15 Unique Things To Do In London (That You Won't Find On Trip Advisor)

3. Visit L. Ron Hubbard's Fitzroy House

Once occupied by the playwright George Bernard Shaw, Fitzroy House was taken over in the 1950s by the late founder of Scientology, or as the Fitzroy House website describes him: "fiction writer and humanitarian" L. Ron Hubbard.
Entry to the Fitzrovia property is by appointment only, but once inside you will be treated to a tour of weird and wonderful memorabilia from the controversial author, including Hubbard's electrometer, which measures resistance to stress, dontcha know? They'll even lay on some lunch for you if you ask in advance. Entry is free, so it's cheaper than a scientology course, at least.

2. Dine On The Ginger Line

If the whole pop-up restaurant scene is starting to bore you, why not spice things up by paying a visit to one of the world's only nomadic restaurants, the Ginger Line. The restaurant operates on selected dates at secret locations along the East London line, which is - you guessed it - the ginger coloured line on the tube map that flows through such hipster-friendly locations as Dalston, New Cross, Hoxton and Shoreditch.
Make your reservation on their website and wait until the day of your booking to receive a text with your location somewhere along the line. Events are always themed - from Casino Royale chic, to gothic interiors - so diners can be sure to get an all-round immersive experience.

1. Stop For A Nightcap In The Hidden Bar At The BFI

The British Film Institute is a popular destination for film lovers, theatre goers and tourists alike, situated as it is in the heart of London's South Bank centre along the river Thames.
But take a closer look at that bookshelf in the main Benugo Bar and you'll find a secret door leading to the Drawing Room, a hidden bar, which serves up cocktails and canapes to those brave enough to take a peek. The interior is decked out like an old gentlemen's club, in other words: lots of mahogany, leather sofas and soft lighting, so it's a relaxing experience after a long day out exploring the lesser known parts of the city.

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15 Unique Things To Do In London (That You Won't Find On Trip Advisor)

5. Visit The Smallest Cathedral In London

Can't afford the entrance fee to St. Paul's? No problem! Head over to Vauxhall Bridge, where you will find a teeny tiny replica of the famous cathedral hidden in an alcove. The bronze sculpture is being held up by one of the eight female statues placed along the side of the bridge, each designed to symbolise aspects of the arts and sciences.
The bite-size house of worship was created to represent the discipline of architecture; the other themes include agriculture, engineering, pottery, fine art, sciences, education and, er, local government. You'll need to peer over the side of the bridge to see the sculpture - or head underneath it on a boat - but it'll be worth it for the potential to impress or bamboozle other tourists when they ask you if you have visited St Paul's and you reply with an authoritative "which one?"

4. Walk Up The Monument

This attraction will be in most of the major guidebooks, but it still deserves a mention as it is so often overlooked these days by tourists who opt for the increasing selection of flashy skyscrapers to take in their obligatory aerial view of the city. The Monument, built to commemorate the great fire of London in 1666 was, believe it or not, once the tallest structure in London ( OK, it was during the 17th century, but still...).
We can assure you that it still offers all the thrills you would expect from an open air viewing platform, especially on a windy day. The downside is that there is no elevator, so you have to negotiate 311 narrow stairs to get to the top, but it does provide a unique view of the city, hemmed in as it is by the modern monoliths that now surround it. You even get a special certificate at the end, and all for the princely sum of £3. The Monument is open daily from 9.30am until 5.30pm and 6pm in summertime.

15 Unique Things To Do In London (That You Won't Find On Trip Advisor)

7. "This Is Not A Brothel..."

Meard Street in Soho is a gorgeous period alleyway filled with Georgian houses, but it's also home to a curious little landmark. Peer closely at the door to number seven and you will discover a sign stating in no uncertain terms: "This is not a brothel. There are no prostitutes at this address." You may assume it's just a last ditch effort by an anxious homeowner to stop punters banging on their door in the middle of the night, but actually the story is a little more interesting.
Until his death in 2010, 7 Meard Street was home to the notorious artist and self-styled dandy Sebasitan Horsley. The sign was intended as a little joke to all who visited. Although Horsley, who claimed to have slept with over 1,000 prostitutes and once consented to be crucified in the name of art, did tell the Creative Review that he ran a brothel out of there for a few years, so perhaps there was some necessity to it after all.
When you visit Meard Street today, you will sadly find no Horsely, but the sign remains and you will also find yourself conveniently situated opposite one of the delicious Honest Burgers restaurants, which is well worth a visit (if you can stomach the queues).

6. Visit The Skateboard Graveyard

We've all asked this question a thousand times: "Where do all the broken skateboards go?" Well, if you're in London, you'll find a hoard of them respectfully discarded on the southern support pier of Hungerford Bridge. Since 2009, the bridge - which is near to a famous skate park underneath Queen Elizabeth Hall on the South Bank of the river - has become the final resting place of many a cherished board and the occasional skate shoe.
A website was even started up for people to post obituaries for their deceased decks, although it hasn't attracted many tributes. Nonetheless, make sure to pay your respects as you pass by on your way to the Houses of Parliament.

15 Unique Things To Do In London (That You Won't Find On Trip Advisor)

9. Get An Inflation Busting Bacon Sarnie At One of The Few Remaining Cabman's Shelters

If you are wandering around central London, you may spot one of these unusual shuttered green sheds from time to time on the main road or inside a park. These are cabman's shelters, which were designed to offer a pit-stop to carriage and taxi drivers in the late 19th century and were provided for by a charitable fund.
There are 13 remaining cabman's shelters today, including one outside Temple tube station and another in Russell Square. You can still pick up a cup of tea from these places for about 50p and a range of delicious hot sandwiches including bacon or sausage, which the London Review of Breakfasts once described as having an "excellent sausage to sauce ratio." Order at will, but remember... it's always polite to let any taxi drivers around you order first!

8. Take In Some Taxidermy

Pun lovers alone may get a kick out of Get Stuffed, a real macabre cabinet of curiosities and something of a legend among North Londoners... although not always for the right reasons. The Islington based taxidermy shop has certainly courted controversy over the years for its dealings with rare and protected species.
Get Stuffed can be visited by appointment only, but many make the pilgrimage to the Essex Road to gawp through the store's main window and view the menagerie of exotic, stuffed animals on display, which have included over the years: a lion, a giraffe's head and a selection of malicious looking foxes.
If you also enjoy dining out amongst preserved beasts, then try out the restaurant Les Trois Garcons in Shoreditch, which is literally piled high with all manner of animals and a few mythical, hybrid creations, too.

15 Unique Things To Do In London (That You Won't Find On Trip Advisor)

11. Check Out The Traffic Light Tree

While you're in Canary Wharf, you may as well take a few minutes to visit one of the most interesting sculptures in London, the traffic light tree. Created by French sculptor Pierre Vivant, the eight metre tall 'tree' contains 75 fully operational, computer controlled traffic lights arranged on metal branches.
Standing on a roundabout next to the famous Billingsgate fish market, it's a slightly dystopian sight, especially considering the lack of vegetation surrounding it. But it's also quite beautiful, especially when lit up at night with it's customary red, amber and green hues. It should be noted that the traffic light tree is purely decorative and is not used to direct traffic in any way. We think.

10. Explore The Tropical Gardens In Barbican

Why schlep out all the way to Kew gardens, when there are tropical plants to be discovered in central London at the heart of the concrete, modernist jungle that is the Barbican. The Barbican is a fascinating place in itself, a 1960s residential estate built in the brutalist style that houses a school, museum and labyrinthine arts and conference venue, the largest in Europe.
At the heart of the complex, you will find the second biggest conservatory in London, which houses a 'tropical oasis' of plants, birds and exotic fish. The gardens are not always open to visitors, so you need to check ahead of time, but it's well-worth heading to Barbican anyway to take a look around and get thoroughly lost.

15 Unique Things To Do In London (That You Won't Find On Trip Advisor)

13. Pick Up A Stylish Umbrella

Let's face it: you're probably going to need an umbrella when you visit London, so why not make an occasion of it and head for James Smith & Sons on New Oxford Street to collect some top quality wet weather gear?
These purveyors of finest umbrellas have been around since 1830 and have sold brollies to leading British luminaries over the years, including a UK prime minister or two. The shop itself is a sight to behold, worthy of the props department on Mary Poppins, with many of the original Victorian fittings and an amazing selection of walking sticks and animal head umbrellas on display, as well as the more modern, lightweight kind that will fit in your handbag. It's certainly worth a browse, even if you do end up buying a cheap-o one from a street vendor in Leicester Square.

12. Visit The Singing Ticket Barrier

When one London commuter exited the Jubilee Line at Canary Wharf recently, he noticed that his particular ticket barrier was in a musical mood, greeting him as it did with a 'woo-hoo' reminiscent of Blur's 1997 hit "Song 2." The excited traveller immediately whipped out his camera phone to capture the talented ticket gate and it soon became a viral hit on YouTube, even making it into the national press.
There's an unsubstantiated rumour that the barrier will be duetting with Katy Perry on the next series of the X-Factor, but before it picks up a record deal, head down to Canary Wharf to hear it sing, all for the price of a single tube fare.
Check out the barrier in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cc12dU1u0Y

15 Unique Things To Do In London (That You Won't Find On Trip Advisor)

15. See The Whole Of London In Miniature

Why not kick off a day of sight-seeing by taking in a panoramic view of the city from the comfort of a single, ground floor location? New London Architecture's amazing 1:1500 scale model of London is on permanent display and can be viewed for free at their offices near Goodge Street.
The model covers an area from Paddington to Kings Cross, Battersea and the Royal London Docks. It includes major new proposed buildings and transport links as well as the familiar sites, so you'll also get a sneak peek of how the city will look in years to come. New London Architecture is open from Monday -Friday, 9.30am-6pm and on Saturdays from 10am-5pm.

14. Visit Speedy's Cafe In Camden

Fans of the BBC TV series Sherlock have probably already picked up on the significance of this particular North London greasy spoon. Speedy's Cafe has provided the backdrop and interior for countless scenes between Benedict Cumberbatch's sociopathic sleuth and Martin Freeman's slightly less abrasive sidekick Dr. Watson.
Literary purists will be disappointed to discover that the cafe and Sherlock's flat next door are not situated on Baker Street, the official residence of the fictional detective, but nearby around Euston Square. If you're wondering who that blue plaque is for as well, it's not for Sherlock and John it's to commemorate 19th century Italian politician, Giuseppe Mazzini, who once lived there. No connection.
Admirably for Speedy's, they haven't tried to cash in on their new found fame all too much, although you can pick up a mug or a T-shirt if you're passing through. We recommend you opt for a full English breakfast instead, which has also picked up some pretty decent reviews online. Speedy's Cafe is open Monday-Saturday, but is closed on Sundays.

15 Unique Things To Do In London (That You Won't Find On Trip Advisor)

Blimey! Bawerd ov visitin' da same old gaffs when yer in London, guv'nor? Here's 15 yer probably yet ter discover.

Visit London and you'll never be short of things to see and do. From Tower Bridge to the Houses of Parliament, a simple stroll along the river Thames will allow you to take in some of the most famous buildings, galleries and attractions in the world. According to the UK Office for National Statistics, London is one of the most visited cities on the planet, with nearly five million holidayers flocking there from abroad between July and September in 2013 alone (and almost all of them stopping for a selfie outside Buckingham Palace...)
For the first time visitor, there are plenty of informative guides on offer and many a well-worn,

well-signposted tourist trail to follow covering all the major attractions. But what if you've already been there, done that and bought the plush, oversized Union Flag top hat? Or what if you just want to escape the hoards and explore the more eccentric side of London off the beaten track?

London is full of unique things to do that don't necessarily make it into your average guidebook. You might have to look beyond Trip Advisor to find them but - thankfully - Londoners take such pride in being the first to reveal the latest secret scenes, sights and sounds that there are host of hidden gems to be discovered via blogs, social media and a good old fashioned stroll around. From the '90s Brit Pop singing ticket barrier at Canary Wharf to Sherlock's favourite eatery, we've rounded up 15 of the best alternative destinations to get you started...