Adventurous Things to Do in London for Students
Now that you’ve got your textbooks in order and your room is slowly starting to feel like your second home, it’s time to explore the real lecture hall—London itself. We know, the city is a beast with endless corners to uncover, and the typical student routine might not cut it. So, consider this your guide to injecting some serious adventure into your new uni student life.
From quirky experiences to offbeat discoveries, we’ve scouted out the top adventurous things for students to do in London. Forget the usual routine; we’re diving headfirst into the unexpected, the unexplored, and the downright fun. So, if you’re ready to swap the lecture hall for a new kind of thrill, this guide is your ticket to some of the best adventurous things to do in London.
God’s Own Junkyard
looking to escape the ordinary? Make sure to check out God’s Own Junkyard, London’s very own neon paradise tucked away in an unassuming warehouse.
Built and curated by a prop director with credits from Tim Burton to Christopher Nolan, God Own Junkyard is a kaleidoscope of neon signs, movie props, and intriguing statues bound to have your mind running.
Open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, make sure to head on over and also try out their on-site café, The Rolling Scones. God’s Own Junkyard is more than a spot; it’s a neon wonderland ready to transform your London nights.
The IFC Cable Cars
Take it from us, nothing says adventurous like being 300 feet in the air. So, for a thrill that literally takes you to new heights, hop onto the IFC Cable Cars, just a breezy 15 minutes from the city centre.
Setting off from the Greenwich Peninsula and sweeping over to the Royal Docks, the cable cars don’t just offer a ride; they’re a sky-high view over the iconic River Thames. As you hover in the air, make sure not to miss out on spotting some of the city’s iconic landmarks, including the Shard, The O2, and St Paul’s Cathedral.
The Twist Museum
We’re all museum enthusiasts, but The Twist Museum on Oxford Street is not your everyday exhibit—it’s a mind-bending experience that defies expectations. Get ready to have your reality redefined as you step into a world where optical illusions leap off the walls, and sensory experiences challenge your perception of what’s real.
Hosting over 60 exhibits and interactive illusions, the Twist Museum is meticulously curated by artists, psychologists, mathematicians, and neuroscientists. Make sure to bring your cameras along and capture the mind-bending moments.
And here’s a tip for our fellow student explorers – there’s a student discount waiting for you! You can either book your tickets online or face-to-face.
Urban Missions
Picture this: you and a group of friends, weary from the usual student grind, yearning for something beyond lectures and textbooks. You search for adventurous things to do in London and then up pops Urban Missions, an interactive game designed to get you out and about in London with an exciting mission set by a mysterious underground group called ‘The Agency’.
In this immersive adventure, you’ll tackle more than just academic challenges. Urban Mission is your portal to thrilling escapades and mental stimulation, bringing the city to life in unexpected ways. Dive into missions like the Lost Relic, an escapade around Kensington in pursuit of a priceless artefact. Experience the adrenaline rush of Hostage Recovery as you aid ‘ The Agency’ in saving a kidnapped hostage. If high-stakes excitement is your vibe, brace yourself for Bomb Disposal, where you and your friends transform into the city’s last hope.
Mission: Breakout
When the library becomes too mundane for your study group, consider shaking things up at Mission: Breakout in Camden – one of London’s best escape rooms.
Gather your mates and explore the captivating narratives of Codebreakers, The Lost Passenger, and Underground 2099. Imagine navigating an escape from the South Kentish Tube Station or immersing yourself in futuristic sci-fi mysteries.
And for the savvy students among us, Mission: Breakout is offering students a nifty 10% discount making all the more perfect for students looking for adventurous things to do in London.
The Victoria Dinosaur Park at Crystal Palace Park
We know that it’s not Jurassic Park, but if you do fancy a dinosaur-themed day head over to Crystal Palace Park for the rightfully quirky Dinosaur Park.
Set over the beautiful ridges of Crystal Palace Park, you’ll find dinosaurs that are comically incorrect, adding a hilarious twist to the prehistoric narrative. Explore full-scale reconstructions and meet the first three dinosaur species ever discovered—all for free. While Jurassic Park took dinosaurs a bit more seriously, this park is all about laughter and is certainly one of the funniest adventurous things to do in London.
Sandbox VR London
Looking for an adventure that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy?
Strap yourself in for an unforgettable adventure at Sandbox VR London. All you need to do is get a group of your mates slide into a VR helmet, and arm yourself with an arsenal of fake weapons. Once you’re all geared up, the real magic begins as you choose from a range of captivating storylines—storm a fortress, brave haunted tombs, or face off with a horde of zombies that’s reminiscent of The Walking Dead.
After your virtual games, make sure to unwind in Sandbox’s food and bar area. And of course, the sci-fi madness doesn’t end there as you’ll be served by a team of high-tech robots who will whip up your drinks with futuristic flair
The London Dungeon
If you’re up for a spine-chilling experience, head to London’s South Bank and step into the immersive world of the London Dungeon.
While we do love a regular historical exhibit, the London Dungeon offers a bit more —it’s a theatrical marvel, complete with a stellar cast of actors, special effects, stages, scenes, and even two rides!
With nearly 19 interactive shows spanning 1000 years of the city’s dark history, the London Dungeon is a walk-through journey into the spooky undergrounds of London’s past where you can meet infamous icons like Sweeney Todd and Jack the Ripper (played by actors, of course!), and for the bravest souls, they’ve recently opened their very own escape room.
Hidden London
Ready to peel back the layers of London and literally head down into its hidden depths?
The Hidden London tours offer a backstage pass to the Tube network’s ‘forgotten’ parts and the bustling stations you thought you knew. Led by expert guides, you’ll get to venture behind the scenes of the Underground, and step inside well preserved time capsule of London filled with historic posters, signs, and vintage tiles tucked away in the long-disused tunnels. If you’re willing to go deeper and by that we mean 11 storeys – book a ticket for a tour of Clapham South, an underground shelter that opened its doors to the public in 1944.
Go Ape
If you and a group of friends are feeling strong enough to brave the London weather, we highly recommend signing up for an adrenaline-pumping day at Go Ape in Battersea.
This high ropes course is full of obstacles, including the Zigzag Bridge and several zip wires, making it perfect for thrill seekers. Not only is it an exciting way to spend the day, but it’s also a great opportunity to push your limits and see what you’re really made of.
And don’t forget to cash in your 10% student discount!
If you’ve already made AXO your home in London, why not make it a long-term affair? With our prime locations, easy tube access and proximity to universities, the fun never stops. Book again for 24/25 and continue to enjoy the exciting student life that London has to offer.
For those yet to experience unrivalled uni life at AXO Student Living, the adventure awaits! Imagine yourself in the heart of London, with friendly staff to help you every step of the way and a host of social events bound to make your time all the more memorable.
Ready for all the adventure London has to offer? Book your room with AXO Student Living for student accommodation in the heart of all the action.
