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The Most Unconventional Things to Do in London

London is one of those destinations that appears on the world’s ‘most visited cities’ lists year after year. It is easy to understand why: London is the city of Big Ben, the Tate Gallery, Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard, all of which contribute to make this such an amazing city.

Changing the Guard

Source: mountainsoftravelphotos.com

Then there are some other unique attractions that people don’t know about until they’re made aware of them. These show a different side to London; sometimes educational, and often exciting.

UNSEEN TOURS

Unseen tours

Source: maylisboardman.com

To assist the many homeless living on London’s streets or around the parks, try the London Walking Tours that are available around various parts of the city. The multi-award winning enterprise known as ‘Unseen Tours’ gives visitors and citizens alike the opportunity to help the homeless better their situation.

You choose from one of a few city tours such as Camden, Covent Garden or Shoreditch, and are then able to get familiar with London through the eyes of those who really know their area. The tours are all easy to book, the guides are friendly and knowledgeable and it will not cost you an arm and a leg.

Let Mike the Mod fill you in on some facts about Camden Town, such as where Daniel Craig (Mr James Bond himself) lives, or his meeting with the late Amy Winehouse. He will, for a few minutes, allow you to experience HIS Camden. Those who have gone on one of Mike’s walking tours have found him to be kind and fascinating as a person. These are unlike ‘normal’ tours that one would usually go on; different but well worth it.

ROWING LONDON’S SERPENTINE

Hyde Park

Source: royalparks.org.uk

During London’s summer it’s a good idea to get out into the open, away from the crowded shopping centres and noisy streets. Get down to the Serpentine in Hyde Park, where you will find many great opportunities for the whole family to be entertained. Open lake water with a safe paddling pool for your children and boating and bar facilities for the grown ups provides all day fun, and is a perfect place to propose if you are so inclined.

You can also try out the UK’s first Solar Shuttle, which takes 40 passengers at a time and glides along the water powered only by the sun. If you just want to really kick back and be wonderfully lazy, simply pull up a deck chair and enjoy the summer sun. Remember the sun cream, however! Add to that the beautiful scenery and a peaceful ambience, and you will have to ask yourself why nobody has ever suggested this before. Different from standing in a long queue to get tickets for a show? It sure is, and a welcome change from the typical touristy stuff.

THE HIPPODROME CASINO

Hippodrome

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Fancy a night of fun at the tables? London’s Hippodrome Casino may be just what you’re looking for. Situated centrally and easy to access, the casino is regarded as Europe’s finest for 2015 and offers patrons great opportunities to indulge in various games such as poker, blackjack, baccarat and slot machines. Not only seasoned gamers will feel welcome; novices too can try their hand at the various games and stand a chance to leave with a smile on their face after an evening of fun and relaxation.

Stretching over three floors, with a bar area in the main arena, the casino will keep you busy and entertained for as long as you have the energy. Roulette is one of the most popular games at the casino, and while the rules are quite simple, you might want to have a read online first of roulette rules so that you know what you’re doing at the tables. European roulette, in fact, offers better odds than you will find in Las Vegas, as the European version has 36 numbers with one zero, whereas American roulette has 36 numbers, a zero, as well as a double zero. So, after a busy day running around London, settle in for an evening of casino fun.

THE OUTDOOR THEATRE OPTION

Luna Cinema

Source: theresident.co.uk

On a lovely summer’s night after a busy day, why sit in a closed-up movie theatre if you can enjoy watching your favourite movie outside, under the stars? London offers quite a number of possibilities, including the Luna Cinema group of locations. The idea is to arrive at sunset and sit down to your own picnic at various spots around the city. Venues include Kew Gardens, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and Brockwell Lido, where the VIP seats are reserved in dinghies in the pool. Be careful you don’t get more than you bargain for—not only a movie under the stars, but also ending up in the water!

Other outdoor movie theatres include the Rooftop Film Club or the Dalston Roof Park. All of these are easy to access in a city known for its excellent public transport; booking online and consulting the press and social media make it easy for you to ensure a great evening out.

HYDE PARK’S SPEAKER’S CORNER

Speakers Corner

Source: londontown.com

Situated near Marble Arch and Oxford Street, this famous London landmark is a lively attraction where any individual can turn up and have his/her say about virtually anything, as long as it is considered to be lawful. Anything goes as far as issues that are spoken about and discussed. Sunday afternoons are especially busy.

Speaker’s Corner has a history that goes back all the way to the mid 1800s and even before that, when the tradition of free and open public speaking was cemented by an act of Parliament. Many well-known personalities have held public speeches here throughout the ages, including Lenin and Karl Marx. The tradition is as alive today as it was when it started all those years ago. Speaker’s Corner is open to anyone who feels he/she has an important matter to draw people’s attention to. Depending on one’s viewpoint, an afternoon spent at the Corner can be quite entertaining!

A CITY FOR ALL

As one of the world’s greatest cities, London has something for everybody, from the best shopping and theatres to some pretty quirky and unusual stuff. Because of the variety on offer, nobody needs to get bored ever. London is a city that everybody can relate to, when they be young or old, traditional or modern. Because London is known as a cosmopolitan and tolerant city, it attracts people from all walks of life and tourists from every corner of the earth.