When people visit London , their first stops are usually Big Ben , Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus and the other famous attractions that make it one of the most exciting cities in the world. Everyone wants to go on the London Eye and see the wax works in Madame Tussauds , but there are also plenty of other lesser-known sights and activities that can keep visitors happy.

As I live in London, friends and relatives visiting England often ask me to direct them to some interesting attractions. Over the years, I have compiled a list of things that I believe are worthwhile doing. They range from visiting graveyards and touring a famous bank to brass rubbing and a canal cruise . Here are my top 10:

1. With all the hustle and bustle of London life, it's not always easy to find a quiet spot that is really quiet , where you can relax and let the world pass you by. My favourite spot , believe it or not, is one of the many graveyards in the city, namely Highgate Cemetery . This leafy enclave holds some famous remains, including those of Karl Marx , Faraday, Sir Ralph Richardson, and George Eliot.

2. Another quiet place I like to visit is Ray’s Jazz , a small place on Charing Cross Road in Soho. This cafe was due to close down but found haven inside Foyles bookshop . Sit down, read a book, eat fresh organic food while sipping on a hot coffee and relax with the sounds of jazz being played. It's also a great spot for people watching , another of my favourite pasttimes.

3. If you are interested in economics , take a stroll down to the Bank of England in the heart of the city at Bartholomew Lane, near Threadneedle Street . Discover the bank's roots in 1694 and its fascinating history. There are many items are on display and you can find out all about gold and how it was used from Roman times until today.

4. In a city renowned for medieval torture , it’s not surprising to find out that doctors were still performing painful operations and amputations without pain killers until 200 years ago. Head for the Old Operating Theatre and Herb Garret at 9a St Thomas Street, in the SE1 area. Sit down on one of the benches overlooking the operating table, close your eyes and imagine being the patient!

5. No visit to London wouldn’t be complete without doing a tour of the haunts of the England's most notorious killer, Jack the Ripper . The tour will take you through the Whitechapel area, following in the footsteps of the gruesome killer . The murderer struck fear into the hearts of people living and working on the streets of London. There are a few different agencies offering tours of Jack the Ripper, so do some research before you take up this task one dark, foggy night .

6. Keeping to the theme of pain and torture , which old London seemed to do so well, you can visit a 12th century prison called The Clink. For a £4.00 entry fee, you can wander around the prison and see their torture devices and how life must have been for the inmates . You can even try out some of the exhibits! Mainly populated by women, this was one of the worst places to be incarcerated, and compared to prisons of today, it was pure hell .

7. If you are one of those people who are fascinated by caves and secret tunnels underground, you can take the short trip out to Kent and take a tour of the Chislehurst Caves . On this one-hour tour you will get to see some of the 20 miles (30km) of tunnels and passageways which were created for underground mining and used until World War 1. These days the caves are often used in the filming of TV programmes because they present such a unique backdrop. The tour costs five British pounds, but is free with a London Pass .

8. For something a wee bit strange , but fun nonetheless, you can try brass rubbing. This involves creating a picture by rubbing paper on a brass plaque . There are over 90 rubbings to choose from, including Medieval knights in armour , St George and the Dragon, costumed ladies and William Shakespeare. This age-old tradition fascinates children and even their parents will find it relaxing. Plus, of course, you have artwork to take home.

9. If you are interested in maritime history , you can check out a working replica of the Golden Hinde at the St Mary Overie Docks near London Bridge on the Thames River. The original was built in the 16th century and sailed around the world from 1577-1580 by Sir Francis Drake. Board the ship and chat to the crew, who are all dressed in character and will answer all your questions about this seafaring adventure that changed the world as we know it.

10. If you enjoyed your visit to the Golden Hinde , you may want to take your own boat trip. Jason's Canal Boat Trip offers you a tour along Regent's Canal with live commentary. The tour runs between Jason's Wharf in Little Venice and Cafe Crema in Camden. The voyage will give you a totally different view of London. Bring the children along, as they will love it too.

So, those are my ten alternative attractions in London. You can be sure there are many, many more, just waiting to be discovered.

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