London is one of those places that has such a lot going on that you simply can’t get round to seeing it all. So whether it’s your tenth, twentieth or even hundredth time in the city, you’ll still be finding something new to do every time you visit. But how can you make your next trip unforgettable?
Well, for one thing, skip the standard tourist traps: the London Eye, Buckingham Palace and Madame Tussauds are all great fun, but for a unique visit you’ll remember forever, consider doing some of these things instead…
Enjoy the West End
London is home to some of the best theatre in the world, and in fact, many people believe that West End gives New York’s Broadway a run for its money. So, make sure you book tickets to see an unforgettable show such as the Lion King. With clever use of costumes and choreography, and a series of songs that inspire every emotion you can think of, the stage adaptation of the Lion King is a smash hit that’s bound to linger in your memory. And the venue for this show is absolutely perfect too: during the opening song, a handful of performers stand in the balconies on the either side of the stage (much to the delight of audience members) to sing ‘The Circle of Life’. At full volume (and delivered with incredible power and passion), you’ll feel as though you’re an integral part of the performance, and it’s certainly an experience you won’t ever forget.
Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens
The Royal Botanic gardens in Kew might not be top of your list of things to do if you want to experience something really impactful… but that’s probably because you don’t know what’s lurking there! The Royal Botanic gardens is home to one of the foulest smelling plants on the planet – the amorphophallus titanium (or ‘becc’ as it’s better known). This plant towers three metres above the ground, and when it flowers, produces a truly awful odour. Some people say it smells like rotting meat, others claim it smells like rancid cheese, but everyone agrees that the stench is nauseating. Pay it a visit if you think you have the stomach to handle it!
Navigate the Thames in a Moo Canoe
If you’ve been lucky enough to go punting in Oxford or Cambridge, you’ll know how relaxing it is to glide through the water while you watch the world around you. But what about doing something similar in London? Rent a black and white cow-print kayak from Moo Canoes and enjoy an hour or two paddling around East London, navigating the waterways you feel most comfortable attempting. Most first-time adventurers take a one-way journey from Hackney Wick to Limehouse, but there are lots of routes to choose from, and you’ll be given training and instruction before you’re let loose.
Ride the Olympic Slide
For a thrill you’re guaranteed to remember forever, consider riding the Olympic slide. This slide features a 76m drop (one of the highest in the world) and will see you hurtling towards the ground at an alarming rate. It’s perfectly safe of course (you’ll be wearing head and shoulder protectors, and travelling on the kind of mat you may have once climbed into on a helter-skelter), but it’s a cocktail of terror, adrenaline and exhilaration. So, it’s not for the faint-hearted!
If you like the sound of some of these unusual ideas, perhaps you’ll enjoy a Scottish day out in London, too. There really is something for every taste if you look hard enough.