8 Quirky things to do in London

Client: Norwegian Reward

What springs to mind when you think of London? Buckingham Palace? The London Eye? Tower Bridge?

If you’re planning a trip to the Big Smoke, these are a few sightseeing essentials, but if you’ve done all the touristy things, why not get off the beaten track and get to know London’s quirky side?

From dining in the dark, to rooftop astronomy, here are eight unique things to do in London. Reward Tip: Book your flights to London with Norwegian and earn CashPoints. You can use them to save money off your next adventure in Blighty.

1. Dine in the dark at Dans Le Noir

For a dining experience like no other, book a table at Dans Le Noir.

After locking your valuables away (who needs a phone in the dark!) you choose from one of four mystery menus – meat, seafood, vegetarian or chef’s surprise. Your blind waiter then guides you to your table in the pitch-black restaurant, and your three-course dinner is served.

Deprived of sight, you’re forced to use your other senses to work out what you’re eating. You’ll soon realise how much you rely on your eyes! Using cutlery in the dark and finding your wine glass is no easy task!

After dinner, you can find out what you ate at the Silent Bar. Run by deaf staff, you have to order your drinks in sign language.

Tip: Be sure to study the sign menu before ordering!

If you’re up for a fascinating sensory experience and some awesome grub, Dans Le Noir is for you.

It’s popular, so book well in advance!

2. Check out the stars at the Culpepper

On holiday in London with the other half? This astronomy-come-dining experience is the ultimate romantic date-night activity.

Set in the Culpeper, a gorgeous gastropub within spitting distance of London’s famous Spitalfields Market, the experience kicks off with a delicious pork roast meal.

When the sky is dark enough, the action moves to the rooftop, where an astronomy expert and two industrial-sized telescopes take you on a magical tour of the night sky.

The stuff you learn as you’re star gazing is fascinating. Did you know, for example, it would take 1.3 million Earths to fit in the sun? That's a heck of a lot of Earths!

From the awesome views of the planets and stars, to the complimentary cocktails (you get two!), the whole experience is mind-blowing.

Find out more and book here.

3. Have a ball at Ballie Ballerson

Who says ball pits are just for kids? Release your inner child at Ballie Ballerson - an adult ball pit and cocktail bar in trendy Shoreditch.

Start the night with a retro sweetie cocktail (or two). The ‘Dibbie Dabberson’ – strawberry gin and cranberry juice, with a sherbert Dib Dab garnish, is nostalgia in a glass.

When it’s time for the main event, let loose and launch yourself into the pit. Filled with 250,000 glowing balls, it’s deep enough to hide in. DJ’s will keep you entertained while you roll around.

If you’re peckish after all that ball play, try one of their tasty Neapolitan pizzas.

Tip: Your time in the pit is limited to two-hours. Book your slot here.

Tour Tip: Shoreditch and nearby Brick Lane are full of urban art and graffiti by acclaimed street artists. Discover it on this ‘Alternative London two-hour Street Art Walking Tour’.

4. Hunt for treasure with Hidden City

Discover some of London’s lesser-known sights with a Hidden City Treasure Hunt.

The premise is simple: A series of cryptic clues, puzzles and challenges are sent to your phone. You need to decode each puzzle to receive the next clue, to get to the next destination.

To complete the tasks, you need to interact with certain people, and find particular items, such as a phrase in a book from a particular bookshop.

Get the clues right and you’ll uncover hidden galleries, pubs, museums and secret gardens along the way.

This is a fun, immersive team game. If you’re with a big group of friends or on a Hen do, why not split into smaller teams

and go head-to-head?

Book your hunt here.

5. Go back to the 90’s at the Crystal Maze Experience

Anyone remember the Crystal Maze? For the uninitiated, it was a popular 90s TV gameshow, where teams ran around madly, completing physical and mental challenges to win crystals.

Sound fun? Try it at the Crystal Maze Experience. Guided by an eccentric ‘maze master’, you journey through four adventure zones: Aztec, Industrial, Futuristic and Medieval. In each zone, you nominate a team member to complete the task. Every crystal you win earns you time in the Crystal Dome – the final challenge!

We won’t reveal any more, but what we will say is this is a crazy, unique way to spend an afternoon in Soho.

Tip: If you’re looking for a fun Hen/Stag do activity, you can’t do better than this!

Register your team here.

6. Have a fling at a Ceilidh night

Ever tried Ceilidh dancing? No? Then a visit to the Ceilidh Club is a must on your trip to London - it’s a hoot. This popular, bi-weekly event takes place at Cecil Sharp House, an award-winning folk arts centre in Primrose Hill.

The evening consists of a folk band, a ‘caller’ and 200 sweaty guests. As the band plays, the caller calls out dance moves. All you have to do is follow them. Simple eh? Nope. Performed in groups of four, eight or more, the steps are simple, but the choreography is complex, leading to lots of left feet and stumbling. But it’s all part of the fun, so don't take it too seriously!

Prepare to Strip the Willow, Military two-step and Oxo Reel your way around the dancefloor.

Tip: If you’re a solo traveller, this is a great way to make new friends!

Join the party by booking here.

7. Dine with King Henry VIII at the Medieval Banquet

This fabulous interactive dinner-theatre experience near the historic Tower Bridge will transport you back to Medieval London.

As a guest at King Henry VIII’s royal banquet, you’ll tuck into a hearty, four course medieval feast, (with plenty of mead!) and be entertained by jugglers, acrobats and minstrels. There’s even a choreographed swordfight after the main course.

Join in with the singing and dancing, and, to really want to get into character, hire a costume at the venue. Dressing up is optional, but when in Medieval England …

Entertaining from start to finish, this is a great night out for the whole family.

Reward Tip: Book this 4-Hour Medieval Banquet at Ivory House experience through Norwegian Reward and earn CashPoints.

8. Have coffee with a cat at Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium

Lady Dinah’s is London’s longest running Cat Café – yes, ‘cat’. Based in trendy in Shoreditch, you go there to enjoy a drink, piece of cake or formal Afternoon Tea, in the company of a clowder of adorable rescue cats.

£15 gets you 90 minutes with the furtive felines.

Animal lovers, this is the purr-fect way to spend a rainy morning in the capital.

Find out more here.

Tip: There are plenty of other fabulous places to ‘take tea’ in the capital. Here are ‘10 of the best places for afternoon tea in London’.

Get exploring!

There’s so much to discover in this vibrant capital city – both on and off the beaten track. Discover it all with Norwegian and earn CashPoints on your flights, trips and car hire along the way.

Tip: Wondering where to stay? Find some inspiration in our ‘10 boutique hotels in London’ post. If you book one of the hotels through Norwegian Reward, you’ll earn even more CashPoints!