What are the unusual things to do in London? Unusual, less touristy, off the beaten path spots that even some locals have never been to?
My top picks of unusual things to do in London were fully updates for 2025
London is never boring. It’s a city that seems to provide you with an endless list of things to do.
Seriously, endless.
I’ve been there so many times I’ve lost count, but I still find new, fun, exciting and unusual things to do in London every time I visit.
In this guide, I’ll be sharing some of my best finds, the most interesting hidden gems in London I’ve discovered so far.
If you are visiting London for the first time, you may not be that interested in unusual things to do in London, and instead focus on the main tourist attractions and standard London sightseeing routes, like the London Eye, the British Museum, or Buckingham Palace.
You can cover many of the highlights on a free walking tour in London.
If it’s your second or third visit to the city, it’s a good idea to go beyond the classic London bucket list and go see some places off the beaten path.
The unusual things to do in London are little-known places that are worth visiting, from eccentric museums to secret gardens.
Quite a few of these hidden gems in London are unique places you can visit for free, so you can add them to your itinerary even if you’re visiting London on a budget.
If you’re planning an itinerary for London and you’ve already seen the top attractions and the famous London museums, use this list to discover some of the best lesser-known spots in London.
Some of the places on this list are a little out of the way, but others are in the city centre, and still somewhat hidden. I think it’s worth travelling outside the centre occasionally for some hidden gems.
Get an offline map of this guide to unusual things to do in London
Table of contents
Hidden gems in London guided tours
There are tons of walking tours in London. These are the ones that will show you the more unique and unusual sides of London:
- Secrets of London Walking Tour
- London’s Hidden Treasures
- Secret London Tour by Bike
- Secret Gardens of London
Unusual things to do in London: my top picks
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Regent’s Park is right in the centre of the city, and pretty hard to overlook when you visit London.
It’s so big though, that visitors might miss the open air theatre hidden in the middle of the park.
It features a range of productions, from classic drama to stand-up comedy.
Seeing a show outdoors is a unique experience to try in London, a refreshing change from your standard West End theatre.
It’s designed like an amphitheatre, so you can get a good view from just about any seat.
There are plenty of food and drink options before the show and during the interval.
The idea of an open air theatre in a place like London, where it may rain at any time, can sound a bit ambitious.
I once sat through an entire show in the rain at this open air theatre and nobody in the audience seemed to think it was strange 😉 Always bring a rain jacket with you.
Address: The Regent’s Park, London NW1 4NU
Leighton House Museum
Leighton House is sort of hidden on a side street. From the outside it may look like an ordinary house, but once you step inside you find yourself in a wondrous, delightful, elegant, and somewhat eclectic space.
Lord Leighton was an artist from a well-off family in the Victorian era, who filled his house with his own artworks and art from his collection.
His love for interior design and architecture is evident and the house is just magnificent.
I’ve already visited this house three times (on different trips to London) and would happily go again. After seeing many historic houses on my travels, I’d say this is definitely one of the most impressive I’ve seen.
The house has been renovated and turned into a museum that’s open to the public.
The most extraordinary part of the museum, the highlight of the house, is the Arab Hall – a stunning section of the house with oriental decorations, based on a room in a palace in Palermo.
It’s a room too gorgeous to describe in words, covered in Islamic mosaic tiles with a dome above a fountain.
Leighton travelled around Europe and the Middle East and decided to bring those decorated tiles from Damascus to London
I ended up spending a really long time there observing all the details.
The way the house looks today is a recreation of how it looked originally. Some items are replicas and some are original.
As part of the visit, you’ll also get to see the artist’s studio, a large room with marvellous carpets and beautiful natural light.
This is one of the hidden gems in London you can easily combine with other places nearby. It is close to the Design Museum in Kensington, as well as Japan House.
Also take the opportunity to see Holland Park while you’re there, especially Kyoto Garden, which is another London hidden gem.
Address: 12 Holland Park Rd, Kensington, London W14 8LZ
Kyoto Garden in Holland Park
This Japanese garden is a personal favourite of mine.
It is so pretty, peaceful and serene that I keep going back there every time I visit London.
There is no lack of beautiful green spaces in London of course, but this one is quite unique.
Created by Japanese landscape architects, the garden was a gift from the city of Kyoto to Britain, given as a sign of friendship.
It’s designed in the traditional style of a Japanese garden, with a pond and a fountain, Japanese trees, stone lanterns and that pure zen atmosphere, interrupted only by some Instagrammers in the midst of photo shoots.
Even though the Instagrammable qualities of this little corner of the city are not a secret anymore, I’d still call it a London hidden gem, just because so many people I’ve met, including Londoners, have never been there.
Right next to Kyoto Garden is another Japanese garden, opened years later.
The Fukushima Memorial Garden was a gift from the Embassy of Japan to Britain for their support in the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
Tip! Look out for the peacocks 🙂
Address: Kyoto Garden, Holland Park, Holland Park Ave, Kensington, London W11 4U
Ham House
A beautifully preserved 17th-century historic house and garden. It’s a short bus ride from Richmond Station.
It’s a National Trust property (buy tickets from the National Trust here) that was home to English aristocracy over the years.
When you visit, start upstairs and then go down again for a series of gorgeous rooms.
The interiors are decorated with period furnishings, tapestries, and artworks.
There’s a member of staff in nearly every room who’ll tell you some historical stories and point out small and interesting details in the decorations.
My favourite rooms were the Long Gallery and the Green Closet.
The Long Gallery is pretty dramatic and features historical portraits.
The Green Closet isn’t a closet in the modern sense of the word, but a small room used for reading, writing, art, and conversation.
It is an authentic 17th century room with miniature paintings and Japanese cabinets that survived over the centuries. The green wallpaper and upholstery give it its name.
Just before the end of the tour you can go downstairs to the beer cellar and kitchen, and then go out into the gardens.
The gardens surrounding the house are designed in the 17th-century style. Expect to see manicured lawns and flowers that were popular during that period.
While you’re still in London, this house is located in such scenic, picturesque surroundings that you soon forget you’re in the city.
This is another one of the hidden gems in London you can combine with other things to do nearby, including Orleans House, Richmond Park, and Kew Gardens.
Address: Ham St, Ham, Richmond TW10 7RS
Orleans House
Not too far from Ham House, there’s another historic house, an 18th-century villa worth seeing.
I walked into Orleans House and told the lady at the desk it was my first time there. She was very kind and gave me a brief overview of the house and its history.
Most parts of the house were destroyed in the 1920s. One small but beautiful hall survived. You’ll see the Baroque Octagon Room as you enter, with lavish decorations and a gold chandelier. It was renovated and looks splendid.
The rest of the space has a contemporary art gallery with changing exhibitions and a collection of old pictures upstairs.
Orleans House is free to enter.
Address: Orleans Road, Twickenham, TW1 3BL
Florence Nightingale Museum
Located at St Thomas’ Hospital near Waterloo, this museum is dedicated to the life, work, and legacy of England’s most famous nurse – Florence Nightingale, a pioneer of modern nursing.
After a short visit to the Florence Nightingale Museum, I felt that I learnt a lot about her. The museum gives you just the right amount of information, using personal items, old photos, and text combined with audio.
The Florence Nightingale Museum is organised in three parts in a chronological order (you can pick up a map at the entrance).
In the first part, her early life, it was interesting to learn about her decision to become a nurse contrary to societal expectations, and her determination to pursue her calling.
The second part covers her work during the Crimean War, when she led a group of nurses to the war zone. It recognises her impact on healthcare reform, such as improving hospital hygiene.
Her impact grew even stronger after the war. The final part looks at other aspects of her life, especially writing and analysis.
Dennis Severs’ House
This is a London experience you might describe as bizarre in a good way 😉
The imagination and creativity that went into this house are remarkable.
Dennis Severs’ House is a Georgian townhouse turned into a semi-fictional time-machine.
Each room inside the house shows you what living in the 18th and 19th century looked and felt like.
However, this isn’t a standard house. It’s not intended to tell you historical facts.
Dennis Severs, an artist who used to live there, invented a fictional family and designed each room with objects that tell their story.
He turned his house into an immersive work of art and storytelling.
It’s a bit difficult to understand what’s going on when you first walk inside. It is all quite mysterious.
Everything is designed to engage your senses and create an exceptional atmosphere, from candlelight to sound effects… and it works… It feels like a fantasy world.
Each room is completely unique and full of surprises. I especially liked the bedroom and the drawing room, but I’m not going to give away any spoilers!
You may be disappointed to hear that no photography is allowed inside the house.
In a way, I found it liberating. It lets you focus on the objects and the arrangement of the rooms, and you really want to look everywhere and observe everything…
Located in East London, Dennis Severs’ House is easy to get to from Liverpool Street station. You can combine it with a visit to Brick Lane which is close by.
Address: Dennis Severs’ House, 18 Folgate St, Spitalfields, London E1 6BX
The Musical Museum
The Musical Museum is one of the best places to visit in London if you’re fascinated by music history and musical instruments.
The place has a name that sounds very general, but the collection is very specific: It’s a collection dedicated to automatic musical instruments.
From old music boxes to self-playing pianos, this is a pretty amazing display.
They date back to the time when the only way to hear music was when it was played live.
Way before records, jukeboxes and radio, people came up with innovative solutions and built extraordinary machines that could play by themselves.
Some were used in pubs, where owners didn’t want to pay a live orchestra every night.
Others were used by wealthy people with houses large enough to place a huge music machine in their living room.
The instruments in the museum are in working order, so have your phone ready to make some spooky videos of piano keys that move by themselves 😉
In the concert hall upstairs, you can see and hear the Wurlitzer theatre organ. It plays all by itself and was designed to accompany silent films.
Today the museum runs silent film nights, so you can hear it in action.
I highly recommend visiting with a guided tour, so you can hear demonstrations of the instruments (Check the website for the current times of the tours, they are included in your entry ticket).
Beyond the novelty of seeing instruments playing automatically, the museum documents how listening to music has changed over the years.
It has old gramophones and very early synthesizers, plus some more familiar gadgets such as mp3 players and an iPod.
Located outside the centre in Brentford, this is one of the hidden gems in London worth travelling for.
Before you leave, don’t skip the shop, it has some cool souvenirs.
Address: 399 High St, Brentford TW8 0DU
The Barbican Conservatory
The Barbican, a large cultural institute with striking brutalist architecture, has a hidden gem on its 3rd floor.
It is the last place you’d expect to find a tropical garden, but it’s right there, full of plants, flowers and trees, a couple of fish ponds, and an impressive cacti and succulent collection.
We visited the Barbican Conservatory on a Sunday in August. It was a bit crowded inside, but I still think it belongs on a list of hidden gems in London, because so many locals I spoke to never heard of it.
This is definitely a refreshing surprise in the middle of London.
When you’re done exploring the greenery, you can also have your afternoon tea there amongst the palm trees.
The Barbican Conservatory is free to enter and is open to visitors on selected dates. Check the exact dates and times on their website.
Address: Silk St, London EC2Y 8DS
Guildhall Gallery
At the end of the tour at the Guildhall Gallery our guide asked us to tell our friends about the gallery, because not many people know about it.
It’s odd that a gallery in the City of London is still relatively unknown. Some hidden gems in London are very central, yet out of sight.
The history of Guildhall Gallery is quite unusual. It first opened in 1885, but was destroyed during WW2, and opened again in 1999.
During the construction work, the remains of London’s Roman Amphitheatre were discovered. They were made part of the gallery when it reopened.
These days, Guildhall Gallery features both Victorian art upstairs and Roman ruins downstairs.
The gallery has many sections and rooms and felt like a bit of a maze at first, so I’m glad I took a guided tour. The gallery runs free tours every day.
I enjoyed the Victorian paintings. The collection covers themes such as home, work, beauty, leisure, love, and travel.
For anyone interested in the history of art, this is a nice reminder of the era when artists departed from the more traditional themes of history, literature and the Bible.
That era in the 19th century was known for including everyday life subjects in paintings. Two pictures of girls playing musical instruments caught my eye.
Admission to Guildhall Gallery is free.
Address: Guildhall Yard, London EC2V 5AE
The Kings Cross light tunnel
The light tunnel is one of the most photogenic hidden gems in London.
It’s probably the most artistic underground tunnels I’ve ever seen 🙂
While you’re more than likely to pass through Kings Cross Railway Station at least once on any average visit to London, the station is huge, so you may miss this tunnel.
This pedestrian tunnel connects St Pancras International and King’s Cross stations and is covered in colourful LED lights.
They change colours constantly, so every time you visit this tunnel you’re likely to see something different.
It’s fun to walk around and take pictures from different angles.
Address: 1 Pancras Square, Kings Cross, London N1C 4AG
London Neasden Temple
It’s a little hard to believe this building is actually in London.
It looks like a huge, white palace from a movie… but it is in the London Borough of Brent. As a tourist, it’s probably not an area you’d visit in London.
But this stunning building is well worth a visit, even though it’s a little out of the way.
It’s a traditional, authentic Hindu temple (Mandir), the first one to be built in Europe.
Its full name is BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir. Neasden is just the name of the area in London it’s in.
The temple was made of marble and stone carved by artisans, and the result is just marvellous.
After a quick security check, I went in and immediately stopped to admire the wood carvings inside.
But that’s only the beginning…
Go upstairs to see the incredible marble carvings and take your time, appreciate the art and the craftsmanship and absorb the peaceful atmosphere.
There’s a chance to see the sacred deities several times a day.
If you’re in the mood to educate yourself about Hinduism, go into the exhibition rooms.
The history and principles are explained in a way that anyone from any background can understand.
There’s also a fascinating video about how the temple was constructed.
This is another of the hidden gems in London that’s not so central, but worth travelling to.
Address: 105-119 Brentfield Rd, London NW10 8LD
The Horniman Museum and Gardens
This Horniman is one of my favourite hidden gems in London.
Part of the reason why it’s one of London’s hidden gems is because it’s in Forest Hill and a bit far from the usual places tourists tend to hang out in.
Still, it’s not too far to reach on the train from central London and it’s well worth a visit.
The museum’s collections can be best described as diverse, covering anthropology, natural history and musical instruments from around the world.
It also has a massive garden worth exploring if the weather’s nice.
Entrance is free.
Address: 100 London Rd, Forest Hill, London SE23 3PQ
The Garden at 120
This roof garden is one of the coolest unusual things to do in London.
The garden is right on top of the Fen Court office building, open to the public and free to enter.
You’ll have to go through a security check to get in, but it’s very quick, and then you can take the lift to level 15.
It’s a very elegant roof garden, with plenty of space and lovely plants.
You’ll get to see some great views of London: Its skyline, some famous landmarks, both old and new, London’s iconic modern architecture, River Thames and Tower Bridge.
Go all around the garden to see London from different angles.
If you can, try to go on a sunny day for better views and better photos.
There are benches to sit down and relax, and when it’s quiet it looks like a perfect place for meditation.
Address: 120 Fenchurch St, Langbourn, London EC3M 5BA
Leadenhall Market
A couple of minutes away from the Garden at 120, there’s another London hidden gem that’s worth visiting.
Leadenhall Market is a super elegant Victorian Market, that design lovers will definitely enjoy.
It’s a covered market with shops, pubs and restaurants, but I spent most of my time there looking up…
Harry Potter fans may know it as some scenes were shot there, but even if you’re not a Harry Potter fan you’ll notice a certain magical atmosphere 😉
Address: Gracechurch St, Langbourn, London EC3V 1LT
Sir John Soane’s Museum
A short walking distance from the famous British Museum, there’s a much smaller museum that many visitors don’t know about, but it’s one of the spectacular hidden gems in London well worth discovering.
Inside the former Georgian townhouses of architect Sir John Soane, there’s a curious collection of objects from around the world that he gathered in his lifetime and turned into a museum open to the public.
You’ll be asked to leave any large bags in the cloakroom before you enter, and when you go inside you’ll see why.
Sir John Soane’s Museum is packed with a mix of sculptures, antiques, artworks, furniture and a myriad of other objects from Soane’s collection.
Some of those are quite eccentric, and when I first visited, they seemed to be displayed in no particular order. I later found that the museum offers guided theme trails that make sense of the connections between the objects.
Address: Sir John Soane’s Museum, 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, Holborn, London WC2A 3BP
The Museum of Comedy
One of the best quirky spots in London for comedy fans.
This is a lovely little comedy club where you can see stand-up comedy and other performances, while surrounded by a museum collection dedicated entirely to comedy.
There are posters, books and memorabilia from the history of comedy, featuring present day comedians and past icons.
If you’re a British comedy fan like me, you’ll find some cool surprises there.
The Museum of Comedy is located in a church crypt in the very centre of London, but remains a bit of a hidden gem despite the central location. Once you know where it is, it’s easy to find.
Tip: Go there on Monday nights to see comedians testing new materials and you might get to see some top names for a very small admission fee.
On other days of the week there’s a packed and diverse schedule of comedy acts.
Address: The Undercroft, St George’s Church, Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2SR
Sands Films
An independent film studio in an old, converted warehouse, that runs a cinema club, a music room and a theatre stage.
They also run the Rotherhithe Picture Research Library, a free reference collection of images.
We went there for a concert and really enjoyed the experience. When you enter the staff welcome you with a cup of tea.
It’s a charming space with fascinating interiors. On the way to the music room, we passed through the Picture Research Library, the costume-making workshop and different rooms in the studio with costumes from film and TV productions.
Like some other hidden gems in London, the location is a bit out of the way, in Rotherhithe,. You can discover this lesser-known part of London and visit some attractions in nearby Bermondsey before your evening entertainment at Sands Films.
You can check the schedule of events on the Sands Films website.
Address: 82 Saint Marychurch St, London SE16 4HZ
Extra tip on unusual things to do in London: Open House
If you’re in London in September, you’re in for a chance to see some of the best hidden gems in London.
During the Open House weekend, you can visit many of the buildings around the city that are not usually open to the public.
It’s a way to discover some truly secret places in London. For example, I got to visit a Masonic Temple, hidden inside a hotel in East London.
The Open House programme is usually published on the website in August, about a month before the festival.
It includes hundreds of buildings, all providing free access during the Open House weekend.
It’s a very popular event and for some of the more famous buildings you’ll have to wait in line for a while.
Some offer guided tours, but most just open their doors and you can have a self-guided tour.
TIP: Many of the guided tours are sold out on the same day the programme is published on the website, so you want to be quick!
Books on unusual things to do in London
There are so many more hidden gems in London! I keep discovering new ones on every visit.
These books on unusual things to do in London will give you more ideas on unique places to visit.
London: The Hidden Corners For Curious Wanderers
An Opinionated Guide to Secret London
The 500 Hidden Secrets of London
More unique places in London to discover
I’ve written a few more guides on this blog about special places to see in London.
Brixton
No longer one of the hidden gems in London, but still a part of London that many tourists haven’t been to.
It’s a super cool place and great for music lovers and foodies.
Here’s what you can do and see in Brixton.
Regent’s Canal
Walking along Regent’s Canal, especially to or from Little Venice, is one of the most relaxing activities in London.
Here’s a self-guided walk.
Unique museums in London
I’ve included some pretty unusual museums in the list of hidden gems in London above, but there are more!
Read my reviews of the Design Museum, The Cartoon Museum, Geffrye Museum and William Morris Gallery, as well as the best photography galleries in London.
Brick Lane
Not exactly one of the most kept secrets in London, though I remember the days when it still was…
Brick Lane might be one of the most famous streets in London, but it’s still a very special place to visit.
It is popular especially during weekends, with busy markets, food stalls, vintage shops and street performers.
Read my full guide to all the great things to do in Brick Lane.
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23 Comments
Thanks for sharing, I have been to Leadenhall market a few times on various walking trails that I have done and stopped for lunch there, hopefully I will get to see more of these hidden gems on my next time I’m in London
Really loved this post – it’s clear you’ve put a lot of thought and effort into it. I’ll definitely be following along for more updates.
As someone who spends a lot of time visiting historic houses, I love that you’ve included a handful in this post!! They’re so underrated, but I love visiting them.
This is a very helpful list. Ive been wanting to visit Neasden temple for a long time.
The temple in Neasden for sure.
I can also highly recommend The Wallace Collection near Bond Street, Hoover Building or the Michelin house in South Kensington
Wow, this was such a great read! London has so many hidden gems, and I love discovering new places beyond the usual tourist spots. Your recommendations are really unique, and I can’t wait to check them out. Do you have any favorite hidden cafés or bookshops in the city? Keep up the amazing work—looking forward to more of your posts!
[…] London hidden gems […]
[…] Pipette in the King’s Cross Tunnel, aka the light tunnel, is another surprising piece of public art in an unexpected place, and one of my favourite London hidden gems. […]
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Always love a London blog post- lots of ideas here. I adore the Kyoto Garden, took it for granted when I worked nearby. Rare bit of tranquility. I miss London so much, my town, i wrote about it too on my lockdown wishlist! Let me know what you think.
It’s been ages since my last visit to London… this post brings up so many memories!
What an amazing list of off the beaten path things to see. I’ve never been to London—-gasp—not a city traveler too much. But I’d love the Japanese garden and the cactus place.
Thanks 🙂 London has a lot of urban nature, 47% of the city is green spaces!
London is massive, so i find this guide to be very helpful! This post makes me desperate to want to plan a trip! I can’t wait to start traveling again and head back to London!
Wow! I’ve been to London many times before and the only thing I’ve done on this list is Leadenhall Market so I will have to checkout the rest whenever I visit next!
I lived in London 5 months and never saw any of this stuff! Regents Park was even my local park where I’d go for runs, and I never saw that theater! Great list – will def be using it for when I return. 🙂
Amazing places! I have studied in London in 2004. It seems that London has changed a lot.
Love it! So many new places to discover next time we travel to London. I’ve lived there for 4 years but I’m far from having seen everything the country has to offer!
Wow! I’ve been to London before but I didn’t know half of these places existed. Definitely have to see them when I am back. Thanks for sharing!
There are always new places to discover in London!
What is amazing about Tal’s posts is the fact that every time you think you’ve exhausted everything there is to see / enjoy / travel / love in a certain place, Tal comes and shows you many other hidden layers of the place that you didn’t see, even though they were right in front of you.
This post about different hidden places (in the positive sense, for the better), made me wonder how I didn’t see all of these in all the times I was in London?
Thanks for this splendid post.
Love it!!! Your blog is so good that there is a danger those hidden gems won`t be hidden for long
It’s been such a pleasure to travel in London with you! I love this city and can’t wait to go back there. Saving your perfect recommendations.