There are so many themed tours in town and some are so weird that I have compiled a list of the strangest.
One of the most unusual ones is the public bathroom tour.
You have read it right: the classic tour route goes from Waterloo Station to the West End, exploring the public toilets of course. From tales of intrigue to practical advice, this tour is an investment in the future of your bladder never to be caught off guard again. It is especially useful for residents I would dare to say.
The guided tour also offers participants a fun and practical introduction to a lesser-known side of London which includes notions on history, philosophy, politics and of course a good dose of British humour. Most routes are under two hours long and end somewhere where you can have a drink with your guide and continue the conversation.
The kayak tour is a somewhat new addition in town.
This is a panoramic tour like no other passing by all the main London landmarks, such as Canary Wharf, Tower Bridge, Tower of London and the Globe Theatre, but also St. Pauls, South Bank, London Eye, Houses of Parliament and many more, all to be admired from your kayak.
The journey time is a good three hours but you paddle with the current so the tour is suitable for all abilities, including first-timers. Stable double kayaks with rudders and top-class equipment are used to keep you warm and comfortable. All equipment is provided and the trips are led by professional guides and a night option is also available.
It is an unusual way to see the city from the river at your own pace.
Another crazy tour in town is the ‘Tales of plagues tour.’
You can listen to horrific tales of plague and diseases as you walk by some of London’s most famous landmarks.
Half of London’s population was wiped out during the Black Death in 1348 and 100,000 people were killed in the capital during the Great Plague of London in 1665. Apart from World War II, no other event has come close to having such a devastating effect on London in its two thousand years of history.
The arrival of the plague caused total chaos and near anarchy in the capital. No one had the slightest idea how it had arrived, how to deal with it, or who would be next to be struck: male or female, young or old, rich or poor. But there was one thing you could be sure of: if buboes were found on your body, you were almost certain to die within three days.
The plague arrived with a bang in the Middle Ages in what became known as the Black Death. Every few decades since then it has been unleashed in London until, with a gigantic explosion 300 years later, it decimated the capital in the Great Plague of London before departing, never to return.
Have you ever rung a bell in a bell tower? Join the enthusiasts of the English art of bell ringing.
They meet just once a month in the bell tower of St Giles Church in Camberwell to practice.
Here you can climb the tower with them to learn about the philosophy of this art, hear why it is so special, where it came from and hear the stories of those who practice it today.
Before this musical experience, you can let yourself be accompanied on a pleasant walk that takes you through the historical and artistic heritage of Camberwell, discovering anecdotes of the famous Londoners who have lived there.
Camberwell Grove in particular, one of the best preserved Georgian streets in London, tells the visitor about its merchants, bankers and poets during the Victorian era.
Bottomline: never a dull moment in London!
Learn how to ring the bells!
