But for the inquisitive amongst us, there’s plenty more to our little island than meets the eye. It’s home to the world’s deadliest garden, natural phenomena aplenty, and innumerable weird and wonderful things to see, do and visit that you wouldn’t necessarily expect. Read on for the most unusual things to do in the UK, from hunting dinosaur fossils and flying Spitfires, to quirky local events, cutting-edge immersive experiences, and beyond.
Take a flight in a hot air balloon
There’s something decidedly mystical about hot air balloon rides (you are floating across the sky in a giant wicker basket, after all). Not only are they a bona fide bucket list item and a classic way to mark a special occasion, they’re also a fantastic chance to soak up the best of quintessential Britain. Panoramic views of patchwork fields, quaint market towns, and bucolic scenery make this one of our favourite unusual things to do in the UK.
See the Northern lights
The UK is home to numerous Dark Sky sites, some of which will give you a greater chance of witnessing the Northern Lights than others. The largest site is in Northumberland, but there are also spots in Wales and the Peak District (specifically, the summit of Mam Tor) that offer a chance to see the Aurora Borealis.
Fly a Spitfire
No aircraft can stir the same feelings of patriotism that a Spitfire can. Epitomising Britain’s fighting spirit during the Battle of Britain and WWII, its Rolls Royce Merlin Engine and graceful cockpit cover are instantly recognisable as Britain’s front line fighter in the darkest of times. Experience this British icon in style with a 30-minute chock-to-chock passenger flight, flown by a professional or ex-RAF pilot.
Take a steam train trip
To step aboard a steam locomotive is to take a trip back to the golden age of rail travel, where ceaseless, beautiful views are combined with 5* hospitality. Whether it’s weaving your way through the foothills of some of England’s highest mountains or chugging across the glorious High Weald countryside that so epitomises Britain’s countryside, a steam train trip ticks all the boxes - nostalgic, fascinating, and decidedly unique.
Tour a prison
If you’re not averse to something a bit more, well, sombre than your average tour, we’d recommend making a stop for a historic prison tour. There’s all sorts of fascinating history to uncover, and you’ll be led by an ex-prison officer, who’ll give you the lowdown on inmates, daily life, visits and prison work as well as the grisly side of history complete with stomach-turning tales of execution. (If you're even more keen on the maudlin stuff, then you can actually spend a night behind bars yourself at the UK's most haunted prison. Seriously.)
Guided Prison Tour for Two
Spend some time behind bars for the world’s most interactive prison tour. For a fascinating insight into more than 400 years of history, you’ll follow an ex-prison officer (who once managed the very wings you’ll be walking) behind the scenes of at one of three historic prisons.
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Go sharkdiving
There’s no need to worry about travelling abroad to somewhere exotic if you want to dive with sharks. You can actually swim with blue sharks and go shark cage diving in Cornwall, and other locations offer the experience in purpose-built locations, including Skegness and Birmingham.
Experience the Eden Project
The largest rainforest in captivity, winner of the UK’s best visitor attraction 5 years running, cutting-edge technology and a reputation for trailblazing sustainability initiatives: The Eden Project needs little introduction. This vast eco project, located within a former china clay pit in Cornwall, is one of the most exciting developments to come out of the UK in recent decades. From adrenaline-fuelled adventures to fascinating insights into our eco-systems, there’s plenty to do and see here, so give yourself time for a full day’s visit.
Conquer the world’s longest tunnel slide
The ArcelorMittal Orbit, Sir Anish Kapoor’s iconic sculpture, certainly packs a punch: not only is it now an integral part of London’s skyline, it also boasts the title of being the world’s longest and tallest tunnel slide and the UK’s highest freefall abseil.
The Slide at The ArcelorMittal Orbit for Two
Fall in style and descend the world’s tallest and, at 178m, the world’s longest tunnel slide with admission to The Slide at the ArcelorMittal Orbit for Two. Spiral down what is also the UK’s tallest public artwork, shoot through light and dark breathing in dramatic cityscape views as you go.
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Step aboard a Concorde
Although it ceased operating in 2003, you can still explore this supersonic marvel at the Brooklands Museum, where 20-minute tours allow visitors to step aboard (complete with boarding pass) and enjoy a fully immersive, interactive insight into what once was the world’s most exciting aircraft.
Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling
This brilliantly bizarre annual tradition takes place at Cooper’s Hill, near Gloucester. A 9lb Double Gloucester cheese is sent rolling down an incredibly steep hill, and willing participants hurtle down after it. If you’re feeling up to the challenge, you can join in, but plenty of people choose to spectate, too - people from all over the world come to watch (seriously).
Visit the world’s most dangerous gardens
Head to Northumberland’s famous Alnwick Gardens and you’ll find the world’s most deadly garden. Hidden amongst the world’s largest cherry garden, awe-inspiring water features and tranquil botanical havens, the Poison Garden is locked behind iron gates, and accessible only by guided tours. It’s home to over 100 toxic, intoxicating and narcotic plants, making it the world’s most dangerous botanical collection.
Take a tour of the Giant’s Causeway
This incredible natural phenomenon, flanked by the Atlantic Ocean and dramatic cliffs, is made up of 40,000 hexagonal interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption. You can visit for free or take a guided tour - if you’re a Game of Thrones fan, you can make a full day of it, with a tour departing from Belfast, stopping in at Dark Hedges, Dunluce Castle, Ballintoy and more.
Full Day Game of Thrones Filming Locations Tour with Giants Causeway for Two
Follow in the footsteps of the Starks, the Lannisters and all your favourite characters with this incredible full-day bus and walking tour of the Game of Thrones filming locations. You and a fellow fan will embark on a coastal adventure from Belfast, exploring the show’s most iconic locations. Visit the Dark Hedges, the ruins of Dunluce Castle, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site Giant’s Causeway, made up of 40,000 interlocking hexagonal stone columns. Travelling with the same company that transport the cast and crew, you'll feel fully immersed - even getting to use props including swords, cloaks and shields for photo opportunities.
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Go trampolining - underground
A cavernous adventure that combines all the fun of trampolining with the intrigue of cave diving. Bounce Below came to life from a former Victorian mine in Blaenau Ffestiniog; there are six levels of bouncing goodness filled with nets, huge slides and adventure for you to discover as you jump and slip around.
Bounce Below for Two
Take several giant trampoline-like nets, surround them with protective netting, tunnels and slides, then put it all in a cavern deep beneath the ground. It’s cave diving mixed with bouncing around, and you can enjoy it all with a friend with this Bounce Below experience for two.
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Live through a Martian invasion at War of the Worlds: The Immersive Experience
Live actors, state-of-the-art virtual reality and sensational 5D effects place you inside the heart of all the action of this big, bold immersive extravaganza. You’ll visit the Royal Observatory, sneak into a deserted house, escape London by boat and even fly to Mars – all with Jeff Wayne’s multi award double album of The War of The Worlds as your soundtrack.
Jeff Wayne's The War of The Worlds: The Immersive Experience for Two - Peak
Get ready to feel all your senses fired as you’re transported to another world – when Martians invaded London in 1898, and very nearly won. Discover Jeff Wayne's The War of The Worlds: The Immersive Experience, where live actors, state-of-the-art virtual reality and sensational 5D effects place you inside the heart of all the action.
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Visit the Vimto statue
It’s not your average monument or statue, insofar as it pays homage to, well, a fruit drink - but the Vimto statue has become a much-loved part of Manchester. Granted, it’s probably not worth making a trip to Manchester just for this, but it’s well worth a visit if you’re in the area.
Discover the wizarding world with a Harry Potter studio tour
It’s fair to say that the books and the films are a stalwart of British culture, and the Warner Bros. Studio tour allows you to go behind the scenes of it all. From the Great Hall to Dumbledore’s Office, through to the glittering, awe-inspiring Bank of Gringotts and the Lestrange Vault, this fully immersive experience is a fantastic day out, Potterhead or not. Make sure to treat yourself to a Butterbeer while you’re there and grab a ride on a broomstick, too.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter with Return Transportation for Two Adults
Grab a fellow Harry Potter fan and head the wonderful Warner Bros. Studio Tour, London - The Making of Harry Potter. Relive your favourite moments of the most successful film series of all time as you follow in the footsteps of Harry Potter, take a stroll down Diagon Alley and enter the Great Hall which seats an impressive 400 students.
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Bottoms up at Bournemouth’s Upside Down House
Upend your perspective at this weird and wonderful attraction in Bournemouth, where - true to its name - you’ll find a house that sits on its roof, with furniture stuck to the ceiling. A great one for a family visit, though bear in mind you might come out feeling a little dizzy.
Travel the Saltburn Cliff Tramway
The Saltburn Cliff funicular tramway is an incredible feat of Victorian engineering, operated by water and gravity. It connects the pretty coastal town of Saltburn-by-the-Sea with the promenade, pier and beach, over 200 feet below. If you’re interested in how it all works, the operators know their stuff, and they’ll be more than happy to share it with you.
Take on the world’s longest zip line
The world’s fastest - and the UK’s longest - zip line takes thrill-seekers on an adrenaline-fuelled journey over the Penrhyn Quarry, reaching speeds of over 100mph. It’s another industry-leading feat of thrills from Zip World, where you’ll find all manner of fantastic adventure experiences, from forest coasters to caverns and quarry karts.
Zip World Titan Experience for Two
Strap in for the zip-line ride of your life courtesy of Zip World’s very own Titan 2. The ultimate group zipping experience, you and two other thrillseekers will embark on over 1,000m travelling down through the valley. Take in the stunning views out over the mining town of Blaenau Ffestiniog and beyond.
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Hunt for dinosaur fossils
Dinosaur fossil hunting is a surprisingly popular pastime in the Isle of Wight, with a resident team of experts available to take you along. Keep it simple and head down to the beach, or, if you’re wanting a more in depth look into the island’s fascinating palaeontological history, you can take a guided tour with the University of Portsmouth’s research palaeontologist.
Sightsee in quintessentially British style
Afternoon tea - it’s the quintessentially British treat we all know and love. B Bakery’s spectacular take on the classic means that you can step aboard a vintage Routemaster double-decker bus and take your sweet and savoury fancies whilst touring London’s best bits. A great one for a special occasion, or simply to experience the crème de la crème of British tradition while sightseeing.
Vintage Afternoon Tea Bus in London for Two with B Bakery
Combine two activities in one with this fantastic, indulgent sightseeing combo and take in the sights of London whilst enjoying your afternoon tea. This vintage double decker bus has been revamped to create a cool and comfortable place to dine. You'll make your way around London on a carefree tour, as you can tuck into an array of sweet and savoury treats that will be displayed on tiered stands. Oh so fabulously retro.
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Polish up your knowledge at the Lawnmower Museum
Yep, it’s a thing - this undeniably unique attraction is home to vintage lawnmowers from all over the world, including those owned by the likes of Charles and Diana, Brian May, Alan Titchmarsh and many more. If you’re visiting Merseyside and fancy adding something out of the ordinary to your itinerary, this internationally acclaimed museum is a safe bet.
Take a trip to Teapot Island
Nothing says quintessential Britain quite like tea, and Yalding’s resident Teapot Museum celebrates the tradition at its finest, with over 8,200 teapots and trinkets on display. Despite the fact that they’re a two-time Guinness World Record Holder, they retain the charm of a British small business, owned and run by the same family since their opening in 2003.
Drink differently in an immersive bar
The UK’s home to all manner of brilliant immersive bars - from the Wild West to Alcotraz, you name it, there’s a bar for it. Unsurprisingly, plenty of these reside in London (check out our full guide to London’s best immersive bars here) - but there are plenty further afield, too. If you fancy a change from your Friday night local, head down the rabbit hole to one of these.
Celebrate Britain's iconic red phone box
This working museum is a fully hands-on, interactive celebration of British telecommunications history, from the very first phone boxes that appeared in the 1920s, through to the modern designs of the 1980s. It’s located within the Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings, which is well worth exploring, too - you’ll find 19 acres of Midlands heritage here, including a windmill, a Tudor townhouse, and even a fully furnished prefabricated building.
Go sightseeing - in a helicopter
There are plenty of great ways to take in the best of the UK, but none offer the vantage point that a helicopter can. Whether it’s the landmarks and weaving streets of a city, patchwork fields and countryside views, or even a bird’s-eye view of your favourite stadium, there’s nothing quite like experiencing it all from the sky.
12 Mile Themed Helicopter Flight for One
If you want the excitement of flying take the 12 mile Themed Helicopter Flight. As soon as the blades begin to spin, you’re in for a treat. Take to the air in a powerful helicopter ride as the air craft propels upwards and climbs to heights of over 1000ft above the landscape as you accelerate to speeds of over 120mph.
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Discover Mother Shipton’s Cave & the Petrifying Well
The Petrifying Well is England’s oldest visitor attraction, dating back to 1538. An incredible display of nature and mysticism, it continues to draw visitors in droves, primarily for its amazing ability to turn objects to stone over a short period of time. It’s also home to a Wishing Well, and a fascinating Museum that houses petrified items donated by celebrities and iconic figures over the years - the most famous being a shoe that Queen Mary left in 1923!
Wander the once top-secret codebreaking HQ at Bletchley Park
Not only a place of exceptional historical importance, Bletchley Park is also a birthplace of modern information technology. Highlights of a visit include the restored codebreaking huts, with faithfully recreated WW2 interiors, and fully interactive displays in the blocks where masterminds like Alan Turing and Bill Tutte cracked enemy codes. A visit here allows you to explore the beautiful grounds and historic buildings with an interactive multimedia guide and enjoy the atmospheric soundscapes, galleries and exhibitions.
Visit to Bletchley Park for Two
Take a trip to the fascinating Bletchley Park for an insight into the once top-secret home of the World War Two Codebreakers. See where some of the smartest minds around like Alan Turing, Gordon Welchman and Bill Tutte helped turn the tide of war and discover the extraordinary achievements of the men and women who worked at Bletchley Park.<br /> <br /> A place of exceptional historical importance, Bletchley Park is also a birthplace of modern information technology and has helped shape life as we know it today. Highlights of a visit include the restored codebreaking huts, with their WW2 interiors faithfully recreated and hands-on displays in the blocks where the masterminds from the Government Code & Cypher School (GC&CS) cracked enemy codes. Explore the beautiful grounds and historic buildings with an interactive multimedia guide and enjoy the atmospheric soundscapes, galleries and exhibitions.
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Hike with huskies
Eagle Heights Wildlife Foundation is home to a vast number of rescued animals, including a group of majestic huskies - and you can take a walk on the wild side with them across the beautiful North Downs. Keepers will be on hand to share their knowledge, and you’ll have full entry to the rest of the Wildlife Foundation afterwards, where you can meet meerkats, servals, reptiles and more.
Create your own sushi dragon
The art of sushi-making is fantastic in its own right, but a sushi dragon? That gets our vote. It takes place at the brilliant inamo restaurant in London, known for its interactive tables, games and Chef Cam. Not only can you enjoy a masterclass with their Head Chef, but you can finish in style with an epic brunch, packed with unlimited Asian tapas and bottomless beer, bubbles or wine.
Squeeze into Britain’s smallest house
You can visit Great Britain’s smallest house for just £1.00 as an adult - unsurprisingly it doesn’t take long to get around, which is perhaps reflected in the ticket price. Even so, it’s a lovely little piece of history that’s worth stopping for, just 72 inches wide by 122cm high. It was occupied right up until 1900, and its last resident was a 6ft3 fisherman!
Get some canine fashion inspo at the Dog Collar Museum
There’s a museum for almost everything. This one’s up there as one of our favourites, though, spanning five centuries of canine style. From ornate gilt collars from the Baroque period to Spanish iron collars from the late 15th century that protected against wolves and bears, there are over 130 fascinating artefacts here.
Go llama trekking
These intelligent creatures live in large herds, taking care of each other as a family would. They’re curious and usually keen to interact, so a llama trek is a great way to get up close and learn a bit more about them. You’ll find a range of llama and alpaca treks across the UK - they’re surprisingly common, and their popularity speaks for itself.
Llama Trekking Experience Day For Two
You can now take a walk in the countryside like never beforeundefined with a llama for company! Discover and enjoy the pleasant sites of the Northamptonshire countryside whilst leading a gentle llama along bridleways and country lanes.<br /> <br /> Llamas are intelligent animals, who often live in large herds and take care of each other as a family would. They are curious and quite interactive so you will have a few laughs along your 3.5 mile journey together. You may not ride the animal but they are strong enough to carry your water bottles and raincoats, making your trek lighter. Add a unique touch to de-stressing and take a stroll with a llama.
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There you have it - some of the best unusual things to do across the UK, to suit everyone from intrepid explorers and thrill-seekers, to curious minds and animal-lovers. Check out Virgin Experience Days for more than 3,000 incredible experiences across the UK if you're ready to get started on your next adventure, or check out our Things to Do Hub for travel and experience guides across Britain.