Planning to visit the busiest city in the world, and undoubtedly, it is none other than the city of London. There are many prominent places where we can avoid the larger crowds and the quirky sites.
London is the largest capital city of the United Kingdom, with its global attraction for fashion, finance, and culture. It is diversely populated with many of the iconic landmarks, like Buckingham Palace, the Tower, and many musical acts in the theatres.
Here I am going to list down many of the places that I have discovered that are around the city, with numerous hidden gems & secret spots in London, and you will love.
Here I am going to list the 20+ Hidden Gems & Secret Spots in London You’ll Love.
Not only with a few of the tourists’ snaps around the River Thames, the Houses of Parliament, and many museums with natural history, but also with many of the food corners you love, and the unique, offbeat activities around London.
20+ Hidden Gems & Secret Spots in London You’ll Love
1. The Tulip Stairs Queen House
If you have a full day, you can head east of the city towards Greenwich, where you can avoid the bustle and hustle of the city. The wonderful district of London is home to many unusual attractions, like the Prime Meridian, where all the times on earth are measured from here, Greenwich Observatory, and the Cutty Sark ship.
The Queen’s House has one of the original features for its sweeping tulip staircase. It is the first geometric self-supporting structure in Britain, and it is made of wrought iron. This Queen’s house remains a Royal residence.
The National Maritime Museum is one of the largest and beautiful, if you are searching for any of the cultural attractions. Inside the museum, you will come across nearly two million items, and you will learn about the naval battles, trade, and many stories of exploration.
The Fan Museum is one of the unique museums that is dedicated to fans who admire the arts.
Must must-visit is the Old Royal Naval College for its baroque gem, and it was designed by Christopher Wren. It is a perfect place for a stroll inside the college surroundings and the riverside locations.
2. Word on the Water
The easy way to reach the Word on the Water is from King’s Cross station. Once you paddle across the crowds, you will find a way to the canal, and it takes around 5 minutes on foot. It is located in an accessible location along the water.
They will conduct this floating bookbarge as an outdoor event until there is rain outside the point, and get ready for the London weather. There is no entry ticket required; it is free to enter.
Inside the barge, you will come across antique carpets, vintage typewriters, and comfy chairs. During the winter days, you can prepare a cup of tea inside by using the wooden stove, and you can feel the love of the colder days.
This old Dutch barge is arranged with many of the contemporary works of fiction, with many of the old classics, and the new books. There is a wide range of books, which are liked by the kids too.
This barge is open on all seven days of the week, and the permanent position of the barge is near the Granary Square. Currently, due to licensing issues for the boat, it will move around regularly.
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3. The Old Curiosity Shop
The Old Curiosity Shop is situated on Portsmouth Street, Holborn District, London. And this shop is inside the premises of the London School of Economics. It is regarded as a popular landmark, and many call it London’s most famous shop for its age and literary connection. It is listed under the Grade II listed buildings with the timber frame and the Tudor style.
This shop was named after Dickens’ 1841 novel, which was published then as “The Old Curiosity Shop and also refers to the 16th-century building.
As part of the history, it was part of King Charles II estate and it was gifted to one of his beloved mistresses. It was built from the old ship’s timber. It was served for various purposes a bookshop including a dairy, over the centuries.
4. Little Venice
Little Venice is pinned to the north of Paddington. This place is positioned where the Regent’s and Grand Union canals meet each other.
Little Venice in London is known for its prime residential areas with many pubs, theaters, restaurants, and numerous shops. Canalside includes the puppet theater barge, the canal cafe theater, and the waterside cafe.
It is a very different area with many of the crossing canals that form a small basin surrounded by the Victorian buildings, with many of the houseboats around the buildings. The premises of this place have their own charm and a worthwhile walk around.
This place is free to visit all the time, where you can lie on the lovely grass during the sunny weather if you wish to. You can utilise the park benches to sit and enjoy the great canal views.
If you wish to have a trip on the water, you can book the Regent’s Canal waterbus trip to Camden.
5. Hamstead Heath Ponds
Initially, Hamstead Heath Ponds was built as a reservoir during the 17th and 18th centuries. Later, it was divided and grouped into 30 ponds. Out of these 30 ponds, three of them will be used as swimming pools with fresh water. One pond for mixed gender bathing and the other two for the individual genders’ bathing.
These ponds are fed by the River Fleet headwaters and through the natural spring weather.
These ponds are provided with lifeguards, if you are scared of swimming in the deep waters of the pond. During the summer sessions of swimming sessions, you may require the bookings to be done earlier.
There are different kinds of Heath Ponds on the east side of the heath, which are called the Highgate Ponds, with a model boating pond, and the other ponds are on the other side for ponds as wildlife reserves, which are treated as ornamental.
This Hamstead Heath pond is one of London’s largest open pond areas, which is spread across open space. There is a hilltop ridge that leans to the north of the city.
6. London Eye
The London Eye is on the south bank of the River Thames, with a height of 443 feet. This giant cantilevered observation wheel offers the most beautiful panoramic views of the city of London from all 32 capsule glasses.
It can accommodate around 25 people inside each of the capsules, and it has become the most iconic landmarks for the magnificent views of Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and St. Paul’s Cathedral.
This giant wheel is awarded with many international and national tourism awards (85 awards) for its engineering and architectural quality. This ride gives you an immaculate experience, and you will never regret the ride.
Please remember to book the tickets online in advance, unless you like to stand in a queue and take the tickets. There is also another option to buy the fast-track tickets and save your valuable time on your trip.
7. Kyoto Garden, Holland Park
The Kyoto Garden is nestled within Holland Park, West London. It is a Japanese-style garden, which was gifted by Kyoto city in the year 1991. But the authenticity of the Japanese garden is somewhat different in its nature, which gives you a pleasant atmosphere.
The garden opens daily from 07:30 am to 6 PM. It is free of cost to visit this garden. Inside, you will find that the three-tiered waterfall resembles the gorges, mountains, and the ponds look like the big ocean.
You will come across stone lanterns, peacocks wandering around, Koi Ponds and the Manicured lawns. This will make you feel like you are doing the meditation in the park in a positive atmosphere, despite being a short distance away from central London.
The Maple leaves, cherry trees, and Koi Carp around the park make you feel that you will completely forget to feel like that you are still in the city.
Kyoto Chamber of Commerce gifted (1992 Japan Festival) to celebrate the friendship between the two countries of Great Britain and Japan.
8. Cittie Of Yorke
The Cittie of Yorke is one of Samuel Smith’s historic pubs in Holborn, London. This pub was established in the year 1430. The current premises of the building were rebuilt from 1923 to 1924 in a most glamorous way in the Medieval style.
The pub featured a main hall and a lengthy bar, carved with wooden booths, ornamental vats, a mix of grand architecture and high-pitched roofs. It is listed on the Grade II buildings list with CAMRA’s National Inventory list of historic pub interiors.
The pub offers a selection of Samuel Smith’s food in traditional-style food, such as sandwiches, burgers and pies. Smith’s beers which are draught and bottled.
The pub has intimate booths, where you can enjoy yourself with your friends or on a date night, along with your loved ones.
9. Market Experiences with Local Food
Maltby Street Market is famous for its weekend-only food street, and the craft market is situated under the railway arches of Victorian, which is in Bermondsey.
This market is diversified with various foods that are recognised on the global platform, and you will come across many independent food vendors, where they prepare the specialised coffee, crafted beers and spirits in small production.
These restaurants are covered with brick walls and some with arches, which creates the urban vibe, and they are very creative.
Travellers’ restaurants are located around the places in Covent Garden and Leicester Square. They serve average food at higher prices. The most exotic food is available near the neighbourhood markets, which they are specialise in articulating the food with many varieties, and many restaurants around.
Many locals wait in the queue as the food in various restaurants is worth waiting in the queue for the mouth-watering food.
Borough Market is great for its genuinely fantastic food, which is regarded as the oldest and largest food market around the Southwark Cathedral. This market offers fresh food with ready-to-eat meals, local food, and International cuisines. You can visit this market around 10 am to this market during weekdays for a less crowded experience.
You can visit Brick Lane to have the delicious Indian cuisine during the weekday evenings.
Darcie & May Green offer the canal boat dining during weekday mornings as a brunch.
10. Sea Life Aquarium, London
Sea Life Aquarium in London is one of the global’s major tourist attractions in the city, which is on the bank of the Thames. This Aquarium is located next to the London Eye tourist spot. It features the penguins of various habitats, sharks, Jellyfish, and the rays.
It gives a mesmerising experience with the underwater tunnel with a shark walking around. Along with the entertainment, it also provides educational insights through the ocean wonders.
This underwater tunnel is a 40-meter tunnel, where visitors walk under the tunnel.
Seahorse Kingdom is a place dedicated to the seahorses. Rainforest Adventure has the crocodiles and piranhas.
You get to see more than 400 species, which include the penguins, 12 types of pirate fish and the sharks.
11. Gordon’s Wine Bar
Gordon’s Wine Bar was established in 1890. It is London’s oldest Wine Bar in the city and situated near Covent Garden, 47 Villiers Street. The oldest beauty bar offers many of a wide range of Wines and some food options like Charcuterie boards and Cheese.
This bar offers the award-winning flavours of Wines, which are from various parts of the world.
With various food options for snacks, like the Olives and the spreads. You have the Vegan dishes and Vegetarian platters as well.
As a Sunday special, they offer the carvery-style roasted chicken or lamb. Chutneys are served with the bread, Olives, Cheese, and the cured meats, which are more delicious.
It is a perfect place to spend time with your friends or on a romantic date with your partner.
This historic wine bar is set against the backdrop of the historic atmosphere, with a candlelit cellar and the walls are covered with many beautiful old photographs and the clippings of the newspapers.
Make sure to arrive early in the evening if you are planning to have dinner, as this place fills fast due to its cutest tiny place for more intimacy.
12. Leadenhall Market
Leadenhall Market is the most famous and historic of the Victorian era’s shield markets in the beautiful city of London. This market has many of a diversified selection of shops with unique collections. In the surroundings of the market, you will observe the vibrant atmosphere and the ornate architecture.
It dates back to the 14th century, with the beautiful cobbled walkways with the glass roofs, and the renowned award-winning pub is also there.
This market has many options to explore, like the restaurants, cafes, bars and the unique boutique retailers. The place appeared in some of the Harry Porter films, where the shooting took here.
For many centuries, this place has been highly regarded as the hub for the trading of different goods from various parts of the world.
With the recent renovation, it remains Roman architecture, and the same has been opened to the public to admire.
13. Elevated Experience on Rooftop, London’s New Angles
The Garden at 120 is situated in the court building of Fen, which is at Fenchurch Street. It is on the 15th floor of the building, which offers a magnificent view of 360-degree view of the beautiful city of London. There are some lifts with a 5 – 10 minute wait, which are dedicated to the public, and they can head on to the Garden at 120.
Bussey Rooftop Bar is an urbanised rooftop in well know Peckham, London. This bar offers wood-fired pizzas and well-crafted cocktails. It has live DJs with a lively atmosphere, and also has a covered terrace.
The Crossrail Roof Garden is open to the public and is located at Canary Wharf. It is an amazing botanical wonder with the exotic plants from the western and eastern hemispheres. It provides the urban oasis with the walkways, an amphitheatre for great performances. Entry is free here and can be accessed through the elevator.
14. Sir John Soane Museum
Sir John Saone Museum is the former personal house earlier. It is the office and the home of the classical architect Sir John Soane. Through the private act of Parliament, these three buildings are kept as it is after the death of Sir John in 1837.
This museum has a high collection of more than 30,000 fragments, architectural drawings and many more models. Based on these wonders, Sir John has so much passion towards architecture, which is so brilliant.
Museums have many wide variety of artefacts and arts, like many of the paintings by Canaletto and William Hogarth.
Sir John Soane had the main intention that the museum should be treated as a public resource, which would enlighten through his architecture and also for educational purposes. It is always free to enter during the timings, and only 90 visitors are allowed at a time.
This museum is known as the World’s greatest architecture and many inspiration to take from the Antiques of Ancient Egyptians, Roman Sculptures and the models of the modernised building architectures.
15. Battersea Flower Station Garden
Battersea Flower Station is regarded as the most famous and award-winning marvellous garden centre and florist. It is exactly located on 16 Winders Road, Battersea.
This park offers many of the product varieties of plants and products. They offer services in a unique way for gardening and as a florist.
The flower opens on all seven days of the week from Monday to Saturday (10 am to 5:30 pm) and on Sundays from 11 am to 5:30 pm.
There are two lush green houses with many houseplants ranging from the tiny succulents to and towering ficus.
The gift shop with charming cards, which are gathered among the greenery. There are many outdoor plants with seasonal blooming flowers, lemon trees and many of the olive trees.
If you are a plant lover, take some of the beautiful photographs and do a slow-paced walk around the garden layout and enjoy the quiet moments in the park.
16. Horniman Museum And Gardens
The Horniman Museum And Gardens is in Forest Hill of South London. The museum and the gardens are free to enter and are a family-friendly place to visit. The gardens are spread over 16 acres of land with a Victorian gazebo and beautiful city views.
The museum has a world-class collection related to natural history, anthropology, musical instruments and the aquarium. It offers interactive activities related to the hands-on learning collections and the impressive 15 types of aquariums with different displays.
It is a little oasis outside of central London. It is always best to visit during the spring, when everything inside the gardens is looking at its beautiful views.
Visitors can enjoy the gift shop and the on-site dining as well. There is a separate hands-on learning department with many activities, and based on the 3000 objects that can be handled by the visitors.
17. Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Palace is one of the best historic palaces in Richmond, upon the banks of the River Thames. It is the blend of Baroque and Tudor styles of architecture. It was originally constructed by Cardinal Wolsey. Later, it was handed over to Henry VIII, and it became his favourite house.
Today, it is one of the major tourist attractions, like the maze, state apartments, formal gardens, and the great vineyards. All these are managed by the Historic Royal Palaces, of Independent charity.
The largest and oldest vine can be found in the palace grounds of the greenhouse. The secret sites and hidden gems are never too far away when it comes to the history of small snippets.
The palace is spread over 60 acres, and the gardens are over 750 acres with parkland, which includes the River Thames. Till today, visitors can watch the massive production of the grape vine. Apartments and palace gardens are open to the public, and they have made it a popular heritage site even to till day.
The maze is one of the world’s famous puzzle mazes, and it is the oldest too, when compared to the world’s puzzling mazes.
18. The Ferryman’s Seat
The Ferryman’s Seat is known to be of Ancient origins from the 12th and 13th centuries. It is very close to the newly reconstructed Shakesphere Theatre Globe.
It is a historical flint constructed seat situated in Southwark at the Bear Gardens, a site that hosted the bear-baiting pits. This place is the rest stop for the ferryman who operated these services over the River Thames.
It is a place for the ferryman to wait for the visitors before the modern bridges were constructed, and it is the main crossing.
These are built based on the flints, which are the grey hard stones.
19. Kynance Mews
Kynance Mews is with the cobble streets, with the most beautiful, picturesque in South Kensington of London. It is known for its charming archways, mew houses and the ivy-covered cottages.
In the 19th century, it was built as coach houses and stables. Later, this area evolved into a prime residential area and a popular place for many of the films to be shot.
The mew is known to be the hidden gem for its unsophisticated charm, with a strong sense of community, vibrant planted environment, with abundant greenery around the premises.
It is a popular place for Instagram photo shoots, and it is listed on the photograph wisteria in London by The Evening Standard.
20. Camden Market – Yummy Eats
Camden Market is famous for its International street food and gives you a unique way of shopping experience. It is located in Camden Town with the vibrant energy and an extensive range of products in London.
The market is loaded with more shops, around 1000 stalls offer vintage clothing, accessories, unusual gifts of various ranges, homemade crafts, and creative scenes with the high-energy music around the place.
As part of the entertainment, you can enjoy the live street music performers, music venues in different forms, and other creative acts in the surroundings of the market.
From various stalls of the street food, you can enjoy International cuisine foods from the vendors.
Mostly, the market is crowded with the student population during the weekends, and this market has received awards for the wide range of International cuisines.
20+ Hidden Gems & Secret Spots in London You’ll Love – Conclusion
That’s all about the hidden gems in London from my end. I hope this article will help you plan your London trip accordingly.
If you have already visited London or you are a local there, share your experiences or any other gems that should be added to this list.
Don’t forget to comment below.
