@guideme_london: This might genuinely be the wackiest place in London. And I don’t say that lightly. Tucked away in London is Novelty Automation – a collection of satirical, homemade arcade machines where humour meets engineering and nothing behaves the way you expect it to. Think old-school motors, pulleys and gears, mixed with modern sound, video and programming… all designed to mildly confuse, deeply amuse, and occasionally insult you. Some of the machines you’ll find inside: Alien Probe You’re tasked with investigating a captive alien… but whatever you do, don’t annoy it. This one is uncomfortable, hilarious, and absolutely unforgettable 👽 The Divorce Machine Race to separate and then sit back and watch the results unfold. Equal parts dark humour and mechanical chaos. Cycle Pong Classic Pong, but you power it by pedalling bikes. The harder you pedal, the more competitive it gets. Cardio, but make it absurd 🚲 Expressive Photobooth Sit inside, activate the mechanisms, and let the machine provoke a whole range of facial expressions while snapping photos. You will not look cool. That’s the point. Every machine is hand-built by Tim Hunkin and designed to poke fun at modern life, technology, relationships, and ourselves. It’s clever, ridiculous, slightly uncomfortable, and completely unlike any arcade you’ve ever been to. If you’re looking for unique things to do in London, weird attractions, or genuinely original arcade games, this place is an absolute must. Opening hours: Open every day except Monday 11am–6pm Late opening Thursday 12–8pm Sunday 12–6pm Novelty Automation 📍Holborn File this under: things to do in London that you will not stop talking about afterwards.

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Thursday 19 February 2026 16:56:08 GMT