Seven brilliantly revealing backstage tours in London

Get down at the handsome neoclassical palace, with an enlightening historical tour of its amazing light wells – plunging stone crevasses which run along three sides of the famous central courtyard, two storeys below ground. Brave souls can also poke around the spooky subterranean ‘Deadhouse’, which feature preserved seventeenth-century gravestones. 

Thu 1.15pm and 2.45pm; Sat hourly 12.15pm-3.15pm. Free.

Nip backstage at the stunning Covent Garden institution as it gears up for an evening performance. Watch stagehands grapple with props, sets and costumes, get a feel for luxury in Her Majesty’s box, and – if you time it right – sit in on a rehearsal with the uber-fitties of the Royal Ballet. 

Various days, 10.30am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm. £9-£12. 

Take the gin lover in your life – it can be you, we won’t judge – behind the scenes at Sipsmith’s Chiswick distillery. Grab a sloshed selfie with Prudence, Patience and Constance (their three giant copper stills) and learn all the gory history of London’s chequered relationship with Mother’s Ruin.

Mon, Wed, Fri, 6.30pm-8pm. Selected Fri 4.30pm-6pm. £25. 

That’s right. For £130 you can pop on a pair of goggles and plop in the water with such amiable diving chums as the black tipped reef shark, the sand tiger shark and the lesser spotted dogfish. It’s all very safe (though probably keep your hands inside the cage anyway). Bring a towel and cossie.

Mon-Fri, 11.30am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm. £130 (includes access to aquarium and behind-the-scenes tour). 

The secretive society has been exchanging esoteric handshakes (we imagine) on the site of this 1930s art deco treasure for more than two centuries. The hall boasts luxurious marble flooring, stained glass, polychrome mosaics, bronze sculptures and a particularly impressive two-storey library and museum. Plus it’s ‘free’ to look around.

Mon-Sat when hall not in use. Tours 11am-4pm. Free.

Pitch up for an in-depth tour of Arsenal FC’s north London fortress. Savour the match day build-up from the dressing rooms, players’ tunnel, dugout and more. If you shell out an extra fiver, ‘Legends’ like Lee Dixon (no less) will walk you around the hallowed stands in person. Real fans are Gunner love it. 

www.bookings.arsenal.com. Various times. Match day tour £35. Legends tour £40.