some of the world's best tracks, all while sipping creative cocktails from their stylish bar. Feeling peckish? Their kitchen is cooking up the likes of triple pepperoni flatbreads, pulled brisket tacos, crispy halloumi burgers and more.

23. Roller Nation

  • Location: 117 Bruce Grove, Seven Sisters, N17 6UR
  • Best for: rolling around the rink like a pro
  • Activity type: active, late-night, nostalgic, retro
  • Price: from £12.50 per person
  • Why I recommend: nostalgic as it comes, this place proves that roller skating is definitely still for adults too. We'd recommend both their retro club nights for late-night skates on eight wheels and their more casual sessions

Take part in the ultimate roller disco experience with a modern twist. Recognised as the largest permanent skate rink in London, Roller Nation houses an extensively stocked bar and huge outdoor space, all of which is soundtracked by a banging playlist to keep you grooving.

They offer something different every single day, from Soul Skate on Thursdays to late-night sessions on Sundays and Monday events where you can bring along your own skates.

24. Indoor Vertical Farm Tours - Corner Corner

@ Corner Corner on Saturday 11th and Saturday 25th April 2026

  • Location: Corner Corner, Maritime Street, SE16 7LL
  • Best for: the agriculturally curious and anyone who likes to eat fresh 
  • Activity type: group, educational, tasting
  • Price: £11
  • Why I recommend: a chance to see how your food is made and taste fresh, farm-grown produce without stepping outside the city is a rare opportunity - one I think you should grab with two hands

Step into the world of urban farming at Corner Corner to see how fresh food is grown right here in the heart of the city. On a vertical farm tour, you'll go behind the scenes to see how this groundbreaking method helps to reduce food miles, waste and environmental impact.

As well as a 45-minute, expertly guided tour, you'll get the chance to see, smell and taste freshly harvested produce grown on site. Snap up your ticket today for just £11.

25. Krazy Karts At Bermondsey Bierkeller

  • Location: 2-4 Tooley Street, London Bridge, SE1 2SY
  • Best for: high-energy fun
  • Activity type: group, competitive, high-adrenaline
  • Price: £20 per person
  • Why I recommend: these are high-tech karts that provide a fun drifting experience as you race around the track's corners, complete with great food and drink upstairs for afterwards

Head to The Bermondsey Bierkeller for an exciting night out, thanks to their Krazy Karts experience. This is an underground drift karting track, where you can battle against your friends on state-of-the-art electric karts.

There's a unique course where you can compete to be crowned the winner. Plus, expect refreshing German beers on offer, as well as a tasty menu of pizzas, burgers, schnitzel and more.

26. ArcelorMittal Orbit

  • Location: ArcelorMittal Orbit, Olympic Park, Stratford, E20 2AD
  • Best for: events that need a serious wow factor and unforgettable city views
  • Activity type: outdoor, high-adrenaline, adventure, active
  • Price: on request, depending on event type and configuration
  • Why I recommend: from jaw-dropping 360° views to the world's tallest tunnel slide, this iconic Stratford venue combines art, adrenaline, and luxury, making it perfect for clients, colleagues, or a private celebration

The ArcelorMittal Orbit is London's ultimate backdrop for events that need to impress. Designed by Turner Prize-winning artist Anish Kapoor, this striking Olympic Park landmark offers two viewing platforms and flexible event spaces, all with floor-to-ceiling panoramic views of the capital.

You can enjoy alfresco drinks on the upper deck, abseil down via the exterior hatch, or slide 178 metres on 'The Slide at the ArcelorMittal Orbit' for a seriously memorable arrival or exit. From Christmas parties and after-parties to corporate conferences, gala dinners, and product launches, the venue's contemporary interiors, award-winning catering, and dedicated event management team make every occasion feel extraordinary.

27. Brigit's Afternoon Tea Ltd

  • Location: Brigit's Afternoon Tea Ltd, 8 Northumberland Avenue, WC2N 5BY
  • Best for: sweet-toothed sightseers and quirky London adventures
  • Activity type: afternoon tea, sightseeing, food
  • Price: from £40 per adult, £36 per child
  • Why I recommend: board a 1960s Routemaster for a charming, sugar-filled spin around London's iconic landmarks while indulging in pastries, cakes, and sandwiches served on cute crockery

Brigit's Afternoon Tea Ltd turns London sightseeing into a delectable experience. Hop aboard a vintage 1960s Routemaster bus, complete with leather seats and beautifully styled tables, and cruise past Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and the Royal Albert Hall while tucking into a curated selection of pastries, sandwiches, and cutesy cakes.

Each table comes decked with charming crockery and tea, making it the perfect combination of sights and sugar. There are also themed versions too, including the beloved Paddington afternoon tea. 

28. Hunker Down At London's Oldest Pubs

  • Location: various
  • Best for: a bit of history and an easy-going drink in equal measure
  • Activity type: group, couple, chilled, historical
  • Price: average London pint costs £6.75
  • Why I recommend: it sounds wrong, but what if I told you that some quirky activities don't have to be all that... active? The capital's oldest pubs are ready and waiting to whisk you back in time for a traditional British drinking experience - yet, one that's totally unique to each brilliant pub

Editor's picks:

  • Ye Olde Mitre - established in 1546 in Ely Place, this city of London pub keeps tradition at its heart throughout the interiors and its cosy courtyard. Expect real ales on tap with guest taps changing weekly, as well as multiple beer festivals across the year.
  • The Mayflower - featuring a candlelit restaurant, riverside views, an open fire an outside decked jetty, and the original 1620 mooring point of the Pilgrim Father's Mayflower ship, this Rotherhithe high street pub is a true hidden gem of history.
  • Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese - a tavern feel and roots that date back to the 16th century set this traditional pub apart from the rest.

29. God's Own Junkyard

  • Location: Unit 12, Ravenswood Industrial Estate, E17 9HQ
  • Best for: cool Instagram photos and quirky surroundings
  • Activity type: sightseeing, gallery, alternative, date
  • Price: free
  • Why I recommend: this is one of our favourite free activities in London, promising unique music memorabilia and a very Instagrammable setting

Tucked away in an industrial corner of Walthamstow, God's Own Junkyard is one of London's most visually striking hidden gems. Once the working studio of the late neon artist Chris Bracey, the space now functions as a vibrant gallery-meets-bar filled with a kaleidoscope of glowing signs, vintage collectables, and tributes to music legends like The Rolling Stones and David Bowie. With over 35 years of neon artistry on display, it's a feast for the eyes - and the camera.

Open only on weekends, the venue also offers up refreshments at the Rolling Scones café, serving everything from artisan coffee to cocktails and light bites. 

30. Four Quarters Peckham

  • Location: multiple locations, including Elephant & Castle, Hackney Wick, London Bridge and Peckham
  • Best for: a dose of nostalgia and some competitive socialising
  • Activity type: retro, gaming, competitive, nostalgic
  • Price: free entry, activities vary
  • Why I recommend: this is the ultimate dose of nostalgic game activities in London, thanks to the retro arcade cabs and old school consoles, and I especially recommend this one for a fun date night

A neighbourhood favourite and local must-try, Four Quarters is the place to be in Peckham if arcade games are your thing. From Time Crisis to happy hour cocktails, it's laid back, fun and doesn't take itself too seriously. 

They've got 15 lovingly restored arcade machines from the 70s through to the early 2000s, as well as 10 retro consoles for video games. They serve pizza too, paired with unique, themed drinks. Not in the area? Find outposts in Hackney Wick, Elephant and Castle and London Bridge too.