London’s Top Hidden Gems – The Quirky, The Queer And The Quaint

Is there ever a better reason to visit a bustling city than to get off the beaten path and travel deeper? For us searching for those lesser known London hidden gems and secret spots has become somewhat of a hobby!

When we find those hidden places in London that only the locals seem to know about you cannot erase the grins of our faces. Like we’ve just got into some secret society.

I get it – of course you want to see all the cool places in London like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the London Eye. But for me, finding those unusual and quirky spots and exploring London’s secrets beyond the regular tourist attractions is what makes a city break a magical one.

The thing is, London hidden gems don’t remain secret for long. I recently saw a 2 hour queue of people waiting for their photo-moment in front of the hidden gem Platform 9 3/4 from Harry Potter. 2 hours people, for a photo! You could do the whole Harry Potter walking tour for less time than that! And because of their photogenicness (did I just make up a word?), thanks to Instagram, those so-called cool places in London like The Sky Garden and Nealls Yard are now just an exercise in patience and how to keep a straight face at the long-suffering boyfriend of the girl in the big hat and floaty dress.

So is it possible to discover secret places in London that still remain hidden from the rest of the tourist crowds? Absolutely. And, even just adding a few of London’s secrets to your itinerary will really sweeten your trip to the city!

We have compiled a list of the best hidden gems of London, from the quirky and unique to the most stylish local hot-spots that are a bit off the beaten path. London hidden gems you don’t want to miss…

(plus a free map at the bottom of the post showing all our top hidden gems of London)

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The top hidden gems and secret places of London  with a free map so you can explore off the beaten path #london #londontravel #england #secretplaces #hiddengems #europe

London Hidden Gems You Should Get Off The Beaten Path For…

1. St Dunstans In The East

I flamin love this place! If there was ever a perfect epitome of a ‘Secret London’ then let St Dunstans be it. Just north of Tower Bridge in the bustling Bank district sits a once beautiful piece of architecture (some parts Christopher Wren) that was blown apart in the blitz in 1941. Part of the church still remains but the internal gardens have been planted to create the effect of nature winning out in times of destruction – it’s beautiful. The odd person can be found sitting on a bench, worshipping at the altar of shrubbery and serenity and even the few tourists who have stumbled upon it keep quiet and respectful as they wander the grounds. An inspirational place for a little recoup from the noise of the city, and far from just an abandoned building – this is one of my favourite hidden gems of London. It’s one of the very few secret photography spots London has to offer where you don’t need to be a professional to get a good shot – it’s crazily beautiful from every angle!

2. London’s Silver Vaults

The largest collection of silver in the world lies hidden beneath your feet just a stone’s throw from Covent Garden. Anyone who is anyone buys their silver from London’s Silver Vaults so there’s always the chance you might bump into George and Amal buying their next set of Clooney tableware. 30 specialist dealers have set up shop in this bizarre underground world – think Alladins Cave meets Wormwood Scrubs, it’s all a bit Italian Job but one of the best-kept secrets in London.

Built in 1876 to store London’s wealthiest residents’ valuables, it soon became a spot for a bit of silver trading. By 1953 the building was fully operational as the world’s largest antique silver subterranean shopping mall. It’s free to the public and you never know, you might resurface with a £16k silver barbeque under your arm. A literal hidden gem and one of those secret places Londoners haven’t even heard of and a fun experience even if you don’t intend to buy. 

hideen silver vaults in London holding many gems
one of Londons hidden gems - the London Silver Vaults
unique place in london - silver vaults

3. Postman’s Park

Not far from St Paul’s Cathedral, just off the beaten path, Postman’s Park is one of many secret London Green Spaces away from the hustle and bustle. If you park yourself on a bench you can quite imagine it gets a little busier around lunchtime, since the tall buildings which hem you in are part of a busy business district. It actually got its name from the number of postal workers from the nearby Post Office headquarters who would eat their midday sandwiches here. 

However, it’s not just a quirky little spot to park your bottom for a while. Postman’s Park is also famous for its memorial plaques to Heroic Self Sacrifice. In 1900 the Lord Mayor and Bishop of London unveiled this new memorial to commemorate ordinary people who died while saving the lives of others. The pretty hand-painted tiles make for some interesting reading whilst you tuck into your tuna baguette. 

postman's park in London - hidden green space
hidden gem of london- postman's park
secret little park in London - postmans park

4. The Barbican Centre

If you like architecture and you’re at the nearby Postman’s Park, make the trip to a little unknown estate called the Barbican. We’re not talking pretty architecture mind you, far from it! The Barbican is a classic example of London Brutalist architecture that sprung up after the war in the late ’50s and ’60s and it’s pretty horrendous as far as design goes. But that’s what makes this place amazing. A concrete housing estate of tower blocks that is so ugly it’s unique. Residents hang baskets of flowers from their balconies to contrast and enhance the landscape and the high walk system which connects all parts of the estate is a peaceful pathway away from the traffic below. I’m sure this was once a residential area that locals would have rather kept a London secret but now it’s a cool little gem worth showing off a little.

The Barbican estate also has an internal arts centre (Barbican Centre) which, if you can find it, is a haven in the city. An internal lake is the centrepiece of a theatre, cinema and restaurant complex and believe me – you won’t want to forget your camera. A real beauty and a beast.

barbican centre in London - a quiet little spot
hidden gem of london - the barbican centre

5. The Vaults

The disused railway arches of Waterloo may at first feel like you’ve stumbled a little too off the beaten path and into a den of naughty mischief you might get in trouble for. But, in these secret arches, the daring and all things artistic is encouraged. And how appropriate it all began with the man Banksy who proposed these tunnels could be brought back to life again with street art and a constantly changing canvas of tunnels. Anyone can rock up and make their stamp and it has to be one of the most colourful and unusual places to see in London. 

The adjoining tunnels have also been turned into funky venues for the arts; theatre, music venues, and the occasional fashion show. Their website has more info on what’s on.

the vaults in London are a hidden underground art display for street art and graffiti
hidden gem in london below waterloo
rsz_vaults2
vaults3

6. St. John’s Lodge Gardens (In Regents Park)

So London doesn’t do too badly on the number of green spaces in the city but this little special gem is just that extra bit unique and so secret you might be the only person in here! St. John’s Lodge Gardens is actually part of Regents Park and is owned by the Sultan of Brunei, whose neighbouring mansion looms over. Being the nice guy that he is, he chose to make these gardens public so that you and I could enjoy this landscaped beauty. 

St John’s Lodge gardens really does feel like a London secret garden out of a classic English novel. Each little section is like a room without a roof, lined with high Buxus hedging making it all the more hidden, plus the occasional sculpture for the romanticists – the kind of place you could expect an amorous couple on a bench, it’s so dreamy. If you’re looking for a London secret spot with a bit of magic, you’ve found it!

st johns lodge gardens is one of the quiet spots of london, a real hidden gem
best sculptures in london are in the st johns lodge secret gardens of Regents Park
the sultan of Bruneis secret garden in london - a real hidden gem

7. Sir John Soane’s Museum

One of the lesser known places in London, the Sir John Soane’s Museum is an Aladdin’s cave you probably never knew existed! A little off the beaten track but not too far from Covent Garden, you could easily while away an hour or two in this most interesting of residences.

Sir John Soane was an architect and passionate collector of art, antiquities and amazing artifacts. He set up his home as a bit of a showroom to bedazzle future clients and a giant figurative display cabinet to impress party guests – he was quite the exhibitionist and host. The house is like nothing you have ever seen before and a maze of amazement, I cannot recommend this house enough if you want a bit of a surprise and a change from the usual London attractions – but sshhh! We don’t want everybody knowing about this secret London spot, there’s barely room to swing a cat as it is!

This is one of those secret buildings in London where you question if you have indeed got the right address, unimposing from the outside you could actually walk right on by. It is, in fact, a very ordinary looking house at 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, Holborn.

The Sir John Soane Museum doesn’t allow photographs so here are a few pictures from Wikipedia and their website but trust me, they don’t do this London hidden gem justice…

sir john soane museum - a london hidden gem
off the beaten path museum well worth visiting
a lesser known london tourist attraction - the sir john soane museum

8. The Painted Hall (Royal Naval College)

The Painted Hall at the Greenwich Naval College will knock you off your feet and then blow you away. Apparently London’s answer to the Sistine Chapel but in my opinion more beautiful, and if you arrive early you could have this London spectacle all to yourself! And with no restrictions on photographs like its Italian equivalent, feel free to arrive in your most photogenic hat and ready to twirl for the camera – believe me, when you see the place you will want to do just that!

The hall is entirely painted by hand and was completed in 1726. Given its beauty it should be one of those places to visit in London that the world and his wife knows about, yet because it has been in a renovation status for the past few years it’s almost become a forgotten secret. I can’t imagine it will remain a London secret for long now that instagram has got its hands on it though. It’s an incredible masterpiece and no surprise it has been used in several movies due to its impressiveness, in fact we recently saw it on TV show The Crown, used as a filming location for Princess Margaret’s birthday party. It seems the Queen knows all of the secrets in London!

Greenwich is often an area overlooked by tourists yet, in my opinion, it is one of the best areas of London for history and beauty – why don’t you consider some of these tours and make a day of it…

the painted hall should be on everybody's best things to see in london list
a real hidden gem of london but a real must see - the painted hall in greenwich
do not miss the painted hall when you visit Greenwich in London

9. The Tulip Staircase At The Queens House, Greenwich

If you are exploring the area of Greenwich looking for more places to visit in London on the more unique side, you won’t want to miss the beautiful staircase at the Queens House. The Queens House might not look out of place in this historical neighbourhood, but in its day it was almost 100 years ahead of its time and would have been surrounded by more Tudor style buildings. But it’s not only the architecture that was avant-garde, as you will see for yourself its innards are also pretty unique too.

This free museum is home to many a beautiful feature, like the Great Hall’s chequered floor and a well-stocked art gallery. But, it’s the Tulip Staircase you really must see. Britains first self-supporting staircase is not just a marvel in geometry, it is possibly the most stunning staircase you will ever set eyes on. Interestingly, the striking shade of blue paint is made using crushed glass.

This hidden London gem stands just a 5 minute walk from Greenwich Market – don’t miss it when you’re in Greenwich!

The tulip Staircase at the Queens House is a must see when in Greenwich London

10. The Royal Exchange

If you’re really up for getting off the beaten path in London, make the trip to the non-touristy area of the Bank district and treat yourself to the poshest secret drink in all of London. Built as a centre of commerce in the 16th century, The Royal Exchange on Cornhill has all of the opulence to go with your glass of champagne. Park your bottom on a plush velvet bar stool at the Fortnum and Mason bar and drink up your bubbles at one of the most cool London places that only the locals seem to know about. Rest assured that the remainder of London hasn’t discovered this beautiful little arcade for drinks yet!

It’s opulent, it’s grandiose and most pass it by unnoticed in this busy banking district. It’s one of London’s magical places and if you fancy a bit of luxury shopping after your aperitif then the Royal Exchange is the perfect place for Boutique spending. 

the royal exchange in Bank is a must see if you fancy a secret bar in one of London's most beautiful buildings

11. The Nomadic Community Gardens Of Brick Lane

Brick Lane itself is full of surprises anyway, from some of London’s best street art to the coolest bars and unique markets. But the Nomadic Community Gardens are interesting to say the least – probably one of the most quirky places in London you will visit! Like an allotment went to seed and Banksy moved in. Like someone spilled a giant bag of skittles and left an open space of rainbow proportions. Made equally more impressive since all of this started with an abandoned piece of land and a charitable vision that this could be turned into a blossoming garden where those who needed it most could grow food, create a pocket for the arts and just be part of a local community.

Grab a drink from the Roving Cafe near the entrance and soak up this relaxed environment which remains a bit of a secret London spot secluded from the masses. And, undoubtedly one of the most colourful secret places in London.

Brick Lane Nomadic Community Gardens - a real hidden gem off the beaten path in London
A magical place in the centre of London - a secret photography spot
An amazing secret place in the heart of London - the Brick Lane Nomadic Community Garden. A cool coffee spot

12. The Bourne And Hollingsworth Buildings

The Bourne And Hollingsworth Buildings in Clerkenwell has to be one of the most aesthetic places in London for brunch. Not only is the food amazing and very good value, the surroundings are so cool and unique that you will want to stay for lunch and dinner too!

Not particularly exceptional from the outside you could easily miss this place but once inside it’s a feast for the eyes as well as your belly. Locals are well aware of their magical local brunch spot but being an area of London off the beaten path, it’s a bit of a secret place unless you’re in the know. 

Floral is the focus and with beautiful botanical prints everywhere you could easily be in your wealthy grandma’s crittal garden room, complete with silverware and butler. Order the smashed avocado on toast and a second cup of coffee just so you can linger a while. To beat the locals to a table, you might want to book ahead of time.

Incidentally, the Bourne and Hollingsworth Buildings even have a hidden bar in their basement too – another little gem and London secret.

For more recommendations of the best places to eat in London check out my other blog post.

The best place for brunch in London - Bourne and Hollinsworth Buildings
pretty restaurant London - instagram food
hidden gem restaurant london

13. The Mayor Of Scaredy Cat Town Hidden Bar, Spitalfields

How could this be a London hidden gems post without including at least one secret bar? And the prize position goes to The Mayor Of Scaredy Cat Town. A stone’s throw from Spitalfields market, this hidden basement bar is the perfect spot to avoid the crowds and hole up for the evening with one of the best kept secrets of London tucked under your hat. Attached to the diner Breakfast Club you make your entrance through a fridge door and exit through the loos – the bit in between is up to you but make sure it involves a lot of cocktails!

I’ve been in a few hidden bars in London, and in fact, several other Breakfast Club locations have more hidden bars to their name, but none so friendly as this one – we even received a hug from the guy on the bar who seemed so pleased to see us again! Order the nacho’s and make yourself comfortable, there is no need to move on from this cosy secret London location.

a hidden bar near Spitalfields market London
a secret basement bar called the Mayor of scaredy cat town in spitalfields

14. Leadenhall Market

Off the beaten path, London has so much to offer after you’ve seen the main tourist attractions. You could combine a trip to Leadenhall Market with a visit to the Tower of London or our other hidden gems, St Dunstan’s In The East and the Royal Exchange.

Better known as Diagon Alley to Harry Potter fans, Leadenhall market is more than a film location. The architecture is stunning at this 19th-century market, with its colourful wrought iron and glass structure. Nowadays it’s a meeting point for after-work drinkers who spill out into the passageways, and also a spot for retail therapy, but the history of one of the oldest markets in London is fascinating.

A celebrated character in Leadenhall during the 18th century was ‘Old Tom’, a goose which managed to survive the slaughtering of 34,000 of his fellow geese. He became a great favourite in the market and was fed at the local inns. After his death in 1835 at the age of 38, he lay in state in the market and was buried there.

Leadenhall Market is part of the Harry Potter Guided Walking Tour with GET YOUR GUIDE where you can walk in the steps of your favourite wizards and discover more lesser known treasures of the Harry Potter world. A 5 star reviewed tour for sure.

leadenhall market - a london hidden gem
Leadenhall market - off the beaten path near tower bridge Lodnon

15. The Counting House Pub

Probably the most beautiful London pub in all of the city, dripping in 19th-century decadence.  The locals have it nailed as the best place for a pie and a pint but tourists pass it by not realizing what London gem lies inside!

The Counting House was built in 1893 as a banking hall but the foundations of the building sit on the north wall of a 2000 year old Roman basilica. It was the Roman equivalent of Westminster and being the largest basilica north of the alps its size demonstrates the importance of Londinium to the Romans.

Pies are local and handmade and there are several cask ales on offer.  You can even book a nights stay too in this London hidden gem – why don’t you check out their bank themed hotel rooms here.

16. Little Venice

There are no gondola’s and you won’t get ripped off for icecream but you can stroll canals till your heart’s content. Few people realize that hidden away a short distance from Regents Park and Paddington Station is the secret London neighbourhood Little Venice – a collection of houseboats and a cafe on the Regents Canal. 

It’s certainly a different side of London that you wouldn’t think you’d see. Whilst the world passes by quickly up there on the street, life saunters on to the sound of lapping water and quacking ducks down here on the canal. It’s probably one of the most interesting walks you can take in London and great for kids if you carry on as far as the London Zoo. It’s one of the earliest London hidden gems we ever came across and yet it still remains tranquil, serene and elusive to most tourists.

Stop at the triangular pool to visit the cafes and art gallery or even book yourself a night on the floating hotel. The Rembrandt Gardens is one of those rare secrets of London that offers a place for the perfect picnic away from the crowds.

17. Word On The Water – Floating Book Shop

One of those cute places in London that news hasn’t spread about yet is Word On The Water! I love a unique book shop on any given day, but a floating one – well, of course! So whilst you are making the obligatory drop-in on Platform 9 3/4, perhaps you should stop by this special little barge bookshop (not far from Coal Drops Yard) to see if they have any 1st edition Harry Potters?

It’s one of those cool places to visit in London with kids too because whilst you browse the collections they will be more than entertained by the resident parrot and friendly dog. And thats if there’s not some other kind of entertainment going on on the Dutch barge roof!

Word on the water book shop - one of the best secrets in London!

18. Highgate Cemetary

The final resting place for some very colourful and intriguing expired folk, Highgate Cemetary is well worth a peek. One of those hidden London secrets that continues to ‘speak cool’ even in death. Karl Marx, George Michael and Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy’s, Douglas Adams, are some of the residents that claim the plots in this beautiful non-denominational graveyard.

The cemetery is split into East & West and the tickets can be purchased separately. The East has more of a ‘gone to seed’ appearance, where the sunlight only just manages to kiss the gravestones through the canopy of trees and brings an ethereal atmosphere that’s quite fitting for a graveyard. Whereas, the West was built to impress and coax prospective residents through impressive architectural structures like the Egyptian Avenue and Terrace Catacombs. Each side has its U.S.P. and we would recommend buying the ticket for both sections.  

19. The Blue Bridge – St James Park

I once posted a photo from the Blue Bridge on Instagram and one friend said ‘I thought you’d gone to London, not Paris?’ The photo places you in a more European setting as the ornate silhouettes of Whitehall peek through the trees across the Lake. Then, turn your back and receive a splendid vista of Buckingham Palace in the other direction – a very impressive ‘2 for 1’! 

And, if you’re up for discovering more of London’s secrets in this particular area, check out this article here for more interesting facts about where the park got its name, a mystery skeleton and where the pelicans of St James Park originally came from.

St James Park London from the Blue Bridge.
The European-like view from the Blue Bridge in St James’ Park

20. Soho Square Gardens

Soho Square Gardens evaded me for quite some time; not knowing its name, I searched on several visits to the city for this most elusive of London secret places that I’d seen in photoshoots from time to time, but could not find it! The draw was the cute little timber hut in the centre but once I started researching the park I discovered more of London’s secrets which only added to the magnetism of this find. First off, the beautiful Tudor-style building in the middle of the park is actually a fake! Despite its deliberate wonkiness, this glorified garden shed was actually only built in 1925 to hide an ugly electrical substation. However, what fascinated me more was the fact that the entrance within the building is also the opening to one of London’s larger WW2 air-raid shelters; beneath your feet over 150 people regularly clambered to escape the bombings.

But Soho Square Gardens isn’t all about the subterranean – when you visit make sure you consider the neighbourhood too : Soho Square has often had an affinity with the rich and famous. Starting with Dukes and Earls, name-dropped in several famous pieces of literature and temporarily lived in by the likes of Karl Marx, John Logie Baird, Mozart and Mary Seacole. Just think – these gardens were possibly the place where many inspirational thoughts were thought. Ultimately though, the gardens are an aesthetically pleasing green space within a busy metropolis where those in the know sneak a quiet picnic. You’d never know you were adjacent to some of London’s busiest streets!

Soho Square Gardens, London secret

21. The Hill Garden And Pergola

One of the more aesthetic places in London, the Hill Garden and Pergola was the brainchild of a certain Mr. Leverhulme. Despite becoming filthy rich from selling soap this dude was anything but clean. Associated with atrocities of the British Empire and exploiting slaves, the Hill Garden of Golders Hill Park became a nice little playground for him and his equally corrupt cronies. Still, who said nefarious narcissists couldn’t have good tastes? 

Effectively just a raised walkway to oversee his beautifully landscaped gardens, likely with a glass of champagne in hand, you may wonder why it’s become one of those cool places in London that draws an elite few that are in on the secret? Well, what it’s maybe lost in terms of glamour from years of neglect, it more than makes up for in aura and character. No matter the time of day or time of year, the Hill Garden oozes a quiet ambience, and there’s no way you’d know you were in London.

And don’t worry, no seedy business deals are needed for the upkeep of the Hill Garden these days – the Borough Council takes care of the preservation nowadays.

This secret London place sits just north of Hampstead village on our hidden gems map below.

22. The Sky Garden

For several years now, photo’s of this unique spot in London have been popping up on social media, so it’s not exactly one of the best kept secrets of London, but unless you know where to go it’s not something you would just stumble across. 20 Fenchurch Street (or The Walkie-Talkie) is primarily used for big business but up in its attic is the most beautiful paradise in the sky!

It’s like Jack’s beanstalk was planted in a greenhouse and before he knew it, it was propelled heavenward 500 feet. The lift alone makes you feel like Charlie in the great glass elevator. Enough fairytale references? That’s because it’s just so magical! We actually put off visiting for years because it seemed like some big ‘influencer’ gimmick but when we finally took the plunge ascent we were knocked off our feet.

The best thing about his London attraction is that it’s free! You might have to book a slot online but once you’re up there you’d be crazy not to order yourself a glass of bubbly and celebrate the city views from London’s 5th tallest building. We love it so much we even gave it a full blog post all of its own, have a read here.

Where is the Sky Garden? At the very top of the walkietalkie, 20 Fenchurch Street, London
View of London Bridge from the London Skygarden terrace
Visit the Sky Garden Bar in London for sunset drinks

23. Three Great Views Of St Paul’s

St Paul’s Cathedral, a London icon, attracts 1.7 million visitors every year. Designed by Christopher Wren, this 17th century national treasure is a sight to behold. The dome is one of the largest in the world and the huge gold cross above it can be seen from almost any vantage point in London.

But when you’re stood in front of this old Mary Poppin’s church, it’s so huge it’s hard to appreciate some of its architecture. So we have 3 spots for you to visit that give an alternative view.

The Reflection Garden

Opened in 2022, this tranquil space can be easily missed. Tucked behind thick hedges, you would never just stumble across it. This kinda seems a shame when you consider the double-view this clever architectural reflection pool is throwing out. Still, it’s nice to know there are still a few London hidden gems about!

Sabine Rooftop Bar

Our second photo-opp comes with a nice little additional bonus of a cheeky beverage. The Sabine Bar on top of the Leonardo Hotel just across the road from St Paul’s Cathedral is everything you would expect from a funky roof-top space. Tropical plants, atmospheric lighting and of course – the view of that mahoosive dome! The photos really don’t do it justice but it’s great to sip some bubbly whilst taking in the architectural details you could never see this close otherwise.

One New Change Shopping Centre

And our final place to snap a fantastic photograph of St Paul’s Cathedral is from the One New Change Shopping Centre. As you can see in the photo above, the glass panels create a unique view. And a great feature of this place is that if you catch the glass elevator all the way to the top the aspect changes on each level.

And if that’s not cool enough, right at the top is another bar, Madison, and also a free viewing platform.

24. The Kyoto Garden in Holland Park

Created by talented Japanese designer Shoji Nakaya, the Kyoto Garden is a serene oasis hiding in a bustling area of London. A sweet little secret London park that was opened in 1991 and presented as a gift from the Kyoto Chamber of Commerce. I was built to commemorate the lolng-standing friendship between Japan and the United Kingdom. And whilst there are certainly a few Japanese visitors enjoying the tranquility of this gorgeous space, it seems like the Kyoto Gardens have evaded the rest of London.

It’s the perfect place to enjoy a picnic! And, because of the attention to detail, it’s an absolute pleasure any time of year. In Spring you can enjoy the cherry tree blooms and Autumn the vibrant foliage of the well-placed shrubs that change with the seasons. There’s a few strategically placed benches that make the most of the design, as well as waterfalls, a koi pond and stone pathways luring you to the next spot.

If you’re lucky you might even stumble across a cultural event being hosted in the garden, such as a traditional tea ceremony or an Ikebana flower arranging demonstration. Either way, you will definitely find yourself being transported to another continent.

London’s Hidden Gems Map

It’s a lot easier with a map, isn’t it! So when you’re looking for the best hidden gems in London just click on the location, or click on the little arrow in the top left corner to see the index. There’s also the option to share our London hidden gems map with others too – but don’t spread the word too far or these secret places won’t remain a secret for long!

There you have it – some of the best London hidden gems you’ll come across. London off the beaten path is a wonderful place, travel deeper and enjoy the hidden city! And, let us know if you find any more secrets in London!

For more information about some of the main London neighbourhoods and what they have to offer, click here.

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London hidden gems and secret places - beautiful hidden parks, secret bars, quirky attractions and things to do that no one else has heard of! #London #hidden gems #secret places

We've compiled a great list of London hidden gems and secret places - London attractions you don't want to miss, even though everybody else has ;) #London #hiddengems

18 Comments Add yours

  1. leti says:

    great post! the map’s not available 🙁

    1. Alex says:

      Thank you, I’ll get on that ? thanks for
      Letting me know

  2. Emma says:

    Thoroughly enjoyed this article, thank you for sharing… will make it my post-Covid mission to visit all of these! Can’t wait ?

  3. Jane Taylor says:

    I’ll certainly be picking off a few of these gems next time I go to Laaaandaaaaaan Taaaaaaarn – I feel so untraveled and haven’t heard of most of these!!!

  4. Love all of these! My mother and I stumbled across the Silver Vaults on a grey day in the 70s it still sparkles! #FarawayFiles

    1. Alex says:

      What a place eh! Bet it hasn’t changed a bit either ?

  5. An excellent article, that I will be referring to comprehensively during our next trip to London: I’ve never been to ANY of these places! Given the recent press coverage, I am not entirely sure that the Sultan of Brunei is such a “nice guy”, but it is great that he has opened up his gardens to the public ;o)

    Greetings from Luxembourg and #farawayfiles

    1. Alex says:

      Nice in the horticultural way maybe!? Thanks for the lovely comment, hope you manage to see a few gems on your next trip ?

  6. What a fabulous post, Alex! You’ve covered so much, from hidden parks to artistic homes to staircases to pubs – and to Little Venice? I had no idea London had such a one. I learned so much in this post and saving it for my next visit (whenever that may be!). Thanks for linking up this informative post with #farawayfiles

  7. Janis says:

    Wow, seeing no.5 The Vaults, brought back some memories, I remember visiting there when Banksy did the Cans Festival in 2008.

    Some great places included in this post, Postman’s Park is a lovely to visit. #farawayfiles

    1. Alex says:

      That’s cool you saw that in 2008, sad I missed it. I think that’s when it all started after that.

  8. Paul Healy says:

    This is a great list of hidden things to do in London. I love St Dunstans In The East – I almost feel like a cool person going there.

    1. Alex says:

      Haha – tell me about it!

  9. Nicola says:

    This is a fantastic post, am saving for my next trip to London. I recently did Little Venice for the first time in yonks and it’s marvellous
    #farawayfiles

    1. Alex says:

      Oh thank you! Yes, probably not all hidden gems for bloggers as we’re used to travelling deeper, but hopefully there’s still a few on the list people haven’t been to. ?

  10. Sharon says:

    Some amazing new hidden treasure s to visit next time we go . What a great review of some lovely places.

  11. I must know too much about London because 90% of these I’ve heard of and a few I’ve already been to, but I am in LOVE with the Counting Pub! Definitely gonna go there now when we are in London in July! #FarawayFiles

    1. Alex says:

      Well you’re probably used to searching out the gems. It’s amazing how many just stick to the main attractions.

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