There is so much to see and do in London, especially if you stay in one of the central London hostels. Once you’ve seen the iconic attractions, why not explore the weirder and wackier side of this great old city?
1. Ripley’s Believe it or Not – Head to Piccadilly Circus and prepare to be blown away. From wacky exhibits to an impressive laser tag race, this is definitely a fun place not to be missed by the young or young at heart.
2. Sample beers from the ages on a pub crawl: If you’re a true beer lover and have £20 to spare, you can book a pub crawl in London’s East End, courtesy of Alternative London. This is a good deal if you’re staying in one of London’s hostels and want to make the most of your limited time and have a little fun.
3. Relax in the swimming ponds of Hampstead Heath. There’s nothing like an icy dip in the dead of winter to get your blood flowing again! Hampstead Heath’s swimming ponds are open all year round, ready to give you chills and thrills with a dip in the waters.
4. Gourmet Toast in Clapham – Hungry? As in, really hungry? Breads Etcetera offers huge portions and you can eat as much as you can of their freshly baked bread. Accompany it with one of their delicious tortillas and you will be ready for the whole day.
5. Buy umbrellas at James Smith & Sons: London is famous for its rain and you will inevitably need an umbrella if you don’t want to get wet every time you leave London’s hostels. You can always buy a cheap one, of course, but why not stay dry in style with an umbrella from one of London’s most iconic shops, which has been around since 1830?
6. Dine Among the Dead: Have you always felt like your average restaurant is lacking in dead animals preserved in lifelike poses? Then you may want to visit Les Trois Garcon restaurant. Located in Shoreditch, you can enjoy a delicious feast under the watchful eyes of a host of stuffed (but very real) animals. It’s a taxidermist’s dream, but it’s not for everyone, although it’s certainly different!
7. Get Laughing Free: Monday nights at the Theater Royal Stratford East are reserved for a bevy of stand-up comedy acts, and the best part is that Comic Mondays are free! This is a great night out and very easily accessible from central London hostels.
8. Learn some fake history: Speaking of laughs, Bullsh*t London is a walking tour of the South Bank from two comedians. For £10, you can enjoy a two-hour tour of a skewered, tongue-in-cheek take on London’s great ancient history. Perfect for those who lean towards the irreverent.