Bored of the same old attractions, and curious for the non touristy things to do in London?
Sometimes being away from the hotspots can be a refreshing way to experience London and its culture.
Outside of the usual activities, London has a wealth of things to enjoy – these include quirky tours, old-school pubs, and beautiful parks.
As a regular visitor, I’m always curious to discover new things to do when I’m up there.
So, to give you some ideas – here is my list of #1 Non touristy things to do in the UK capital.
A canal trip in Little Venice
Yep that’s right, London has its very own Venice. Between the Paddington and Maida Vale areas, you’ll find a pretty, green area of London with terraced housing, rows of trees, and quirky shops and cafes, separated by a long river canal running through the middle. The canal runs as far as Camden Lock, and often has boats riding through it that tickets can be purchased for, should you fancy a relaxing river cruise.
Pros: Romantic. Charming. Scenic. Great for couples.
Cons: Small area. Bit underwhelming outside of summer months.
How to get there
1 min walk – from Warwick Avenue tube station (Bakerloo line)
Your Google map route
Enjoy a bite at Borough Market
Picture almost every food kind imaginable, and Borough Market probably has it. Positioned opposite London Bridge tube station, it’s one of London’s oldest food markets with a history spanning 1,000 years. The market is open 7 days a week, and has a mix of street vendors, restaurants and cafes selling anything from traditional British and European cuisine, to Mexican, Taiwanese, and South East Asian.
Pros: Great food variety. Fresh produce. Good for people watching.
Cons: Seating hard to find when busy.
How to get there
2 mins walk – from London Bridge tube station (Northern/Jubilee line)
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Coffee at a Victorian toilet
Probably not the most appealing thing when you first hear it, but what was a long-disused public toilet in West London has been transformed into a quirky local cafe. The Attendant in Foley Street, serves coffee and brunch in a somewhat unique setting. You’ll notice what were once urinals have been turned into personal booths with green seating, and the old wall tiles have been kept in place – but don’t let any of this put you off as it’s very clean, and actually came runner-up for the Best Coffee Shop in London 2013!
Pros: Unique. Friendly. Cosy. Good coffee.
Cons: A little small and crammed.
How to get there
9 mins walk – from Great Portland Street tube station (Circle/Hammersmith & City/Metropolitan line)
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9 mins walk – from Goodge Street tube station (Northern line)
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Visit a Cat Cafe
If you’re a cat person like me, then you can probably think of worse things than afternoon tea with cats! London has two known cat cafes, but the one I’ve experienced is Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium in the East End. It’s the longest-running cat cafe in the UK, and has become popular for those that wanna just relax with a cup of tea and spend time with our feline friends. Choose from the Standard or High Tea entries.
Pros: Quirky. Relaxed. Charming cafe.
Cons: Cats can be unsociable. Not allowed to pick up the cats.
How to get there
13 min walk – from Bethnal Green tube station (Central line).
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Take a stroll in Regent’s Park
For a relaxing way to spend your afternoon, a simple walk in one of London’s parks can be just what’s required when you want to avoid the bustle of city life. Regent’s Park, in North West London, is a beautiful 410-acres of trees, pretty gardens, a lake, children’s playgrounds, sporting facilities, and grassland. It’s listed as one of London’s eight royal parks.
Pros: Open and spacious. Well-maintained. Home to London Zoo, on its northern side.
Cons: Cafe’s a little expensive.
How to get there
4 mins walk – from Great Portland Street tube station (Circle/Hammersmith & City/Metropolitan line).
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A shopping spree at Harrods
If you’ve got a bit of money to spend, or would just simply like to wander around one of the UK’s most famous shopping centres, then Harrods is a good option. The building complex based in Knightsbridge, West London, is made up of 7 floors of retail stores, restaurants, a spa and other facilities. One of those places you should probably visit at least once, when visiting London.
Pros: Hundreds of stores inside. Up to 28 restaurants. Classy interior.
Cons: Expensive. Have to dress sensibly (i.e. no flip-flops or ripped clothing etc).
How to get there
4 mins walk – from Knightsbridge tube station (Piccadilly line).
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Urban Axe Throwing
Release a bit of tension with some urban axe throwing. At Whistle Punks, you’ll learn techniques from experts on how to throw like a professional, before competing next to your friends as you aim for the bullseye in a friendly, buzzing atmosphere. Finish up with a tournament to see who will be crowned King/Queen of Axes. Book in advance.
Pros: Good fun. Exhilarating. Friendly and helpful staff. Therapeutic.
Cons: Not very central location. If busy, you may have a wait for your turn.
How to get there
5 min walk – via Bondway from Vauxhall Tube station (Victoria line).
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Visit the Charles Dickens Museum
A museum dedicated to one of Britain’s most beloved authors. The location of the museum is a former property of Dickens, where he lived with his family in the early years of his writing career. The museum is full of Dickens memorabilia, including the desk on which he wrote some of his best-selling novels, including Oliver Twist. There also remains Victorian furniture and decor owned by the author. An intriguing place to visit.
Pros: Good value. Fascinating. Insightful. Audio guide available. Shop and cafe inside.
Cons: Lots of stairs. Small and compact.
How to get there
8 mins walk – from Russell Square tube station (Piccadilly line).
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10 mins walk – from Chancery Lane tube station (Central line).
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Explore Shoreditch
Spend some time exploring London’s hipster capital. Positioned in the heart of London’s East End, it’s a cool and trendy place to go on a weekend. If you enjoy quirky bars, cafes, street markets and arty stuff, this is one of the best areas in London to visit. Expect to see lots of beards, tattoos and creative types.
Pros: Stylish. Good vibes. Lots of cafes and bars.
Cons: Expensive in places.
How to get there
11 mins walk – from Old Street tube station (Northern line)
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11 mins walk – from London Liverpool Street tube station (Circle/Central/Metropolitan/Hammersmith & City line, TfL & Overground)
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Enjoy a drink at one of London’s historic pubs
London’s pubs are becoming somewhat of a novelty since the emergence of European-style bars over recent years, but fortunately there are many still standing – some of which have been attracting punters since as far back as the middle ages. The George Inn, off of Borough High Street, is considered one of London’s oldest standing pubs, and was visited by both William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens in their lifetimes – even being mentioned in Dickens’s novel, Little Dorrit. The pub has maintained its old tudor interior, and has a huge outdoor seating area, where on a weekday, you’ll find large numbers of office workers socialising after a day’s graft. Visiting an old pub is one of the simple non touristy things to do in London.
Pros: Characteristic. Friendly staff. Outdoor heating.
Cons: Difficult to get tables indoors. Pricey drinks.
How to get there
1 min walk – from London Bridge tube station (Northern/Jubilee line).
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Do time in a prison museum
It’s no secret that London has a long and infamous history of crime and punishment. Its past includes a history of brutal execution and torture methods to those who dared to break its laws. The Clink Prison Museum is built on the site of London’s oldest prison, and is a fascinating insight into the horrible fate of some of London’s former criminals.
Pros: Reasonable value. Interesting. Grisly.
Cons: Small and short-lived. Not wheelchair accessible.
How to get there
5 mins walk – from London Bridge tube station (Northern/Jubilee line).
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Go and admire some street art
If you like a bit of the urban art scene, then you’ll probably appreciate what you find under the Leake Street Arches. Also known as the Banksy Tunnel, these connected former railway arches under Waterloo station are a canvas for some of the most vibrant and creative street art. More often than not you’ll find a graffiti artist putting their skills into action. In recent years, the arches have seen a handful of businesses opening inside, which include a Vietnamese restaurant and a board game cafe.
Pros: Cool and edgy. Intriguing. Impressive.
Cons: Smell of spray-paint is a bit overpowering.
How to get there
5 mins walk – from Waterloo tube station (Bakerloo/Jubilee/Northern/Waterloo & City line).
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10 mins walk – from Westminster tube station (Circle/District/Jubilee line).
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Share some laughs at a comedy club
In the heart of London’s Piccadilly, you’ll find the Comedy Store, London’s busiest comedy club. Every week it brings in some of the country’s top talent, and consistently draws in huge crowds. It hosts improv on Sundays and Wednesdays, and standup on Thursdays to Saturdays. I recommend to book early, as tickets sell out fast.
Pros: Reasonably priced tickets. Good comedy lineups. Rated one of London’s top comedy clubs.
Cons: Seats quickly taken (remember to get there early!).
How to get there
2 mins walk – from Piccadilly Circus tube station (Bakerloo/Piccadilly line).
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4 mins walk – from Leicester Square tube station (Northern line).
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There are of course plenty of other comedy clubs in and around London, and probably too many to list – but, if you’d like somewhere a little smaller, with free entry (donations accepted), then I recommend Angel Comedy in Camden.
Attend a cookery class
One of the fun non touristy things to do in London is partaking in a cookery class. The Food at 52 cookery school offers organised classes for a variety of different food nationalities. Book in advance a class of your choice, then enjoy a nice glass or a few of wine with a new crowd while cooking tasty dishes in a fun, lively kitchen. Classes include Italian, Mexican, Asian and also Vegetarian/Vegan.
Pros: Social. Fun. Creative. Educational.
Cons: Quite pricey. Big classes, meaning lack of space in the kitchen.
How to get there
10 mins walk – from Old Street tube station (Northern line).
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Stop for food at Leather Lane Market
One of my favourite places to visit on a free day in the capital. In Clerkenwell’s Leather Lane, you’ll find a busy street lined with market stalls, restaurants, cafes and shops. There are always numerous street food choices on offer, selling anything from western-style burgers to paella dishes and caribbean jerk chicken, to name a few. Even if you’re not particularly hungry, it’s still a cool place to wander and soak in the atmosphere.
Open: Monday-Friday 10am-3pm.
Pros: Reasonably priced. Good variety. High quality. Friendly market sellers. Great vibe.
Cons: Often long queues on a weekday lunchtime (as you would expect). Not open weekends.
How to get there
6 mins walk – from Farringdon tube station (Circle/Hammersmith & City/Metropolitan line).
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Find your way out of an escape room
Get stuck into a brain-stimulating experience with your friends inside a retro-style escape room. Set inside Secret Studio Films, a fictional un-refurbished film production HQ, your job is to solve the challenging puzzles within the room’s set time, meeting a few unexpected surprises along the way. Considered by many to be their best escape room experience. Ideal for families and groups of friends. Book in advance.
Pros: Great fun. Stimulating. Cleverly set.
Cons: A little jumpy at times – for those that don’t enjoy that sort of thing!
How to get there
5 min walk – Aldgate East Tube station (District line/Hammersmith & City line).
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Related: Fun Activities in London: A Complete Guide
Have a drink along the riverbank
When you’re not in the mood for anything super-active, sometimes relaxing with a nice drink and a view can be a pleasant way to spend a few hours. The riverbank has a few nice little spots that you can sit on an afternoon; The Tamesis Dock is a boat-turned-pub on the south side of the river, and a personal favourite of mine. During the summer it makes a nice place to sit out on top deck with friends or partners.
Pros: Chilled out. A nice stretch. Good views.
Cons: Tends to get very busy at night!
How to get there
Embankment
Opposite Embankment/Temple Tube station (District/Circle line).
Tamesis Dock
9 mins walk – from Vauxhall tube station (Victoria line)
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Enjoy some shopping at Westfield
If you fancy a spot of shopping, London has two massive branches of the Westfield Shopping Centre – the largest, in Shepherd’s Bush, West London, and the other, which I sometimes visit, by the Olympic stadium in Stratford, East London. The Shepherd’s Bush branch remains one of the largest shopping centres in Europe, and both branches hold a huge array of shops to browse, and restaurants for a bite to eat.
Pros: Great for clothes shopping. Easy to find.
Cons: Like in most busy areas, be wary of pickpockets.
How to get there
Westfield London (Shepherd’s Bush)
1 min walk – from Shepherd’s Bush train station (Overground).
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Westfield Stratford City (Stratford)
1 min walk – from Stratford tube station (Jubilee line)
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Deer spotting at Richmond Park
If you love nature and the great outdoors, then you can’t miss a leisurely walk around Richmond Park. Positioned just outside of the city, it’s the largest of London’s eight royal parks, and is also a national nature reserve. It’s home to mass open space, ancient trees, beautiful wildflowers, and herds of deer – which you’ll see freely roaming the area. A beautiful place to visit, and a nice escape from the bustle of London life.
Pros: Wildlife. Beautiful scenery. Great for couples and kids. Cafe and tea rooms available. Free parking.
Cons: Parking spaces can be limited.
How to get there
Centre of the park
49 mins walk – from Richmond tube station (District line).
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Hidden London Walking Tour
Discover the side to London’s history that you never knew existed, as your guide leads you on a tour of the capital’s hidden gems. The tour focuses on London’s Temple and Fleet Street locations, where you’ll hear cool stories and learn interesting facts about the local area. A change from your usual run-of-the-mill sightseeing tours in London.
Pros: Reasonably priced. Interesting. Unusual. Passionate and knowledgeable tour guide.
Cons: Small area covered in tour.
How to get there
Temple tube station can be reached via the District/Circle lines.
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David is a travel enthusiast from the UK, and is the founder of City Anytime. Since a young age he’s held a lifelong love for travel and exploration, with experiences in the US and Central America, Europe, South-East Asia and Australia. Visiting the world’s cities has given him the passion to provide fellow travellers the necessary info they require to ensure they get the most out of their trips, and make every city travel experience a memorable one.
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