Underrated London Attractions That Are a Must-See
The city of London is punctuated with world-famous sights like the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, and Tower Bridge. And while you absolutely have to tour as many museums as you can (they’re all free!) and cross off all the main attractions, every side street and street corner has the potential to hold centuries of history and secret treasures waiting for curious travellers and locals to come across them. Ready to see more of London? Here are eight incredible places to add to your itinerary.
Little Venice
Beyond the ironwork and white stucco of the townhouses and towering modern skyscrapers, there’s an affluent neighbourhood called Little Venice that is more reminiscent of the still canals and quaint houseboats of the capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam. Located just a short 500-metre walk from busy Paddington Station, you can spend a few hours walking along the Grand Union and Regent canals, see a show at the Puppet Theatre Barge, and stop by The Waterway for elevated modern European fare.
Spitalfields Market
London is renowned for its markets – Portobello Road Market attracts visitors for its antiques, Borough Market for its fresh produce, and Camden for its quirky shops. While Spitalfields Market isn’t usually at the top of tourists’ bucket lists, the covered market has flourished into a seven-day-a-week hub for artisan food, homeware, vintage clothing, vibrant events, and gourmet food choices that will leave your mouth watering. What’s extra special about Spitalfields is their spotlighting independent artists and traders to foster a community atmosphere.
Neal’s Yard
One of the many things that makes London special is its intricate network of narrow alleys that add to its historical character. With these passageways practically everywhere, it’s easy to miss the little 0.064-kilometre alleyway of Neal’s Yard. This vibrant shopping area is located in the Covent Garden district – an upscale neighbourhood full of renowned theatres and luxury boutiques with an intensely rich history. So, how did Neal’s Yard come to be? In the late 1970s, British stars Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam purchased offices in the alley, and an alternative activist established the first bulk Whole Food Warehouse. This naturally set the tone for cultural vibrancy and artistic expression, and other cool shops, such as Neal’s Yard Bakery and Neal’s Yard Apothecary, eventually opened up.
The Churchill Arms
Looking for a pub to relax by a roaring fire, dine on delicious grub, and sip on a local craft lager? Sandwiched between Holland Park and Kensington Palace is The Churchill Arms, arguably the most aesthetically pleasing pub in the city. Teeming with animated flowers and patriotic flags on the outside, you’ll notice the building from a mile away. On the inside, the walls are dotted with memorabilia. Built in 1750, Winston Churchill’s grandparents were frequent visitors to this unique watering hole. Today, it’s a favourite for real ales and exclusive wines, and, oddly enough, family-style Thai cuisine.
Columbia Road
If you’re in the city on a Sunday, you can’t miss Columbia Road. Although it is known mainly for the ever-so-pretty Columbia Road Flower Market, you’ll also be able to explore a ton of antique and vintage shops that sell 1900s to 1950s-era home decor, colourful children’s wear, glassware and textiles, rare vinyl, and more. Once your feet are weary from touring the shops, you can fuel up for your next adventure at Lily Vanilli for artisan cakes and pastries, slurp up a few oysters at Oyster Boy, or explore one of the other worthy food contenders.
Primrose Hill
Climb up the summit of this verdant hill, and you’ll see sweeping views of London in all its glory. A high 63 metres above sea level, Primrose Hill boasts one of the six protected viewpoints in the city. You’ll also find a William Blake inscription there, and the sturdy oak Shakespeare’s Tree planted in 1864. It’s the perfect place to spend some downtime outdoors reading your favourite book or, if you’re into gambling, catching up on a statement posted on the BonusFinder UK’s site to brush up on casino bonuses. Surrounding the area is the Primrose Hill neighbourhood, famed for its village-like atmosphere and pretty houses occupied by famous actors, models, and celebrity chefs.
Kyoto Garden
London is no stranger to large green spaces, but there’s a one-of-a-kind tranquillity to the breathtaking Kyoto Garden. Making up the heart of Holland Park, most visitors tend to stumble upon the garden by happy accident, but what they don’t know is that this garden was built to honour the relationship between Britain and Japan. You’ll spot cherry blossoms, cobbled pathways, stone lanterns, swimming koi, a trickling waterfall, and stunning peacocks, all the while not realising how much time has passed. A big bonus of this scenic Japanese garden is that it’s free!
Pop Brixton
Already been to Camden Market or the Buck Street Market? Well, you might’ve gotten a taste of creativity and entertainment from your visit, but Pop Brixton is like the local hidden gem version of those hotspots. Pop Brixton has more of an intimate community feel, with fun parties and live performances from Wednesdays to Sundays. A single trip won’t be enough to try the plethora of food vendors either. Baba G’s will entice you with their Crazy Lamb Jalfrezi burger, Lola’s will quench your thirst with their fruity cocktails, and MexClub will surprise you with authentic flavours of Mexico the minute you bite into one of their delicious tacos.
