London’s tourist trail offers plenty of excitement, but the city’s true magic lies in its hidden corners and unexpected experiences.
September, with its perfect weather and post-summer calm, is the ideal time for families to venture beyond Big Ben and Buckingham Palace to discover London’s quirky, unusual, and absolutely fascinating lesser-known attractions.
These unique family experiences will create memories far more distinctive than any standard sightseeing tour, offering children and parents alike the chance to see London through a completely different lens.
1. Explore London’s Underground Mail Railway
Deep beneath the city streets lies one of London’s best-kept secrets: the Mail Rail. This miniature underground railway once transported millions of letters across London, and now families can ride the same tunnels that postal workers used for over 75 years.
The 15-minute journey takes you 70 feet underground through narrow tunnels connecting major sorting offices.
The Postal Museum above ground complements the experience with interactive exhibits about communication throughout history, including the chance to send a letter via pneumatic tube.
Children love the detective trail that leads them through both the museum and the underground railway.
2. Hunt for Dragons in the City of London
London is home to dozens of dragon sculptures and carvings, and September’s clear weather makes it perfect for a family dragon hunt.
Start at the Temple Bar dragon that marks the entrance to the City of London, then seek out the silver dragons on the Victoria Embankment, the golden dragon at Mansion House, and the hidden dragons carved into church facades throughout the Square Mile.
Create your own dragon map and challenge children to spot architectural details they’d normally miss.
Many dragons have fascinating stories behind them, turning a simple walk into an adventure quest through London’s medieval past.
3. Visit the Grant Museum of Zoology’s Micrarium
This tiny museum at University College London houses one of the world’s most unusual collections: thousands of microscopic slides containing everything from Victorian-era whale parasites to cross-sections of human hair.
The Micrarium allows families to examine specimens under high-powered microscopes, revealing hidden worlds invisible to the naked eye.
The museum’s cabinet of curiosities includes extinct animal skeletons, pickled specimens, and interactive displays that fascinate children and adults equally.
It’s completely free and rarely crowded, making it perfect for curious families seeking something truly different.
4. Explore Postman’s Park and Its Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice
Tucked away near St. Paul’s Cathedral, this peaceful garden contains one of London’s most moving and unusual memorials. The Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice features ceramic tablets commemorating ordinary people who died saving others’ lives.
Each tablet tells a brief but powerful story of everyday heroism that sparks meaningful family conversations about courage and spirit.
The park itself offers a tranquil escape from the city’s bustle, with benches perfect for quiet reflection and discussion about the stories you’ve discovered together.
5. Discover the Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret
Located in the roof of a Victorian church, this fascinating museum recreates pre-anaesthetic surgery conditions that will simultaneously horrify and captivate your family.
The herb garret displays hundreds of medicinal herbs and remedies used by Victorian apothecaries, while the operating theatre demonstrates surgical practices from an era when speed was everything.
Live demonstrations (not for the squeamish!) show how operations were performed before modern medicine, making this an unforgettable educational experience that brings history dramatically to life.
6. Hunt for Street Art in Shoreditch’s Hidden Alleys
While Brick Lane gets most attention, Shoreditch’s network of small alleys and backstreets contains some of London’s most innovative street art.
September weather is perfect for creating your own street art tour, armed with cameras and a sense of adventure. Look for works by famous artists like Banksy alongside emerging talent.
Many pieces change regularly, so each visit offers new discoveries. Children enjoy the treasure hunt aspect of finding art in unexpected places, and many pieces incorporate interactive elements or optical illusions perfect for family photos.
7. Experience the Museum of the Home’s Period Garden Rooms
This unique museum recreates middle-class living rooms from 1630 to the present day, but its real magic lies in the recreated period gardens behind the building.
Each garden represents a different historical era, from Elizabethan herb gardens to Victorian conservatories and 1990s suburban patios.
September’s late summer flowers make the gardens particularly beautiful, and children love spotting how garden design, plants, and outdoor living have evolved over four centuries.
The museum offers family activity packs that turn exploration into a time-travelling adventure.
8. Navigate the Crystal Palace Dinosaurs
These Victorian-era concrete dinosaurs predate the Natural History Museum’s collection by decades and represent how Victorians imagined prehistoric life.
Located in Crystal Palace Park, the sculptures are wonderfully inaccurate by modern standards, making them both educational and entertaining.
The park setting is perfect for September picnics, and children enjoy comparing the Victorian dinosaurs with modern scientific understanding.
The surrounding park includes a maze, playground, and plenty of space for active family fun.
Planning Your Unusual London September Adventure
September’s mild weather and reduced crowds make it perfect for exploring these hidden gems at a relaxed pace.
Many unusual attractions are smaller and less commercialised than major tourist sites, offering more intimate family experiences and opportunities for meaningful conversations.
For families planning to explore both central London and other areas, Drivalia car hire at Canary Wharf provides convenient access to locations across the capital, making it easy to combine city centre adventures with attractions in outer London areas like Crystal Palace.
Consider creating themed days – perhaps a “Victorian London” adventure combining the Grant Museum, Crystal Palace Dinosaurs, and Museum of the Home, or a “Hidden Underground” exploration featuring Mail Rail and Postman’s Park.
Most importantly, these unusual experiences encourage curiosity and wonder in ways that standard tourist attractions often cannot.
They reveal London as a city of endless surprises, where every street corner might hide something extraordinary waiting for adventurous families to discover.
Practical Tips for Your Unusual Family Adventure
Book ahead for experiences like Mail Rail, as they have limited capacity. Many smaller museums offer family activity packs or trails designed specifically for children.
Pack comfortable walking shoes, as discovering London’s hidden gems often involves exploring areas off the typical tourist path.
Remember that unusual attractions often have unique opening hours or seasonal variations, so check websites before travelling.
September’s longer evenings also allow for early dinner adventures in the various neighbourhoods surrounding these hidden gems.
London’s unusual family experiences prove that the best adventures often lie just beyond the guidebook recommendations, waiting for curious families willing to explore the city’s fascinating hidden side.