There’s so much to do and see in the capital, so you really need to know what’s what before you take it on. If you want to avoid tourist traps in exchange for more the best things to do in London that aren't touristy, we've got you covered. There’s rooftops with views of famous landmarks, cool pubs with arcade games and if you're not afraid of water - floating restaurants and boat bars. Buckle up and get booking, because here's a local's guide to discovering things off the beaten track that aren't part of the usual London bucket list.
Last edited by Jasmine Lee Kennedy
Last updated on 30th October 2024
Soho is as iconic as it gets. When you're done wandering around and getting a feel for the area and its people, plan ahead with a booking for Swift. This bar is a London treasure with enough awards to sink a battle ship. They even have £7 aperitivo cocktail until 6pm Monday through to Friday.
Sky Garden is one of the biggest tourist attractions, so why is it in this list? Well, everyone knows about Sky Garden but they don't know about their cool events that include everything from yoga at sunrise to VIP music nights fuelled by Champagne.
Sure, Saint Paul's is pretty cool, but have you seen it from Sabine's rooftop? This open-air bar in the sky offers you the chance to get up close and personal with one of London's oldest landmarks without stepping foot inside.
A pint with a side of cool? You'll want The Four Thieves in Battersea. This quirky pub might be a little bit away from the hubbub of the city but it's got an entire floor dedicated to retro games alongside Wednesday comedy nights and private karaoke rooms.
@ Merchant House on Various dates from Thursday 21st November 2024
London's best kept secret? It's in an old bike shed and it's called The Brig. For £65 per person you can rent out this intimidate space and order whatever you like from your own personal bartender. They'll even let you jump behind the bar and plug in your own playlist.
Ask anyone who lives in London where they'd like to live and they'll answer 'Hampstead'. This gorgeous postcode is home to Hampstead Heath but if you want to dodge the crowds, make your way to Bobby Fitzpatrick for cocktails and retro interiors that would put That 70s Show to shame.
A trip to London isn't quite complete without sitting down for a full English at The Breakfast Club. Towering pancakes, meaty sausages and hot cups of coffee are the order of the day and if you whisper "I'm here to get lucky" to one of the waiters you might get taken to a secret bar.
We all know that London is full of great bars, but when you're searching for something a little more unique? We've got just the thing. These bars on a boat are a great way to enjoy the city's rivers and canals, with a pint in hand of course.
Whether you fancy boogieing to a silent disco on the Thames, drinking on a barge in Hackney or admiring the skyline from a floating cocktail bar, there's something for everyone here.
Afraid of heights? Ditch The View at the Shard and take the stairs to London Bridge Rooftop where you can marvel at the famous building with a cocktail in hand. This central rooftop bar boasts £6 Aperol Spritz every Sunday and very tasty street food.
Step into one of the city's most luxurious hotels for a unique offering: the Original Sweetshop Afternoon Tea at the Chesterfield Mayfair. Having won an Award of Excellence at the Afternoon Tea Awards, this £75 offering brings you tiers full of nostalgic treats paired with hot chocolate or teas such as yellow gold oolong and liquorice blends. Expect free range egg or honey-roasted ham sandwiches, paired with classic scones and themed homemade pastries like the cherry love heart cheesecake.
London's awash with secret bars but you need to visit Evans & Peel. Enter an evidence-filled office in Earl's Court and you'll be ushered into an illicit bar with drinks names after notorious criminals, and beer that comes poured it from an unassuming radiator.
If you fancy venturing a little further to the beautiful borough of Ealing on your visit to London, then be sure to stop by The Pretty Parlour. This unique venue combines high-quality nail treatments with amazing cocktails and Veuve Clicquot Champagne, making for a luxurious pampering session. Choose between 13 different cruelty-free products, with hot towels and head massages on the cards too.
London's food scene is bubbling with flavours from across the globe. If you want a hack to try it all in one evening, book a table for Mercato Metropolitano. This sustainable community has over 40 street food vendors and they dish out £5 plates between 12pm and 5pm from Monday to Friday.
When looking for the best non-touristy things to do in London, The Last Tuesday Society's got your back. This bizarre cocktail bar in Hackney comes decorated with taxidermy and skeletons and after you've had one of their absinthe cocktails.
@ The Silent Disco Boat on Saturday 30th November 2024 and 14 other Saturdays
If you're looking for a way to explore the city without the crowds, then head on a Silent Sounds Boat Party. Available in the afternoon and the evening, this fun-filled event sees you cruising down the Thames while boogieing to silent disco tunes. This two-storey boast has a bar on each level, with plenty of outdoor space that's perfect for seeing all the landmarks along the way.
Love theatre but seen it all? Take a journey to Hoxton to find Alcotraz; London's BYOB prison-themed bar, where you'll be trusted with becoming part of the story line. You'll be expected to sneak a bottle of booze past the guards in an orange jump suit in pursuit of criminally good cocktails.
We can't promise you a crowd-free experience at Flight Club (it's one of the best activity bars in the city and they have an incredible beer garden) but we can promise you one helluva time when you're there. Book an oche for quirky cocktails, pizza paddles and round-after-round of interactive darts.
🌟 Last Spaces Remaining! 🌟 Complimentary Fizz for last minute Christmas Bookings
Get yourself down to Canary Wharf for a whale of a time at Fairground. It's the world's first fairground-themed bar with whac-a-mole, roll-a-ball-derby and everything in between. With candy floss cocktails and street food vendors galore, this spot if giving us plenty of big kid energy.
When you think of London, do you think of beer? Thought so. If you're looking to do something a little bit different in the city, have a snoop at London's best brewery tours. You'll get history lessons, plenty of beer, complimentary cheese boards and in some cases, some free merch.
Wondering about the best things to do in London as a local? Then check out our guide to the prettiest and the best secret gardens across the city, promising gorgeous scenery and pretty picnic spots.
We've rounded up all our favourites, including St Dunstan In The East, Hampstead Hill Garden and Pergola, and Chelsea Physhic Gardens and much more.
If you've been wondering how to live like a local in London, then why not try some of their very favourite spots for a Sunday roast? There's nothing more quintessentially British than this end-of-week tradition, and we've rounded up the very best of the best across the capital.
Whether you're in the mood for a tender chicken breast, a hearty cut of beef or a plant-based alternative, there's plenty to choose from in our city. From cosy pubs to high-end restaurants, check out our top picks.
Some of the best non-touristy neighbourhoods in London just happen to be on the water, making for a great walking route and plenty of pubs and bars along the way.
We've got strolls in King's Cross along the Southbank and beyond, but our absolute favourite is the stretch from Little Venice to Camden. Soak up the canalside views and admire all the cute boats along the way, before ending up at the vibrant market for well-deserved refreshments.
Ever wondered where to get the very best views in London? Luckily for you, there are quite a few brilliant places to choose from, whether it's a hill that overlooks the city or a stylish skyscraper.
Primrose Hill, The Shard and Sky Garden are obvious favourites, but we've also included some lesser-known picks too. So whether you're sipping cocktails while looking out over St Paul's Cathedral or seeing the sights from Battersea Power Station, you can snap plenty of unbeatable photos.
Torrential downpour or glorious sunshine, London always takes our breath away. If you want to do something that's non-touristy, take a look at these grade A ways to catch the sun set across the city. Think steak dinners with Thames-side views to walks through London's most iconic postcodes.
