Lesser-Known London Spots That Most Tourist Don’T Know about

London is one of the greatest cities in the world and one of the most popular destinations for international travellers. Nearly 20 million tourists come to the English capital each year, making it one of the most visited cities in the world, alongside Bangkok, Paris, Dubai and Singapore. When tourists arrive in London, they already have a list of several iconic landmarks they want to visit, such as Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye or the Tower Bridge. And while nobody can deny that visiting these spots is a must for any first-time trip to London, if you want to immerse yourself in the city’s unique culture, you must dig a little deeper and look for activities that are not so popular. 

These hidden gems will give you a memorable experience, and you’ll explore more of London than ever before. Here are some of the spots that should be on your bucket list. 

The Painted Hall 

Located in the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, the Painted Hall was designed during the 18th century. It features no less than 40,000 square feet of walls and ceilings covered in an intricate artistic design. The murals include monarchs as well as mythological scenes. Originally intended as an eating area for the people at the Royal Hospital, it soon became a tourist attraction, with dining reserved for special occasions. A conservation project began in the 2010s, and the hall was reopened in 2019, after which the restoration endeavour won several awards. 

Waterloo Vaults 

Hidden beneath the Central London Waterloo Station, the Vaults are a place bustling with artistic merits and entertainment options. Despite the stereotypical association of underground spaces with unsafe conditions, the Waterloo Vaults is welcoming. If you enjoy street art displays, it is the perfect place. Artists are always hard at work, and the walls are always painted and repainted. If you’re feeling creative, you can add something to the displays too. The Vaults are also a place for theatre performances and concerts, as well as the occasional private event. 

Sky Garden 

The Sky Garden is one of the best places in London to enjoy a city panorama. Access is free of charge between 10 am and 6 pm on weekdays and 11 am and 9 pm on weekends. The garden features greenery areas, open-air terraces, as well as observation decks and a top-floor restaurant. Although many tourists don’t know about it, it is a very popular place for the locals, so it’s best to book your ticket before arriving. You can do that online one week before you arrive. 

The Churchill Arms 

When you visit London, you’ll want to visit some of the pubs. There are nearly 4,000 in the capital, most of them found in Westminster, Camden and Islington. And while all are welcoming and offer a wide array of drinks and foods, you should pick something that stands out a little bit. At 119 Kensington Church Street, on the corner with Notting Hill, you’ll find The Churchill Arms, a public house that has been working continuously since at least the nineteenth century. It has earned the description of the most colourful pub in London due to its extravagant floral displays. It is believed to be the first pub to serve Thai food in London since at least the early 1990s. The pub’s name comes from the numerous Winston Churchill memorabilia on site. His grandparents, the 7th Duke of Marlborough and Lady Frances Anne Emily Vane, were regulars during the 19th century. 

There are many excellent pubs in the UK, and if you want to embark on a tour to discover the ones that stand out the most, there’s no better starting point than London. You can find accessible transportation to all parts of the United Kingdom from here. If you want to travel to the airport in your own car, you’ll be glad to hear there are several solutions available. Parking Stansted offers a wide range of options, from the cost-effective to the more expensive, depending on your budget. 

If you travel from Heathrow, one of the busiest airports in the world, you’ll have to ensure parking arrangements are taken care of in advance. While parking, Heathrow offers incredible deals. Yet, since it’s so busy all the time, you must be fast to get the best spots. 

Hampstead Heath 

Hampstead Heath is a public space on a sandy ridge located on one of London’s highest points. The 320 hectares are separated into several areas, including ponds and fields. The Hampstead Heath Woods is an area of Special Scientific Interest due to its eclectic biodiversity, which includes the rare jewel beetle. The Value of Health is a unique feature in the area. It is a hamlet made up of a collection of quaint cottages and houses that is entirely surrounded by Hampstead Heath. 

Kew Gardens 

Another beautiful natural spot, you might be familiar with the Kew Gardens if you’ve read Virginia Woolf’s 1921 short story of the same name. Situated in southwest London, it houses the largest botanical displays in the world. The living collection currently includes nearly 30,000 species, while the herbarium holds 8.5 million preserved specimens. The library consists of hundreds of thousands of volumes, prints and drawings. 

Thames Barrier Park 

As the name suggests, this Silvertown park is located north of the Thames, next to the barrier protecting Greater London from storm surges and high tides coming from the North Sea. The park was established to regenerate one of the most polluted spots in London. The decontamination process took several years, but now the Thames Barrier Park is one of the largest in the city, hosting several children’s play areas and picnic spots and serving as the home for many wildlife species. 

When visiting London, it’s easy to stick with just the most popular spots. However, to make the experience a little more special, don’t shun the lesser-known spots. They have a lot to offer.