7 Non-Touristy Things To Do In London - Updated 2024

John
John 
Updated
| 5 min read

London is known for both its diversity and the sheer scope of its attractions. From Hyde Park to the Tower of London, there’s no shortage of top-tier sights and sounds in the city itself, as well as in the surrounding vicinity. However, with all due respect to these world-class attractions, there’s something to be said for those which fly under the radar. Sometimes, it’s the attractions you discover off the beaten path that make your vacation what it is!

This is your opportunity to make the acquaintance of those landmarks that tourists tend to miss. You’re invited to discover some of these locations - some of the finest activities in the city which are all but buried underneath big-ticket London venues. Make any one of these recommended locations into your next prospective London adventure, for a good time to be had in one of Europe’s premier destinations. Read on to find out more about the non-touristy things to do in the city.

1. Climb the roof of the O2 Arena (from USD 44.22)

non-touristy things to do in london | climb the roof of the o2 arena

Sometimes, you simply need a little adrenaline-inducing thrill in your life. For those moments, this O2 experience has you more than covered. If you’ve ever wanted to scale the actual side of a building, this is your chance! Up on top of the O2, you’ll be 52 meters (170 feet) above the ground, where climbing guides will take you through each and every step. This is your ticket to experience life up high, through a certified experience that proves as secure as it is exhilarating.

Known as Urban Mountaineering, the process by which you climb up to the top of the O2 and back has never been easier or more affordable. If you’re looking for the definition of a non-tourist attraction in London, you’ve found it at the O2.

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London: Climb The Roof of The O2 Arena

Duration: 1.5 hour

2629 reviews

2. Ride the Slide at ArcelorMittal Orbit (from USD 18.33)

non-touristy things to do in london | ride the slide at arcelormittal orbit

Did you know that London plays host to the world’s longest, tallest tunnel slide? The Slide at ArcelorMittal Orbit takes you to the skies and back, all courtesy of a secure slide that provides lifelong memories in the making. In existence for nearly two years, this slide proves as affordable as it is accessible. Make sure you provide yourself enough time to enjoy the attraction, as it proves quite busy on weekend and school holidays!

The slide itself distances more than 178 meters (583 feet) and contains 12 twists. German artist Carsten Höller designed and assisted in the creation of the ArcelorMittal Orbit slide, the ideal outing in London for those looking to experience typical non-tourist attractions!

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ArcelorMittal Orbit: Skyline Views with Optional Slide Ride

560 reviews

3. Cruise along the Thames River (from USD 71.0)

Cruise at top speeds across the Thames on the Thames River RIB Cruise! One of London’s top attractions, despite qualifying as a definitive non-tourist attraction, you’re taken across the top of the water while checking out local attractions from unprecedented angles. Departing from multiple locations around the city, you can select the optimal river cruise package for your individual preferences.

One of the most popular expeditions on the Thames River, it’s a super fast excuse for an adventure on London’s waterway. Now, you can make an affordable option for adventure inn London even more affordable, with exclusive group packages on the Thames! Bring along your family members and friends to fashion easy memories on the Thames River with those closest to you.

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London Thames River High-Speed Small-Group RIB Cruise

Duration: 50 minutes

3133 reviews

4. Head to the Dawn of the Super Heroes DC Comics Exhibition (from USD 13.0)

Receive the true superhero experience at this certified one-of-a-kind location. It’s an exhibition that puts some of the finest superheroes of the DC Universe right in front of you! You’ll get to know far more than simply the ins and outs of Superman and the rest of the league. This is your chance to learn more about the history of the DC Universe itself, together with the origin stories for so many of your favorite staple characters.

From Wonder Woman to the Joker, you’ll get the chance to examine more than 200 individual sketches, featured artwork, conceptual imagery, and more! There’s never been a better time to get yourself behind the scenes of the inner workings of the DC Universe! You’ll also be able to get a closer look at many of the props and costumes from some of the world’s most successful DC films. You can even check out the authentic cape worn by Christopher Reeve in the iconic Superman movies!

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London: Dawn Of The Super Heroes DC Comics Exhibition

Duration: 90 minutes

1 review

London Tour Guide

Robert Woolf

Robert Woolf

I am a London tour guide and my tours include talking about people who have shaped the city plus the many connected places such as Hampton Court Palace, The Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the commercial centre of the city: the City of London, and London’s world class museums and galleries. I have been guiding for 12 years. I am a licenced London Blue Badge Tour Guide, a City of London Guide, and a Westminster Guide. The reviews I receive from clients speak of their enjoyment from the local knowledge and the humour I bring to my tours. Born within sight of Hampton Court Palace, I am a Londoner and apart from 2 years in the Middle East, I have worked in this capital city all my business and tour guiding careers. I have travelled widely and I appreciate what appeals to visitors coming to London. I can tailor my tours to interest children. I guide couples, families and larger tour groups. I particularly enjoy visits to Westminster Abbey, where I also volunteer guiding students and children through its wonderful interior – on my tours you will hear about monarchs, why scientists and poets are remembered, the architecture and religious history. The Abbey is the story of England. Come on an engaging and fun tour with me. There is so much to show you !

Tours by Robert

5. Sign up for a Pokemon Adventure walking tour (from USD 205.0)

non-touristy things to do in london | sign up for a pokemon adventure walking tour
Source: www.viator.com

If you’re a fan of the Pokémon series, you’re going to absolutely love this next attraction in London. This is your invitation to increase your knowledge of the Pokémon world, thanks to an immersive encounter unlike anything you’ve experienced in London. Live the authentic Pokémon experience that sees you take your Pokédex around the city in search of rare Pokémon. Increase your overall prestige with each gym visit and practice your capacity to capture some of the hardest-to-find Pokémon anywhere.

Now, the genuine Pokémon lifestyle becomes more real than ever before, courtesy of a family-friendly outing that brings you closer to the rest of your group. This experience is also the optimal walking tour of some of London’s top outdoor sights, proving the perfect immersive London package for first-time visitors to the city!

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Private Walking Tour: Pokemon Adventure

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

6. Enjoy an aerial view of the city while zip lining (from USD 33.0)

enjoy an aerial view of the city while zip lining
Source: www.viator.com

Soar high over the city, with Zip Now London! Take advantage of this exclusive opportunity to see the sights that London offers from rare angles, a perspective few will ever witness. Zip Now London is also the longest city-center zip line in the world, so you can bank on a lengthy, enjoyable ride. This zip line only operates on a seasonal basis, so make sure that you book your adventure before it’s too late, or you have to wait until next year!

Rates have never been more affordable and you can take additional discounts with special packages. Pass on the tourist attractions of London and, instead, find yourself airborne over the best attractions that London offers, with Zip Now London!

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Zip Now London

Duration: 45 minutes

7. Play chef for a day (from USD 39.0)

In the heart of London, you can do more than sample some of the world’s best chocolate: you can make it yourself! This immersive Original Chocolate Making Class takes you behind the scenes of one of the region’s finest chocolate-making processes, allowing you to take the reins for the next batch. Take a chocolate-making class alongside family and friends, while you add a new skill that’s as delicious to eat as it is satisfying to make.

Discover a process that’s more than a procedure: it’s an art. Use professional chocolate equipment alongside a trainer chocolatier and take home your creations to share with the entire family! With the help of the experts on the premises, you can learn how to craft chocolate and truffles alike, all for prices that are well worth the investment! It’s the ideal non-tourist attraction in London, for visitors looking to get a feel for under-the-radar activity.

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Original Chocolate Making Class

Duration: 2 hours

Put your finger on the pulse of the city

Put your finger on the pulse of the city with any one of these non-touristy attractions set to captivate your heart in London. No matter how long you’re planning on spending in London, be it a few days or for the foreseeable future, any one of these tours will more than satisfy your desire for authentic adventure. Take advantage of the best sights and sounds that the region offers with this world-class portfolio of non-touristy activities in London.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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John Gallagher is a digital marketing consultant and writer from San Diego, California. When he isn't thoroughly enjoying the writing process or pretending he thoroughly enjoys the revision...Read more

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