Perhaps you’ve visited London many occasions before, or maybe you just enjoy doing something a bit different and breaking away from the crowds. London is packed full of things to do, and you’ll easily find many a leaflet detailing guided tours of popular sites or discounted rides on the London eye. These attractions are all well and good, but if you’ve seen them before then you might be interested in doing something a little bit different. The beauty of London is that it is a truly eclectic city, with many different cultures and there’s always something going on that can keep you interested.
We’ve put together a list of our four favourite things to do, that you might not see in your average tourist guide. Not only are they a bit different, they’re also much cheaper than buying expensive tickets to get into some of the major attractions. Hopefully they should give you a few fun ideas for your next trip to London.
1. Hire a Boris Bike
Officially named ‘Barclays Cycle Hire’, this bike sharing scheme quickly took on the nickname ‘Boris Bikes’ after the major of London, Boris Johnson, initiated the scheme. Designed to be a green way to travel round London, the Boris Bikes also double up as a fun way for tourists to travel. The scheme is really easy to use, simply find one of the many banks of bikes, pay for your time and then ride around and when you’re finished, find a bike bank to return it to! There are 400 docking stations all over London, so finding a bike shouldn’t take long.
2. Thames Clipper Boat
If you’re fed up of travelling round the city on the tube, then the Thames Clipper boat service could be the perfect option for you. As a tourist, why would you want to spend your time underground when you could be taking in the fantastic sights and sounds of London? The Clipper boats are a hop on, hop off service running along the Thames with stops including Waterloo (London eye), London Bridge and North Greenwich. All in all, it’s the perfect way to spend the afternoon visiting a few of London’s favourite spots along the way.
3. Street acts @ Covent Garden
Covent Garden has always been popular with tourists, but a great way to enjoy the atmosphere without spending a fortune is to simply take a lazy stroll around the square taking in the amazing street performances as you go. You could literally spend hours here just walking around and soaking up the atmosphere. Street acts range from comedy to dance, and there’s usually something to keep everyone entertained.
4. Highgate Cemetery
Ok, so this might not sound like the cheeriest of tourist attractions, but it’s one that you won’t forget in a hurry. Built during the Victorian era, the cemetery is stooped with history and interesting buildings. Some of the most influential people in the world have been buried here, including C.H Newton and Charles Dickens. If you’re looking for a mysterious afternoon in London, then the Highgate Cemetery certainly ticks all the right boxes; and it’s free to enjoy!
About the Author: Jon Quinton works for Wish.co.uk, providing people with experience days, spa days and unique birthday gifts. If you need to surprise someone special, check out the gifts on offer to see if anything suits.
