London has plenty of museums, parks and famous attractions. But what if you have already done the usual things, or just fancy something completely different?
How about playing a homemade arcade machine, hunting for hidden treasure, watching sheep beneath Canary Wharf’s skyscrapers or learning to ring church bells?
Here are 15 unexpected things to do in London that will not cost a fortune. Some are completely free, while others involve a small fee or need booking in advance.
1. Play London’s strangest arcade machines
Where: Novelty Automation, Holborn
Cost: Free entry; games cost extra
Forget Pac-Man and Space Invaders. Novelty Automation is a tiny arcade filled with wonderfully bizarre mechanical games created by artist and inventor Tim Hunkin.
The machines are handmade, humorous and often a little ridiculous. Half the fun is discovering what each one actually does. It is one of those places where you might go in for ten minutes and emerge an hour later wondering what just happened.
Good to know: It is at 1a Princeton Street, a short walk from Holborn station. Check the Novelty Automation website for current opening hours and token prices.
2. Take a free ferry across the Thames
Where: Woolwich
Cost: Free
Yes, London has a completely free ferry. The Woolwich Ferry carries pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles between Woolwich and North Woolwich.
You do not need a ticket, an Oyster card or a special reason to cross. Just turn up during operating hours and enjoy a little boat trip across the river. It is a surprisingly enjoyable way to experience a working part of London that many visitors never see.
Good to know: Services can be suspended because of fog, extreme tides or operational issues, so check TfL’s Woolwich Ferry information before travelling.
3. Watch a flock of sheep beneath London’s skyscrapers
Where: Mudchute Park and Farm, Isle of Dogs
Cost: Free
A working farm surrounded by London’s financial district already sounds unusual. Mudchute gets even better when you time your visit around the daily animal routine.
The farm’s sheep are typically moved out to their fields in the morning and brought back in the afternoon. Watching a flock of sheep move through the countryside with Canary Wharf’s towers in the background is a wonderfully strange London experience.
The farm is free to enter and has more than 100 animals. Good to know: The animal routine can change. Watch from a safe distance and follow staff instructions. Check Mudchute’s current programme before travelling.
4. Go treasure hunting with your phone
Where: Across London
Cost: Free basic membership
There are hidden containers all over London, and thousands of people enjoy trying to find them. It is called geocaching.
Use your phone to follow coordinates, search for a hidden cache and record your discovery. Some are straightforward; others require a little detective work. It is a fun way to explore somewhere unfamiliar, especially with children or friends.
Good to know: Create a free basic account to get started. Some caches and app features require Premium membership. Start at Geocaching.
5. Watch international circus performers for free
Where: Bell Square, Hounslow
Cost: Free
You do not necessarily need an expensive theatre ticket to see spectacular live performances in London. Bell Square is a permanent outdoor performance space in Hounslow that brings international artists to the area.
Its programme includes circus, acrobatics, dance and unusual street theatre. The performances are free, and many are suitable for families.
Good to know: Bell Square runs a recurring programme of outdoor performances, particularly between spring and winter. Check the Bell Square schedule before travelling.
6. Get your hands dirty cleaning the River Thames
Where: Various London riverside locations
Cost: Free
Ever wondered what people find washed up along the Thames? Thames21 organises community river clean-ups where volunteers help remove rubbish from the river’s banks and foreshore.
It is a chance to explore parts of London’s riverside you might otherwise overlook while doing something genuinely useful. Some activities also involve citizen science, helping researchers understand pollution and the health of London’s waterways.
Good to know: Thames21 runs public clean-ups throughout the year and provides equipment for many organised activities. Advance registration may be needed. See Thames21.
7. Watch a 130-year-old military punishment tradition
Where: Horse Guards, Whitehall
Cost: Free to watch
Every afternoon at 4pm, something rather unusual happens at Horse Guards. The mounted sentries and accompanying guards take part in a short inspection before finishing their duties.
The ceremony is sometimes called the Punishment Parade. According to the Household Cavalry Museum, the tradition began in 1894 after Queen Victoria discovered guards who were allegedly asleep, drunk or gambling. The daily inspection continued long after its original hundred-year period ended.
Good to know: The ceremony normally takes place at 4pm daily on the Whitehall side of Horse Guards. Check the Household Cavalry Museum’s 4 o’clock inspection information for changes before visiting.
8. Play ping-pong somewhere unexpected
Where: Various locations across London
Cost: Free at participating tables
Fancy a spontaneous game of table tennis? The Ping! initiative helps bring tables into public spaces, community venues and even empty shops.
Some locations provide equipment, so you do not necessarily need to own a bat. It is an easy activity to try with a friend, and some venues offer opportunities to meet other players.
Good to know: Use Table Tennis England’s finder and filter for outdoor tables or Ping Pong Parlours. Check individual locations for access and equipment.
9. Learn to ring real church bells
Where: Churches across London
Cost: Ask your local ringing group about beginner sessions
Here is a hobby you probably have not considered. London has an active community of bell ringers, and newcomers can learn how to ring the enormous bells hidden inside church towers.
It is surprisingly physical, requires coordination and offers an unusual way to meet people. The Middlesex County Association and London Diocesan Guild can help beginners find a suitable tower. You do not need previous musical experience.
Good to know: Learning takes several weeks, so this is better suited to someone looking for a new hobby than a one-off afternoon activity. Learn more at Bellringing in London.
10. Walk through a London river in giant waders
Where: Creekside Discovery Centre, Deptford
Cost: Paid activity; check current ticket prices
This might be one of the most unusual ways to explore London. Creekside Discovery Centre runs guided low-tide walks through Deptford Creek.
After putting on waders, you head into the creek with knowledgeable guides to explore its wildlife, ecology and industrial history. You might use nets to investigate creatures living in the water and discover a completely different side of Deptford.
Good to know: Walks run throughout the year, often at weekends. Booking is required, and minimum ages and supervision requirements apply. See Creekside Discovery Centre.
11. Bring something broken to a Repair Café
Where: Various London neighbourhoods
Cost: Usually free or donation-based; parts may cost extra
Got a broken lamp, damaged clothing or something you have been meaning to fix? Instead of throwing it away, take it to a community Repair Café.
These volunteer-led sessions bring together people who enjoy repairing things and people who need a little help. Depending on the group, you might learn basic sewing, electronics repair or bicycle maintenance. It is practical, sociable and could save you money.
Good to know: Not every group repairs every type of item. Check what your nearest Repair Café accepts through the Community Repair Network before attending.
12. Play a piano in front of complete strangers
Where: St Pancras International
Cost: Free
Ever fancied playing the piano in public? St Pancras International has public pianos that anyone can use, whether you are an experienced musician or someone who only knows the beginning of one song.
The station has become famous for spontaneous performances, including appearances by Elton John, Alicia Keys and Lang Lang. You might stumble across an incredible pianist, or decide to have a go yourself.
Good to know: The pianos are intended for public enjoyment. Commercial filming or performances require separate permission. Read St Pancras’s piano information.
13. Challenge a stranger to a game of chess
Where: Community Association for West Hampstead
Cost: Free
You do not need to join an expensive club to enjoy a friendly game of chess. The Community Association for West Hampstead runs social chess evenings where beginners and experienced players can meet, play and learn from one another.
It is a relaxed way to spend an evening, especially if you would like to meet people without going to a bar. You do not need to arrive with someone to play against.
Good to know: The association runs recurring social events, but schedules may change. Check its current talks and social events programme before attending.
14. Pretend you’re driving a London train
Where: Docklands Light Railway
Cost: Normal TfL fare
The DLR is one of London’s most entertaining ways to get around. Unlike conventional Tube trains, DLR trains operate automatically, with a member of staff on board.
That means passengers can sometimes sit right at the front and enjoy an uninterrupted view of the tracks. For children, it is almost like driving a train. For adults, it is a surprisingly enjoyable way to experience East London.
Try a journey through the elevated sections around Canary Wharf and the Docklands. Good to know: Front seats are not guaranteed to be available, and staff may need access to the driving controls. Normal TfL fares apply. Plan a DLR journey with TfL.
15. Watch London’s skateboarders at Southbank
Where: Southbank Undercroft, beneath the Queen Elizabeth Hall
Cost: Free to watch
There is something fascinating about watching people attempt tricks that look physically impossible. Southbank’s Undercroft has been a famous skateboarding spot for decades.
Skateboarders and BMX riders use the concrete space beneath the Southbank Centre, turning an ordinary riverside walk into an opportunity to watch some impressive skills. You do not need to know anything about skateboarding to enjoy the atmosphere.
Good to know: It is an active skating space, not a scheduled performance. Keep clear of the skating area and respect the people using it. Learn more from Long Live Southbank.
Which unusual London experience should you try first?
If you want something completely free and spontaneous, try the Woolwich Ferry, a public piano at St Pancras or the daily Horse Guards inspection. For a family outing, Mudchute Farm, geocaching and Bell Square are particularly good options. And if you fancy something more adventurous, a guided walk through Deptford Creek is difficult to beat.
The best part is that many of these experiences are run by permanent venues, community organisations or established programmes. You do not need to chase a different one-off event every weekend. Just remember to check the organiser’s website before travelling, especially for activities requiring booking.
Looking for more affordable London inspiration? Explore free London events, London markets, unexpected London discoveries and budget-friendly bus sightseeing.