If you wish to absorb the place, savour the local ambience and enjoy the moment, you need to think out of the box of a “tourist”. There are many non tourist, offbeat spots that do not draw much crowds but are hit with the locals.
Non Touristy Things To Do In London
Emirates Air Line / Cable Car
The UK’s first urban cable car, offers passengers fantastic views of the City, Canary Wharf, the Thames Barrier the Olympic Park and jaw-dropping views of London after-dark.
Lord’s Cricket Ground
If you love cricket, you would certainly like to visit the “home of cricket”, the legendary Lord’s Cricket Ground, the Cricket Museum and the club’s Long Room. It is also the head office of International Cricket Council. You can also explore the history of Lawn Tennis at the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum.
Eltham Palace
This is an old medieval palace famous for its art deco to gothic architecture reflecting the rich English Heritage. You can soak in the splendour of the lovely gardens and the bridge built over a moat.
Forty Hall
Venture out to the edge of London, all the way to Enfield and you’ll discover a hidden gem: Forty Hall. It makes you feel as in countryside, but you are still in London in this 17th century estate. Perhaps, Forty Hall has a large farm for young kids, amazing art exhibitions, live music and Tai Chi course.
Trip along the Jurassic Coast
Way down to Weymouth, you can take a walk along the Jurassic Coast. Perhaps, if you love outdoor sports, then you have many options to choose from kayaking and climbing to cycling, co steering and kite surfing.
Highgate Cemetery
The Victorian cemeteries of London are works of art in themselves. Amongst them, the Highgate cemetery is very popular and noted for its vast size (170,000 people are buried). The main attraction is the graves of renowned legends such as Douglas Adams, George Eliot and Karl Marx.
London Fields
Picnicking on the pristine meadows of London Fields with a barbecue, and a dip in the nearby pond for some fun in the sun is a cool alternative to the touristy Big Ben
River Tour
Cruising down old Father Thames from the London Eye Millennium Pier to Docklands is largely unspoilt by the tourist crowds. Its a thrilling, high-speed ride with the guide entertaining with fun facts and celebrity stories.
Dip into Hampstead ponds
Hampstead ponds are the creme de la creme of outdoor swimming in London. They are open all year round and almost packed in summer. Another amusing fact is that the ponds are in fact the source of the River Fleet, the subterranean river that gives its name to Fleet Street.
Greenwich
The magnificent Christopher Wren designed Old Royal Navy College, Greenwich Park, Greenwich Observatory, the center of ‘Greenwich Mean Time’, the spot from which global time is measured is a cool alternative to the boring touristy,
Music Festivals
Check the endless number of festivals at Hyde Park, Victoria Park to enjoy hip hop, electronic and indie camping fun. For top DJ acts of the likes of Calvin Harris, Avicii, Deadmau5, Armin Van Buuren, Hardwell and Tiësto, check out Southwestfour which takes place in Clapham Common during the afternoon and early evening.
London’s Pub
Skip the museums, check the iconic pubs. Visit Gordon’s Wine Bar, one of the oldest bars, for some wine and cheese, Ship n’ Shovel, the pub that is either side of a street and you will enjoy your luxurious, non-so-touristy activity in London. You can also head towards Eagle, the first gastro pub of London that serves amazing grub.
Trip along White Cliffs of Dover
The white cliffs, “an icon of Britain” facing continental Europe across the narrowest part of the English Channel, have long been landmark for sailors. You can walk along the coastline or take a boat trip and view the cliffs from the Channel. Not to forget the church clock tower from where you can have a great view of the coast while heading towards Ye Old Bell for a pint of ale.
