Let’s face it: Big Ben’s clock face has been stared at so long it’s practically begging for a break. The Tower of London is cool, sure, but those ravens are starting to look a little smug. And if you’ve queued for the London Eye again, congratulations—you’ve just paid £30 for a spin in a fancy hamster wheel.
It’s time to swerve off the tourist treadmill and dive into the London you didn’t know you were missing. These offbeat things to do in London are perfect for curious travellers: rooftop bars in car parks, neon junkyards, haunted woodlands, and hidden staircases to nowhere.
Table of Contents
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1. Sip a Cocktail in a Multi-Storey Car Park (Peckham)
Frank’s Café in Peckham is what happens when Londoners look at a brutalist car park and see a party. Perched above an otherwise dreary building, this seasonal rooftop bar offers killer views of the skyline, minimalist art, and Aperol Spritz with a side of smug satisfaction.
🔍 Fun fact: it originally began as a temporary art installation as part of the Bold Tendencies project.
It’s not just about the drinks — it’s about the entire experience of discovering something unexpected above the urban sprawl. To get to Frank’s Café, you wind your way up through a nondescript car park, each floor feeling less promising than the last, until suddenly: boom — panoramic views, sunset vibes, and locals lounging like it’s the Riviera. There’s art everywhere (thanks to the Bold Tendencies rooftop sculpture project), and the food is surprisingly excellent for a pop-up. It’s the kind of place that feels like a secret, even though it’s packed. For curious travellers who enjoy a cocktail with a twist — and a killer Instagram shot — this is one of London’s best offbeat surprises.
Book your rooftop experience at Frank’s Café in Peckham
2. Visit God’s Own Junkyard (Walthamstow)
Step into a neon galaxy where Elvis, Jesus, and a flamingo might share a wall. God’s Own Junkyard is part art gallery, part sensory overload, and fully bonkers. This is Walthamstow’s answer to Las Vegas, minus the slot machines. Grab a rainbow cupcake at The Rolling Scones café and soak in the glow.
💡 Did You Know? The neon signs here have appeared in films like Blade Runner and Batman.
Visit God’s Own Junkyard official website
3. Explore Daunt Books in Marylebone
A dream for book-loving curious travellers, Daunt Books invites you to browse the globe by bookshelf.
🔍 Did you know? Founded in 1912, it’s one of the first travel-focused bookshops in the world.
Step into the oak-panelled calm of Daunt Books on Marylebone High Street and you’ll feel like you’ve entered a literary sanctuary designed by Indiana Jones. The original Edwardian building is as much a work of art as the titles it houses — think stained-glass windows, skylights, and balconies stacked with travel writing arranged by country. Whether you’re looking for a guidebook to Georgia (the country) or a novel set in 1920s Cairo, you’ll find it here. There’s no rush, no piped music, just the gentle hush of pages turning. For curious travellers, it’s not just a bookshop — it’s a portal to every place you’ve ever dreamed of going.
Learn more about Daunt Books’ historic Marylebone location
4. Walk Among Crystal Palace’s Dinosaur Statues
Crystal Palace Park is a surreal, offbeat gem in London that curious travellers love discovering.
🔍 Fun fact: The park is also home to the world’s first dinosaur sculptures, built in the 1850s — long before we got the science right.
Forget the Natural History Museum — Crystal Palace Park is where you go to see dinosaurs in the wild (sort of). These hulking Victorian sculptures were designed by artist Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins and were the first-ever attempt to bring prehistoric creatures to life for the public. Sure, they’re wildly inaccurate by today’s standards (some have floppy iguana faces and oddly proportioned limbs), but that only adds to their strange charm. Nestled in the undergrowth and beside murky ponds, the dinos look like they’ve been caught mid-stroll through an overgrown alternate universe. The park also boasts a maze, boating lake, and beautiful views of South London, but it’s the slightly bewildered expressions of these vintage beasts that steal the show. For curious travellers and dinosaur nerds alike, it’s an irresistible offbeat detour.
Explore walking tours at Crystal Palace Park
📷 Photo by Peter Cooper, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
5. Dine in Total Darkness at Dans Le Noir?
In Clerkenwell, you can eat a three-course meal served by blind waitstaff — in absolute pitch darkness. It’s disorienting, surprising, and a weirdly emotional experience. You’ll discover texture, flavour, and probably a newfound appreciation for napkins.
But this isn’t just a novelty — it’s an experiment in empathy. At Dans Le Noir?, you’re guided through your meal by visually impaired staff who are absolute pros at navigating in the dark. Without sight, your other senses are dialled up: flavours feel bolder, textures are more noticeable, and conversation flows differently when you can’t rely on facial cues. Even the layout of the space is a mystery — you’re led in single file, asked to leave your phones and light-emitting objects at the door, and the rest? A plunge into the unknown. For curious travellers, it’s more than dinner — it’s a perspective-shifting experience that’s both humbling and unforgettable.
Dare to dine in the dark? Reserve your spot at Dans Le Noir?
6. Offbeat Things to Do in Hampstead Heath for Curious Travellers: Wander the Hidden Pergola
High above the Heath lies a crumbling Edwardian pergola that feels like it belongs in a fantasy novel. Think overgrown pillars, tangled vines, and perfect photo ops at golden hour. A romantic stroll here almost guarantees you’ll feel like a side character in Bridgerton.
But beyond the Instagrammable charm, the Hill Garden and Pergola is one of London’s most surreal hidden gems — a place where nature and faded grandeur meet. Built by soap magnate Lord Leverhulme in the early 20th century to host garden parties on raised walkways, this architectural oddity was later abandoned and gradually reclaimed by the wild. Now it offers a magical mix of mossy brickwork, rusting ironwork, and creeping roses that make it feel more like a forgotten palace than a public park. It’s tranquil, cinematic, and quietly eerie in the best way — an offbeat must for curious travellers with a taste for poetic decay.
Learn more about Hampstead Heath’s Hill Garden and Pergola
7. Chill in Postman’s Park
Tucked behind St Paul’s Cathedral, Postman’s Park is a peaceful oasis with a heartbreaking memorial: plaques honouring ordinary people who died saving others.
🔍 Did you know? This touching tribute includes stories like a ten-year-old boy who drowned trying to rescue a friend. Quiet, humble, and deeply moving.
What makes this little garden extraordinary is the Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice, created by artist George Frederic Watts in 1900. Along one sheltered wall are beautifully tiled plaques that tell the stories of everyday people who died while saving others — from children rescuing friends to clerks who saved strangers from runaway horses. The language is old-fashioned, but the emotion hits hard. Surrounded by tall palms, benches, and the quiet hum of nearby City life, Postman’s Park invites you to slow down and reflect. It’s not flashy or Insta-famous, but it’s one of the most profoundly offbeat things to do in London for curious travellers who appreciate meaning over spectacle.
Learn more about Postman’s Park on the City of London website
8. Stroll Through Epping Forest’s Haunted Trails
Epping Forest is one of the most thrilling offbeat things to do in London for curious travellers. Its twisted trees and moody light make it feel like a set from a gothic novel.
🔍 Fun fact: It was once a notorious hideout for highwaymen like Dick Turpin — and some say his ghost still rides the trails.
This ancient woodland straddles the border of Greater London and Essex, but it feels a world away from the urban grind. Step into Epping Forest and you’ll find yourself surrounded by mossy oaks, whispering leaves, and crooked paths that seem to lead nowhere and everywhere. The forest’s atmosphere is heavy with stories — from tales of spectral riders and pagan rituals to World War II bunkers hidden beneath the brush. Bring good walking shoes and a sense of adventure, and you’ll be rewarded with glimpses of ponds, hollow trees, and maybe even a deer darting across your path. For curious travellers, it’s a rare slice of untamed London — wild, eerie, and endlessly fascinating.
Learn more about trails and events at Epping Forest
🚆 Book train tickets via Trainline.
📷 Photo by Acabashi, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
9. Spot the Seven Noses of Soho
Quirky scavenger hunts? Curious travellers, this one’s for you.
🔍 Fun fact: These sculpted noses were secretly installed by artist Rick Buckley in protest of the growing surveillance culture in London. Legend has it that finding all seven grants great fortune (or at least great bragging rights).
Soho’s Seven Noses aren’t just public art — they’re a secret rebellion hiding in plain sight. Back in the 1990s, artist Rick Buckley installed these plaster proboscises on walls and buildings throughout Soho without permission, inspired by George Orwell and a rising culture of surveillance. Today, a handful still remain (the rest have mysteriously vanished), and they’ve sparked an unofficial urban treasure hunt. You’ll find one tucked under an arch near Bateman Street, another above a pub doorway — but we won’t spoil them all. It’s part art project, part citywide game, and entirely one of the most delightfully offbeat things to do in London for curious travellers with sharp eyes and a sharper sense of humour.
Read more about the Seven Noses of Soho on Atlas Obscura
10. One of the Most Offbeat Things to Do in London: Boat from Little Venice to Camden
This tranquil boat ride offers a completely different view of the city. Glide along Regent’s Canal, past secret gardens, grand houses, and a pirate castle before arriving at Camden Market. One of the best ways to enjoy slow London.
Learn more about the Little Venice to Camden boat route via the Canal & River Trust
🚤 Book canal rides via GetYourGuide.
11. Go for a Dip at the Serpentine Lido
On a sunny day, there’s nothing more British than plunging into chilly open water while swans float past. The Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park is part old-school leisure, part personal dare. Bring a towel and a brave heart.
If you’re the kind of curious traveller who thinks swimming should occasionally involve mild hypothermia, you’ll love the Serpentine Lido. Tucked into the southern end of Hyde Park’s long lake, this historic open-air swimming spot has been welcoming hardy bathers since the 1930s. There’s a designated area for serious strokes, plus a paddling zone and sunbathing terrace for less amphibious visitors. Don’t expect heated showers or fancy spa treatments — this is cold, clear water and stiff-upper-lip tradition. But that’s all part of the charm. It’s exhilarating, bizarrely addictive, and utterly refreshing. Bonus points if you follow it with a coffee and pastry from the nearby café, grinning like a Victorian adventurer who just survived a polar plunge.
See official info about the Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park
12. Marvel at Leighton House
Art-loving curious travellers, take note.
The house is a masterpiece of Victorian eclecticism — think East meets West with serious flair.
Step through the doors of Leighton House in Kensington and you’ll feel like you’ve crossed into a fantasy fusion of art, culture, and architectural obsession. Once home to painter and sculptor Frederic Leighton, this museum-slash-masterpiece was purpose-built to impress — and it still does. The highlight is the Arab Hall, a golden, mosaic-covered space dripping with 19th-century orientalism: fountains trickle, tiles shimmer, and the ceiling practically whispers tales from the Silk Road. Upstairs, you’ll find Pre-Raphaelite works in intimate studios and private drawing rooms, preserved just as Leighton lived. It’s peaceful, decadent, and quietly jaw-dropping — one of the most elegant and offbeat things to do in London for curious travellers with a taste for timeless beauty.
🔍 Did You Know? Its Arab Hall is decorated with over 1,000 Islamic tiles collected from Syria in the 19th century.
Visit the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea museum page
📷 Photo by Diego Delso, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
13. Explore the Wellcome Collection: Offbeat London for Curious Travellers
This museum of medical curiosities is part science, part art, and part “what the heck did I just see?” Shrunken heads, antique prosthetics, and Napoleon’s toothbrush await.
🔍 Fun fact: The Wellcome Collection’s striking spiral staircase, designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects, draws inspiration from the double helix structure of DNA, reflecting the museum’s focus on science and life.
The Wellcome Collection defies easy categorisation — and that’s exactly why it’s so compelling. Founded by eccentric pharmaceutical magnate Henry Wellcome, this free museum invites curious travellers to explore the messy, fascinating intersection between medicine, humanity, and culture. Where else can you ponder the ethics of body modification, marvel at 18th-century surgical tools, and then wander into a gallery showing contemporary art about death? It’s thought-provoking, occasionally disturbing, and refreshingly weird — a reminder that the human body is both a wonder and a mystery. Whether you’re into ancient mummification or modern gender theory, this place delivers mind-expanding content without ever feeling like homework. Easily one of the most offbeat things to do in London for curious travellers who love their museums with a twist.
Explore the official Wellcome Collection website
14. Find London’s Smallest (Not-Really-a) Police Station
Blink and you’ll miss it — tucked into the southeast corner of Trafalgar Square is what might be London’s quirkiest curiosity: a tiny stone outpost often called the city’s smallest police station. At first glance, it looks like part of the stone balustrade or a forgotten phone booth, but this odd little structure was once used by the Met Police to discreetly observe public gatherings — especially suffragette rallies.
👮♂️ Fun fact: It’s now used to store cleaning supplies. So, technically, London’s tiniest police station is actually a broom cupboard in disguise.
15. Discover the Painted Hall at Greenwich
Known as ‘London’s Sistine Chapel,’ the Painted Hall dazzles with baroque ceilings and naval pageantry. Curious travellers will love the immersive storytelling tours.
Step inside the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, and prepare to have your jaw unceremoniously dropped by the Painted Hall — a room so elaborately decorated, it makes Versailles look minimalist. Created by Sir James Thornhill over 19 years, this baroque masterpiece is a swirling canvas of gods, monarchs, and allegories painted across 40,000 square feet of ceiling and walls. Once a dining hall for naval veterans, it’s now a place to crane your neck in awe (they even have cushioned mirrors so you can see the ceiling without hurting yourself). Audio guides and interactive displays help decode the symbolism, but even without the context, it’s utterly magnificent. Easily one of the most breathtaking and offbeat things to do in London for curious travellers who love grand spectacle with a splash of sea power.
See visitor info on the official ORNC website
🎟️ Pair your visit with nearby attractions using GetYourGuide.
📷 Photo by Steve Cadman, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
16. Enter Through the Fridge at The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town
Hidden bars are always fun — even when everyone knows they’re there. Case in point: The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town, a cheeky speakeasy in Spitalfields that you can only access by walking through a Smeg fridge inside The Breakfast Club café.
🥂 Pro tip: It’s not exactly a secret anymore, so expect a wait — or better yet, book ahead if you can.
With dim lighting, quirky cocktails, and tongue-in-cheek decor, this basement bar still manages to feel like a naughty little secret. Just be cool when you ask to “see the Mayor” — and enjoy the theatrical entrance as much as the drinks.
Explore the fridge-door bar on The Breakfast Club’s website
17. Roam Broadway Market and Columbia Road
Spend Saturday hunting down street food and vinyl at Broadway Market, then wander to Columbia Road Flower Market on Sunday for East London’s ultimate hipster double-whammy.
This is East London at its vibrant, chaotic best. On Saturdays, Broadway Market is a sensory overload of artisan cheese, Ethiopian coffee, street musicians, vintage clothing, handmade jewellery, and food from pretty much every continent. It’s where local creatives meet global flavours — and where curious travellers can easily spend hours weaving through stalls and shops. Then on Sunday, head over to Columbia Road Flower Market, where the narrow street becomes a jungle of tulips, eucalyptus, and cockney traders yelling prices over trumpet solos. The smells are sweet, the vibes are loud, and the photo ops are unbeatable. For anyone chasing London’s indie soul, this back-to-back market combo is one of the most joyfully offbeat things to do in the city.
Visit Broadway Market’s official website
18. Relax at Kyoto Garden in Holland Park
This peaceful Japanese oasis in West London features koi carp, waterfalls, and tiered paths framed by fiery maples.
🔍 Did You Know? It was a gift from the city of Kyoto in 1991.
Explore Holland Park and Kyoto Garden on rbkc.gov.uk
📷 Photo by Suman Gurung, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
19. Sneak a Peek at Eel Pie Island
Tucked away on the Thames near Twickenham, Eel Pie Island is one of London’s most curious secrets — a quirky little enclave known for its bohemian vibes, artist studios, and rock ‘n’ roll history (The Who and Pink Floyd once played here!). It feels like a place that time forgot — and that’s part of its charm.
🚪 Reality check: It’s private property. You can’t just wander in uninvited — the island opens to the public only a few weekends a year during Open Studios events, when artists throw open their doors to welcome the curious.
A mix of crumbling boatyards, art shacks, and hippy history, Eel Pie Island is the kind of place that captures the imagination — even if you can only admire it from the footbridge most days. Keep an eye out for public open days — they’re rare but worth it.
Visit the Eel Pie Island Museum’s official site
20. Offbeat Day Trip from London for Curious Travellers: Cider Tasting in Kent
Hop a train to the Kent countryside for orchard strolls and small-batch cider tasting. Local farms often host tastings and offer the best picnic spots you’ve never heard of.
Explore cider tasting experiences in Kent at Woolton Farm
🚆 Plan your trip with Trainline.
21. Walk the Line (Sculpture Trail)
Art lovers and walkers unite! The Line is London’s first dedicated public art walk, stretching from the Olympic Park to The O2. Sculptures by Damien Hirst and Antony Gormley dot the route.
But this isn’t your average gallery — it’s a full-on urban adventure. The Line snakes its way along the waterways and industrial spaces of East London, blending towering sculptures with city grit and unexpected beauty. As you stroll the three-mile path, you’ll pass everything from twisted steel giants to mirrored installations that reflect the sky and skyline. The art changes regularly, making each visit slightly different. Add in pop-up cafes, canal boats, and the occasional detour through a sculpture you can literally walk inside, and you’ve got an offbeat thing to do in London that turns your morning stroll into a cultural expedition. Perfect for curious travellers with comfy shoes and a thirst for surprise.
Explore The Line’s sculpture trail map here
22. Sip Wine in a Victorian Toilet (Yes, Really)
Only in London could a former public lavatory be turned into a stylish wine and charcuterie bar. WC Clapham (short for “Wine & Charcuterie,” not just “Water Closet”) sits inside a beautifully restored 19th-century underground toilet just outside Clapham Common station.
🍷 Fun fact: The original tiling and vintage signage are still intact — it’s like sipping Pinot in a porcelain time capsule.
Despite the novelty, this place is no gimmick — the wine list is solid, and the vibe is surprisingly chic. It’s a small venue though, so booking ahead is a smart move, especially on weekends. Just don’t be surprised if the table next to you was once a urinal.
Visit WC Wine & Charcuterie’s official website
23. Explore London’s Time Capsule: Dennis Severs’ House
Step into a living painting at Dennis Severs’ House in Spitalfields — an atmospheric time capsule set in a restored 18th-century townhouse. As you wander through candlelit rooms frozen in different historical eras, the silence and immersive scentscape transport you deep into the daily lives of the fictional Jervis family of Huguenot silk weavers. It’s not a museum; it’s a theatre of the senses, and one of the most offbeat things to do in London for curious travellers looking to truly time-travel without leaving the city.
Discover visiting times and tickets at Dennis Severs’ House
24. Visit Wilton’s Music Hall
A theatrical dream for curious travellers who prefer velvet, ghosts, and jazz.
🔍 Did You Know? It’s also the oldest surviving grand Victorian music hall.
Tucked away in a quiet East End alleyway, Wilton’s Music Hall is a faded velvet masterpiece — a rare survivor of London’s Victorian entertainment heyday. Step inside and you’re greeted by crumbling walls, candlelit chandeliers, and the kind of atmosphere money can’t fake. Still a working theatre, Wilton’s hosts cabaret, classical music, vintage drag shows, and spine-tingling ghost tours — all in a space that feels haunted in the best possible way. Whether you’re catching a quirky performance or just having a drink in the bar (once a row of 18th-century houses), this place oozes character. For curious travellers craving charm, creaky floorboards, and a touch of theatrical history, it’s one of the most unforgettable offbeat things to do in London.
Explore Wilton’s Music Hall events and book tickets online
25. Ride the Mail Rail at the Postal Museum
Hop aboard a tiny train once used to transport letters beneath London.
🔍 Did You Know? This underground postal railway operated in secret from 1927 to 2003.
What if your morning commute involved zipping under the city with bags full of letters — and no passengers? Welcome to the Mail Rail, a hidden subterranean world beneath the feet of millions of unsuspecting Londoners. Part of the Postal Museum, this ride-through exhibit lets you travel through original tunnels and loading platforms that once kept the Royal Mail humming day and night. The train cars are snug (don’t skip leg day), but the immersive light and sound experience makes it feel like you’ve been let in on one of London’s coolest secrets. For curious travellers craving a dose of retro futurism, transport history, and tiny-train joy, this is an offbeat thing to do in London you won’t soon forget.
Visit the Postal Museum’s official website for tickets and info
📮 Book tickets via Trip.com.
📷 Photo by Gaius Cornelius, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What are the best offbeat things to do in London for curious travellers?
From sipping cocktails in a car park (hello, Frank’s Café) to exploring neon warehouses like God’s Own Junkyard, London is packed with hidden gems. Curious travellers can ride canal boats from Little Venice, dine in the dark, visit museums of medical oddities, or even sip wine in a Victorian toilet!
❓ Are these offbeat London experiences suitable for first-time visitors?
Absolutely! These quirky things to do offer a unique way to see London beyond the usual landmarks. Mix them with a few classic sights for a well-rounded trip.
❓ Can I do most of these offbeat activities using public transport?
Yes, nearly all the experiences in this list are reachable via the Tube, Overground, or bus. Use Transport for London (TfL) to plan your route.
❓ Are there any free offbeat things to do in London?
Definitely. Visiting Postman’s Park, spotting the Seven Noses of Soho, exploring Epping Forest, and relaxing at Kyoto Garden are all quirky — and completely free.
❓ When is the best time to enjoy offbeat things in London?
Spring to early autumn is ideal for outdoor oddities like rooftop bars, markets, and open-air cinemas. But London’s indoor offbeat scene — museums, speakeasies, and hidden bookstores — is perfect year-round.
Useful Information
- 🛏️ Trip.com and Trivago for quirky hotel stays
- 🚗 DiscoverCars or HolidayTaxis for car hire
- 🎒 Radical Storage for bag drops
- 🏛️ VisitLondon – Official London tourism site
- 📚 City of London Visitor Guide
- 🌿 Royal Parks London
- 🏺 Museum of London
- 🚇 Transport for London
Final Word
London is one of the best cities in the world for curious travellers. From haunted forests and glow-in-the-dark art spaces to rooftop bars hidden on top of car parks, the capital rewards those who explore beyond the obvious. So pack your curiosity, ditch the guidebook, and get off the beaten path—London’s weird and wonderful side is waiting.
Ready to explore offbeat London? Let your curiosity lead the way.
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