10 UNIQUE LONDON HIDDEN GEMS: VISIT THESE LITTLE KNOWN PLACES!
If you’re visiting London and want to explore some lesser-known spots in the city, check out these London hidden gems!
London is a stunning city with a huge number of iconic landmarks on your itinerary if you’re coming for the first time. However, if you’re visiting London for a second or third time, you might want to add some more unique places where you won’t find many tourists.
This blog post is all about London hidden gems – those special destinations that you might not find in popular itineraries, but are definitely worth checking out. We just finished our fifth trip to London, where we decided to spend some time away from the famous landmarks and explore these London hidden gems.
Some of these locations you might have heard of, but I’m sure some of them will be a great discovery for you. Keep reading to find out more about these amazing locations!
This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you.
LONDON HIDDEN GEMS YOU SHOULDN’T MISS:
NEAL’S YARD
Neal’s Yard is one of the most beautiful corners of London! It’s a colorful and charming courtyard located in the Covent Garden area. You’ll definitely be visiting Covent Garden (especially if you’re coming in December), so walking just a few minutes to see this gem won’t be an issue.
Neal’s Yard is known for its vibrant atmosphere. The colorful buildings, combined with many independent shops, cafes, and holistic health businesses make this area a favorite for both locals and tourists. It’s really unique and unlike any other place in London. You should come here early for a coffee in a really special setting!
KEW GARDENS
If you have time for a half-day trip, Kew Gardens is the perfect destination. Kew Gardens, also known as the Royal Botanic Gardens, is one of the world’s most famous botanical gardens. It’s located in Richmond and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can reach it by train or the Tube in around 30 minutes from anywhere in London.
Kew Gardens spans 330 acres and houses thousands of plants, trees, and historically significant structures. Some of the most popular and must-see structures in the gardens are The Palm House, Temperate House, Treetop Walkway, Kew Palace, and The Great Pagoda.
Kew is perfect for people of all ages, and any time of the year. You can buy the tickets online or on the spot. They’re a bit cheaper online, so if you know when you’ll be visiting, get them as soon as possible. Here’s my full itinerary for a day trip to Kew Gardens!
ST. DUNSTAN IN THE EAST
St. Dunstan in the East is one of the stunning London hidden gems in the heart of the city. This ruined church is located between the Tower of London and Monument, and today it’s a public garden, a perfect blend of gorgeous architecture and greenery. It was originally built around 1100, but unfortunately it suffered extensive damage during the Great Fire of London in 1666 and then in World War II. Instead of restoring it, they transformed the church into a public garden.
The church is free to enter, and it’s the perfect place to take a quick break from walking and relax at one of many benches situated there. It’s also one of the most breathtaking locations for photographers, as the combination of nature and architecture truly is staggering.
ONE NEW CHANGE SHOPPING CENTER VIEWPOINT
One New Change is a shopping center with maybe the best views of London. This modern shopping center is located in the heart of London, near St. Paul’s Cathedral. While you can shop and dine there, its standout feature is definitely the free public rooftop terrace. The terrace offers stunning views of St. Paul’s Cathedral, the London skyline, and other landmarks.
It’s probably one of the few viewpoints where you can come whenever you want, without booking a ticket or a time slot. The rooftop is a popular spot for photos, so make sure you add it to your itinerary while exploring the St. Paul’s Cathedral.
THE BLACK DOG PUB
The Black Dog pub is the perfect place to experience some local spirit and food. This cute little pub is located in Vauxhall, and has incredible craft beers and excellent food menu. It’s an amazing place to enjoy a great Sunday Roast, and if you decide to visit, try their “Rosie P1g” beer.
If you’re coming for a meal, you’ll be seated inside, but keep in mind that for the drinks you might have to wait or be seated on the outdoor terrace.
LEADENHALL MARKET
Leadenhall Market is one of London’s most iconic and historic markets, so try and include it in your itinerary. It’s known for its stunning architecture and vibrant atmosphere. You’ll find it near Bank and Monument and it won’t take you long to explore it.
The market dates back to the 14th century, and originally it was a meat, poultry, and game market. Today, it houses a mix of high-end boutiques, independent shops, and trendy restaurants, pubs, and cafes. Come as early as possible if you want to see it empty, but later in the day if you want the shops to be open!
OUTERNET LONDON
Outernet London is a mind-blowing location unlike anything you’ve seen before. It’s an incredible immersive digital experience located in London’s West End, near Tottenham Court Road Station.
The center of Outernet London, the Now Building, has some of the largest and most advanced LED screens in the world. They create breathtaking, immersive visual experiences, showcasing art, music videos, advertisements, and special events. The video experiences change throughout the day, and they usually last for around 10 minutes, after which there’s a short break.
Some experiences are more interesting than others, but as it’s free, I would highly recommend you come and check it out.
THE SKY GARDEN
The Sky Garden is one of the most spectacular attractions in the city, so it’s likely this one isn’t one of London hidden gems anymore. People love the Sky Garden for the unique combination of panoramic views, rich greenery, and excellent dining. You’ll find it at the top of the iconic “Walkie Talkie” building in the financial center of London.
The Sky Garden is located on the 35th floor, and it offers 360-degree views of London’s skyline. You can see landmarks like the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, The Shard, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the River Thames in the palm of your hand. The most amazing thing is the fact that this attraction is completely free, you just need to book entrance tickets on their website.
VICTORIA EMBANKMENT GARDENS
The Victoria Embankment Gardens is an is an incredibly charming park which you should visit while strolling through Westminster. If you’re one of those people always looking for a break from the crowds, this green space is the perfect escape from the tourists in central London. There are many benches scattered throughout, so you can relax or enjoy a take away lunch.
The gardens were created in the late 19th century, and they have several amazing design elements and monuments worth exploring. Some of the most notable monuments in the park are the statue of Sir Arthur Sullivan and a memorial to Robert Raikes.
The park is really close to several iconic London landmarks such as the London Eye, Trafalgar Square, and the Houses of Parliament, so this park is a very convenient stop during a day of sightseeing.
ST. JAMES’ PARK
Lastly, I’ll mention St. James’ Park. London has many gorgeous parks and St. James’ Park is definitely one of them. It’s right in the center of the city, and with plenty of trees, a scenic lake, and active wildlife, it’s a favorite spot for both locals and tourists.
You should visit this park for its incredible charm. There’s a stunning lake at the park which is home to various animals such as swans, ducks, and pelicans. Along the lake, there are many pathways where you can stroll and enjoy scenic views of Big Ben, the London Eye, and Buckingham Palace.
In the end, if you tire yourself out, there’s always the St. James’ Café – a café situated in the center of the park, with food, drinks and gorgeous outdoor seating overlooking the park. You can’t miss with this one, there’s a reason it’s one of London hidden gems!
In conclusion, London is more than just it’s popular landmarks and attractions, so add some of these London hidden gems to make your trip more unique and exciting!
