The Ultimate Guide to Hidden Fun Activities in London

Ticked off the Tate and experienced the dizzy heights of the London Eye? If you’ve covered all the popular tourist spots, it’s time to explore our range of fun things to do in London in 2024 – whether you’re a lovely local or on an exciting city break, they’ll help you see a totally different side to the capital!

From photography tours covering hidden parts of the city to wheel throwing classes in a cool shipping container, we’ve teamed up with five of our teachers to give you the lowdown on the best creative secrets the capital has to offer. So get ready to dive in to the fun activities London has to offer and get ready to craft yourself happy!

Get snapping with Jet Black Squares

If you’re looking for the coolest spots in town, photographer Jeanette Lendon is your go-to gal. The creative director of Jet Black Squares has spent the last 13 years snapping up a storm all over the country, but has some serious love for the capital saying, “London is a complete melting pot of people from all walks of life, all nationalities and all ages, and is just completely magical – whatever the weather!”

Fancy exploring secret city spots and getting creative at the same time? Join Jeanette and her team at a smartphone photography workshop in Covent Garden, where you’ll not only discover loads of hidden gems but also get to level up your photography skills. From learning how to take the most creative pictures to top tips on editing them to perfection, you’ll finish the session as a seasoned snapper – with some cool local knowledge under your belt!

While you’re in town, you should try…

Go off the beaten track and find fun activities in London or tours that take you away from the obvious. Walk wherever you can (you can’t get lost - just follow the river!) and you will see so much more, or take the river boats for a great view of the city. 

Fuel your creativity at…

If you’re wanting a good curry, then head to Brick Lane, or try Chinatown for an amazing array of Oriental restaurants. London also has so many historical pubs like the Prospect of Whitby (first built around 1520) or The Ship Tavern (around mid-sixteenth century) which offer a glimpse of a by-gone London, and most will do a good meal alongside too. 

Explore the art of rug making with Tufting London

Keen to get stuck into one of crafts biggest new trends? Then prepare to get fluffy and delve into the secrets of tufting with Chunwei Liao and his talented team at Tufting London, the first professional rug making workshop in the UK. Founder Chun, a lifelong crafter, chose Nine Elms for his studio saying, “The city is amazing. You can meet and share experiences with people from all over the globe. If you’re bored of London, you’re bored of the world!”

Whether you’re a home decor fan looking to spruce up your space, or you just fancy getting stuck into something a bit different, a mini rug tufting workshop hosted by the gang at Tufting London will tick all the boxes. You’ll spend a happy few hours in the bright and airy studio, mastering the tufting gun and learning how to design and make your own unique rug from start to finish. The options are endless; from cool geometric designs to quirky characters, bright colours to sugary sweet pastels, you’ll finish the session with a totally bespoke accessory to brighten your abode.

While you’re in town you should try…

The V&A Museum is always the best; whenever they have a special exhibition on, you just can’t beat it – and the V&A Children’s Museum is also worth a visit. For green spaces, head to St. James or Battersea Park, or pop over to to experience the wildlife at Vauxhall City Farm. It’s quite unusual to see animals in London!

Fuel your creativity at…

Cakes & Bubbles in Regent Street - it’s a premium experience, but you won't find cakes like these anywhere else!

Dive into the secrets of vinyl printing with M.Y.O

Looking for fun activities in London that will unlock your inner crafter? Fancy getting creative, but not sure how? Don’t worry – craft powerhouses Diana and Sam of creative space Make Your Own are here to help! The innovative duo set up M.Y.O in 2017 with the theory that everyone is creative – they just need an outlet; since then they’ve hosted hundred of workshops, parties, celebrations and team building days in everything from pottery and printing to macrame and candle making. London lovers Diana and Sam say, “What makes the city great is the sheer abundance of choice: whatever you’re in the mood for – you can get! Whether it's a type of cuisine you fancy or a new walk you want to discover, London can offer a totally new landscape and vibe within a stop or two on the tube.”

If you’ve always fancied yourself as a bit of a designer, get stuck into M.Y.O’s vinyl printing workshop, where you’ll make your own handprinted tote bag, t-shirt or babygrow. Perfect for beginners, you and your fellow crafters will spend the class learning how to come up with a design, transfer it to vinyl and finally print it onto your surface of choice. Bespoke market bag for your veg, anyone?

While you’re in town you should try…

Walking! Head off around one of the Royal parks or meander along the river soaking up the atmosphere – get lost and end up in an old pub!

Fuel your creativity at…

The Mayflower pub in Rotherhithe for a classic roast, or a spicy margarita from Casa de Frango.

Relax and unwind with candle making from Dai Kor

Searching for a little tranquillity amidst the hustle and bustle of the capital? Slow down in the city with some calming crafts from sisters Monique and Renee of luxury eco-friendly brand Dai-KOR, who pride themselves on their innovative and planet-first approach. The creative duo host soothing candle making workshops in Shoreditch, saying of the city, “London holds a special place in our hearts as one of the most vibrant and culturally diverse cities in the world. There’s always something exciting to explore and experience!”

If the city has left you feeling a little frazzled, dive into serenity and experience the soothing power of aromatherapy at a candle making class with the team at Dai-KOR. You’ll learn all about the theories behind scent personality, and will have the chance to craft your own bespoke candle using locally sourced, vegan and cruelty-free materials. With refreshments and sweet treats included in the workshop, this is one session that will leave your mind and body feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.  

While you’re in town you should try…

I highly recommend joining one of our candle making workshops for a fun hands on experience!

Fuel your creativity at…

When you're in London, be sure to visit Spitalfields Market near Liverpool Street; it’s a haven for foodies as it offers a plethora of street food vendors and unique shopping opportunities. One of my personal favourite places to visit!

Explore wheel-y fun activities in London with Art Craft Studios

If you’ve always wanted to discover the secrets to cool handmade pottery, Art Craft Studios are here to help. Hosted from a studio in an ultra-cool shipping container, founder Amanda Cotton and her team of craft professionals offer activities in London that will transform you from a ceramics beginner into a pottery pro! Whether you want to explore the art of kintsugi, try your hand at wheel throwing or experiment with pottery painting, Amanda is adamant you’re in the right place, saying, “London has an absolute abundance of hidden gems, and a wealth of arts and cultural activities!”

Dive in at the deep end and learn how to master the pottery wheel with a wheel throwing taster class, taught by Amanda herself. You’ll learn all the tips, tricks and techniques you need to create ceramics on the wheel, and will finish the workshop with your own handmade pot – perfect for holding pens, peonies or that morning coffee! 

While you’re in town head to…

Trinity Buoy Wharf – this used to be a historic docklands site, and now it’s just one huge creative hub! There’s so much to see and do; from Andrew Baldwin’s kinetic sculpture to London’s only lighthouse, and it’s also the home to a community of over 500 artists, photographers and musicians. One of my favourite places!

Fuel your creativity at…

If you’re feeling peckish after (or before!) your pottery class, I’d recommend the Orchard Cafe. It’s housed in a cool old shipping container, and has amazing views of the River Lea – and the coffee is superb!