Unique things to do in London Part 3
- greaterlondon
- May 2, 2015
- 3 min read
11. Visit The Smallest Cathedral In London
Photo taken from LINK
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?”
12. Walk Up The Monument
Photo taken from LINK
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.
13. Visit L. Ron Hubbard’s Fitzroy House
Photo taken from LINK
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.
14. Dine On The Ginger Line
Photo taken from LINK
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.
15. Stop For A Nightcap In The Hidden Bar At The BFI
Photo taken from LINK
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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