10 Awesome Off-The-Beaten-Path Things To Do in London
Once you’ve seen Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, witnessed the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, and ridden the London Eye, it can feel a lot like you’re a London expert. But these activities merely scratch the surface. This is a mega-city stuffed with famous art galleries, museums, and ancient landmarks, but beyond all that is a London of villages and little-known local traditions. Here are 10 off-the-beaten-path tours that go beneath the most famous sites to capture the real essence of London and England. Each of these tours and experiences is bookable right on TripAdvisor!
Click the colored links below to see more information on TripAdvisor—and even book a tour!
1. Take in the Art
There are more than 2,300 masterpieces on display at Central London’s National Gallery—so where do you start? Brush up on your brush strokes with a guided small-group tour through centuries of landmark paintings and learn from an acclaimed art historian as you go.
2. Experience British Humor
You won’t stop laughing at Faulty Towers The Dining Experience! Be prepared for nonstop hilarity in homage to Britain’s best-loved comedy series. Eccentric Basil, bossy Sybil, and long-suffering Manuel are played by actors whose antics will delight you over lunch or dinner at Covent Garden’s Kingsway Hall Hotel, located on the southern edge of London’s Camden borough.
3. Explore London on Two Wheels
Cycle along the River Thames on a night bike tour, passing St. Paul’s Cathedral and Tower Bridge as both London attractions light up after dark. See Westminster Abbey, and join Londoners over a pint of beer in a traditional Southwark riverside pub as you admire the dazzling city skyline. Helmets, lights, and high-visibility jackets are all provided.
4. Pub Crawl the West End
The pub is the lifeblood of British culture and where else to sample a pint than in the vibrant West End area? Join a pub tour to visit historic bars and pubs in the alleyways of Covent Garden’s Seven Dials, Trafalgar Square, and Soho. Taste premium beers, and learn about London’s brewing traditions.
5. Take Your Shot on a Photo Tour
Join acclaimed photojournalist Stuart Freedman on a photo tour that takes you through the ever-changing streets of the East End. From hipster Hoxton and artsy Shoreditch to the cool bars of Brick Lane, you’re sure to find something snap-worthy along the way. Follow Freedman’s expert advice on capturing the area’s edgy ambience in photographic form, and then share your photo tips over pie and mash in a traditional East London café.
6. Rock Till You Drop
London was the center of the fashion and music world in the Swinging 60s, yeah, yeah, yeah. Rock your inner beatnik with a two-hour tour of iconic West London music venues on a traditional Routemaster bus. You’ll be accompanied by a 1960s soundtrack and a mystery celeb tour guide from the decade of psychedelia.
7. Taste Multicultural London
Get right off the beaten track and enjoy all you can eat and drink in buzzing Brixton on a London food and culture tour. You’ll sample Caribbean, Asian, Indian, and North African cuisine from fiery curries to jerk chicken, visit the UK’s biggest beer garden, listen to reggae, and view street art at the Stockwell Graffiti Hall of Fame.
8. Visit Two Famous Universities
Spend a day exploring two very English—and world famous—university towns with a day trip to Cambridge and Oxford’s historic colleges. Fall in love with Oxford, “city of dreaming spires,” and see the fabled Bodleian Library. Admire the Gothic beauty of Cambridge’s King’s College, founded in 1441 by Henry VI, and wander through centuries-old courtyards.
9. Learn the Game of Kings
The Brits take their horse racing very seriously, so why not join them for a race meeting at the Kempton Park Racecourse? Enjoy an evening mixing with well-dressed crowds, admire the thoroughbreds, and if you’re lucky, bet a few quid on equine winners.
10. Cast a Spell
You don’t have to go far in London to come face to face with Harry Potter. Just gather with other Muggles for a 2.5-hour, small-group walking tour of the London alleyways and landmarks that inspired Knockturn Alley, Diagon Alley, and the Leaky Cauldron pub. The kids will love it.
Ready to check out more of lovely London? Visit TripAdvisor and book your next UK experience today!