London is the capital of the United Kingdom, the seat of the Royal Family and the "Hollywood" of the British Isles all rolled into one. Throw in a wealth of historical attractions and an eclectic range of neighborhoods, you have a city that stands alone on the European travel scene. In fact, a recent report has reinforced its case as the most popular city in all of Europe with Americans.
London is loaded with iconic tourist experiences like seeing the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, taking a selfie with Big Ben, touring the Tower of London and taking a spin on the London Eye, but the city also rewards those who dig under the surface. There's no better way to do that than by taking part in an offbeat tour or experience and the following eight will all show you a different, slightly quirkier side of this great city.
The Beatles Tour
Sure, you could head up to St. Johns Wood and see the iconic "Abbey Road cover" crosswalk and the famed recording studios that inspired the Beatles' album all by yourself, or you could take a proper dive into all things Fab Four on one of two Beatles-themed strolls from acclaimed outfit London Walks. These enlightening and entertaining tours visit The Beatles' favorite haunts and places where they performed, in addition to taking in the iconic studio and crosswalk.
Little Venice is a fun and funky area of London, not far from Abbey Road Studios. (Photo Credit: Jim Byers/TravelPulse Canada)
The London Waterbus
Dating back to 1820, Regent’s Canal connected the Grand Union Canal to the River Thames and served as a crucial industrial transportation artery in its heyday. Today, the canal has transformed into a recreational thoroughfare frequented by pleasure boats and adorned with a hodgepodge of houseboats. On this tour from London Waterbus, you'll float from Little Venice in Maida Vale to the bustling Camden Town, encountering a blend of landscapes, from grandiose mansion gardens to contemporary villas juxtaposed with industrial edifices, a power station, and vibrant street art.
London Loo Tour
London's only walking tour exclusively centered around the history of sanitation and toilets (shocking, I know), the London Loo Tour is the epitome of offbeat. Following a friendly tour guide wielding a plunger, you'll delve into the fascinating world of public toilets in London, encountering a plethora of captivating sights and stories along the way. From the architectural marvels of Victorian-era lavatories to the modern-day "Jubiloo," you'll be surprised at how big of a role public conveniences play in this city.
The exterior of the historic Blackfriar Pub in London. (Photo Credit: Scott Hartbeck)
Historic Pubs of London Walk
Anyone can search the web for "London's most historic pubs," but it's not the same as hearing the tales behind the establishments and their ales from a knowledgeable and affable host like the ones from Liquid History Tours. On this jaunt, you'll stroll through some of the most ancient parts of the city and learn about the legends who frequented the pubs within. You're sure to leave the last pub with a new appreciation for the hidden gems of the city and a few new friends.
Dark alleyway as seen on a Jack The Ripper Tour of London (Photo Credit: terencechisholm / Flickr)
Jack The Ripper Tour
Follow in the footsteps of London's most infamous serial killer and his victims on the original Jack The Ripper Tour of the East End. This eerie amble will take you down the dark alleyways where the Ripper plied his infamous trade and past pubs and establishments where some of the victims were last seen.
A Thames Rockets Tour. (Photo Credit: Thames Rockets)
Thames Speedboat Experience
Speedboats? In London? Oh yes. Enjoy the exhilarating experience of zipping up the iconic Thames River aboard a high-speed RIB (rigid inflatable boat) from Thames Rockets as a seasoned guide leads the way past renowned landmarks like Tower Bridge, the historic Tower of London and the iconic London Eye. I mean, could there be anything more "007" than that?
Sherlock Holmes Walking Tour
Who better to sleuth out some fun than Sherlock Holmes himself? While the character was a work of fiction, many of the places mentioned in the beloved books are real, and you'll have fun visiting them on this tour from London Walks. Pipe and deerstalker hat not included.
Street Art on Brick Lane in London's East End (Photo Credit: Dan Kunz / Flickr)
East End Food Tour
On the Brick Lane, Shoreditch & Spitalfields Food Tour from Eating Europe you'll take on a culinary journey through London's vibrant East End, sampling an eclectic range of flavors that define this diverse & trendy neighborhood. Renowned for food hotspots like Brick Lane and Spitalfields Market and for being the birthplace of London's street art scene, the East End offers a head-spinning amount of cuisines (almost all with a fascinating backstory) and on this tour, you'll get to sample everything from South Asian flavors and fish & chips to social media sensations.
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