London is legendary for its iconic landmarks like Massive Ben, the London Eye, Westminster Abbey and the Homes of Parliament. But there are lots of London hidden gems simply ready to be found if you understand the place to look. Listed below are 15 of the very best off the crushed observe and secret London points of interest.
15 London Hidden Gems
These London secret spots are dotted across the capital, so it’s finest to go to them over a number of days.
Kyoto Backyard
Probably the most stunning gems of London, the Kyoto Backyard in Holland Park was a present from the town of Kyoto in 1991. Unfold over 55 acres, this park is a tranquil place with a koi carp pond, stone lanterns and delightful bushes.
The Kyoto Gardens are free to enter and value visiting at any time of 12 months, particularly in Autumn when the foliage is at its most interesting. They’re open from 7.30 am every morning and shut 30 minutes earlier than nightfall.
Deal with: Kyoto Backyard, Holland Park, Holland Park Ave, Kensington, London W11 4UA
Chelsea Physic Backyard
Situated simply off upmarket Cheyne Stroll, you’ll discover the historic Chelsea Physic Backyard. Probably the most charming hidden London gems, it additionally serves an academic objective.
It was based in 1673 in an effort to practice apprentices in the usage of medicinal crops. Round 5,000 crops on show, every with their utilization clearly defined. There’s a ebook and present store, in addition to Tangerine Dream cafe overlooking the garden.
Deal with: Chelsea Physic Backyard, 66 Royal Hospital Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 4HS
Leighton Home Museum
This quite distinctive constructing seems spectacular sufficient on the skin however the true shock is inside Leighton Home. Located within the upmarket Holland Park space, it’s embellished in an opulent Jap fashion. The spotlight is the Arab Corridor’s gorgeous blue mosaics and gold dome.
It was the house of Lord Leighton and is the one objective constructed studio home open to the general public within the UK. Building began in 1865 and continued till 1895, with many gildings being added all through the years.
Deal with: Leighton Home Museum, 12 Holland Park Rd, Kensington, London W14 8LZ
Camden Passage
Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Angel, Camden Passage is one in every of London’s hidden gems that you just shouldn’t miss. There’s an everyday avenue antiques market, in addition to a number of vintage outlets, unbiased espresso homes and eating places.
And so forth. has a wide selection of items, while Paul A Younger is a mecca for chocolate lovers. The principal market days are Wednesday and Saturday, in addition to a ebook market on Thursday and Fridays in Pierrepont Arcade.
Deal with: 1 Camden Passage, The Angel, London N1 8EA
Secret Backyard in Regents Park
We might let you know the place this place is, however first we’d should kill you…simply joking! This off the crushed path London park is so hidden away that many locals don’t know of its existence.
Nestled inside a discreet gate within the Inside Circle of Regent’s Park, St John’s Lodge Gardens is one in every of our favorite secret locations in London.
Admire the artworks such because the Grade II listed Goatherd Daughter’s statue or loosen up on one of many benches with an excellent ebook. The imposing non-public home overlooking the gardens belongs to the Sultan of Brunei.
Deal with: St John’s Lodge Gardens, London NW1 4NR
Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross
Though Kings Cross is hardly a hidden gem, being one in every of London’s busiest practice stations, you may not all concentrate on Platform 9¾. The designers of the revamped station should be Harry Potter™ followers.
It’s straightforward to search out subsequent to platforms 9 an 10 and by the queue of muggles ready to have their picture taken. There’s additionally a memento store the place you possibly can replenish on wizard provides.
Deal with: Platform 9¾, Pancras Rd, Kings Cross, London N1 9AP
Sir John Soane’s Museum
Among the best hidden gems in London is the previous house of Sir John Soanes in Lincoln’s Inn Fields. A gifted architect, he designed many well-known buildings such because the Financial institution of England and Dulwich Image Gallery.
He purchased and redesigned three adjoining Georgian townhouses, establishing the museum throughout his personal lifetime. It’s preserved a lot as he left it, with a myriad of curios from his travels in addition to architectural drawings.
Deal with: Sir John Soane’s Museum, 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, Holborn, London WC2A 3BP
Inns of Court docket and Temple Church
This space of London is an entire metropolis inside a metropolis, centred across the Royal Courts of Justice. It’s the office of London barristers, but the beautiful gardens are open to the general public at lunchtimes from Monday to Friday.
Temple Church dates from the 12th century and is legendary as being a church of the Knights Templar. It is one in every of solely 5 surviving spherical church buildings in England and options in Dan Brown’s novel, the Da Vinci Code.
Deal with: Temple, London EC4Y 7BB
Postman’s Park
From the skin, this park positioned near St Paul’s Cathedral seems like some other inexperienced area. Nevertheless, method a bit nearer and also you’ll spot one thing quite distinctive…a memorial to courageous people who misplaced their lives while attempting to avoid wasting others.
Among the best London hidden treasures, the Memorial to Heroic Self Sacrifice was designed by George Frederic Watts in 1900 in order that these brave deeds wouldn’t be forgotten. The park options within the 2004 movie, Nearer, with Julia Roberts, Natalie Portman, Jude Regulation and Clive Owen.
Deal with: Postman’s Park, King Edward Road, London EC1A 7BT
St Dunstan within the East
There are some fascinating hidden gems of London within the bustling metropolis centre. This church initially dates from 1100 however was broken within the Nice Fireplace of London in 1666 and closely bombed in the course of the Blitz.
The church tower and steeple constructed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1695 survived intact.
The window frames additionally survived and make an atmospheric backdrop. It’s a preferred place with Metropolis employees and an ideal secret London spot for a picnic.
Deal with: St Dunstan’s Hill, London EC3R 5DD
Dennis Severs’ Home
Think about stepping again in time to how we lived centuries in the past – that’s the expertise that you just get at Dennis Severs’ Home. Situated on Folgate Road in Spitalfields, it recreates the lifetime of a fictional Huguenot silk-weaver and their household.
Created by Dennis Severs, who lived right here from 1979 to 1999, this Georgian townhouse options a number of rooms modelled on 18th and 19th century types.
Cellphones and images aren’t allowed, and if you happen to go to within the night, it’s lit by candlelight. Fairly a welcome change in some methods!
Deal with: Dennis Severs’ Home, 18 Folgate St, Spitalfields, London E1 6BX
Geffrye Museum of the Residence
Certainly one of East London’s most fascinating customer points of interest is the Geffrye Museum. It focuses on the historical past of the house from 1600 to the current day.
Set in picturesque 18th century almshouses, the museum was prolonged in 1998 to incorporate a nice cafe and extra exhibition area. There’s an enthralling courtyard on the entrance, and a beautiful collection of interval gardens to the rear.
Deal with: Geffrye Museum of the Residence, 136 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8EA
Wilton’s Music Corridor
Do you know that the oldest surviving music corridor on this planet is positioned in London’s East Finish? Wilton’s Music Corridor is being restored to its former glory by a devoted workforce, and often hosts theatrical and musical occasions in its auditorium.
There are a number of bars which have been intentionally left in a shabby stylish fashion that provides to the ambiance. This quirky London venue is a couple of minutes away from the Jack the Ripper Museum, which you may also discover fascinating.
Deal with: Wilton’s Music Corridor, 1 Graces Alley, Whitechapel, London E1 8JB
Mercato Metropolitano
Not removed from bustling Borough Market, you’ll discover a place that’s of the vacationer path however with an equally tempting number of meals. Mercato Metropolitano is extra of a meals court docket than a market, though there’s a Sicilian grocery store hooked up to it.
There’s an enormous array of meals stalls from Venezuelan and vegan dishes to Italian favourites like pizza and risotto. The market has ample seating inside and within the 2 courtyards, and common immersive cinema screenings.
Deal with: Mercato Metropolitano, 42 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6DR
Maltby Road
One other market in London off the crushed path is Maltby Road, open on Saturdays and Sundays. Nestled underneath railway arches in Bermondsey and some minutes stroll from Tower Bridge, this market is in style with Londoners for its low-key vibe. Once more, this can be a place to take pleasure in avenue meals quite than someplace to select up fruit or veg.
Having mentioned that, there are some nice meals producers and craft brewers within the space like Southwark Brewing Co will quench your thirst. In the meantime, Lassco is the right place to select up classic furnishings or to loosen up within the cool cafe.
Deal with: Maltby Road Market, 42 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6DR
So there you may have it, our choose of among the finest London hidden gems. If you happen to like locations which might be off the crushed observe, make sure to try our guides to the very best hidden gems in Paris, Rome and Venice too.
Which of those is your favorite or would you want to go to most? Are there some other London hidden gems that you’d add to this checklist?
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