The craziest thing that's ever happened in London

By Vanessa Teo

Everyone comes back from holiday with an anecdote or two; people share stories about their adventures and experiences, from the obscene to the unexpected; the hilarious to the horrific. There are plenty of tales to be told from trips to London, that’s for sure, so we asked people just that. What was the craziest thing that happened to you in London? The London Pass carried out a huge survey in 2013 asking all of our customers for their feedback and experiences of their trip to London. Among the varied responses were some stand out experiences – and here are a few of our favourites: “Visited Camden Town!”

“The London Bridge Experience”

“The prices at Harrods”

“I became a shopaholic”

“Someone in the street accosted me!”

“Someone actually spoke to me on the tube”

“Got completely lost in Harrod's”

“We had great weather!”

“I was invited to a private party after watching a panto performance, along with the actors and their friends.”

“Getting caught up in the annual Santa Run”

“A bird pooed on me. Seriously.”

“Spending new year's eve at the Big Ben !”

“A sales man refusing to sell me a flat cap because he thought it didn't match the rest of my attire”

“When my girlfriend was kissed by another girl in a gay bar”

“Experiencing Boxing Day Sales”

“Seeing my sister-in-law fall in love with cider”

“Walking straight into the houses of parliament without a bother”

“Met Russell Brand walking his dog! Had a great chat.”

“Took a 60 pound cab ride, which cost about $100 US!”

“A Raven at tower of London making a mess on my coat”

“In the tube, I was amazed to see young people giving their seat to older people” Have you got a crazy experience of London? Leave us a comment or let us know on our Facebook page!

Continue reading

Blog

London Museums at Night – Halloween Edition

Mixing culture with Halloween festivities, London's Museums at Night festival goes spooky... While there’s no denying that a trip to a museum during the day is pretty cool, how about a night at the museum? And if that doesn’t sound cool enough, then what about museums – at night – during Halloween? Museums at Night is a nationwide festival of late-night events with festivities happening across the UK. These spooktacular events are sure to give you the fright of the year – if not your life – so if you’re looking for something awesome to do this Halloween, look no further. Here are our hot picks for events in the capital. Halloween Late Friday 28 October 2016, from 6pm The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN Coinciding with the Beyond Caravaggio exhibition, The National Gallery is celebrating Halloween in style. With live music, special events, and plenty of themed food and drinks, the gallery will be yours to enjoy until 9pm. From a secret bar to face painting, and everything in between, it’s sure to be a night to remember. A world-renowned gallery, this event is certainly up there with the best Museums at Night experiences. Plus, you get to take a selfie with a Caravaggio, so there’s that too... More details can be found here. Late Night Keats: Regency Food with Dr Annie Grey Friday 28 October 2016, from 7pm Keats House, 10 Keats Grove, Hampstead, London NW3 2RR Ruled by elegance and cultural achievement, the Regency period is a truly fascinating time, and it’s beautifully encapsulated at Keats House, home of the Romantic poet John Keats. Join in on the action this Halloween, when you’ll get to sample some Regency delights with Dr. Annie Grey. Not only that but there’s a glass of fizz included too, and you get to decorate your own cupcake in the legendary Mrs. Brawne’s kitchen. If poetry’s your thing, there’s a reading taking place too, so it’s sure to be a cultured and varied evening. You can book your tickets here. Image via Charles Dickens Museum facebook Dickens After Dark: A Halloween Special Friday 28 October 2016, from 6.30pm Charles Dickens Museum, 48 Doughty Street London, WC1N 2LX If you’re a fan of Dickens, this may well be the one for you. You get to experience Charles Dickens’ townhouse as if the author himself still lived there. Except this is with a twist, and we’re not talking about Oliver here. You’ll be able to fully immerse yourself in the quaint rooms, and experience the eerie atmosphere of a dimly-lit Victorian house while participating in a host of fun-filled activities. If you’d like to spend your evening rubbing shoulders with clairvoyants, along with potentially bumping into the late Dickens himself*, click here to find out more. *Unfortunately there aren’t any guarantees of this happening, but after a few Gin and Tonics you never know... Black Halloween Banquet Friday 28 October 2016, from 7.30pmThe Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising, 111-117 Lancaster Road, W11 1QT One for the foodies out there! These guys are hosting a splendid culinary evening as part of the Museums at Night festival, with award-winning chef Adam Rawson - Young British Foodie's Chef of the Year 2015, rustling up a frightfully delicious meal for this Halloween special. Inspired by the iconic food brands on display in the museum and drawing heavily on the colour black, Adam’s special 7-course menu is one you won't want to miss. Craven Street Bones Saturday 29 October 2016, from 6.30pm Benjamin Franklin House, 36 Craven Street, London WC2N 5NF During routine conservation work back in 1997 a ghastly discovery was unearthed, sparking a relentless investigation at Benjamin Franklin House. Just how did the skeletal remains of up to 10 different human beings end up buried underneath the basement floor of the house? Join historian Braena Sykes as she explores this simply fascinating tale. Find out more here. So, those are our top Museums at Night picks for an amazing Halloween! And if you're planning to dress the part, why not also head to Eaton Square, where London’s US expat community put on special Halloween displays! Planning on using the London Underground to visit one or more of these Museums at Night events, then why not read our London Underground Tips to make sure that it’s as seamless and comfortable a journey as possible?
Vanessa Teo
Blog

Reasons to Visit London in the Autumn

Planning your trip to the English capital? Keep reading to find out why you'll want to avoid the crowds and take in London in the Autumn While some of you may be mourning the end of long and hot Summer days, we're excited to welcome Autumn! The days are shorter, the air is crisper and despite the odd rain-shower, we've got the lowdown on why you'll want to visit London in the Autumn. From autumn walks through London's parks and cosy pubs to outdoor ice-skating and more, there's plenty going on in London during the Autumn season. So what are you waiting for? Head out and enjoy it! Beat the crowds London's top attractions tend to be busy all year round, however, during the Autumn months, the tour groups aren't as regular an occurrence and it is noticeably quieter. Whilst the city is a buzzing hive of tourist activity during the Summer months, a quieter vibe descends upon the city once September rolls around which means less time queuing at attractions such as Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge and Shakespeare's Globe, and fewer crowds to weave through in the museums so you get more time to see the exhibitions and artefacts. Layer up Flex your fashionable muscles and layer up for the chilly Autumn weather! Arguably the most stylish time of year, immerse yourself like a London local with your chic trench coats and knee-high boots! Spooktacular Fun While us Brits may not be automatically associated with big Halloween celebrations, you'd be surprised! With a whole month dedicated to the macabre, ghost tours and family-friendly events around town, there's plenty going on through October to celebrate the spooky season. Don't forget to pop by the London Zoo for their annual "Boo at the Zoo" spooktacular with arts 'n crafts, animal demonstrations and hands-on fun! Autumn Walks Whether you're strolling along the River Thames, walking through the leaves in Hyde Park or admiring the chestnut trees in Greenwich Park, there's no shortage to outdoor activities in the Autumn. With plenty of green spaces dotted around the city, London's parks and gardens appear to be doused in a golden hue; paired with the crisper temperature, outdoor strolls are an almost compulsory activity if you plan to visit London in the Autumn. Bonus: take a stroll down to the river and hop on a City Cruise boat tour to take in the riverside sights, bathed in a golden Autumn hue. Wildlife Watching While we're outdoors - Autumn is a great time of the year to sneak a peek at the wildlife in some of London's green spots. Head over to the London Wetland Centre to see wading birds, ducks, water voles, bats, lizards and otters enjoying the Autumn sunshine. Cultural Season When the weather cools down outside, it's time to head indoors and enjoy the range of cultural events during the city's autumn season. From exhibitions and plays to musicals and more, there's plenty of culture to indulge in this Autumn. Don't forget to check out London Pass Concierge where London Pass holders can enjoy exclusive discounts and deals. Image via Tower of London facebook Outdoor Ice-skating Strap on those skates because it's time to hit the ice! Every autumn and winter, iconic attractions around the city set up outdoor ice-skating rinks so you can glide along the ice in the grounds of stunning landmarks such as the Tower of London and the Natural History Museum. Don't forget your gloves! Museum Wandering If you're visiting London in the Autumn, there is a chance it can drizzle outside, so if you want to warm up, head to one of London's iconic museums and prepare to lose yourself wandering through all the art and artefacts. Whether you're visiting the mummies at the British Museum, warming up with tea and scones at the V&A or coming face to face with portraits at the National Portrait Gallery, it's easy to spend hours wandering the halls. Cosy pubs Us Brits have made a hobby of going to the pub so it's no surprise that in spite of the change in weather, you will still find us gathering with friends down the local pub. The best part about heading to the pub during the Autumn is that the inside becomes a cosy, warm and inviting sanctuary from the cooler outdoors and most pubs start serving heart-warming tipples such as mulled wine and hot toddies.
Vanessa Teo
Haunted London
Blog

10 Most Haunted Places in London

Whether you believe ghosts exist or not, the stories behind them are certainly compelling. At over a thousand years old, London's got a lot of history. Some good. Some... not so much. So it's probably no surprise that the UK capital has its fair share of supposedly haunted locales. Read on to discover the 10 most notable haunted places in London. Liverpool Street Station, central London Yes, one of the largest transport hubs in the city has its own spooky goings-on, making it a local fixture among the most haunted places in England. Workers at the station have reported seeing a man in workers' overalls waiting on the Central Line platform.. after the station has already shut. Who is he... or more importantly, who was he? Where was he going, and how did he pass? Not only that, a burial pit filled with those who had succumbed to the plague was discovered beneath the station. And if plague pits are anything like Native American burial grounds in Stephen King novels, don't bring any dead pets through Liverpool Street. Bruce Castle in Tottenham, northeast London At Bruce Castle in the 1600s, Lady Constantina Lucy, the lady of the castle, threw herself from the top with her son. The story goes that this was because her husband kept her locked away. This tale adds to Bruce Castle's reputation as one of the most haunted places in the UK. Rumour has it you can still see the ghostly visage of Lady Lucy staring pensively from the castle's balcony. If Lady Lucy's story doesn't chill you to the bone, there are other haunted house experiences in London to explore. But be warned, some of these spots are not for the faint of heart. So, if you're up for it, Tottenham could be just the beginning of your spine-chilling tour around the city. 👻 Looking for more spooky goings-on in London? Take part in Solve a Mystery: the Murder at Trafalgar Square with The London Pass® 👻 The Clink Prison, near London Bridge Who'd have thought that a 900-year-old renovated prison would be ground zero for ghoulish goings-on? The Clink is rather notorious as one of the most brutal prisons of the Middle Ages. Prisoners were often beaten and starved, all at the behest of the Church.  Though it's been shut for around 300 years, visitors swear they see the ghostly apparitions of both guards and inmates, including a woman trying to remove her shackles. If you're feeling brave enough, you can visit The Clink Prison and Museum in central southeast London. Room 333, Langham Hotel in Marylebone, central London Who doesn't love a nice haunted hotel room? Well, room 333 of the luxurious Langham Hotel is all kinds of spooky. Several ghosts have been spotted in the room, not just by budding ghosthunters but by more sceptical journalists too. Those daring enough to face these spirits need only book the room and head over to Marylebone to visit this wonderful period hotel. We don't think we'll be staying any time soon, but you're made of sterner stuff... right? The tombs beneath London Bridge, central London Another London locale, another plague pit. The Tombs beneath London Bridge make it one of the go-to haunted places in London. The London Bridge Experience takes you through an informative, entertaining and unsettling journey through thousands of years of bloody conflicts and betrayals that have taken place in and around the bridge. So, brace yourself for a chilling stroll through London's dark history, but remember, visiting the tombs is not for the faint of heart. Shadows have been seen moving from room to room down there, and 'Emily', a young woman, is often spotted wandering around too. What's even spookier is that certain tours have actually complained that one of the actors on the tour is simply staring at them and not getting into it. Sorry to break it to you, but... that's not an actor. The Ten Bells pub in Spitalfields, central/east London This one might ring a bell, as it used to be called 'The Jack The Ripper'. How did we get so far down this list without mentioning him? The Jack the Ripper murders, one of the most infamous crime sprees in history, took place in London's East End in 1888. The identity of the killer has never been definitively established, and the case remains a subject of fascination and speculation to this day. Back in the 1990s, the landlord claimed that the ghost of one of Jack's victims, Annie Chapman, had possessed the pub. People have also claimed to see ghosts within its walls, and experienced poltergeist activity. Tables flying, chairs moving. Maybe there's something in the barrels. Or maybe, maybe, there's something more sinister afoot. So if you fancy having a pint while trying to spot some spooky shenanigans, have a butcher's at The Ten Bells. Ragged School Museum in Mile End, east London Of course there's a haunted London school. Now a museum, the Victorian school by the Regent's Canal used to educate children from the poorest communities in East London. These days, visitors can learn a lot about the education system back then. You might even hear the reported screams and creepy kid laughs echoing throughout the building's halls. And if there's one thing that's creepier than an old school, it's one filled with ghost children. Highgate Cemetery, north London  Who'd have thought that a cemetery, a place where people are buried (a fair few of whom were very well known), would ever have any creepy paranormal activity around it? Well, Highgate Cemetery has had its fair share of spooky shenanigans, from suspected vampires to scary encounters with apparitions. Queen's House in Greenwich, southeast London Greenwich's Queen's House is the site of one of Britain's most famous ghost photos. A retired Canadian Reverend and his wife visited back in the 1960s, and the Reverend loved the beautiful Tulip spiral staircase so much that he decided to take a photo of it. Little did he know that when he developed it, he would discover two ghostly apparitions ascending the stairs... what will you see when you visit? The Tower of London in St. Katherine's and Wapping, east London Last, but, certainly not least, is the Tower of London. For nearly a thousand years, the Tower of London was a prison. Arguably one of the world's most notorious. A lot of people lost their heads. People you may well have heard of, like Anne Boleyn. Henry VIII's second, and most well-known wife, was beheaded in the tower back in 1536. People still see her wandering around the chapel of St Peter ad Vincula, holding her severed head by her side. Others have seen and heard all sorts of prisoners within the walls.  👻 You can see it all for yourself with The London Pass®. Experience everything London has to offer with The London Pass®  Planning your London trip? With The London Pass®, you can explore big-name landmarks, local hotspots and epic tours, all on one pass, all for one price. Not only that, but you'll enjoy savings of up to 50%, compared to buying individual attraction tickets.   ✈️ Buy The London Pass® ✈️
Vanessa Teo

Have a 10% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.

  • Thick check Icon