One of the lesser-known ventures you can find is the Chislehurst Caves in the suburbs of southeast London. The caves are actually mines that were used to extract chalk and flint in the 19th century, although they have been noticed and mentioned since at least the 1200s. The caves were used as a World War II air raid shelter-turned underground city, a rock music venue in the 1960s and a farm for mushroom cultivation. There are also many pieces of art and structures inside, including wall drawings and carvings.
One of the most intriguing historical sites in London is the Old Operating Theatre inside of St. Thomas Hospital, located near the London Bridge Underground Station. The theatre was used during the 19th century by doctors who performed surgeries, amputations and operations in front of their students. This particular theatre has surgeries performed on female patients alone. The site contains a refurbished theatre and displays of artifacts from the history of medicine, dating back to medieval times. Admission is £5 and the theatre is open on most bank holidays.
A popular tourist attraction catered to the more strange and peculiar visitor is the London Dungeon, located on Tooley Street near the London Bridge station. The Dungeon offers a tour of the macabre history of London, including depictions of the bubonic plague, Jack the Ripper and the Great Fire of London. The tour is composed of a series of dioramas, live actors and rides. It lasts about an hour and a half and costs about £16 a person.
