DestinationsLondon
24 Unusual Things to Do in London (2026)
Prison cocktails, a glass floor over the Thames and a 178 m slide: 24 unusual things to do in London, picked by real travellers.
In short
• Most unusual: prison cocktails at Alcotraz, pneumatic-tube drinks at Cahoots and a Hidden London tour of disused Aldwych station.
• Thrills: a 178-metre tunnel slide in Stratford and Lift 109, which takes you 109 metres up a chimney at Battersea Power Station.
• Views: the London Eye from 135 metres and a glass-floored cable car over the Thames.
• Top tip: book the Harry Potter studio in Leavesden in advance and set aside half a day.
Unusual things to do in London – the city, but not as you know it
The most unusual things to do in London are prison cocktails at Alcotraz, pneumatic-tube drinks at Cahoots, your own boat on Regent's Canal, a Hidden London tour of disused Aldwych station, a 178-metre slide in Stratford, Lift 109 at Battersea Power Station and a glass-floored cable car over the Thames. Harry Potter's Leavesden studio deserves half a day.
Forget the queue outside Buckingham Palace. The best of London in 2026 happens in basements, on canals and inside chimneys. You can sip cocktails in a prison cell, share cheese fondue in an igloo on the Thames and whizz down a 178-metre tunnel slide in Stratford.
We've rounded up 24 places that real travellers have saved and shared on Outenza. No paid placements, just places people genuinely want to go back to.
Save time: All the places are gathered in the Outenza collection London: Off the Beaten Track Experiences. One tap on "Add to trip" and the whole list is in your itinerary.
Editors' top 5:
Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour
London Eye
Alcotraz prison cocktails
Hire your own boat at Paddington Basin
Lift 109 at Battersea Power Station
Book before you go: three London favourites on Expedia
Three of the places in the collection can be booked in advance. It saves you queuing and gets you a fixed time slot, which really counts during autumn half-term and the Christmas holidays.
London Eye – the city from 135 metres
The big wheel on the Thames is the landmark everyone knows, but it's the view that makes it worthwhile. From the capsules you see the whole skyline, from Big Ben to The Shard. A perfect first-day activity to get your bearings before you dive into the hidden gems.
Book the London Eye on Expedia →
Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour – the magic for real
In Leavesden near Watford, you walk into the Great Hall, stroll down Diagon Alley and step aboard the Hogwarts Express. Props and costumes are close enough to see the stitching. Just as much fun for grown-up fans as for kids.
The studio is outside central London, so set aside half a day. Tickets are only sold with a fixed entry time and often sell out during school holidays.
Book the Harry Potter Studio Tour on Expedia →
IFS Cloud Cable Car – glide over the Thames on a glass floor
Forget the big wheel for a moment. Here you float over the Thames in a cabin, and in cabins 11 and 29 the floor is completely see-through. Below you the river sparkles; around you are The O2, Canary Wharf, the Olympic Park and the London skyline.
The ride takes about 15 minutes and leaves from Greenwich Peninsula. Book ahead, especially if you want the glass floor.
Book the IFS Cloud Cable Car on Expedia →
Affiliate links: Outenza may earn a commission when you book through these links. The price you pay stays the same.
Themed bars and nightlife: when a drink becomes an experience
London has turned the bar into theatre. These are the places where your night out becomes the story you tell back home.
Alcotraz – cocktails behind bars. Cell Block Two-One-Two is an interactive, prison-themed theatre show. You play along in the role-play, and the cocktails are part of the plot.
Cahoots Postal Office – a 1940s post office. Drinks arrive at your table by pneumatic tube, and the menu is printed like a newspaper. Find the right flush button in the loo and an extra surprise awaits. You'll find it on Stoney Street near London Bridge.
Avora Cocktail Experience – another world. An immersive cocktail bar where the atmosphere matters as much as what's in your glass. For anyone after something other than the usual round of drinks.
Mr Fogg's Bar – adventure-themed. Set inside Mr Fogg's Residence and made for a lively evening in quirky surroundings.
Cheese fondue in an igloo on a cruise. Share hot fondue in a cosy igloo as the boat sails around Canary Wharf. The most Instagrammable date night of the year.
The Vault 1894 – a pint beneath Tower Bridge. A family-run pub by Shad Thames, with the bridge and the riverside right on your doorstep. The perfect break on a sightseeing loop.
Waxy's Little Sister – an Irish pub in Soho. Old-school interiors and a traditional drinks lift. Proper pub atmosphere in the heart of the city.
Thrills and play: activities for all ages
The ArcelorMittal Orbit tunnel slide. A 178-metre tunnel that wraps 12 times around the tower in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The ride lasts around 30 seconds at speeds of up to 24 km/h. Minimum height 1.3 metres, a short walk from Stratford station.
Lift 109 at Battersea Power Station. A lift inside one of the iconic chimneys takes you 109 metres up. At the top, a 360° view over London awaits. Combine it with the shops, food and riverside walk around the power station.
Hire your own boat at Paddington Basin. With GoBoat you skipper the boat yourself on Regent's Canal, no boating experience needed. Boats take up to eight people. The route via Little Venice and Regent's Park towards Camden Market even includes a tunnel.
SENSAS London – put all five senses to the test. Around two hours of blind tasting, a laser maze, silent charades and a ball pit. Spot on for a group of friends or a double date. Located in Vauxhall.
Fairgame St Paul's – a funfair for grown-ups. Classic games of skill, cocktails and food. Turn your evening into a friendly competition.
Wake the Tiger: Absurd City. A surreal, interactive world in Westfield London with five districts, each with its own story. Secret passages, hidden rooms and its own themed bar.
Travel Outenza
Plan your London adventure with Travel Outenza
Collect the places that inspire you, build a day-by-day itinerary and keep every ticket, booking and note in one place.
Free to start. Save the places from this article to a trip, plan your days and share the trip with your travel companions.
Hidden gems and breathing space
Aldwych – the disused Tube station. Opened in 1907 and closed to passengers in 1994. The platforms, vintage posters and original lifts are still there. You've seen it in Sherlock and 28 Weeks Later. Visit on a guided Hidden London tour from the London Transport Museum.
AIRE Ancient Baths – an underground spa. Pools at different temperatures, including a floatation bath that makes you feel weightless. The perfect antidote to a long day on your feet.
Kyoto Garden – Japan in the middle of London. A Japanese garden offering calm, nature and garden artistry just minutes from the busy streets.
The Canary Wharf whale – art made from ocean plastic. A permanent sculpture made from plastic waste collected from Hawaii's beaches. A powerful environmental message and a great stop when you're in Canary Wharf.
Shopping with a twist
Selfridges Christmas shop. The seasonal shop on the lower floor at Selfridges is packed with Christmas decorations, sparkling gifts and a big range of Disney products. If you're heading to London before Christmas, this is festive preparation at its most glamorous.
PUMA Flagship Store on Oxford Street. Motorsport and Formula 1 take centre stage, with Ferrari and McLaren merch and exclusive collections. A must for F1 fans.
London Designer Outlet in Wembley. Fashion stores and designer brands at discounted prices. Easy to combine with a match or a gig at Wembley.
KIKO Milano on Regent Street. Affordable make-up as a practical and slightly different London souvenir.
Plan your own adventurous London trip
The full list is ready and waiting as a collection on Outenza. Tap "Add to trip" and every place lands straight in your itinerary, complete with map and directions.
Open the collection "London: Off the Beaten Track Experiences" →
Frequently asked questions
What are the most unusual things to do in London?
The most unusual experiences are prison cocktails at Alcotraz, pneumatic-tube drinks at Cahoots, cheese fondue in an igloo on the Thames and a Hidden London tour of disused Aldwych station. For an adrenaline rush, the 178-metre tunnel slide at the ArcelorMittal Orbit is the top pick.
What is there to do in London with kids?
The Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour, the tunnel slide in the Olympic Park (minimum height 1.3 metres), the London Eye and hiring your own boat from Paddington Basin are all great for families.
What are good date night ideas in London?
Cheese fondue in an igloo on a cruise, Fairgame St Paul's, SENSAS London and AIRE Ancient Baths are all strong date options.
Where can you get the best views of London?
The London Eye gives the classic view from 135 metres above the Thames. Lift 109 takes you 109 metres up a chimney at Battersea Power Station for a 360° panorama, and the IFS Cloud Cable Car gives you 15 minutes over the Thames with views of The O2 and Canary Wharf, ideally through a glass floor.
Do you need to book the Harry Potter Studio Tour in advance?
Yes, tickets are only sold with a fixed entry time and often sell out during school holidays. Book via Expedia.
Where is the Harry Potter studio?
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London is in Leavesden near Watford, north-west of London. Set aside half a day for your visit.
Is the London Eye worth it?
Yes, the London Eye is worth it for the view: from 135 metres you can see the whole skyline from Big Ben to The Shard. It's a great first activity for getting your bearings in the city.
Found a London gem of your own? Share it with the community and it could feature in our next article.
Travel Outenza
Plan your London adventure with Travel Outenza
Collect the places that inspire you, build a day-by-day itinerary and keep every ticket, booking and note in one place.
Free to start. Save the places from this article to a trip, plan your days and share the trip with your travel companions.
Where this is
London, United Kingdom
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