It doesn’t matter if you’re just visiting London for a few days or you’ve moved here for an extended period of time. Sometimes you just have to move outside the ‘normal’ activities and do something a little on the crazy side. Sure, you want to visit Buckingham Palace, The Tower of London, see Big Ben and maybe view the city from the highest viewing platform in London at The View From The Shard.
But sometimes the only thing that’s going to hit the spot is doing something a little ‘off the wall’.
So with that in mind, here’s a list of the 8 craziest things you can do in London…
1. Learn magic tricks
Magic isn’t just for kids and die hard Harry Potter fans. It’s something that anyone of any age can learn and have a great deal of fun doing so.
And there’s no better place to do so than at Davenports Magic – London’s oldest magical shop that’s been around since 1898. Located near Trafalgar Square, in the Charing Cross Underground Arcade, the shop caters for those experienced in the magical arts as well as complete novices.
In addition to selling all kinds of magical goods, the shop runs magic courses for both children and adults. Prices start from £30 per day and cover a whole range of different magic tricks. Not only hugely enjoyable, but taking a course here will leave you with a whole bunch of new skills with which to wow your friends.
2. Take a London Loo Tour
Yes, really! You can actually take a walking tour that’s themed around London’s public conveniences.
Of course, it’s not all about toilets, because the London Loo Tour also delves into the history of the city, social issues and politics through the ages.
The tour lasts about one and a half hours, and meets at either Waterloo Station toilets – where one of the highlights of the tour is finding out about London’s most patriotic toilet, or at Euston Square Station where you’ll go to visit the home of the first toilet museum at University College Hospital and visit a Grade II listed toilet. Great fun, and a wonderful way to get an alternative look at the history of London.
3. Learn the art of taxidermy
From goats to snakes, foxes to crabs, they can all be perfectly preserved and the basics learned in a short couple of hours.
The British Academy of Taxidermy will show you exactly how to do it, and you even get to take your finished work home with you at the end. And don’t worry, all the animals are ethically sourced, so you can stuff away content in the knowledge that no animals were harmed in the production of this class…
4. Climb a wall of ice
Yes, really. It’s possible to go ice climbing in the centre of London, thanks to the facility at Vertical Chill, in Covent Garden.
Open Tuesday through Sunday, this 8 metre wall is open to everyone, from beginners through to experts. Just be sure to book in advance so they can ensure you have the right kit and instructors on hand.
5. Search for the Seven Noses of Soho
Soho was the location where artist Rick Buckley decided to stage his silent protest against the increasing amount of CCTV cameras being installed throughout the capital.
It was 1997 and Buckley decided that his protest would take the form of placing giant plaster of Paris noses on various landmarks and structures around London. In fact, he set 35 out to begin with, but many were removed in the following weeks. But seven remain, and so has spawned an urban myth that if you can find all of the so called, Seven Noses of Soho, great wealth will be thrust upon you. We don’t know about that, but what a fun way to spend an afternoon.
6. Survive the zombie outbreak
If you’re a fan of The Walking Dead, then taking place in a real life zombie apocalypse should be right up your street (it’s ok, it’s just role play, not real live (or should we say dead), zombies…).
Deep below the ground in Greenwich or Waterloo, the Zombie Experience will see you transported back to World War II to face zombies during the blitz. Or if you prefer you can even experience the ‘after dark’ experience, where you’ll be trained and armed before being dispatched on a time critical mission. Prices start from £99 per person.
7. Eat dinner in the sky
Or breakfast, or lunch… With London In The Sky you can take advantage of a wonderful summer experience with a number of London’s best restaurants taking part.
As the name implies, you and your fellow diners are served at a unique sky table, high in the sky above some of London’s most famous landmarks. A head for heights is obviously necessary, and prices start from £50 per person for breakfast. Be sure to book early, as this annual ‘pop up’ event sells out fast.
8. Learn to fly the trapeze
Gorilla Circus run trapeze courses for all levels for those who wish to learn the art of the trapeze. You can join in on drop in classes or sign up for a 3 or 4-week course that is guaranteed to have you ‘swinging through the air with the greatest of ease’.
Prices start from £24 per person and the courses take place in a variety of London’s parks. These include Kensington Gardens and Regents Park.
