10 Unique Attractions Worth Visiting in London

10 Unique Attractions Worth Visiting in London

London has many interesting attractions to visit and experience than just the usual tourist attractions. Here are a list of some of the best and most interesting.

1. Discover a Neon Paradise at this Quirky Location

God’s Own Junkyard – Photo by author

Head down to God’s Own Junkyard in Walthamstow, North East London and explore the largest collection of neon lights in Europe. The gallery, which is located on an old industrial estate contains everything from salvaged signs, reclaimed signs, old sex shop signs and props used in film and fashion shoots.

There is also neon art made from found objects, retrieved and renewed waste and lights and from fairground and circus lighting.  It is a treasure trove for anybody fascinated by neon lights.

Exploring this hidden space really is an amazing and unique experience where you can spend an afternoon browsing around.  It even comes with its own café, ‘The Rolling Scones.’

The collection is from late artist Chris Bracey’s personal collection, who had been collecting for 37 years and had been known as the Neon Man, creating iconic art pieces for notable artists such as David la Chappelle and Martin Creed.

Address: Unit 12, Ravenswood Industrial Estate, Shernhall Street, Walthamstow, London, E17 9HQ

(The nearest station is Walthamstow Central (Victoria Line zone 3) which is a 13 minute walk away.)

Open Friday & saturday from 11am to 9pm

open sunday from 11am to 6pm

The Rolling Scones Cafe is open for food and drinks all weekend

2. Immerse yourself in a house completely covered in art

House of Dreams, image sourced from the official website

House of Dreams may just look like a normal house from the outside, but once you step inside who will see just how unusual it really is. Prepare to have your mind blown as every surface of this house, including the garden is completely covered in found objects. Everything from false teeth, jewellery, bottle caps and much more have all been attached to the walls, ceilings and floor in probably the most unique house in London.

The house is of artist Stephen Wright’s who has spent the last 20 years collecting these objects, resembling a temple of found art. There is a also a deeper meaning to the objects. Some images represent a moment in Stephen’s life, while others depict his life’s journey through memory boards, which are placed throughout the house. These focus particularly on the grief of losing his partner and parents during the early 2000s.

Although this remains Stephen’s house, it is open to the public around once a month to have a look inside, where you will also get a tour from Stephen. You will need to book in advance though as it books up really fast.

45 Melbourne Grove, East Dulwich, London SE22 8RG.

Nearest station: East Dulwich (4 stops from London Bridge) or bus number 37 or 42.

Open once a month from 10am to 4pm

Tickets cost £12 for adults and £7 for students. Children under 16 can enter for free but must be accompanied by an adult.

3. Bungee Jump Down the O2

For thrill seekers why not bungee jumping from the top of the O2? Jumping from a crane at 160ft, this is a unique experience which offers great views over London and the Thames. You will be part of a limited group of jumpers able to experience the jump from this incredible venue.

The O2 Arena was originally constructed for the Millennium, and is now one of London’s most famous entertainment venues. Standing at 52 metres high and 365 metres wide, (representing 1 metre for every day of the year) and housing 12 yellow support towers the O2 is a stunning piece of architecture.

Coach Park
The O2
Peninsula Square
London
SE10 0DX

Tickets cost £75

Nearest Station: North Greenwich (Jubilee Line)

4. Explore Eel Pie Island, a Small and unique Island

Housing on Eel Pie Island: Wikimedia Commons

Eel Pie Island, which was earlier called Twickenham Ait or simply the ‘Parish Ayte’ is the largest island at 8.9 acres (3.6 hectares) in London’s stretch of the Thames and lies between Twickenham and Ham.

The island was rumoured to be a monastry and much later a courting ground for Henry VIII. From the 17th Century it attracted day trippers, who came to picnic or fish here. Later on people would come to enjoy the renowned pies made from locally caught eels and served at the White Cross pub.

Although this is the most likely origin of the present name, another theory was that a mistress had a house here called Île de Paix (Island of Peace) which was folk-anglicised as ‘Eel Pie.’

The Island became famous in the 1950s the 60s for its noisy jazz club at the Eel Pie Island Hotel, where the Rolling Stones first emerged. Eel Pie Island has even called ‘the place where the sixties  began.’  The hotel closed down in 1967, becoming a hippie commune, before it was burned down and was demolished in 1971.

Today the Island is mainly made up of artists and sculptors, working studios built around an old boatyard. The Island has 26 studios in total, which can only be accessed by a small footbridge arching over the Thames. The public path to the studios is scattered with mannequin torsos, thick curls of boat rope and plant tops wearing hats. On the Island there is also a nature reserve.

Although it is a private Island, it is open twice a year to visitors, giving an opportunity to talk to the artists and see the island. The Island is a  little known and intriguing haven that is well worth visiting.

Eel Pie Boatyard
Eel Pie Island
Twickenham
Middlesex TW1 3DY

The Island is only open to the public twice a year from 11am – 6.00pm. Entry is free.

5.  Explore Dennis Sever’s House, a time capsule of life in Spitalfields

Dennis Sever’s House: Wikimedia Commons

Dennis Sever’s house, which is in the heart of Spitalfields will take you back in time in this immersive form of theatre. Each room in this house has been recreated to give you a snapshot of what life was like between 1724 and 1914.

An escorted tour through this fascinating ‘still life drama,’ as creator Dennis Severs puts it takes you through the kitchen, dining room, cellar, smoking room and upstairs to the bedrooms. The house follows the footsteps of the fictitious Jervis family, a family of Huguenot silk weavers.

The rooms are left exactly as if the family had just left room moments earlier. There are unmade beds, unfinished bottles of wine, half-written letters, candles burning and even smells lingering. There is even a cat named Madge left to guard the house while the Jervis family are out.

Those with a particular fascination for the strange and historic should be delighted by this quirky and immersive experience.

18 folgate street
london e1 6bx

Nearest station: Liverpool Street (Central, Hammersmith & City, Circle, Metropolitan) and Shoreditch High Street (Overground)

The tour is open Monday, Wednesday & Friday evenings from 5pm to 9pm Tours lasts 45 minutes

Tickets are £15 per person. not suitable for children

6. Go Whitewater Rafting at the Lee Valley Water Centre

Lee Valley White Water Centre during the 2012 Olympics: Wikimedia Commons

This London 2012 Olympics games venue is open to the public for this adrenaline fuelled whitewater rafting and kayaking sessions. Ride the rapids that challenged the best in the world in this action packed adventure experience. On the centre’s raft adventure you will be spinning, nose dunking and high-siding on the Standard Olympic Competition course before you know it.

As well as rafting, the lake and course are also used for kayaking activities which caters to everyone from beginners to expert paddlers.

New activities added for the 2014 season include Hydrospeeding, which is similar to bodyboarding and Hot Dog Sessions, which are held on two person inflatables and can be a good introduction to kayaking.

Station Rd, Waltham Cross EN9 1AB

Open 7 days a week.  Saturday to Tuesday open from 8am to 8pm. Wednesday 8am to Friday open until 9pm. Tickets cost £49 per person.

The nearest station is Waltham Cross. It is about a 25 minute journey from Liverpool Street. From there it is just a 10 minute walk to the centre.

7. Have a visit to Viktor Wynd’s Museum of Curiosities in East London

Viktor Wynd Museum, Wikimedia Commons

Victor’s Museum is a museum that you need to see to believe. The museum is a collection of all things weird and wonderful, with no relation to each other at all. In one part you may find McDonald’s Happy Meal toys, whilst in another you may  find a unicorn skull, a mermaid skeleton or human remains. All of these objects are hidden amongst taxidermy and other oddities. You can be sure to expect the unexpected at this peculiar museum.

Originally started as just a basement curiosity shop, Viktor Wynd’s Little Shop of Horrors opened as a museum after a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2014. On the last Tuesday of every month Viktor runs guided tours, giving you an insight in his mind and an introduction into the origins of the museum and is a place not to be missed.

Hidden within the museum there is even a weird and wonderful cocktail bar, the menu is inspired by the Prohibition era with a menu devoted to Absinthe as well as two pages of cocktails. There are many oddities displayed here as well including a full sized lion named Leonora at one of the tables. Regular events are also held here including workshops on taxidermy.

11 Mare Street London E8 4RP

Open Wednesdays to Sundays 12pm to 11pm. Closed Tuesdays.

Nearest station: Cambridge Heath

Admission is £6 and includes a cup of tea.

8. Paddle down the Thames in these cow decorated boats with Moo Canoes

Image sourced from MooCanoes Instagram

Paddle down the River Thames in this cow decorated alternative sightseeing tour. Your choice of vessel is either a canoe or kayak, both of which have a distinctive cow look about them, hence the name Moo Canoes. You will be paddling down the river in no time.  The boats seat either 2 people on the kayaks or 3 people in canoes.

Moo Canoes offers you the choice of individual rentals or groups trips. No experience is also necessary to paddle these boats, so beginners are just as welcome as experts. In total there are 12 different routes to choose from with varying levels of difficulty leading everywhere from Angel to Hackney Wick.  The home port is either Limehouse Basin or from the Milk Float in Hackney Wick.

For a little less stability Moo Canoes also rent paddleboards. Starting from Popular Union every Sunday you can have the opportunity to paddle around the Limehouse Basin while standing up.

 Limehouse Basin, 30 Pinnacle Way, E14 7JZ

Nearest station: Limehouse (DLR)

From the Milk Float, Hackney Wick, E9 5EN the nearest station is Hackney Wick

Opening hours: open for hire between 10am and 6pm on weekends, but you can arrange sessions outside of these hours by contacting them directly.

Kayaks are £26 an hour to rent. Canoes are £36 an hour.

9. Have a visit to this 300 year old tea shop

Twinings Shop, Wikimedia Commons

For over 300 years Twinings in Strand, Central London, has been selling tea and coffee from this shop.  In 1706 it was purchased by Thomas Twining, making it one of the oldest shops in London that is still in its original location. Since then Twinings has been famous for selling some of the best tea in the world.

With one of the best selections of tea around, this is a must visit for lovers of tea. There is every kind of tea imaginable available here,  from everyday teas to exclusive rare leaf teas from around the world. The shop even has a tea tasting room and a small museum where you can learn all about the Twinings tea company.

Although it is one of the narrowest shops in London, it is easy to spot, as it is   located across the road from the Royal Courts of Justice. You can spot the golden lion just above the entrance to the shop.

R. Twinings and Co Limited & The Twinings Museum
216 Strand
London WC2R 1AP

Store Opening Hours: 

Monday – Friday 9.30 – 19.30
Saturday – Sunday 11.00 – 18.00

Nearest station: Temple (Circle and District lines)

10. Visit London Wetland Centre, A Haven for Wildlife

Lagoons at the London Wetland Centre: Wikimedia Commons

Located in Barnes, South West London this is an oasis for wildlife and a nature lover’s dream. Here you can find many animals including otters, geese, rare swans, bats and frogs.

The centre is 43 acres, and located only four miles from central London, but feels a totally different world away. Here there are quiet ponds and wildflower gardens, which are all full of bird life, with over 150 species present. There are also over 300 species of butterflies, 20 types of dragonfly and 4 species of bat.

It is a great place for families, with an adventure playground and indoor discover zone which will sure to keep those entertained. The centre also offers tutored feeding sessions for otters and birds as well as a wildlife photography course and is a great way to spend  a day away from the crowds of London.

Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes, London, SW13 9WT

Access: From Hammersmith Station take bus 33, 72, 209 or 283

For Opening Times and ticket prices CHECK WEBSITE