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If you want to go past the tourist experience, you’re probably keen for more secret things to do in London.
I mean, Big Ben, riding the London eye, trying to catch your glimpse of the Queen outside Buckingham Palace. All part of the quintessential charm that makes London so iconic. But personally, I find the beauty of a city lies in the hidden corners.
So, if you’re looking to get off the beaten path, here are the 19 best secret things to do in London.
1. St. John’s Lodge Garden
Entrance Fee: free
Time to spend: 30 minutes
Address in London: Inner City, London NW1 4NY, UK (nearest tube stations: Regent’s Park, Baker Street and Great Portland Street)
One of the last remaining Garden villas in London, St. John’s Lodge Garden can found in the inner circle of St. Regent’s Park.
Seemingly hidden in plain sight there’s a magical meditative atmosphere to the garden, making it a great place for a short city break.
2. The Vaults
Entrance Fee: free
Time to spend: 1-2 hours
Address in London: Leake St, London, SE1 (nearest tube station: Waterloo)
We’re going under baby. The Vaults is a quirky multi-disciplinary hub hidden beneath Waterloo Station.
Okay, maybe not that unwell-known there is a Vault Festival where you can check out theatre, comedy, and immersive events. But definitely a local occasion, so it still makes the list for secret things to do in London!
3. The Painted Hall
Entrance Fee: £11 if you book online, £12 for walk-ins
Time to spend: 2 hours
Address in London: King William Walk, Greenwich Peninsula, London SE10 9NN, United Kingdom (nearest tube stations: New Cross, New Cross Gate & North Greenwich )
If you want to see postcard-perfect London, head to the Painted Halls. Located in Greenwich (equally picturesque) this naval art gallery is absolutely gorgeous.
You need a ticket to enter, but it’s well worth it to see this wonderfully illustrated version of British history and take a roam around the Greenwich area.
4. Tulip Stairs
Entrance Fee: free
Time to spend: 15 minutes
Address in London: Romney Rd, Greenwich, London SE10 9NF, UK (nearest tube station: Greenwich)
Shortly nearby in the Greenwich area, you’ll find the Tulip Stairs, located on the ground floor of the Queen’s house. Photo-ops here would be nothing short of amazing in this lovely spiraled navy-blue stairwell with historic roots.
5. Kew Gardens
Entrance Fee: general admission £16.50, £8 for students & persons 16-24
Time to spend: 3 hours
Address in London: (Kew Gardens Road, Richmond, TW9 3HL, nearest tube station: Kew Gardens)
London’s largest Unesco Heritage site, Kews Garden is made to wander through hidden walkways, stroll through botanical gardens and take awe of the lily pads before finding yourself at their local garden cafe, far off from the hustle and bustle of city life.
6. The Royal Exchange
Entrance Fee: free
Time to spend: 1 hour
Address in London: (Royal Exchange, Cornhill, London EC3V 3LR, nearest tube stations: Bank, Monument, Cannon Street)
For when you’re feeling a little luxury, find your way to the Royal Exchange. A commerce site turned local dining and shopping hub this is a lovely place browse craft boutiques and wine and dine like a Londoner.
The indoor spacing also makes it the best secret thing to do in London on a rainy day or cloudy afternoon.
7. Kyoto Gardens
Entrance Fee: free
Time to spend: 30 minutes
Address in London: (Holland park, Holland Park Ave, Kensington, nearest tube stations: Kensington (Olympia), Holland Park, High Street Kensington)
Cozily tucked in Holland park, Kyoto Gardens is a Japanese-style landscape surrounded by endless natural beauty and a stillness unfamiliar to central living. You can enjoy watching peacocks flaunt their feathers or stroll past the beautiful koi pond. Best enjoyed on a sunny day.
8. Postman’s Park
Entrance Fee: free
Time to spend: 15 minutes
Address in London: (King Edward Street, EC1A 7BT, nearest tube line: St.Paul’s)
Known as the “lunch spot” for general postmen in the 1900’s, this scenic park is one of the more secret things to do in London and the perfect break time from crowded London streets.
Offering the perfect amount of shade, benches, and seasonal displays, you’ll be glad you ditched the touristy sights for a little while.
9. Saint Dunstan in the East
Entrance Fee: free
Time to spend: 30 minutes
Address in London: (St Dunstan’s Hill, EC3R 5DD (nearest tube stations: Monument & Tower Hill)
Centered between London Bridge and the Tower of London, Saint Dustan in the East is a World War 2 renovated churchyard, now serving a garden and tranquil hideaway for Londoners.
With a flowing fountain, vibrant foliage and beautifully stained glass windows, you’ll be glad you made the trip.
10. Highgate Cemetary
Entrance Fee: £4 or £12 with a tour included
Time to spend: 2 hours
Address in London: (Swain’s Ln, Highgate, London N6 6PJ, UK (nearest tube line: Archway & Highgate)
Cemeteries are definitely not a tourist frequent, making it a tranquil place to not only tour the West grounds but explore cracked stone crypts, wealthy burials on Eqyptian Avenue, and Tree of Lebanon in this historic 19th-century cemetery.
11. Columbia Road Flower Market
Entrance Fee: free
Time to spend: 40 minutes
Address in London: (Columbia Rd, London E2 7RG, nearest tube lines: Old Street, Bethnal Green)
Contrary to popular belief, there’s more than Borough market. Take a gander out to Columbia Road Flower Market and you’ll find yourself gawking at the most-in season flowers and plant-filled paradise.
They’re only open on Sundays, and the word is out on this place, so be sure to get when they first open to miss any crowds.
12. Leadenhall Market
Entrance Fee: free
Time to spend: 40 minutes
Address in London: (Gracechurch St, Langbourn, EC3V 1LT, nearest tube lines, Monument, Bank, Aldgate)
Another lesser-known market, Leadenhall market hides in the corners of the financial district. And if you happen to stumble on this absolute gem, you may need to bring your camera.
14th century painted walls and cobbled floors make a beautiful backdrop to the award-winning pubs and boutique markets that lie inside (and this scene from Harry Potter). What more can you want?
13. Roof East
Entrance Fee: free
Time to spend: 2 hours
Address in London: (Great Eastern Way Floors 7 and 8, Stratford Multi Storey Car Park, E15 1XE, nearest tube line: Stratford)
Unless you’re “in-the-know” you’d never stumble on this hidden gem in East London.
One of my long-time favorites bars, Roof East lies opposite Westfield Mall in Stratford Shopping Center (7th & 8th floor). Upon reaching the top floor you’ll feel like you’ve entered an adult playground.
There’s batting cages, crazy golf, curling, and an amazing food & drinks menu, so be sure check this one out.
14. Little Venice
Entrance Fee: free
Time to spend: 30 minutes
Address in London: (off Blomfield Road, Pool of Little Venice, W9 2PF, nearest tube line: Paddington, Warwick Avenue)
Take a momentary country swap in Little Venice. This little spot doesn’t seem to be something you’d find unless you’re looking for it, or like me, happen bump into on a day out in West London.
As the name suggests, Little Venice is a quaint canal with mirroring beauty to the likes of it’s Italian neighbors. There’s water-side cafes and pubs to pair with your stroll, but of course, it’s enough to simply enjoy the view.
15. Limehouse Basin Marina
Entrance Fee: free
Time to spend: 20 minutes
Address in London: (Limehouse Basin, Goodhart Place, E14 8BT, nearest station: Limehouse DLR)
I used to pass this everyday to uni and just had to get off and explore one day. I can’t believe more people don’t know about this! Anyways, Limehouse Basin Marina is the most scenic spot, filled with unique boats (and sometimes yachts) docked around Tower Hamlets.
I’ll admit, there’s not much to do around the immediate area. But I do think it’s a magical place to visit during sunset.
16. Greenwich Foot Tunnel
Entrance Fee: free
Time to spend: 15 minutes
Address in London: (Cutty Sark Gardens Greenwich, SE10 9HT, nearest tube line: Woolwich, North Greenwich, Canary Wharf)
Travel beneath the city in this gritty underground foot tunnel linking Greenwich and the Isle of Dogs.
It takes around 10 minutes to get from one side to the other and in my opinion, is a great place to get creative.
From music videos to experimental shooting, Greenwich tunnel is a uniquely-cool way to get off the beaten path, and one of the cooler secret things to do in London.
17. Neal’s Yard
Entrance Fee: free
Time to spend: 1 hour
Address in London: (Seven Dials, Covent Garden, WC2H, nearest tube line: Covent Garden, Leceister Square )
Wrapped inside Covent Garden, you’ll find the oh-so-pretty Neal’s Yard is one of my favorite secret things to do in London.
A perfect fit for your lazy Sunday spent perusing this hidden lane plastered with colorful shops, organic skin-care products, and a charming coffee shop.
18. Open Square Garden Weekend
Entrance Fee: general admission £20, £16 for students
Time to spend: 2 hours
Address in London: (Duck Island Cottage Cottage St St. St. James’s Park London Parks & Gardens Trust, SW1A, nearest tube line: Charing Cross, Embankment )
For a low-key, and highly exclusive weekend, head to Open Square Garden Weekend. Now, fair warning, this only happens once a year.
But if you’re able to snag a ticket you can get access to London’s beautifully secret green spaces, usually locked off from the public. Can’t get more secret than this!
19.Chelsea Physic Garden
Entrance Fee: £13.50 for general admission, £9.50 for students
Time to spend: 2 hours
Address in London: (66 Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4HS, nearest tube line: Gloucester Road & Knightsbridge)
And last but not least, Chelsea Physic Garden. This old-fashioned garden was a hub for Apothecaries to grow medicinal plants back in the day, and now serves as multi-disciplinary green space for garden viewing, cafes, plant-workshops and small local events.
Take a city break and settle into the tranquility of the garden and the wonderfully nice staff 🙂
So, which of these secret things to do in London have officially made your bucket list? Let me know in the comments or @candaceabroad 🙂
Happy wandering,
