Want to see London off the beaten path? Are you searching for non-tourist attractions in London? You have come to the right place. In this post, we provide you with hidden things to do in London as per a local.
If you’ve ever been on dreamed of going to London, then you’ll have already heard of the city’s most popular locations. I mean, everyone knows Big Ben, the London Eye and Buckingham Palace, right? But what about some of the more off the beaten path places in London? Trust me, visiting places that aren’t so ‘on the map’ can actually be a more enjoyable experience!
London is such an inedible city and so full of diversity. It has a little slice of so many countries around the world crammed into the capital. With the culture paired with famous attractions and the draw of English Royalty and Her Majesty the Queen, London has become an increasingly popular and beautiful European city break.
Plus, from the delightful New Year’s Eve fireworks on the Thames to the fun-loving festivals in Hyde Park in summer, London is one of those places that you can literally visit all year round. Nevertheless, if you’re looking to visit London but want to dig a little deeper than the places everybody talks about, there is still plenty to do in the city. Here is the best off the beaten path places to visit in London.
Hidden things to do in London
St Dunstan’s Church
For a little sliver of history hidden amongst London’s concrete jungle; St Dunstan’s church is definitely one of the best hidden gems in London. The church was originally built in the 12th century but then partially destroyed during WWII.
Today, the overgrown ruins have been turned into a peaceful little garden and are a favourite of locals on their lunch break or photographers. Tucked away between the Tower of London and the London Bridge, it’s surpassingly tranquil for such a well-located spot. Perfect for an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, St Dunstan’s Church is the perfect spot for an off the beaten path break.
Check our Ultimate 3 days in London Itinerary!
Shoreditch Street Art
You simply can’t beat a trip to Shoreditch whilst you’re in London. Possibly the artsiest and most stylish area of London, Shoreditch is known for its hip vibes and flourishing street art scene. Be amazed by London’s greatest street art as Shoreditch features the works of world-famous artists like Banksy, Ben Eine and Roa.
Note: You can actual take an off the beaten track tour by bike to learn more about the artists and the stories behind their work. This tour covers not only Shoreditch, but also Bricklane, Hoxton and Hackney.
There is also a cool photography tour around Shoreditch with a local. You can book it here.
Whilst you’re in the area, be sure to check out the Columbia Road Flower Market or chill at Trapeze, a bar themed like a circus! Full of originality, inspiring artwork, boutique stored and trendy bars, this is definitely one of the best off the beaten path places to visit in London.
God’s Own Junkyard
If you’re a fan of neon lights and vintage signs, then you’ll love God’s Own Junkyard. A miniature version of New York’s Times Square hidden away in London; this is actually a unique art gallery dedicated to Chris Bracey.
Located in Walthamstow, this truly is a feast for the eyes and you’ll be basking in a rainbow of bright lights the moment you step through the door. For even more of a taste of vintage London, head to the onsite Rolling Stones café for some delicious cream tea and cake.
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The ArcelorMittal Orbit
For something a little more daring in London, take a trip to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford. There you’ll find the UK’s largest sculpture – a twisting mass of red metal curling 114.5-metres into the sky! The sculpture is certainly strange to look at however, it’s so worth it just to go to the top.
As well as incredible panoramic views across London, the ArcelorMittal Orbit also features the world’s longest tunnel slice! At 178 meters long, this is certainly not something for the faint hearted, but if you’re brave enough and want a memory that will last a lifetime, if definitely something to try! But, if you do want to try the slide, be sure to book your tickets in advance. If not, it’s still worth a visit just for the gorgeous views!
Little Venice
For one of the most beautiful off the beaten path places in London, head to Little Venice. This beautiful side of London is such an underrated place to visit despite its great location between Hyde Park and Warwick Avenue.
Idyllic canals lined with barges, floral streets and waterside cafes make this the perfect spot for a romantic walk or a break from the hectic inner-city vibes. Or, if you’re feeling a little peckish, head to one of the boat cafes because you literally can’t beat afternoon tea on a canal boat!
Pro Tip: Speaking about underrated places to visit, I would suggest to take a tour of the world’s oldest underground system. Learn all about the history of the ‘Tube’ as you travel through history from one of London’s earliest, original stations to its newest and most futuristic. Book it in advance here!
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Sky Garden
One of the most peaceful spots in London, the Sky Garden is the city’s highest public park. For free and incredible views of the city, head to this hidden gem in London on Fenchurch Street. Even though it’s not known to tourists in the same way that Big Ben is, the Sky Garden is still quite a popular place to visit.
It’s hardly surprising as the perfectly landscaped gardens, a top floor restaurant, observation deck, and open-air terrace is incredibly appealing. Plus, the unique shape of the garden is an attracting feature in itself and has given the Sky Garden the nickname of the ‘Walkie-Talkie’. There’s also a botanical garden for even more gorgeous tranquillity.
Neal’s Yard
Easily one of the most beautiful hidden gems in London, Neal’s Yard is a small alleyway in Covent Garden. Nestled between Monmouth Street and Short’s Garden, the things that makes this place so unusual is its quirky courtyard decked out with colourful shops, hidden bookstores, cute cafes and dainty tearooms. The perfect spot to simply sit and watch the world go by, you feel completely separated from the rest of London, which can be a really refreshing feeling.
Grab a coffee or a sandwich and sit on one of the courtyard’s wooden chairs. Don’t forget to browse the selection of indecently owned shops there either, as you’ll find everything from arts and crafts to handmade soaps and homemade baked goods.
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Primrose Hill
My favourite outdoor park to relax in London, Primrose Hill is the much more off the beaten path version of Central Park in New York. Surrounded by one of the quirkiest neighbourhoods in London, Primrose hill will offer some gorgeous unspoilt views of the city. You’ll be able to see some for the most famous landmarks such as the London Eye, the Shard and the Gherkin.
It’s actually a protected viewpoint, so will offer you plenty of peace. It’s also the perfect spot to sit with a picnic and admire the view before you. It’s also just a short stroll to one of my favourite spots in London, Camden Town, so be sure to head there once you’ve finished your picnic for a dash of Camden’s quirky atmosphere and wonderful market.
Kyoto Garden
If you head over to Holland Park, you’ll come across one of the most beautiful places to visit in London and certainly one of the city’s hidden gems. A 22-hectare park created by a Japanese designer Kyoto Garden was built to celebrate the friendship between the UK and Japan in 1991.
The unique Japanese-style landscape is strewn with stone lanterns, Japanese marble trees, peacocks and ponds of koi carp. Wandering round the picturesque gardens and beautiful tiered waterfalls is a great way to relax in the city. The sound of the rushing water and birdsong is so peaceful. If you visit in spring, you’ll also get to see the beautiful cherry blossoms in bloom which adds the perfect dash of colour to the zen paradise.
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Climb the O2 Arena
Another of the more adventurous hidden gems in London, is a trip to the O2 Arena. Now, I know you usually just visit this world-famous venue for concerts or comedies, however did you know that you can now strap on a harness and scale the side of the building? If offers a completely different side of London and is great fun for adults or children alike.
You walk over a path suspended a couple of meters above the actual roof and the top is 52 meters high. On a clear day, you can actually see landmarks up to 15 miles away! You can also choose to climb during the day, sunset or at twilight, but personally, I think sunset views over London are unbeatable! From the top, grab a glass of champagne if you fancy it and then admire the 360-degree views of the city. Utterly perfect for another unforgettable London experience.
Neasden Temple
For a rare beauty that looks like it was plucked straight out of Asia, head over to the Neasden Temple. Certainly not something you’d expect to find in London, this white marble masterpiece is a complete contrast to London’s modern, grey skyscrapers.
Said to be Britain’s first authentic Hindu temple it was built only using traditional methods and materials and is located about half an hour from central London, near to Wembley Stadium. Despite the journey, it’s well worth it and admiring the stunning Asian temple is undeniably one of the best off the beaten path things to do in London.
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Wrapping up!
In summary, London has plenty of hidden gems and places you cannot miss to see. In this post, I highlighted some of my favorite off the beath things to do in London, but honestly I can keep going.
Share with me below: Have you ever been to London? What are some of your favorite things to do? Did I miss any of your favorite hidden gems?
This is a guest post by: Alice from the blog Adventures of Alice
Author’s Bio: Wanderluster, freelance writer and author of The Ultimate Guide to Affordable Luxury Travel, Alice is an avid adventurer. Based in England, she gave up her soul-sucking career in IT sales to chase her dreams of travelling and writing stories. Now, she helps people save money and travel the world and has helped hundreds travel longer, cheaper and in style!
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