Quirky London Adventures to Tick Off Your Bucket List

If you’re a connoisseur of the curious, a seeker of the sensational, or simply someone who spends their days looking for something new and exciting to do rather than following the most popular landmark tour guides, then LHA London have compiled just the list of laughter filled leisure spots in London for you.

London is a spanning city with corners of entertainment everywhere you look, some vibrant and displayed on every tourist poster, and others tucked away in quiet corners just waiting to be discovered. But that doesn’t make the many less exciting. These quirky London Adventures are essential additions for your bucket list with your friends at your side.

M&Ms World

We’re starting off with a landmark that’ll make even the surliest face smile; M&Ms World in Leicester Square. An immersive experience and the largest sweet shop in the world, this ode to a favourite chocolate treat has colour splashed on every wall and submerged in every tube of sweets.

Although it may appear at first glance to be a glorified shop, it is more museumlike in its layout, with statues of everyone’s favourite M&Ms characters, a wall with over 100 colours and flavours to build your own tube, and areas that illustrate the long and winding history of the company from its roots in the 1940s. No one is too old to dive right in and explore the world of sugar coated chocolate.

Pitch Black Playback

If music means the world to you and you’d like to experience it in an immersive environment that celebrates all the finer details in a track? Then Pitch Back Playback is just the place for you. Unique to its core and sure to leave you with goosebumps on every square inch of your arms, this cinema style venue hosts listening sessions in the dark that give classic and retro albums a boost whilst amplifying everything we love about some of the very best songs ever written, without the distraction of day to day stress.

The experience is designed to give listeners a new appreciation for musicians and the sounds they create.

Audiofiles will never hear their favourite songs the same way again. They’ll be better.

Eltham Palace

Eltham Palace is a little less quirky but still a lesser known landmark with interesting spaces in art deco style. This illustrious and historic building is recognised as being the childhood home of Henry VIII. Right beside it, the 1930s home of Stephen and Virginia Courtauld with their enviable and unique gold plated bathroom.

Gods Own Junkyard

Gods Own Junkyard is a fantastically illuminated museum, home to a wide selection of neon signs from different eras of history. Restored and reclaimed retro artworks sit amongst fairground lighting, film neons that have acted as the backdrop for some of cinema’s biggest stars, and modern luxury designs.

Where otherwise they would have been thrown out or discarded following their use, or when high street sign styles updated and they were no longer the most fashionable way to advertise shops, they have been claimed by Gods Own Junkyard. Here they can be appreciated for the mark they left on our memories.

Pollocks Toy Museum

Founded in 1956, Pollocks Toy Museum is one of the oldest toy museums in the world and is home to an extensive collection of traditional toys from around the world. If you’re frightened of old dolls or find Victorian horrors unsettling, then this might be a place to avoid, but it can be a really fascinating place to discover how children that came before us used to spend their time.

The craftsmanship of historical toys in themselves is something remarkable, as many toys were meticulously handmade, painted, and considered a luxury. You can find puppets, teddy bears, dolls houses, and others.

Quiz Boxing

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to immerse yourself in the world of TV quiz games but don’t fancy going on the telly, we’ve got just the place for you and your friends. Quiz Boxing. Think it sounds mad? That’s probably because it is, but in the best possible way.

The game doesn’t involve any physical activity, so if you’re worried that you might not be up to a boxing match, don’t worry. Just step into the ring with your chosen team, choose your topics, and battle your knowledge out amongst yourselves for just £25 per person.

You can also choose the difficulty of the game, so everyone feels included and comfortable with the questions.

Highgate Cemetery

We understand that at first glance, if you haven’t heard of Highgate Cemetery before, then you are probably wondering why we’d send you to a graveyard. But Highgate has a rich and prestigious history built with architectural and floral features that are revered and designed to truly respect passing loved ones.

Cemeteries have a complicated history, created to protect the dead from graverobbing or uncovered in poor weather. Not only is it a beautiful place to mourn, it is also the final resting place of historical figures such as Karl Marx and George Micheal.

Dans le Noir

Prepare yourself for one of the wackiest dining experiences you’ll ever encounter: Dans le Noir. If you know your French, you’ll already have figured out the catch: you’ll be dining in the dark. This unusual restaurant is designed to give its diners a sensory experience like no other, isolating the senses so that the only thing you focus on is the taste of your food.

Of course, this is a slightly pricier experience, but if you’re interested in being wowed, confused, and delighted at the same time, many diners have said it is an experience of a lifetime. Attentive waiters, tasty food, and a party anecdote for the rest of your life.

Monopoly Lifesized

You won’t be able to flip the board in this version of Monopoly, but you might just flip your expectations of the classic board game on its head when you play Monopoly Lifesized because this daring and exciting rendition places you, the players, right on the properties. Think of it as Monopoly meets Crystal Maze, where teams of six compete in challenges to win properties and grow their lead.

You’ll be guided around the board by recognisable characters on one of four boards: Classic, Luxury, City, and Own It All.

Alcotraz: Cell Block Two-One-Two

Have you ever sat at a bar and fantasised about the possibility of having the exact same experience, only you’re dressed in orange jumpsuits and sat in a replica prison cell? Probably not. But once you hear about Alcotraz: Cell Block Two-One-Two, you might just change your mind. Because this quirky London location is far more entertaining than you’d expect. 

Interactive actors are at your service, bringing you drinks as canteen staff in a realistic jail setting. You will be introduced to a gang and tasked with smuggling in your favourite liquor to give to the mixologist on site. With other games and engaging activities waiting for you, you won’t want to make a run for it.

Accommodation in London

Your time spent in the capital city can be made or broken by your choice of accommodation, and LHA London has just the place for you to stay, whether you’re relocating to London for an extended period of time, or a summer stay: Halpin House, South Kensington.

We believe that the cost of accommodation should never be a barrier to following your dreams. That’s why we provide affordable student accommodation that gives you the freedom to live your London life as you choose.

For more information about how our charity can help you get set up in the big city, take a look at our available accommodation.