Quirky London adventures for groups: 3 days of hidden fun

QUEENS has been entertaining Londoners of all ages since the 1930s when it was known as the QUEENS Ice Club.The ice rink here has legendary status: it was the first to be used for televised ice-skating on the BBC and is often used as a practice rink for contestants on Dancing On Ice.You get an hour to strut your stuff on the ice, whether you’re performing pirouettes and jumps, or just trying to get round the rink without falling over!There’s plenty more to do at QUEENS after your skating session. Challenge your friends to a game of bowling. Better still, book your own private VIP ‘liquor lanes’ with private bar, host and comfy velvet banquettes.Head for the arcades to relive your lost youth playing classic video games including Mortal Kombat, Donkey Kong and Tetris.You’re sure to have worked up an appetite after all that. The Meatliquor diner serves a mean burger, plus fried chicken, stacks of sides and an excellent selection of cocktails and craft beers.

Ever fancied having a drink with Charles Dickens or Arthur Conan Doyle? Well, we can’t quite promise you that, but this tour of London’s oldest and most historic pubs is easily the next best thing.You’ll wander hidden alleyways with your expert guide in search of some of London’s best and oldest pubs and ale houses, some dating back more than 400 years.Expect cozy nooks, crooked doorways, beamed ceilings and all manner of other quirks in these grand dames of London’s pub culture. These are the places where writers, politicians and even royals have congregated down the years. Soak up the history as you sample fine ales (at your own expense) from local breweries in these atmospheric surroundings.

This is a great way to see some of the most famous sights in central London as you and your friends join forces to solve a fiendish murder mystery.It’s 1968 and you’ve just received a mysterious envelope. Inside are all the clues you’ll need to discover the person or persons responsible for the heinous murder of a young woman at Duck Island Cottage in St James’s Park.It’s here that your investigation begins, in front of this quaint 19th-century cottage at the east end of the park’s lake, a little piece of the English countryside in the heart of London. St James’s Park is surrounded by major attractions including Buckingham Palace, The Mall and Horse Guards Parade, some of which may hold further clues for you to discover.Your investigation will take you to Parliament Square, where you’ll see grand, gothic Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, as well as several imposing statues of world leaders including Churchill, Lincoln and Mandela.Weave your way along Whitehall – home of the British Prime Minister’s official London residence at Number 10 Downing Street, and onwards to Great Scotland Yard, where you must solve the crime and reveal the killer.This is a private, self-guided tour for you and your friends, so you’re free to go as quickly or as slowly as you like. We recommend spending some time taking in the beautiful surroundings of St James’ Park and its exquisite lake that’s home to pelicans, parakeets and other delightful birdlife.

Chessington World of Adventures Resort is approximately 35 minutes by train from central London and offers a variety of attractions for the whole family. Discover their diverse array of thrilling theme park rides from pulse-pounding rollercoasters to whimsical family-friendly adventures.Beyond its thrilling ride line-up, Chessington boasts a unique blend of entertainment and wildlife experiences too. Embark on a safari expedition through the park’s zoo or head underwater in the SEA LIFE Centre, for a close-up look at animals from around the world. From majestic lions to playful penguins, the park's varied animal inhabitants never fail to captivate guests of all ages. Plus, regular educational presentations and interactive exhibits will give you valuable insight into wildlife conservation too.For families with young children, Chessington’s themed lands offer a magical world of discovery and play. From the mystical wonders of Wild Asia to the adventurous Land of the Dragons, your little ones will be enchanted by worlds of imagination and excitement.The park also hosts daily shows from dazzling performances to character meet-and-greets to keep everyone engaged.

Tick off some of London’s top attractions – including Nelson’s Column and the National Gallery – as you follow the clues to solve the crime.It’s 1899 and debt collector Thomas Meyer has gone missing in strange circumstances, leaving behind only a bloody briefcase. You are given an envelope stuffed with clues to help solve the mystery.Your investigation begins in Trafalgar Square, home to iconic London attractions including Nelson’s Column, the 169-foot-high monument topped with a statue of the 18th-century Admiral and with four huge bronze lions around its base. This sprawling plaza is also home to one of London’s most celebrated museums: the National Gallery. Take time to pop in for a look at masterpieces including Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, Constable’s The Hay Wain and Rembrandt’s Self Portrait at the Age of 34, alongside many other world-famous works. Entry is free.By the time you reach Chinatown, with its colorful storefronts and swaying Chinese lanterns, the heady aromas of roast duck and fresh dumplings are sure to entice you into one of the many restaurants for lunch. It’s the perfect opportunity to review the evidence you’ve collected so far.Your investigation concludes in Leicester Square, home to the Odeon and Empire cinemas where many celebrities have walked the red carpet at blockbuster movie premieres. Can you tie together all the different threads and clues to solve the mystery of the missing Thomas Meyer? This is a private, self-guided experience for you and your friends to enjoy at your own pace. We recommend dawdling for an hour or two in the National Gallery (or its neighbor, the National Portrait Gallery) and tucking into delicious dim sum in bustling Chinatown.