5 Quirky Things To Do In London

If you visit London on a regular basis and are getting tired of the usual tourist spots, you have teenagers who like doing weird stuff or you just like doing unusual and quirky things, then this guide to my 5 quirky things to do in London may be just what you are looking for. Enjoy!

Explore mummification at the British Museum


The British Museum is a fabulous museum and has an interesting collection of items related to Egypt, Egyptian death and afterlife. In fact, it's the largest collection of Egyptian artefacts outside of Egypt.  Explore mummification, magic, rituals, coffins, masks and items designed to be buried with the deceased. Entrance to the museum is free but a donation of £5 is welcomed.

Play I-Zombie at the Novelty Automation Museum



The Novelty Automation Museum houses a number of satirical homemade arcade machines. It's owner and creator Tim Hunkin has designed some fun, modern and downright weird games such as I-Zombie where you dodge phone obsessed zombies and find out if you are one too. We enjoyed Test Your Nerve where you had to put your hand in a dogs cage and see how long you would leave it there before you lost your nerve to an angry and slobbering dog. Don't worry the dog was a model! For £20 you can do all the games. Allow an hour for a visit.

Stare at a jar of moles in the Grant Museum of Zoology



The Grant Museum of Zoology is a natural history museum that is part of University College London. This free to enter museum based in one room is fascinating for teenagers (and adults). It's one of the oldest natural history museums in the UK and is full of skeletons and animal specimens including dodo bones, a Quagga skeleton - one of the rarest in the world and various preserved animals such as giant centipedes, bats and a jar of moles. This museum is certainly worth an hour of your time and, I think I had better say this, don't visit if you are squeamish!

Sit looking at plants and a view in the Sky Garden



The Sky Garden is a large domed garden dedicated to three stories of public gardens. With an observation deck, open-air terrace with natural ventilation (bring a coat as it can be cold), bar and two restaurants, it's a cool place to visit to have a wonderful view over London. If you want to eat in one of the restaurants book 30 days in advance or you may not get in, and if you want to come and have a great view and a drink in the bar, free tickets are released a week at a time. 

Follow in the footsteps of the Prime Minister and the Queen at the Houses Of Parliment

The Houses Of Parliment is an iconic London landmark but did you know you could take a tour behind the scenes? You can find out how Parliament works as you travel through the Commons Chamber and the Lords Chamber, follow in the footsteps of the Queen at the State Opening and be inspired by Westminster Hall which is almost 1000 years old. Prices are from £25 per adult. There are also family tours aimed at children 7 to 12 and all kids go free!


Pin for later

Other quirky things to do include visiting the eclectic modern art at the Tate Modern, take a trip with a breathtaking view of the Emirates Skyline, getting scared by the undead at the London Dungeon, seeing the Clockmakers section at the Science Museum and listening to the oddballs debating at Speakers Corner Hyde Park.  For a hidden gem in London check out this post on Eltham Palace, a beautiful Art Deco building and this post on hidden gems in Soho.

Theatre shows can be quirky too, think The Woman In Black, The Exorcist and Harry Potter And The Cursed Child. If you want to add in some culture, check out this theatre break by Zena's Suitcase. If you want to visit London and you want to do it cheaply, check out A Weekend In London On A Budget. Also, check out this post for must-see attractions in London with kidsFor further inspiration check out more London Itineraries.

For accommodation check out the Piccadilly London West End, which has a Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence and is not far from Soho and Chinatown.

Have you visited any of these attractions? Do you know any quirky places to visit in London?


16 comments

  1. Ooh, this is right up my street, Mellissa! I love the offbeat, quirky and different and have noted these down for my next trip down to London, especially the Museum of Zoology. Thanks for the tips!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think if you have been to London a few times, it is nice to try an off beat attraction for a change.

      Delete
  2. I actually went to the British Museum for the first time yesterday and it was fascinating. The sky Garden is a good one as well, and I'm keen to have a tour of the houses of parliament x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The British Museum is an amazing world class museum and the Egyptology section is only part of it. I need it explore it more!

      Delete
  3. These are great! We also have Lumiere London happening this weekend and it's worth checking out the hashtag #MySecretLondon for quitter and 'undiscovered' places. It's my go to when I'm stuck for things to do

    ReplyDelete
  4. I used to love the British museum but haven't been for quite a long time now. I haven't done any of the other things though, they all sound great ideas. The Sky Gardens sound a great place to eat and have a drink.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We are going back to the Sky Garden next month for a special birthday meal.

      Delete
  5. I was recently in London doing some Photography and this post has just given me another reason to back. I wish I had seen this post before I went. grrrrr. Anyway, brilliant post.

    John M

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow, some of these really are quirky! I'd love to go to the Novelty Automation Museum

    ReplyDelete
  7. The Museum of Zoology sounds right up my street - I love weird things like that, haha!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'd love to do the Sky Garden - such a cool idea. I've not been to the British Museum for some time so definitely worth a revisit!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a lovely space, but quite chilly due to the natural ventilation so take a jumper!

      Delete