The Drifty Guide To London, England [Drifty Guide]

By Alix Barnard
Photos and Video by Melissa Randall

Before moving to the United State, London used to be my go-to place for a short weekend away (thanks, cheap euro flights!). Every year on my birthday, while my friends were splurging on some lavish parties, I would head for a solo trip to the Swinging City to explore the free museums, lose myself in the foggy streets, and generally experience the vibrant atmosphere of the city.

Beyond the immutable images of Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and red-coated bobbies, London is a melting pot of cultures, with a constantly evolving art scene, hot spots, and quirky hang-outs. Here is a couple of places you should definitely check out.

Off-The-Beaten-Path Museums And Art Galleries

London has one of the most eclectic art scenes in the world. There is an abundance of large museums that arguably count amongst some the best in the world, like the British Museum, the National Gallery, or my personal favorite, the Victoria and Albert Museum. However, what keeps me coming back are those artsy hideouts where the weird and the beautiful meet in a strange harmony.

The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities is a gallery, a cocktail bar and an event venue wrapped into one. They offer taxidermy classes, seances, absinthe tastings, life drawing sessions and seemingly anything else you could possibly imagine. The Museum of Happiness, the first of its kind in the world, offers hands-on activities guaranteed to bring a smile on your face – including a giant ball pit. The House of Dreams is an art gallery, but also the wild home of artist Stephen Wright, entirely decorated in one of the most eclectic mixes of art created from recycled material you will ever lay your eyes upon. Book a ticket on their website for the day of your visit in advance as it sells out a long time in advance.

If street art is your thing, head for the hip neighborhoods of Shoreditch and Hackney. The Graffik Gallery specializes in urban art exhibitions and offers graffiti workshops and masterclasses if you want to get your hands dirty.

Experiment With The Offbeat

Ditch the crowds of tourists behind at Madame Tussaud, and head for the places you have not seen a hundred times before on your Instagram feed. London is a large city and has plenty to offer no matter your taste.

Explore the makeshifts pop-up malls of Boxpark Shoreditch and Pop Brixton, made of repurposed shipping containers and home to some of the trendiest eateries, bars and independent boutiques. They always have something going on, from concerts to art exhibits. Walking along the canals certainly is an experience in itself, but what about floating on them? In a hot tub?

From the bubbly warmth of your HotTug, you will gain a new appreciation for the gritty British weather. If you find Hyde Park overdone, you can find an oasis of peace in St Dunstan In the East. This striking church is one of the few remaining survivors of the Blitz-era.

Finally, to explore London in an entirely different viewpoint, join former and current homeless Londoners for a walking tour that will challenge your views of the city, but also your perception of homelessness.

Read More: 7 Unusual Things To Do In London

Take A Ferry Ride

London's RiverBus has a lot of places to hop on and off, making it a great way to see London in a unique, but affordable way. Depending on where you're going, tickets will be around $10 per person.

From Greenwich Park, you can ride down the River Thames to Westminster, taking in views of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, the Tower Bridge, and the London Eye before disembarking.

Attend An Unusual Tea

There is no more British tradition than tea-time. After a long day of exploring the city, it is a welcome and very civilized respite. And who doesn’t like cake! Countless hotels offer one form of high tea or another, but it is also fun to attend some more quirky options.

If you are in a Shakespearian mood after visiting or attending a show at the Globe, head to the Swan for a whimsical Midsummer Nights theme afternoon tea. If death by chocolate sounds like something you would be down for, the Charlie and the Chocolatery-inspired tea at One Aldwych is the one for you.

However, who can throw a tea party better than the Mad Hatter? Follow the White Rabbit to the Sanderson, where you can find an afternoon tea straight out of Alice in Wonderland.

Finally, if you want to kill two birds with one stone, the B. Bakery offers afternoon tea in a traditional double-decker bus so you can take on the sights of the city in style.

Experience London Theatre

With an estimated 241 theaters in London, it's the perfect place to take in a show. Explore London's famed West End, where you can take in London classics such as The Mousetrap Play, or try something more experimental with a fringe show.

There's Shakespeare's Globe in the summer months, The Old Vic, a non-profit theater that puts on open performances to cater to individuals with autism, the Theatro Technis, with intriguing pieces such as A Doll's House, by Henrik Ibsen, and so much more.

Visit Quirky Bars And Pubs

Bars can be fun. They are more fun, however, when they don’t take themselves too seriously. Board games and other dominoes, fuzbol and darts have long been part of the pub culture, but London brings it to the next level.

Ballie Ballerson is a delightfully regressive ball pit cocktail bar while the Four Quarters is dedicated to retro arcade games. The Book Club is a day-to-night bar/art gallery with some ping pong tables and community-gathering events ranging from collective drawings to arm knitting classes and dads and kids brunches.

You can also try your hand at shuffle (described as “a mash-up between ten-pin bowling and curling” while gorging on pizza at the London Shuffle Club. You could also hit the green at Swingers, which offers 2 9-holes mini-golf courses, street vendors, cocktails bars and a clubhouse. But if board games are more your style, Draughts offer no less than 800 (and counting) so you should something to do.

Read More: Our DIY London Pub Tour

Go Beyond Fish And Chips

London has an reputation for bad food, but times are changing. Between Michelin-star restaurants, ethnic hole-in-the-wall, and farm-to-table establishments, there is no reason why you should have a single bad meal while in town, no matter your personal taste. Sure, you could opt for fish-and-chips every night, but why not pick something different?

Inamo offers not only award-winning Asian-fusion cuisine but also a fascinating experience thanks to the interactive projections on the tables that are sure to keep you busy for the whole duration of your meal. Shaka Zulu is a restaurant, a bar and a club with a South African flavor, including giant murals and statues aplenty.

You can find some of the best coffee in town in the most unexpected place: the Attendant has set up its café in renovated Victorian toilets, porcelain urinals included. Finally, the deliciously regressive Cereal Killer café is a classic with several locations in town.

Go Thrifting

Between the flea markets, vintage stores, and creator boutiques scattered through the city, there is just not enough of a lifetime to explore them every market.

On Saturdays, head for Broadway Market. Although it is fairly small and out of the way, it is a must-see if you are a foodie. If you are a Harry Potter Fan, or just curious, Davenports Magic will make you feel like you just stepped into a whole new world entirely. London is the place I fell in love with vintage clothes, and you will find an incredible number of vintage and retro stores, from carefully curated boutiques selling pricey antique dresses akin to works of art, to pay-by-the kilo funky boutiques.

Beyond Retro is a vintage superstore, with several locations and an extensive inventory that includes modern high-street brands, reclaimed clothes and actual vintage clothes alike. Paper Dress Vintage is a curated boutique with offerings dating back from the 1900s to the 1980s. Their in-boutique events are fun, and they also offer a very convenient on-site alteration service.

Pop Boutique sells both vintage clothes from the 1950s to the 1980s and their own vintage-inspired brand. Finally, no vintage shopping trip in London would be complete without a visit to Alfie’s Antique Market, London’s largest indoor go-to for anything vintage, from clothes to furniture and home décor.

Experience Real London Nightlife

London has an incredible nightlife. However, keep in mind that most establishments tend to close early (11 pm for bars and pubs and 3-4am for clubs.) There is also a whole secret party scene for those in the know.

Warehouses, often located in the outskirt of the city, organize some semi-clandestine parties, with the address being communicated shortly before the event to registered participants. For film buffs, Secret Cinema organizes immersive experiences in locations kept secret.

London also houses a plethora of speakeasy-type bars like the Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town with passwords and unexpected locations, some of them popping-up one-time only like the 1920s inspired Candle Light Club and 1940s-themed Blitz Parties. Some venues are private clubs, so check their website ahead of time even if you are invited.

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