10 wonderful and quirky things to do in London

1. Yoga under the whale

On Sunday mornings, the Natural History Museum opens its doors to dozens of bright-eyed yogis to do a class in an iconic space – in the atrium of the museum, under the spectacular 25 meter blue whale, Hope. The class always pulls in themes of the inspiring setting, and ends with a full-body gong bath.

You have time for a coffee at the cafe before the museum opens, and your ticket also gives you access to the special exhibition Wildlife Photographer of the year.

£35 per person, select dates – https://www.nhm.ac.uk/events/yoga-at-the-natural-history-museum.html

2. Scoot down a giant slide

The most exhilerating 34 seconds in London!

One of the stranger structures that popped up for the 2012 Olympics was an enormous red lattice twisty structure, jutting 80m out of the Olympic Park. The structure was esigned by Anish Kapoor, who invited Carsten Höller to add a slide to the massive structure. The resulting masterpiece is the world’s tallest and longest tube slide (178 meters long, 76 meters high).

Before you hope on the slide, be sure to savour the stunning views of London – you can see the iconic skyline, including glimpses of the Shard, the Gherkin, the Walkie Talkie, Big Ben, and the BT Tower.

When it is your moment to slide, you hop into a little sack an zoom away, hitting 15 miles/hour on your way down.

Price per person: approx £16 per person (although it is currently closed for some repairs, but should open again soon for more sliding fun!)

4. Explore the hidden corners of Hampstead Heath

Hampstead Heath is a particularly beloved place in my London. A massive park in North London, it is a destination for walkers, runners, and all the posh pups of Hampstead and Highgate.

The pergola is hidden away in a corner of the park, but a well-worth the visit!

You also should definitely check out the swimming ponds. I am particularly fond of the ladies bathing pond, complete with an updated changing shelter with showers and a sun bathing area.

Park is free, swimming £4.50 per person.

5. Stroll along Regents Canal

One unique way of seeing London is to stroll down the Regents Canal towpath. This bit by Camden Market is particularly scenic (and you can pop by the hallumi fries stall for an extra delicious treat).

This strip of water and green space makes for a pleasant walk (although you probably will not be tempted to jump in, as there will definitely be some London trash floating by).

Free (although the halloumi fries are well worth the price!)

6. Join the throng of peasants across the ages at the Globe Theatre

Arrive early so you can lean against the stage or the back wall of the (you are not allowed to sit during the performance, but you can make yourself comfortable before the show and at intermission. If you are particularly prepared, you can bring a small picnic to enjoy.

£5 per person

7. Mudlarking

The Thames foreshore is a tidal space, and at low tide, several meters of bank appear and the possibility of finding treasures can be irresistable. Mudlarkers wander the banks of the rivers looking for the old, strange, and wonderful. You will certainly find some Victorian ceramic tobacco pipes, and if you are really lucky, a true treasure.

(You can hear more about the lure of the ‘lark on this episode of our podcast, where we interview Emma, an avid mudlarker!)

8. 6-course dinner on the tube!

Well, more percisely, a vintage tube car. A unique and quirky dining experience and the food is AMAZING.

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Book at the Supperclub_tube for approx £50 per person

9. Visit spirits & learn about London’s history at the Highgate cemetary

A cemetary may not be at the top of a tourist’s list, but the Highgate Cemetary is worth the visit! One of the oldest and most famous cemetaries, the cemetary is divided into two sides: the East cemetary and the West cemetary.

The East cemetary is a newer bit, but one that (for a small fee) you can walk around the graves of some famous people, most notably Karl Marx (yes, the irony of paying to see the grave of the Marx, which is, after all, on private (!) property is not lost on anyone).

The West cemetary is really where it shines! You need to be on a tour (as there is a non-zero probability of a Victorian tomb crushing you). However, these tours are fantastic! You learn the history of London from a very different perspective, and pay your respects to a long list of notable residents, like George Michael, George Elliot, Douglas Adams, or Christina Rossetti. .

Price for tour and entrance: £18 per person