14 Hidden Gems to Discover in London
London is a city full of famous landmarks, but what about the hidden gems that often get overlooked?
If you’re tired of the usual tourist spots and want to dive deeper into what London has to offer, this guide is for you.
Let’s explore some of London’s lesser-known attractions relating to history, interesting sights, architectural wonders, and remarkable people.
Historical Hidden Gems
The Charterhouse
Tucked away in Clerkenwell, The Charterhouse has seen it all from it’s origins in the fourteenth century. Through history, it’s been a monastery, a school and an almshouse.
You can wander through its serene courtyards and discover the museum, which offers a fascinating glimpse into its fascinating past. They also offer guided tours, including the intriguing tales that bring history to life.
The closest tube station is Barbican. Come out of the station, turn left then first left, and you’ll find Charterhouse Square with signs from there.
You can learn more on the Charterhouse website.
Postman’s Park
Just a stone’s throw from St. Paul’s Cathedral to the north is Postman’s Park (so named because people working at the former post office nearby would eat lunch there). The park is a little quiet area in the heart of the city.
The park is small, enclosed, and has a number of benches where you can sit and take a rest after exploring busier nearby attractions like St Paul’s Cathedral (less then five minutes’ walk away).
Its star attraction is the Watts Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice, a touching tribute to ordinary people who died saving others. It’s a poignant reminder of the bravery that often goes unnoticed.
You can learn more about Postman’s Park on the City of London website.
Wilton’s Music Hall
Step back in time at Wilton’s Music Hall, which they claim is the world’s oldest Grand Music Hall.
Purpose built in 1859, Wilton’s Music Hall boasts stunning Victorian architecture and hosts a variety of performances. Whether it’s a play, concert, or cabaret, the atmosphere here is unmatched and the ticket prices are lower than you will find in the west end theatres.
This hidden gem is located in Graces Alley near St Katherine’s Docks (which is just to the east of the Tower of London). It’s also just around the corner from the Jack the Ripper museum (come out, turn right, take the first right and Graces Alley is first on the left).
You can find out more on the Wilton’s Music Hall website.
Interesting Sights
The Seven Noses of Soho
Ready for a quirky adventure? Hunt for the Seven Noses of Soho, an art installation by Rick Buckley.
The noses were introduced as a protest against what Rick Buckley saw as the intrusive surveillance of CCTV cameras in London. The noses are sculptures protruding from the walls of various buildings.
These sculpted noses are scattered around the area, and finding them is like a mini scavenger hunt. Legend has it that if you find all seven, you’ll gain infinite wealth. Worth a try, right?
Finding all seven noses can be quite a challenge. One is at Admiralty Arch (not in Soho) and the others are located in the streets of Soho. So good hunting.
The London Stone
Shrouded in mystery, the London Stone is a relic that’s often overlooked. Sometimes referred to as, “the heart of London”, this ancient block of limestone is said to be linked to the very origins of London itself.
One claim is that it’s the actual stone from which King Arthur pulled his famous sword, which made him the King of England. It’s also said to bring luck to London.
The London Stone is on display inside a protective case built into the wall of the building at 111 Cannon Street. It’s right opposite Cannon Street station.
You can find out more at the London Stone’s own website.
Little Venice
For a slice of tranquility, head to Little Venice. This picturesque spot on the Regent’s Canal features colourful houseboats, and is perfect for a leisurely stroll or boat trip.
The closest tube station to Little Venice is Warwick Avenue (remember the Duffy song from a few years ago?).
If you want to explore a little further, you can follow the canal north-east until you see Cafe Laville bridging the canal. From here you would have to leave the canal and cross the road before picking it up again, so you might want to turn back to stay in the Little Venice area.
Alternatively, following the canal south-east from Little Venice brings you to Paddington Basin. Here you will find a number of restaurants and shops, passing some interesting canal boats on the way.
You can learn more about Little Venice on the Canal and River Trust website.
Architectural Wonders
Leighton House Museum
Once the home of Victorian artist Frederic (Lord for only one day) Leighton, this hidden gem showcases an eclectic mix of Middle Eastern and Victorian styles. The Arab Hall, with its dazzling tiles and golden dome, is a highlight.
Leighton House is located just off Kensington High Street, in Holland Park Road. It’s not far from the Design Museum, if you want to combine some visits in the area.
You have a choice of three tube stations for Leighton house: Kensington (Olympia), High Street Kensington, and Holland Park.
In my opinion, the last two are the best options if you have a choice. High Street Kensington provides a nice walk past the many shops, and the walk from Holland Park lets you see how the other (rich) half live.
Learn more at the Leighton House web page.
Strawberry Hill House and Garden
This masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture was created by Horace Walpole in the 18th century.
Sometimes referred to as “Horace Walpoles little gothic castle”, Strawberry Hill House is worth a visit as an extraordinary building with beautiful gardens. However, it also contains Horace Walpole’s collection of art and other objects, which make it even more interesting.
The closest station is Strawberry Hill, which is on the South Western Railway. This is a mainline station, about 40 minutes travel from London Waterloo.
Learn more on the Strawberry Hill House and Garden website.
St Dunstan in the East Church Garden
Nature and history blend seamlessly at St Dunstan in the East, a quiet space in the heart of the City of London. The ivy-clad ruins create a serene and photogenic escape right in the heart of the city.
After being bombed in the Blitz during the second world war, the plan was for the church of St Dunstan to be restored. However, plans changed in the 1960s and the church ruins have been turned into a public park.
You can find St Dunstan in the East just off Lower Thames Street, in St Dunstan’s Hill. It’s in between the Tower of London and the Great Fire of London Monument, so pop in for some quiet contemplation if you are walking from one to the other.
You can learn more on the City of London website.
Remarkable People
John Snow’s Water Pump
In Soho, you’ll find a seemingly ordinary water pump with an extraordinary history. This is where Dr. John Snow identified the source of a cholera outbreak in 1854, marking a pivotal moment in public health.
Unfortunately, the original pump is no longer there, having been replaced by a replica pump with a plaque commemorating Snow’s groundbreaking work.
The pump is located in Broadwick Street in Soho, right outside the John Snow pub.
The closest tube stations are Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus. The walk from either station will take you through the area now called Carnaby. This is named after Carnaby Street, which was one of the focal points of “Swinging London” in the 1960s.
Benjamin Franklin House
Nestled near Trafalgar Square, the Benjamin Franklin House offers a unique peek into the life of one of America’s Founding Fathers.
Apparently, it’s the world’s only remaining home of Benjamin Franklin. Franklin lived here for nearly 16 years, and the museum brings his story to life with engaging tours and exhibits.
The house is located in Craven Street, which is not far from Trafalgar Square. Actually, it’s between Trafalgar Square and the Golden Jubilee Bridge, where you can cross the river to visit the South Bank complex. If you are walking between the two, maybe pop in for a look at the house.
Learn more on the Benjamin Franklin House website.
Dennis Severs’ House
This might sound like the home of another historical figure, but it’s not really. Dennis Severs was an American who came to live in London in the 1960s.
He bought this house in Spitalfields in the late 1970s and developed it along the lines of how an imaginary Huegenot Family would have lived there from the 18th century
Each room is designed to recreate the lives of the fictional Huguenot family from the 18th to the 20th century. It’s like stepping into a living painting, complete with sights, sounds, and even smells from the era.
Dennis Severs’ House is located at 18 Folgate Street in Spitalfields. Spitalfields Market is close-by, and well worth a visit while you are in the area.
The nearest tube station is Liverpool Street, and Shoreditch High Street Overground station is nearby too (actually the closest station).
You can learn more on the Dennis Severs’ House website.
Unique Experiences
Newport Street Gallery
If you want to experience some art that is a little different, in a gallery that’s off the beaten track, then Newport Street Gallery is worth seeking out.
The gallery was set up to present work from Damien Hirst’s art collection, and there are currently six gallery spaces. As you might expect from Damien Hirst, they have some pretty amazing exhibitions there.
Newport Street Gallery is located on the corner of Newport Street and Old Paradise Street in Lambeth. It’s fairly near three tube stations: Vauxhall, North Lambeth and Kennington.
However, you can incorporate a gallery visit with a really lovely walk along the Thames, which I think is a better way to get there.
We first discovered the Newport Street Gallery when we were walking from Westminster to the Imperial War Museum (and we got lost).
To walk along the south bank of the Thames, with a great views of the Houses of Parliament, cross from Big Ben going south on Westminster Bridge and turn right.
Walk along with the river on your right, and turn left at Lambeth Palace just before you reach Lambeth Bridge (the first one you come to).
You will be in Lambeth Road. Take the first right into Lambeth High Street, the first left into Old Paradise Street, and Newport Street is on the right after you go under the railway bridge.
You can learn more on the Newport Street Gallery website.
Eel Pie Island
When you hear British pop music legends talking about their early days in the 1960s, they often mention Eel Pie Island.
The Eel Pie Island Hotel is where people like The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Rod Steward, David Bowie and Pink Floyd played in the 1960s. You can read more about the island’s musical heritage on the Eel Pie Museum website.
The Eel Pie Island Hotel is no longer there (burned down in the 1970s), but today the island is home to several artists’ studios, which are open the public several times a year.
Eel Pie Island is on the River Thames in Twickenham, and can be reached from the bridge on Twickenham Embankment.
The nearest station is Twickenham Overground (about 35 minutes from Waterloo). Turn left out of the station and follow London Road to the end, bear left and then turn left into Water Lane. At the end of Water Lane you see the bridge to Eel Pie Island on your right.
When you come back over the bridge from the island, you could turn right and walk along the river to my favourite pub in Twickenham, The Barmy Arms.
If you fancy a longer riverside walk before stopping for food or refreshments, continue past the pub and follow the Thames path until you reach Richmond Bridge.
Cross over the bridge into Richmond, where you will find a number of great pubs, bars and restaurants. Also, I believe Mick Jagger still lives in Richmond, so you never know who you might bump into.
And to Wrap Up
Exploring London’s hidden gems offers a fresh perspective on the city’s rich history and vibrant culture. From the serene courtyards of The Charterhouse to the quirky art of the Seven Noses of Soho, there’s so much more to London than the typical tourist spots.
Architectural wonders like Leighton House Museum and Strawberry Hill House showcase the city’s diverse styles, while unique experiences at places like Newport Street Gallery and Eel Pie Island add a touch of the unexpected.
Share your adventures and any hidden gems you discover along the way in the comments below. Let’s inspire each other to explore beyond the surface and find the heart of this incredible city.
Happy exploring!
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